Low FPS problems in WoW - help!

I've surfed around Google and random forums in hope of finding something that could help me, but nothing I try seems to work. I'm posting here in hopes of getting a more personalized response.

Computer Specs:
Processor: AMD Athalon X2 Dual Core 2.10 GHz
RAM: 2GB
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT 512mb
Monitor: 19" @ 1440 x 900 Resolution
PSU: 300w

Basically my problem is this: Whenever I start a boss encounter in any raid setting, mainly Ulduar, my fps drops to about 3-4 FPS. I usually get 15-20 in raid instances on trash (which is pretty bad as well), 15-20 in Dalaran, and about 50 ish in any other zone that is not a city. I have never noticed much of a problem with my fps until recently.

I have tried multiple things - Deleting WTF folder, reinstalling WoW, overclocking the graphics card, turning off v-sync, downloading AMD Dual core optimizer, reinstalling drivers, turning off everything in the start-up menu, setting WoW priority to realtime, turning all video settings to low as possible. Nothing seems to change my FPS rate, still runs in Dalaran at 15-20 fps.

I was hoping I could get some better insight as to what could be causing my problem, before I go out and spend a ton of money on things that wont fix it.

Thank you for your time!

 

I can you its NOT hardware related wow just suffers from radon FPS drop outs when certain things happen its a common complaint not much you can do but grind through it usely corrects its self sooner or later

 

A few things to try:
1) don't play at full rez - try 1280 x 1024 if your monitor is OK with it.
2) Raiding pretty much requires spell detail, but you can reduce other detail settings.
3) Some of your game play may be compromised by other things like slow hard drive, slow internet connection or too many add ons. I cannot run recount or any other shared data add on with my EVDO connection although they are not noticeable at home with my cable connection.

In the end analysis you are running original WOW equipment to play updated WOW and it is not working. With the advent of DK's (spell spam to the MAX), and Ulduar (need split second timing) you need better equipment.

"I can you its NOT hardware related wow just suffers from radon FPS drop outs when certain things happen". I thought this too until I got an SSD drive, Asus ROG MB, etc. WOW never drops below 60 FPS with stupid fast hardware, even Dalaran and Orgrimmar on crowded days does not slow that rig. Too bad I was building if for a rich friend

 

You said that you reinstalled video drivers. did you go and update the video card drivers? sometimes the drivers from the installation cd are outdated. That has helped me in the past.