So, its time to replace the old desktop. My wife has set the limit at 400 bucks.

The hitch is, I semi regularly relapse on WoW and would like the be able to return to satisfy the itch. Now I know I am not going to be able to do that on a prebuilt machine. I have never played the game above low settings, so I am not looking for a ultra machiene. But if I can get a rig that will run smooth with decent FPS medium-high, it would be a upgrade.

Also, I currently have a gateway lx-6200 if I can salvage anything from it (case,cd drive,etc)
http://m.newegg.com/Product/Details?itemnumber=N82E16883113077

So, is it possible?

Here's a solid build for around that price. PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Boy I'm going to get flamed for this, but an Alienware Alpha R1 should satisfy your needs well, have a high w.a.f., and findable for right around $400, perhaps less.

Do you have a windows CD from when you purchased that computer still?

Also, this would be able to hit a pretty solid high, albeit for $27 over budget.

But that's only if you can salvage an OS out of your current rig or are comfortable switching to linux because it's free.

You could knock the price of a HDD off too but you'll more than likely have to reformat and reinstall everything anyway.

You can also save the CD drive.

Maybe the case too. Threw one in this build anyways because you want it to feel like a new computer, right? :p

Also note: it says there's a compatibility issue, but the message is about just not being able to use the 3.0 usb headers because the case doesn't have any 3.0 slots built in.

If you want them, this is the cheapest case with them that will also fit your stuff. For an addition $20 though.

I'd probably recommend the second case there anyway, but I was trying to cut corners where it was "safe" to do so while giving it good performance.

What prebuild are you looking at? If you post it here I or someone else on the sub will be able to show how cheaply it can be gotten if built instead and show how upgrading certain parts that prebuilts don't really prioritize can make for a superior machine.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

That's what I'd do for around $400. It will run games very well and assumes you can reuse your current cd drive and hard drive. If you really need to keep it under $400 grab a cheaper case and 4gb of ram in that order. Keep in mind you can also get some parts used to easily come in under budget. Newegg also had a promotion going on a little while ago where you get $25 off if you spend more than $200 and pay with PayPal. If it's still going on it will bring this build under $400.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

This will knock your socks off compared to a prebuilt.

Edit: I was going off the assumption that he might be able to raise his budget, as he stated. :/

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Dude. Grow a pair and build the PC you want to build.

Get some rgb lighting, it'll really impress her to allow you to spend more on the system, bitches love leds

You can reuse your old hard drive, that's about it.

It's going to be difficult to run WoW well on a $400 custom machine, you might be better off buying a newer prebuilt on sale and throwing a GTX 750Ti in it.