Time for some upgrades...

[TheStender]

Even though I haven't been doing it for long, I think the time has come to stop dual-boxing, and to start 5 boxing.

So, I'll need some input if my current computer can be brought up to spec in order to handle 5 at once, or if I'd have to look into purchasing a second computer. (I might have to just go ahead and keep adding trial accounts just to see how it handles, but I'm just looking for a little input...)

Main specs of my DELL (I know, I know...) are Dual Core Processor @ 2.66GHz, 3GB of RAM, and a GeForce 7900 GS video card.

So, I just upgraded to the 3GB of RAM from 1GB, and a while back I tried to run 3 at once, and it was pretty slow, but manageable. And every now and then with the two it'd slow up, but with the new 2GB of RAM, it hasn't slowed at all, so I'm pretty optimistic about doing 5 on it. I figure with another 2GB stick of RAM and a new graphics card, I should be good to go. But I'd like a little input from people smarter than I am.

For video cards, someone has posted a link to one off of newegg that was like $150 (I believe it was a GeForce 8800 or so...) so that's about the price range I'm looking at for that.

So...thoughts? Need more information? I'm not really looking for too specific of information, just a "Your system sucks, and will never, ever be able to handle 5 at once" or "Eh, it should be okay with the upgrades."

EDIT: This guy has a similar machine, and he can do it, so that gives me hope! (of course I see his thread after I already posted mine....)

Computer start to lag after a few hours (or visiting orgrimmar etc)

[Kedash00]

just curious, are you running vista or xp?

[TheStender]

just curious, are you running vista or xp?

Good question, should have put that in there too. I'm running XP. I have the Vista disc, I just haven't summoned the courage to install it.

[WyoLars]

If your going to get a new video card (the 8800 works great) and more memory, then upgrade to vista x64.
And definitely use maximizer, it drastically dropped my CPU load.

If you have the x86 media you can request new cds from Microsoft or borrow someone elses .
The vista key you have will still work.

--
to clarify, upgrade to 64 = required clean install

[TheStender]

to clarify, upgrade to 64 = required clean install

What exactly do you mean by required clean install?

[wowphreak]

You dont need to upgrade yer hardware to be able to handle 5 boxing yeh need to tweak yer software.

the only hardware i would upgrade is getting 4 gigs of memory.

Vista will bog down yer machine. vista aint no upgrade :P

[WyoLars]

and the only way to use 4gb of memory is a 64bit OS. and XP 64bit is a nightmare..
But try it with what you got first.
--

in order to install 64bit you can only choose the clean install, not the upgrade install that will try to migrate your XP to Vista.
This is the best way to install vista anyways.

[TheStender]

and the only way to use 4gb of memory is a 64bit OS. and XP 64bit is a nightmare..
But try it with what you got first.
--

in order to install 64bit you can only choose the clean install, not the upgrade install that will try to migrate your XP to Vista.
This is the best way to install vista anyways.

This weekend I might give it a shot and see how it runs.

If things go badly (or even if they don't...) I've got my eye on this card (this is the one someone posted): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130318

[wowphreak]

and the only way to use 4gb of memory is a 64bit OS. and XP 64bit is a nightmare..
But try it with what you got first.
--

in order to install 64bit you can only choose the clean install, not the upgrade install that will try to migrate your XP to Vista.
This is the best way to install vista anyways.

yeh mean the only way to use MORE then 4gb memory...

[Binaryzero]

according to MS it is 4GB address space but only 3 GB Ram, to use MORE then 3 you must have a 64bit OS

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/aa366778.aspx