How would YOU do it (opinions)?

[bpm]

Hey there! I've been a fan of multi-boxing for a while and I salute you all for being creative and bringing this style of play to the game!

I am interested in finally embarking on this journey and wanted some opinions on whether or not I have what it takes.

First, my goals - Level 2 Priests or Mages (or 1 priest/1 mage) together up to 70. No plans on running more instances than my 1 PC can handle. If my system can handle 3 instances reasonably (30fps or better), I would love it.

Second, my hardware - I have a single computer with these specs:
Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale
2x Western Digital Raptor 10k RPM SATA HDD in Raid0
1x Western Digital 360GB (as storage drive)
2GB Corsair XMS RAM
2x eVGA 8800 GTS 512MB video cards, in SLI configuration
Windows XP Professional

So with my hardware, would you advise running just two accounts/instances or do you think I could push 3? With my setup - what are your opinions on how 2 or 3 instances would perform? Do you think it would even work? Any recommendations? I have perused the forums for a bit and I will continue to do so, I'm just looking for some opinions based on what I currently have. Any and all help/recommendations/opinions are appreciated!

I have 2 accounts currently and have no problems picking up a 3rd if I can do 3 on my box. Also I wouldn't object to spending a little money for software or hardware that would help facilitate this, but I'd like to do as cheap as possible. Spending nothing would be even better :D

Thanks,

BPM

[Perrigrin]

I would guess you could pull of 3, and get 2 gb more memory (real cheap these days) and you can probably do 5 (slow in cities of course) - Just get 5 trial accounts and test with 5 :P

[Lilnipper]

get a trial account set up and open them all up on your computer. mess with the graphic settings.. and see how it works out.. if you can handle 3.. shit.. add a 4th.. if you can do 4.. fuck it.. try and create a 5th trial account..
i mean.. shit man.. its free..
do it on your computer. we dont have a special site to go to, to input your computer info and see if it works or not.
you have your computer,
if i give you my address you can send me your computer and ill try it for you. i cant promise that ill send it back unless you send me money to pay for the shipping.
i have a laptop.. that i bought in 03.
i can run 4 wows perfectly.. know how i figured i could? i try it out..
free trial accounts are that. free.
no harm, no foul.

you'll never know if you never try it yourself.
help yourself help you.
w/e
im at work and im bored.
have fun.

oh.. yeah.. the wiki is full of info on how to do macros, and what addons you should get and strats.. and many other things that alot of fine people have spent HOURS putting in there for others to read and use.
take care.
/kiss

[Joshaze]

You should be able to run at least 5 clients on that machine. I have a lower-specced one and was able to hit 60FPS on my main screen and 30FPS on my alts without taxing the CPU. It usually sat around 60-70% utilization and I only have an older Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz. I do have 3GB of RAM but WoW isn't exactly memory intensive. I'd say try it and as long as your not pouring over into Virtual Memory (HDD Thrasing and massive slowdowns) you'll be fine. Also, there is no reason to install more than 3GB (Recommended) - 3.5GB of Memory in any 32-bit system or for the purpose of running WoW in a 64-bit system. Modern hardware reserves the last 512-1GB or memory for hardware address space and you wont be able to use it. This is a limitation of the 32-bit architecture. Even on 64-bit systems, 32-bit applications only have access to 4GB because of the same limitation. Unless you are running a 64-bit CPU, OS, and your Application is compiled in 64-bit, you will never utilize more memory than 4GB and with the hardware addressing you will rarely see more than 3GB.

[zanthor]

You can't run 5 with 2gb of ram, you would need to add 2gb for that. The reason to install up to 4gb in a 32 bit os is all hardware, keeping your memory dual channel and keeping it matched is better, and at the price of ram now days, it's sorta silly to buy 512mb sticks.

[Lokked]

You can order 2 CL-5 2GB strips (4GB) from Ebay for like $160 US.

[Stabface]

160$ is way high! That RAM better make me biscuits and gravy too for that price...

4GB (2x2GB) for 75$ after M.I.R. or 105$ if you don't bother with the rebate (or buy more than 1 pair of sticks)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145194&cm_sp=DailyDeal-_-20-145-194-_-Product

[bpm]

So it sounds like 2 or 3 should be fine then. I'm going to start with just 2 for now and give it a week, if things seem to go ok, ill jump up to 3 in a week or so. Im going to try Keyclone first.

Thanks for all the info and responses - feel free to keep chirping in, I'll take all the advice i can get.