What would you do?? (new pc)

[Seldum]

I have read quite a few threads in the forum on hardware, and im thinking of getting me some upgrades or maybe a new computer?

My budget is 1200$

Current rig:

AMD dual core 2.2 GHZ, 4 GB ram, SATAII in raid 1 TB. Windows vista home. Geforce 7950 GX2 (1gb ram).

Case 1:
By a whole new "low" cost rig (dual core etc.) which would have vista installed and would possibly be able to run 2-3 wow sessions from a hardware store - you know those fairly cheap rigs they always advertice with.

Case 2:
Upgrade my existing PC with the Intel i7 bla bla bla processor, 6 GB ram and MB, keeping the grafic card, case and PSU (1000 W). (windows Vista home - yearh I know, should have bought 64 bit doh!)

- I can more or less use the old MB and cpu to create a a new PC from parts I have laying around, it would look like this:
AMD dual core 2.2 GHZ, 4 GB ram, Windows XP - 250 GB harddisk (not in raid), Geforce 6800 (GTX?) - I think this rig would run 2 sessions okey.

Im using Dual Monitors.

For me Case 2: would mean alot of work reinstalling vista and afterwards setting up the other new pc with the old parts. But I would end up with a main computer with alot of power, where I only would need to upgrade the grafic card sometime within the next year or so..... and I would be able to buy more RAM later on.

If I go for case 1: I don't really have to do any installing and so, and I would get a whole new rig incl. new dvd drive etc. etc. AND I would get a Windows vista pre installed on the computer.

EDIT: Currently 5-boxing on my present PC which is a lag hell in fx. Stormwind......

[Ogloo]

Ok atm.. I have a pretty bad computer, but im running 1700 5's arenas atm. (on the arena tournoment relm)... I have close to the worst processor and 3GB or RAM. THis is what I would do...

"Upgrade my existing PC with the Intel i7 bla bla bla processor, 6 GB ram and MB, keeping the grafic card, case and PSU (1000 W). (windows Vista home - yearh I know, should have bought 64 bit doh!)"

What Ram are you using????- if ur using DRR1 or DRR2, this might be why ur getting lag owned.. DRR3, is like a whole new computer if u upgrade (thats what i did and i have no lag in SW..)
upgrade to 64 bit.. (although its a pain its worth it).. ur 32 bit may only use 3-4 of ur RAM even though u have 6 sitting in ur case...
Run some tests- to see what is overworking when ur lag/owned in SW.. and tell us!

Case 3- dont touch ur i7 case, and maybe spent about 100 bucks on a upgrade.. buy a 1000 computer that can run 2ish wow's perfectly.. Multibox that way! (the best route i would think)..

[Seldum]

Atm I have DDR2-800 4GB.

When I monitor my system, I have 100% cpu usage on both kernels. Thats why I was thinking my cpu is the main problem for my lag.

[spannah]

Case 4:

Buy something with specs like this ('http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229054R') which although not an i7 will let run 5 instances without a problem. Note the link is an example of the specs you can look for. You may be able to put something together cheaper then that and that is not open box.

[Ogloo]

id go with case 4... and maybe split the accounts up on computer 1 and 2.. unless the new one can run perfectly fine with 5.. (it wiilll be fine except for a little in like 40 man raids and stuff..)

[Simulacra]

just been there myself - my pc died with a groan on saturday morning
I'm getting
CPU:Q9550
MB: GA-EP45-UD3R
Drive: 1tb Samsung
Video: 9800 GTX+1GB
Case: Coolermaster T05
all up the price is AU$1590 assembled
also includes a new powersupply and DVD

and going to reuse my 4g DDR2 Corsair ram until I can afford something that matches the fsb
once I get more ram I'll make the switch toa 64 bit os, maybe windows 7

only getting 1 drive as I'll get a SSD for the data directory next month

[Seldum]

Thanks for all the input, I will definetly take this into account, when im gonna do my shopping!

:)