Performance Issues Resolved
So it turns out that I have been working now for, oh, about two years on the false assumption that my computer had enough RAM to handle my favorite games. As it turns out, I’ve been suffering needlessly with a lousy 256K chip and attributing my crippling lag to other factors. Please note that World of Warcraft requires a minimum of 512K, so my performance issues should come as no surprise. Let it never be said that I am a well-rounded computer guy, since it seems obvious that I know squat about hardware. Whatever the case, when the problem became apparent, my wife and I rushed to the store to purchase an upgraded chip.
I must say that it was money well-spent. Gone are my days of lagging through Ironforge and avoiding PvP like the plague. It’s almost like having an entirely new game. I can do all of the things that I’ve always dreamed of, like going to the battlegrounds or hanging out at the auction house. I feel like a paraplegic who has suddenly regained the use of his legs. Naturally, my wife echoes my sentiments.
Supposedly some “elite” gamers recommend high-end graphics cards to enhance gameplay, but I disagree. Most halfway decent hardware setups will adequately capture the game’s grandeur. If you’re planning on laying down cash to improve your gameplay, I highly recommend adding RAM. Like most people will tell you, it’s fairly cheap; our 512K card cost about $40. And, since most computers can hold at least two, the new chip adds to rather than replaces the functionality of your old one. Crisper graphics are great, but game responsiveness is much more critical to play value. Let my example stand as testament that more RAM equals more fun.