Ugrade CPU or GPU?

[BinarySynapse]

A buddy of mine wants to get a bit more performance playing WoW, but has to wait a few months for an all out upgrade. The problem he's having is that he can barely play the game, if at all, when a large group of people are nearby. Even in the open the best he can do is 15-20fps on the lowest settings. except resolution (1280x768). He's limited to about $60, so I've suggested going with an Athlon X2 5600+ 65w (Brisbane) first, then worry about the graphics card when he can afford a good one.

Before I let him pull the trigger, I wanted to make sure my thinking is sound. Or am I way off on this one?

Current set up:
Sempron 3400+ (1.8GHz AM2)
2x1GB DDR2-667
8300GS 128MB
Windows 7

 

[gwarren007]

What you want you need to get used.
post in the FS forums and score a dual core for $30, and look for a 8600gt or 9600gso and you could do both for $60.

 

[nzaneb]

Playing at that resolution is VERY CPU bound, so yes I would say your initial thinking is correct. Unfortunately, the GPU is lacking too, and as suggested a trip to the classifieds might net you both for close to that price.

 

[BinarySynapse]

Playing at that resolution is VERY CPU bound, so yes I would say your initial thinking is correct. Unfortunately, the GPU is lacking too, and as suggested a trip to the classifieds might net you both for close to that price.

Yeah, I know they're both very lacking... I'm just trying to figure which would get him the best bang for the limited money he has at the moment. But I've decided that I'm going to try to get him a 9500GT from a another friend, and go with upgrading the CPU. That should hold him over until he can build a better system all around.

 

[nzaneb]

But I've decided that I'm going to try to get him a 9500GT from a another friend, and go with upgrading the CPU. That should hold him over until he can build a better system all around.

Good choice.