Looking for assistance on how to "gear up" my laptop and trying to find out how much it can run.

[Primary]

Hello, obviously I am new to multiboxing and am looking to start. I am looking for information on how to upgrade the weaker parts of my laptop and how many WoW's I can run without lag on this puppy.

My stats:

3 Gigs of ram (4 in the computer, trying to figure ***how I access the fourth***)
Running on 32-bit (Can get 64 with that fourth gig I believe, again need help)
Model: HP Pavilion dv9500
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo CPU T5250 @1.50ghrz (Definitely trying to upgrade this, need tips!)
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 8600M GS

Thanks for the help.

[Naysayer]

You're not going to be able to do much on that laptop. Maybe a 2 box with lots of lag.

Not sure what you're trying to ask for with the "tips" stuff. Are you asking for tips on how to change the hardware or what to replace it with? Try checking the laptop manual to see what's compatible for upgrades.

[Primary]

Well, thanks anyway I guess. Not sure where my laptop manual is atm anyway. Em.. I'm going to try building a 5 desktop computer setup. I've got the whole monitor deal down and have read the hardware posts but would anyone know a good combination of things that would work out? I have never build a computer before and could use any help. I'm talking just like help on a working desktop computer for a cheap price (video cards, motherbards, etc.)

[Naysayer]

Try opening a few trial accounts and see how many you can run comfortably for yourself. Easy to do and you'll know without a doubt what your current setup can do.

[Primary]

Oh I know that I will lag slightly with two up and quite a bit with 3 (pretty much can't do 3). That isn't the problem anymore I suppose now that I'm told I can't do it on my laptop. My problem now is building the 5 comps... -.-

[Biz]

Oh I know that I will lag slightly with two up and quite a bit with 3 (pretty much can't do 3). That isn't the problem anymore I suppose now that I'm told I can't do it on my laptop. My problem now is building the 5 comps... -.-IMO one computer will be much easier to deal with than 5.

[Primary]

every pro boxer I've talked to uses 5. I could do 1 but I would need the zomg uber quad core. That would work too but I still need to figure out the parts and stuff

[-silencer-]

Try opening a few trial accounts and see how many you can run comfortably for yourself. Easy to do and you'll know without a doubt what your current setup can do.
Best solution.

Laptops really aren't meant to be upgraded well - they're sold more as a sealed package. However, you can do a couple things like add more RAM, replace the CPU, and replace the hard drive. You're usually stuck with whatever graphics card the laptop came with, and sometimes replacing the CPU is much more difficult than on a desktop due to some funky heatsink design to keep the size of the laptop small, yet provide decent cooling.

[-silencer-]

every pro boxer I've talked to uses 5. I could do 1 but I would need the zomg uber quad core. That would work too but I still need to figure out the parts and stuff

Pro? I'm not aware of any boxers getting paid a salary to play WoW. :)

I wasn't aware that a $199 quad core was zomg uber.. WoW doesn't really require a lot of resources. You can 5-box smoothly on a $1500 machine, which will cost much less than 5 separate boxes in initial cost and upkeep (power, heat, noise). If you've never built a machine before, have someone physically help you - it's easy to make expensive mistakes. I personally prefer playing 5 accounts on one machine, since my WoW windows are very close together. Have you every sat in front of 5 monitors? That requires a lot of head movement to look around.. I use 4x displays at work.. a 30", 24" and 2x 20", and it can be a neck workout. :) I'd prefer being able to see all 5 WoW windows across two or three displays without having to turn my head. :)

[Primary]

every pro boxer I've talked to uses 5. I could do 1 but I would need the zomg uber quad core. That would work too but I still need to figure out the parts and stuff

Pro? I'm not aware of any boxers getting paid a salary to play WoW. :)

I wasn't aware that a $199 quad core was zomg uber.. WoW doesn't really require a lot of resources. You can 5-box smoothly on a $1500 machine, which will cost much less than 5 separate boxes in initial cost and upkeep (power, heat, noise). If you've never built a machine before, have someone physically help you - it's easy to make expensive mistakes. I personally prefer playing 5 accounts on one machine, since my WoW windows are very close together. Have you every sat in front of 5 monitors? That requires a lot of head movement to look around.. I use 4x displays at work.. a 30", 24" and 2x 20", and it can be a neck workout. :) I'd prefer being able to see all 5 WoW windows across two or three displays without having to turn my head. :)Now when you say this - I mean obviously for me one large computer would be more convenient especially when I need someone to build it for me. Would I buy extra monitors though for my "Grand computer"?

[-silencer-]

Now when you say this - I mean obviously for me one large computer would be more convenient especially when I need someone to build it for me. Would I buy extra monitors though for my "Grand computer"?
Really, it all comes down to how much do you want to spend for a full computer? It will cost much less to build it (or pay someone you trust to build it) if you order all the parts from a place like newegg. For 5-boxing, I wouldn't bother with putting 5 windows on one monitor.. they'll just be too small to use. a 20/22" widescreen at 1680x1050 is about the smallest I would break into 4 windows, but even that is rough for me after awhile.
For a full 5-box machine.. this is what I'd consider to be a minimum to start with:
q6600 $200
asus p5q-e $160
4gb ddr2-800 $87
500gb sata2 hdd $90
520w corsair psu $115
case $50-150
keyboard & mouse $25
dvd-r sata drive $30
vista64 $110
8800gt $120
2x dell 22" $500
$1487-1587 depending on case.. that's more personal taste choice. The game will be playable with this, and leave the option of adding another videocard/monitor. You can probably re-use certain components of old computers if you need to save cash.. case, keyboard & mouse, dvd drive, hard drive, and possibly memory/monitor. I wouldn't use an old power supply unless it's a good brand and isn't very old.

Now, you'll probably want a second videocard (not in SLI) to keep fps up on both displays.. $120
And possibly get 24" Dell monitors instead of the 22" because the resolution will bump to 1920x1200 instead of 1680x1050. 1920x1200 looks MUCH better for the 4 alts.. so add $200 total (the 24" are $350 each right now)
$1907 before shipping.. most states have no tax from newegg. (although Dell does charge tax and shipping..)

A big upgrade later (that would not require an OS reinstall) would be to add a 150GB Raptor hard drive, and move all WoW folders there. $170

The most similar machine I found on newegg at a low price was this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229047
It's got a 650i SLI motherboard instead of a P45 chipset, and doesn't come with monitors. I'm also not really a fan of the power supply, but that's usually the first component to get cheap when buying a full machine from nearly anywhere. Get a couple 22" monitors for $500 and you're good to go. You could use this as a starting platform to add a second videocard & replacement power supply, and a faster hard drive later.. and it'll save you from having to deal with building a full machine right now.

[Primary]

Now when you say this - I mean obviously for me one large computer would be more convenient especially when I need someone to build it for me. Would I buy extra monitors though for my "Grand computer"?
Really, it all comes down to how much do you want to spend for a full computer? It will cost much less to build it (or pay someone you trust to build it) if you order all the parts from a place like newegg. For 5-boxing, I wouldn't bother with putting 5 windows on one monitor.. they'll just be too small to use. a 20/22" widescreen at 1680x1050 is about the smallest I would break into 4 windows, but even that is rough for me after awhile.
For a full 5-box machine.. this is what I'd consider to be a minimum to start with:
q6600 $200
asus p5q-e $160
4gb ddr2-800 $87
500gb sata2 hdd $90
520w corsair psu $115
case $50-150
keyboard & mouse $25
dvd-r sata drive $30
vista64 $110
8800gt $120
2x dell 22" $500
$1487-1587 depending on case.. that's more personal taste choice. The game will be playable with this, and leave the option of adding another videocard/monitor. You can probably re-use certain components of old computers if you need to save cash.. case, keyboard & mouse, dvd drive, hard drive, and possibly memory/monitor. I wouldn't use an old power supply unless it's a good brand and isn't very old.

Now, you'll probably want a second videocard (not in SLI) to keep fps up on both displays.. $120
And possibly get 24" Dell monitors instead of the 22" because the resolution will bump to 1920x1200 instead of 1680x1050. 1920x1200 looks MUCH better for the 4 alts.. so add $200 total (the 24" are $350 each right now)
$1907 before shipping.. most states have no tax from newegg. (although Dell does charge tax and shipping..)

A big upgrade later (that would not require an OS reinstall) would be to add a 150GB Raptor hard drive, and move all WoW folders there. $170

The most similar machine I found on newegg at a low price was this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229047
It's got a 650i SLI motherboard instead of a P45 chipset, and doesn't come with monitors. I'm also not really a fan of the power supply, but that's usually the first component to get cheap when buying a full machine from nearly anywhere. Get a couple 22" monitors for $500 and you're good to go. You could use this as a starting platform to add a second videocard & replacement power supply, and a faster hard drive later.. and it'll save you from having to deal with building a full machine right now.Wow many thanks for all your help, this is very helpful! I wish I knew what some of the parts meant lol since I'm completely new to specific computer parts but what I'll do is send this to one of my more computer "savvy" friends and have them take a look. Now for this you're including 1 machine 5 screens, right?

[ChaoticMonk]

I would suggest getting a Dell Inspiron 530. It comes with the Q6600 quad core. You will however need to upgrade the GFX card, ram and PSU but it would still come under $800 and might be easier in your case.

I've got 2 of them speced out the same way (except one has 4g ram while the other only has 3) and I've had no issues running 5 clients on either.

[-silencer-]

Wow many thanks for all your help, this is very helpful! I wish I knew what some of the parts meant lol since I'm completely new to specific computer parts but what I'll do is send this to one of my more computer "savvy" friends and have them take a look. Now for this you're including 1 machine 5 screens, right?
No.. that machine in the link doesn't come with monitors. Also, I don't like using more than one LCD per videocard.. performance suffers quite a bit when you double the amount of pixels you'll need to render.


I would suggest getting a Dell Inspiron 530. It comes with the Q6600 quad core. You will however need to upgrade the GFX card, ram and PSU but it would still come under $800 and might be easier in your case.

I've got 2 of them speced out the same way (except one has 4g ram while the other only has 3) and I've had no issues running 5 clients on either.I like knowing exactly what I'm buying. Dell has a good way of not disclosing what brand motherboard (usually Foxconn), power supply, and memory they're using in their machines. I love their monitors, but I've had mixed results with the rest of their systems, which we have well over 120 of in various models at my office. In addition, I don't believe you're even given the option of Vista 64 on the Inspiron 530, and the videocard options for the 530 models suck for how much they want for an 'upgrade.' +$150 for an HD 2650XT? Please. Give me an HD4850 for nearly that price. Dell makes fine office and server machines, but I'd have a hard time recommending Dell for someone primarily interested in gaming.. mainly due to the lack of options on the motherboard (cheap Foxconn G31/G33 chipset that only has 1 pci-x16 slot and not RAID capable) and cheap power supply. Spend a little more, get a lot more in terms of quality and future upgrade options.