Ugh! I need a new computer :/

[Vatnajokull]

<p>Because my old one just bit the dust. Almost literally. Well okei its still hobbling around the poor thing but its gaming days are over. Sad for me but it's probably very much relieved of being able to spend its waining years in relative peace and quiet.</p><p>So I was wondering if anyone here can recommend me a good computer spec? I'm having the new one built custom but I really am an airhead when it comes to computer parts (and no I am not the one building it) so I have no idea what to buy. My brother in law will buy the parts for me but he needs to know what I need first.</p><p>I need a computer spec that is great for Everquest 2 and other games like DaoC (yes I still play it occationally), WoW, the newest 'morrowind' game and others.</p><p>What vid card plays nice with Everquest 2? That is new but with fewer bugs regarding playing Everquest 2 but still makes the game look awesome?</p><p>This computer also has to be 'forward' enough not needing to be upgraded for at least 2 years. So I am allowing meself to splurge a bit.</p><p>And another thing. Vista. Is it now viable to play EQ 2 on Vista or is there still problems with it? Or should I just stick with Windows XP professional I am using now? Would save me from buying a new windows.</p>

[re1master]

<p>I just built two friends computers for playing EQ2 on (well, one was WoW, but they were still very similar)</p><p>Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (4M Shared L2 Cache) 2.4ghz Videocard: ATI Radeon X1950PRO512MB in one and a NVidia 7950GT512MB Geforce in the other RAM: One started with 2GB of DDR2 but decided to upgrade to 4GB (EQ2 player), the other still has 2GB DDR2 (WoW player)</p><p>Both of these ran around $1000.</p><p>I run: Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ Videocard: ATI Radeon X1950PRO 512MB RAM: 2GB DDR1</p><p>and I run the game on High Performance, with some tweaks (Better particle effects, no flora, highest rendering distance, etc), but I do generally have to go extreme performance on raids.</p>

[DragonMaster2385]

<p>I definatly recomend getting a DirectX 10 video card.  There are going to be many games coming out that will require it and you want a video card that will take advantage of all of it's features.  ATI just came out with one that is about $450.  If you want something a little cheaper and stick with DirectX9 (like EQ2 uses), then getting something like an ATI Radeon 1900XT 512MB card would suit you.  Get 2 GB of DDR2 RAM (two 1 gig sticks).  Make sure the motherboard has at least 4 RAM slots for easy (and cheap) upgrades down the road.  Duel core processors are nice but EQ2 and most games out right now don't take advantage of both cores.  Vista however, does.  If you are getting Vista, definatly get a duel core processor.  Vista does lower performance on some systems, so I am personally waiting until the first service pack comes out to upgrade.</p>

[erin]

Can never go wrong listening to Sharky. <a href="http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/MVGSBG/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/MVGSBG/</a> I tend to look at their bargain gaming computer, which is a system you can build for right around $1k.  Then I upgrade a few places where I can, depending on the current budget. If you aren't a big build-your-own kind of guy, go to mwave.com and for an extra $80 they will assemble and test the system. So instead of paying an extra 3 to 500 bucks for a pre-built system, you get exactly what you want at much better prices. I just had mwave build me a new system.  I would have paid roughly 1500 for the same system at a store or even online (like costco.com or dell.com), instead I paid around 1200.  That's a full up system, monitor, keyboard, the works. Use sharky as a good starting guide.  Now if you have a big budget, sharky also has a great top of the line gaming guide, I just have never had that kind of cash <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  But it never hurts to look at both and pick and choose your options. The nice thing about following one of the guides is that you know you don't have to worry about picking compatible components. I've done my last 3 computers using sharky's as my starting point, but this time I was totally lazy and just let mwave build it for me.  I figure the usual 3 to 7 hours I spend on building a system... paying mwave 80 bucks is a better deal <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[thebunny]

<cite>Vatnajokull wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>And another thing. Vista. Is it now viable to play EQ 2 on Vista or is there still problems with it? Or should I just stick with Windows XP professional I am using now? Would save me from buying a new windows.</p></blockquote>EQ2 works fine in Vista, provided you allow the Launchpad to run as Administrator.  After doing that I have had zero problems running EQ2 on top of Vista.

[bensilvi]

Alexander@Guk wrote: <blockquote><p>I just built two friends computers for playing EQ2 on (well, one was WoW, but they were still very similar)</p><p>Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 (4M Shared L2 Cache) 2.4ghz Videocard: ATI Radeon X1950PRO512MB in one and a NVidia 7950GT512MB Geforce in the other RAM: One started with 2GB of DDR2 but decided to upgrade to 4GB (EQ2 player), the other still has 2GB DDR2 (WoW player)</p><p>Both of these ran around $1000.</p><p>I run: Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ Videocard: ATI Radeon X1950PRO 512MB RAM: 2GB DDR1</p><p>and I run the game on High Performance, with some tweaks (Better particle effects, no flora, highest rendering distance, etc), but I do generally have to go extreme performance on raids.</p></blockquote>Mind if i ask were you buy your hardware?

[Squigglle]

well one thing, do not get a 7600gt, i got a 7600gtxxx and i cant run shadows becuase the game isnt supported by the card.

[RanmaBoyType]

<p>if you are building new now i would def recommend a video card that supports DX10, for future games, etc.  however if you are stuck on DX9 then i would personally take the nvidia 7950gtx over the ATI x1950xt.  granted both are the same teir card and both great cards, in my personal experience i have always had better luck with nvidia than with ATI.</p>

[Rob89]

Dont forget that 8800/HD2900 doesnt perform uber in Dx10 either so its next generation from nvidia and amd/Ati that will be the first dx10 cards that works good ( "Cough" nvidia dx9 Fx series "Cough" ) Well i run Eq2 on these machines: First: Core 2 Duo E4300 1.8ghz @ 2.8ghz 8600gt 2gb ddr2 + bla bla bla ( Runs on Very high quality when soloing. Around Balanced without particle effects in raids ) Cost about 400-500$ Second Machine: Amd x2 4600+ @some speed i dont remember , 2.5ghz maybe Dual 7900gtx in Sli 2gb DDR pc 3200 X-fi soundcard and bla bla bla.. Runs on Extreme quality when soloing/grouping and about balanced when raiding. Price: To much not worth it. I also recommend Dx10 cards. And not becouse of the Dx10 support, its for the performance they give in Dx 9.

[Vatnajokull]

Is there a list of the vid cards that don't support the game? And yes I would probably get a nvidia card. I've always had a nvidia cards in all my machines and I am most comfortable with what I know. And if i get a Dx10 supported vid card will I be able to use Dx9 if for some reason I would have to? And thanks so much for the spec suggestions <img src="/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[ArmadaXeenelk]

I wouldn't spend extra for a DX10 videocard just yet... Some early reviews of DX10 games and current high end (and low end) DX10 videocards are showing near unplayable framerates at high resolutions. Honestly, I would buy the best value(cost/performance) card that can play EQ2 well. and then when you have a DX10 game that you like a lot buy a new DX10 card that will make the game playable on DX10 just my 2cp