Guild Wars 2

basketcase.3894:

A possibility if you’re interested in building your own:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Q3q7
I went just a hair over your budget, but there are some spots you could save a bit (case, 1GB 650Ti rather than 2GB, even an FX-6300).

I wouldn’t recommend building/buying specifically for one game, because that’s essentially how you got in this situation. You had what would manage to run what you already played, and when something new came along suddenly you needed more. If you do a solid upgrade (based on what you can afford), you’ll be better off if you decide there’s a new game you want to play in a couple of years.

First part, thanks for the parts suggestions, but I don’t think I know nearly enough to be able to assemble my own rig. I’ll definitely look into that, though!

As for the second, that’s not exactly the case. This computer has been sufficient for running everything I’ve put on it, from all parts of the original GW, to WoW, LoL, War Rock, Dragon Age 2, etc., despite being under the minimum suggested requirements, so long as I ran on the lowest settings (and occasionally medium settings if I stayed in instances like the Traditional Chinese districts on GW due to lower traffic). I figured it would be much of the same, so I didn’t bother looking for a new rig when I pre-ordered GW2. The 3-day pre-release period came up, so I went to install the game and I got a message saying that because I was below the minimum requirements, I wouldn’t be able to install the game.

Now, I don’t plan on buying any more PC games (at least until I’m out of college) because of problems like this, so it won’t be as huge a deal as you’d think if I happen to buy specifically for GW2. I end up playing ps3 games much more frequently nowadays. I’m only interested in buying for this game specifically because I’ve already paid for it and can’t even play it. Plus, I’ve been on and off of the original GW since its release in 2005, so I have a much more sentimental connection to the franchise than I do any other games besides maybe the Zelda installments (of which I’ve beaten seven, ranging from the original Legend of Zelda to Twilight Princess, and am most of the way through Skyward Sword).

The thing people seem to be neglecting is that I don’t have any particular preference regarding whether or not it plays flawlessly at max settings. I don’t care if I have to set everything to the bare minimum, I just want to play the game I paid for on as little a price tag as I can manage. Also, if it can last me the next two years, that’d be a big plus (next two years of solely GW2).

I don’t know how NVidia’s progression is marked, would any of these be viable options?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883256542

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883155693

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220197

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I’ve established that Windows 8 is compatible with the game, but I read somewhere that W8 disallows video games unless the company requests special permission from Microsoft. Is there a way to fact check this?

Hmm. If I were to go with a desktop, what would you recommend?

I would, but I’m halfway through college four hours from home, so buying a desktop is rather impractical at this point in life. I can always get a desktop after I have a more permanent living situation.

I don’t particularly care about how high the graphics settings can go, I just want to play the game I paid for and can’t even install on my current laptop. I play GW and WoW on my current laptop with the lowest graphics settings at about 40fps. Can anyone recommend a laptop that can do the same? The cheaper, the better. I’m more than a little annoyed that I preordered this game, expecting to have no problems on low graphics settings, then not even be allowed to install the game.