Recommendations for High-Res Gaming in AOC

[Bleeding Jawa]

It's time for an upgrade. My laptop can play AoC at low settings, but my P4 desktop is about 4+ years old and flat out can't play it at all. I can't keep squinting at my laptop screen.

I don't play FPS, only MMO's, and I plan to play AoC for the time being, so recommendations should be geared specifically toward that specific title and MMOs in general.

My first goal is play AoC at the highest settings at 1920x1200 resolution.

My second goal is to future-proof as much as possible without breaking the bank because I generally only upgrade once every 3-4 years.

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The two recommendations I am looking for at this time:

1. Processor: E8400 for +/- $190 OR Q9450 at +/- $300
I do plan to perform a modest overclock...whatever I can reach with good air cooling and keeping the voltage reasonable. I understand that the Wolfdale will probably reach a higher clock speed. I don't know how well AoC handles the quads. If the quad will future-proof me a bit with a small AoC improvement, the extra $110 could be worthwhile. I do NOT do a ton of photoshop or video multi-tasking. The toughest thing my machine will need to do is an MMO.


2. Video Card: Best option for $500 or less (including any necessary MB or PSU upgrades if SLI or CF are prescribed.
I am planning to buy a decent motherboard in the $100-150 range as well as a solid PSU in the $100 range. However, if I need to add $100 for an SLI MB and an extra $75 for a bigger PS, that needs to be factored in. I tend to favor Nvidia (also, is AoC Nividia-optimized?), but it's not a necessity. I think I also read that the new ATI's are very hot and draw more power at idle (I may be mistaken)...I don't spend "that much" of my time gaming. GTX 280 is too expensive to consider right now, and SLI options may be faster & cheaper.

Possible Options:
A.) - 9800 GX2 at $400-$500 (I don't need an SLI MB for this, do I?)
B.) - ATI 4870 at $300-325
C.) - GTX260 at $350-400
C.) - 2 x GTS 512MB (G92) $300-350 + $175 MB/PSU Upgrades
D.) - 2 x 9800GTX +/- $400 + $175 MB/PSU Upgrades
E.) - 2 x ATI 4850 $300-350 + $175 MB/PSU Upgrades
F.) - OTHERS?

Also, if you have a specific card(s) in mind, manufacturer recommendations would be helpful as well.

 

[Ike0069]

Go with the 8400. The higher clock speeds will help and games are not going to make use of more than two cores right now. A quad core very well might be the norm in a year or two as dual core is today, but you can always buy a quad core then. They will faster and cheaper then also. I realize you don't like to upgrade very often, but replacing the CPU is a 10 minute job or so.

I suggest you go ahead and get a PCI-e 2.0 board and go with the 4870. ASUS PQ5 PRO is $149.99. I think two 4850's in CF would be better for you, but will push you over $500 for the cards and MB.

 

[Bleeding Jawa]

If people think 2 x 4850's would be better, that is fine. I am assuming $100-150 for a good motherboard. However, if I have to go OVER that amount (ie like a $250-300 SLI board), then I intended to include the extra $100-150 in within my budget. The ASUS board would be within an acceptable range, regardless of whether I used the Crossfire feature or not.