Planning a to build a new system. Tips appreciated!

[Tim]

Originally Posted by Janus

That's the only reason why I run 5 different folders now. I need different settings. I don't know how performant my new system will be, whether it will allow me to run all my windows on ultra or not, because I need at least my master to be at ultra for the different reasons you just mentioned.

Tim, I use pwnboxer and so I was wondering if i can choose different settings for my different toons if the ran from the same wow folder. Does pwnboxer virualize the config.wtf file ?

Pwnboxer has always set game settings on a per-game basis for things like FPS, video, sound, stuff like that. It is in the green check box area on each game config. Take the graphic slider for example (going to update that with the Cataclysm graphic updates), you can do Low/Med/High in Pwnboxer, which sets all the graphic options in WoW accordingly on a per-game basis.

[Ualaa]

Settings on a per game basis, is then the same thing as a Virtualized configuration file. Different terminology, for the same strong feature.

[Janus]

Originally Posted by Tim

Pwnboxer has always set game settings on a per-game basis for things like FPS, video, sound, stuff like that. It is in the green check box area on each game config. Take the graphic slider for example (going to update that with the Cataclysm graphic updates), you can do Low/Med/High in Pwnboxer, which sets all the graphic options in WoW accordingly on a per-game basis.

So it does it even if the 5 "games" are being launched from the same folder. Sweet. That solves my problem then and I'll go with a 60 GB SSD

Regarding the dual-GFX dilemma, I did an extensive search and i have come to the conclusion, that there is no advantage to having 2 for WoW only, as it does not benefit from SLI... that's a bummer

[Tim]

WoW does use SLI, so it definitely does benefit. I have SLI and I can look at the SLI CPU charts and can confirm it works

That said, WoW doesn't use much GPU power anyway.

[Ualaa]

Spell effects, weather effects and shadows are strains upon your graphics. The way warcraft was designed, every other graphical effect strains your processor.

Character models (weapons & armor) and zones are loaded from the Data folder, so zoning speed is dependent on seek/access time and sequential read speed of the hard drive.

[Janus]

So I got everything down, and waiting for the thanksgiving weekend to get the best deal (right now sitting at 1800, after all the feedback I got)

My last problem is the ram. All my reviews and research led to G.skill as being the best performance to value (Conclusion : Dual-Channel DDR3: Who Makes The Best 4GB Kit Under $150?). But before I commit to buying 3x4 GB, I want to see if anyone here had problems with G.Skill and the Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Thanks

[Janus]

Originally Posted by Tim

Pwnboxer has always set game settings on a per-game basis for things like FPS, video, sound, stuff like that. It is in the green check box area on each game config. Take the graphic slider for example (going to update that with the Cataclysm graphic updates), you can do Low/Med/High in Pwnboxer, which sets all the graphic options in WoW accordingly on a per-game basis.

I tried to run all 5 accounts from the same folder with varying settings for graphics, but they ALL ran the SAME settings. Is this a bug or was this feature broken after the new patch intoduced the ultra settings?

edit: never mind. it changed in-game even though the settings in the video section are high

[EaTCarbS]

I use Corsair Dominator RAM and I think its awesome. Just a suggestion if you're still unsure about what ram to get

[kasper3577]

Originally Posted by Janus

So I got everything down, and waiting for the thanksgiving weekend to get the best deal (right now sitting at 1800, after all the feedback I got)

My last problem is the ram. All my reviews and research led to G.skill as being the best performance to value (Conclusion : Dual-Channel DDR3: Who Makes The Best 4GB Kit Under $150?). But before I commit to buying 3x4 GB, I want to see if anyone here had problems with G.Skill and the Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

Thanks

For that motherboard, please don't skimp on the ram. 12GB of ram is great, but if it only runs at 800MHz it is going to be really slow. Things to consider: Make sure the ram you do get is at least 1600MHz and triple channel. If I were to put 12GB's of ram in my computer now, I wouldn't hesitate to pay around 300 bucks for some solid fast ram. OCZ might be your best choice of ram, but is really pricey, patriot, kingston, and crucial are all solid choices for more affordable and reliable ram.

Oh, black friday is next week, check to see what you can find at better prices for your bucks...You might even be able to spend around $1200 and get some better things than you have on your list now.

[Janus]

Originally Posted by kasper3577

For that motherboard, please don't skimp on the ram. 12GB of ram is great, but if it only runs at 800MHz it is going to be really slow. Things to consider: Make sure the ram you do get is at least 1600MHz and triple channel. If I were to put 12GB's of ram in my computer now, I wouldn't hesitate to pay around 300 bucks for some solid fast ram. OCZ might be your best choice of ram, but is really pricey, patriot, kingston, and crucial are all solid choices for more affordable and reliable ram.

Oh, black friday is next week, check to see what you can find at better prices for your bucks...You might even be able to spend around $1200 and get some better things than you have on your list now.

kasper,
I totally agree with you. That's why I have been struggling to find the best ram at the best price.
These (Newegg.com - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9S-4GBRL) have been highly acclaimed by the newegg community and they do run at 1600 (after bios tweak, as they are factory defaulted at 1333)
These (Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Memory,Desktop Memory,Kingston HyperX,12GB (3 x 4GB)) are more expensive and with less reviews.
I read a whole lot on the patriot and corsair with mixed responses.

What do you guys recommend ?

I will wait for black friday to finalize everything. Do you think I should wait til monday to get even better deals (isn't the "black friday" for electronics?)