Computer spec Q's for new computer [Archive] - EQ2 Forum Archive @ EQ2Wire

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Jaak

05-11-2007, 09:03 PM

I've travelled the forums here in the past few days and learned a lot about the hardware that many of you recommend for an EQ2 Computer. My comp has been running EQ2 with a 128 Vid card and other equally pathetic hardware for the past few years, but I've decided to finally upgrade... I have a few questions about a setup I'm trying to put together... This computer is strictly for EQ2, no downloading, no movies, no anything but EQ2, and perhaps surfing to EQ2i online. So an extremely large HD is pointless for me. As is an expensive audio card as I don't care much for the sound quality. I have a good deal on a GeForce 8800GTX, so there's the start of my setup. Without going nuts and trying to buy the best of the best, cause I really can't afford that, my questions are the following: 1. Is there a specific MB needed to use this Vid card? I read something about needing 680i chipset, can anyone recommend a MB that would work well with the 8800gtx that isn't over the top expensive? Ideas with typical prices are appreciated. 2. I was looking at processors and came across a lot of talk about the superiority of Intel's Core 2 Duo line over AMD in the upper end processors with respect to cost. Again, without going nuts and buying the Core 2 Quad or xtreme dual, is the Core 2 Duo E6700 Dual Core a good processor? Is it a good processor for EQ2? I also read somethign about EQ2 only utilizing one core, will this mean that this chip is less effective? Should I be looking at a different processor if my computer is strictly for running EQ2? 3. Memory, it is my understanding that your ramm is only as good as your processor speed, is this correct? With the Core 2 Duo E6700, or whatever other processor you might recommend, what is the best ramm to purchase? I'll probably only get 2gigs, but will more than 2 gigs really make a difference in running EQ2? Should I be looking for DDR2-800? or 667? Higher? Lower? 4. Power source, will the above products require a higher end power source? What size wattage would you recommend for this computer? 5. Does the hard drive effect the quality of play in EQ2? I don't need anything more than 50 gigs as far as storage space is concerned, althought I'll probably get a 200 or 250 simply because they're pretty inexpensive, what stat should I be looking at for a HD that will help me in EQ2, if any? RPM's? Size of the cache? Data transfer rate, like 3g/s? Thoughts please. Is there anything else I'm missing that would be crucial to an EQ2 computer? Or anything that I've suggested that is just really not necessary for EQ2? My monitor will be upgraded later this summer, according to what the computer I buy would like to use. Thank you profusely for your time, even if it's only to answer part of my questions. Jaak Raven of Crushbone 70 Guard of Desecration 70 Inquisitor of Desecration 56 Troubador of Desecration

05-11-2007, 10:45 PM

(all prices I suggest are in Euros and converted into $ so I might not be right on those) I believe the E6700 is the best CPU you can get at the moment in the mid-level price range. The AMD 6000+ is close but a) a little slower and b) needs 15-20% more power + generates more heat. There is absolutely no need for a quad core CPU or anything like that as EQ does indeed only utilize one of the available cores. With a good mainboard the E6700 can be overclocked to some amazing speeds even with air cooling and no real increase in core voltage. If you plan on running Windows XP, then 2GB Ram (choose the 800Mhz rams) is all you will ever need to run it smoothly. Go with 3 or even 4GB if you plan on using Vista, as Vista alone will take up 1-1.2GB of your ram. A low budget (one of those value offers) 2GB kit 800Mhz RAMs should be about $100. (I don't believe in spending much money on "good" ram, never had any brand rams and still enjoyed myself <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />) Regarding your mainboard... unless you plan of using 2 8800GTx in SLI mode there is no reason (imho) to go for a mainboard with the 680i chipset. Intel's P965 chipset is a little "older" but still up to date performance wise, as well as (imho again) the more stable chipset with less driver issues or compatibility quirks along the way. In the end, there's very little difference in benchmarks comparing those 2 chipsets so it really doesn't matter, unless you want to have the option to upgrade to 2 Nvidia cards in SLI mode somewhere in the future. Personally I prefer Abit over any other manufacturer as they originate in the server platform business and their mainboards tend to last forever and ever, stability all the way. Look for the ABIT AB9 Pro, it's a nice board but is not SLI or Crossfire capable and should be about $140 on Newegg. With that CPU and graphics card you will want to look for a PSU in the 550-600Watt range. I personally have no real knowledge about those, but try to look for tests and get one that does not show power drop in CPU and chipset voltage under heavy load. Good ones should be about $100-130 (I think, I usually pay in Euros <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />) At last, the hard drive - well, there must be someone more knowledgable than me out there, but from personal experience I can say that running a normal 7200rpm harddrive with 8MB cache is good enough for any game today - they come in all shapes and sizes, I use a 400GB and a 500GB HD from Samsung and never had any problems. If you swear on RAID setups, well go for it, I never had one so can't comment on those. Check out Newegg.com for prices and more info.

Jaak

05-12-2007, 05:41 AM

Huge thanks for the information. That's exactly what I've been looking for. If anyone has more information to add to this then please do, I would love to hear more ideas as I have a little over 2 weeks till I'm actually buying this computer, but you've given me enough to ease the tension I get when trying to decide on specifics. Jaak Raven of Crushbone 70 Guard of Desecration 70 Inquisitor of Desecration 56 Troubador of Desecration

TheJoeJoeMan

05-13-2007, 10:51 PM

1. for your processor and video card(to allow for upgrades later without having to buy a new system - go with EVGA 680i Core 2 quad or Asus striker extream 680i. Which will allow you to upgrade to dual 8800's later as well as upgrade to a quad core later if you so choose. 2. Definatly go with Intel, until AMD comes out with their next generation processor, Intel has them beat. Core 2 Duo E6700 is a good processor and is overclockable to speeds well of 3 ghz with proper cooling. 3. Always remember that your computer is only as fast as your slowest component(especially true when it comes to ram-cpu-videocard), so go with the fastest ram you can DDR2 800mhz or 1066mhz is the norm now. 2 gbs if you plan on using XP, 3-4gb if you plan to use Vista4. The end manufacturs of the 8800 series card recommend a min of 450w PCI express-compliant system power supply WITH a combined 12v current rating of 30a or more. The most important thing to look for in a power supply is the volt rails(12v) and the amp ratings(30a), You want 3 or more 12+ volt rails totaling 30+ amps rating. Wattage is important but not as important as the rails and amp ratings.5. 10000rpm drive with fast transfer rate and 16mb cache will speed up zoning times.I will try and find some specific power supplies later and post them for you if i have the time.

TheJoeJoeMan

05-14-2007, 03:15 AM

<cite>TheJoeJoeMan wrote:</cite><blockquote>1. for your processor and video card(to allow for upgrades later without having to buy a new system - go with EVGA 680i Core 2 quad or Asus striker extream 680i. Which will allow you to upgrade to dual 8800's later as well as upgrade to a quad core later if you so choose. 2. Definatly go with Intel, until AMD comes out with their next generation processor, Intel has them beat. Core 2 Duo E6700 is a good processor and is overclockable to speeds well of 3 ghz with proper cooling. 3. Always remember that your computer is only as fast as your slowest component(especially true when it comes to ram-cpu-videocard), so go with the fastest ram you can DDR2 800mhz or 1066mhz is the norm now. 2 gbs if you plan on using XP, 3-4gb if you plan to use Vista4. The end manufacturs of the 8800 series card recommend a min of 450w PCI express-compliant system power supply WITH a combined 12v current rating of 30a or more. The most important thing to look for in a power supply is the volt rails(12v) and the amp ratings(30a), You want 3 or more 12+ volt rails totaling 30+ amps rating. Wattage is important but not as important as the rails and amp ratings.5. 10000rpm drive with fast transfer rate and 16mb cache will speed up zoning times.I will try and find some specific power supplies later and post them for you if i have the time. </blockquote><a href="http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspz?Item=N82E16817341002" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.newegg.com/product/product.aspz...N82E16817341002</a> 700watt power supply with 4 12+v rails, <a href="http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194019" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx...N82E16817194019</a> More expensive 1000watt power supply with enough 12+ volt rails to allow you to upgrade to SLI and a better processort later on when it's upgrade time.You are mainly looking for a 450-600 watt power supply with 3 or more +12v rails with a 30A or more amp rating(The amps are USUALLY listed below where you see the +12V's on the side of the power supply for a SINGLE 8800 cardIf you are or ever plan on going dual 8800, get a 900-1000 watt with 4 or 5 +12V rails(you will need double the amp rating for two of them, so if you add up the Amps(If you look at the 1000watt power supply i listed above, one set of 2 +12v rails has a 34A rating and the other 3 combined have a 41A rating, that adds up to 75a, You need a power supply that adds upto atleast 60A to power the 2 8800's fully(They will probally work with less power but they will never be able to reach their fully potiential), So the above 1000watt power supply will be more than adequate.Hope this helps with your powersupply question...