FPS in WoW - please help!

L

Lancecaster1

I made one post
Joined
Apr 1, 2012
Messages
12
I've tried so much, but ever since the latest patch my framerate is awful. Here is a post to my situation:

http://www.wowhead.com/forums&topic=206624&p=3277312

Below is a sample from a diagnostic I ran (I've updated drivers since then). What can I do to help it? Do I need to replace my GPU? Will that even help?

Someone please help! I don't have too many RL friends that game on their PC's, so I'm short on resources for this issue. Thanks in advance.



System specs:

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.120402-0336)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: DX4200-UB001A
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) 9550 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 5886MB RAM
Page File: 2170MB used, 9724MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 3450
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x95C5)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_95C5&SUBSYS_13901462&REV_00
Display Memory: 2936 MB
Dedicated Memory: 249 MB
Shared Memory: 2687 MB
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: atidxx32,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atiumdva,atiumd64.dll,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0010.0142 (English)
 
There's a few problems I see with your current system that are most likely effecting your performance.

1. Windows Vista. While it's been patched to being "passable" it's still not a great OS.
2. Your Processor is almost 4 years old. Personally I don't remember the Phenoms ever outperforming their Intel counterparts and that's even more true today.
3. Your graphics card is pushing 5 years of age. It was an entry level card in 2007 so it's seriously underpowered in 2012.

Now don't take this as an insult to your system I just want to state the facts. Your system is outdated and it's very well at the end of it's usable gaming life. It could easily serve out word processing/internet duties though.

I'd recommended turning down ALL your graphics settings in WoW to minimum. If you can get passable framerates at minimum then it's time to consider an upgrade.
 
Since cataclysm your PC Hardware Setup is out of date.
Low Graphic Settings is a must. With Raids being more and more tough and technical you can't afford loosing out on performance just cause you feel like you'd love to see a nice game in graphics. Also try shut off your vert sync in you CCC Control Center. It has been in the past that Vert Sync restricts Fps Rates to a max of 59-60 in certain games.
Update your System starting by Processor -> to memory -> Graphics Card.
Nice Processors in combo with new Mainboards are available nowdays for good prices. Shop around and if can safe your money up from stage to stage and you'll enjoy the increase in performance with every new part you'll exchange ;)
 
The system is admittedly 4 years old. Vista with 6GB RAM runs (still) like a dream, and this was the first AMD processor that I have had, but it has seemed to perform better than any intel that I've ever worked with (including my work laptop with an i5 pro).

Would an upgrade to my graphics card do the trick? Could my rig support it even? Is there any specific specs I should be looking for? These are some I have been looking at for a middle-of-the-road GPU based on user reviews and benchmark scores, but I really have no idea where to start:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161354

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129186
 
Try running it in window mode, sometimes with the ATI's they don't like full screen, and it would help your FPS, window mode is like low resolution settings but doesn't distort things like full screen and makes it easier on the PC. That and you have a really old set up, if you really wanna push it but a window fan onto it i had to do that with my 5 year old pc until i got a new one. Lastly Get windows 7 or even downgrade to windows XP if you can't afford 7, just watch out for XP they stopped updating it like they did vista.Vista is a bad OS it never really worked right for games.
 
Thanks for the help so far. I'd obviously love to avoid hardware upgrades but it looks like that might be the road I might have to go down. It's just frustrating that a few weeks ago, I didn't even have to tweak my settings coming off a reinstall, but now setting everything to LOW seems to still lead to laggy graphics. =-(
 
Personally, I say the biggest problem is that it's a Gateway. Never liked them.

The processor is admittedly old, and upgrading the video card may improve your FPS more than upgrading the processor, but looking at what you selected, I think I know what's the problem.

You can't nickle and dime yourself into a good system at today's level. NEVER buy a 64-bit GPU. That's just throwing away your money. Minimum is 128, recommended is 256 (more is even better). I'm guessing you don't have the money to spend on worthwhile upgrades, but that's what makes them worthwhile! Save up your money so you can buy good parts that will actually last you for years, instead of being Dead on Arrival the moment you get them.

Also, here's a link to the PC settings for WoW:
https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/minimum-system-requirements-for-world-of-warcraft

Good luck
 
You're going to run in to problems upgrading anything on that rig anyways. The price for most of the parts bottomed out and has since gone up for alot of parts. You'll also run in to an issue with the CPU crippling the GPU if you upgrade. I'd strongly suggest cranking everything to minimum and putting up with it until you can get something new.
 
it's tax return time soon :) Build a new rig for about 1k :D that's my upcoming plan :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top