I'm pretty new to PC hardware and want to get back into World of Warcraft after several years away. I know WoW isn't especially demanding graphically, but I want stable performance during raids and other crowded areas without constant stuttering or lag. I may also play Farming Simulator 25, which I currently enjoy on Xbox, so that could be the more demanding game to plan around. What hardware should I prioritize in the used market, and what would be a reasonable price range? I found one local system listed for $500 with an i5-12400F, GTX 1070 Ti, 32GB of DDR4 memory, a 2.2TB SSD, a 1TB hard drive, and a B760 motherboard. Would that be a sensible purchase?
5 Answers
You probably won’t need to spend a fortune. A used PC in the roughly $400–$600 range should cover 1080p WoW and FS25 if it has a modern six-core CPU, 16–32GB of RAM, an RX 6600-class or similar graphics card, and a reputable power supply. Don’t focus only on the graphics card—WoW’s frame rate can drop in crowded encounters even when the GPU has plenty of headroom.
WoW is generally more CPU-limited than GPU-limited, especially in raids, cities, and world events. A Ryzen 5 3600 or 5600 with an RX 6600 would handle it well at 1080p, and an AM4 X3D processor would be even better if you find one at a good used price. You don’t need an expensive graphics card just for WoW, but Farming Simulator 25 means it makes sense to buy a little stronger than the bare minimum. Aim for at least 16GB of RAM, though 32GB is preferable for FS25 and general longevity.
Don’t build around WoW alone if Farming Simulator 25 is likely to become your main game. WoW can run on surprisingly old hardware, but busy raids may still expose CPU limitations, while FS25 benefits from having enough RAM and a capable dedicated GPU. A used, complete system is often better value than buying every part separately right now. AM5 or newer Intel systems offer a better upgrade path, but an inexpensive AM4 or 12th-generation Intel machine can still be a very good budget choice.
The exact WoW version and your resolution matter. Older or solo-focused versions can run on very modest hardware, while modern retail raids benefit from a faster CPU. At 1080p, the listed i5-12400F and GTX 1070 Ti should run WoW comfortably and should also be usable for Farming Simulator 25, although you may need to adjust settings depending on your target frame rate and mods. The 32GB of memory is a nice bonus. Before buying, check the power supply model, temperatures, storage health, and whether the system has been maintained properly.
That $500 system sounds reasonably balanced if it’s in good condition and includes a decent-quality power supply. The processor is still strong for WoW, and the 1070 Ti is adequate for 1080p gaming. I’d try to negotiate lower if the SSD is an unknown budget model or the power supply is generic. Storage capacity is useful, but the specific drive models and their health matter more than the total advertised space.
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