Building an EQ2 computer, HELP

[Raidyen]

<p>Hope i posted this in the right place. </p><p>About 3 and 1/2 years ago i built 2 systems specific for EQ2 when it released.  Well i finally decided its time to upgrade.  I am a bit out of the loop on the new things that have been happening, so i have a few questions to toss out to some of you computer techs out there.</p><p>First the systems i plan to build.  (have to get 2 of everything, wife agro otherwise)</p><p>New purchases</p><p>Monitor:  Viewsonic X Series VX1940 (can handle 1680x1050 with 2ms refresh)</p><p>Graphics: BFG Tech GeForce 8800GT 512mb, GDDR3 PCI express 2.0 x16  (SLI)</p><p>Ram:  Kingston HyperX DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)  2 x2gb sticks</p><p>Motherboard:  ASUS P5K LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX  OR  ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 nForce 750i SLI ATX</p><p>Processor:  Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz</p><p>Stuff i hope i can just switch over.</p><p>Cases:  I dont remember the specs, but they are alluminum (sp?) cases with 2 front intake fans, 2 rear fans, and one side fan.  Have never had heat problems.</p><p>Powersupplies:  Again dont remember exact specs, but they are 600watt, only a year old.</p><p>Harddrives:  10,000rpm Raptor SATA drives.</p><p>Ok questions.</p><p>1.  Is it required for me to upgrade to vista in order to get the best drivers and performance?  Or can i stick with XP for another year or two?</p><p>2.  Is it worth the added couple of dollars to get an SLI motherboard even though i dont plan to use that feature right away?  I am thinking that a year down the road maybe i toss in another 8800gt, but dont feel i need that right away.  (plus the budget wont let me)</p><p>3.  Is that Kingston Ram going to be fast enough for this system?  or will it slow me down any?</p><p>4.  Have they changed the case layouts any?  will my 3 year old cases still be able to house the new motherboards?  Same question with the powersupplies.</p><p>Thanks in advance for any advice! </p>

[Nolrog]

<cite>Drocca@Venekor wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Ok questions.</p><p>1.  Is it required for me to upgrade to vista in order to get the best drivers and performance?  Or can i stick with XP for another year or two?</p><p>2.  Is it worth the added couple of dollars to get an SLI motherboard even though i dont plan to use that feature right away?  I am thinking that a year down the road maybe i toss in another 8800gt, but dont feel i need that right away.  (plus the budget wont let me)</p><p>3.  Is that Kingston Ram going to be fast enough for this system?  or will it slow me down any?</p><p>4.  Have they changed the case layouts any?  will my 3 year old cases still be able to house the new motherboards?  Same question with the powersupplies.</p></blockquote><p>1. Not at all.  You can stick with XP for a while yet.  They are just about to release SP 3 for XP, so it has some life left.</p><p>2. My personal opinion is to have the option available to you.  That way, you can upgrade if you want, or stay as is if you want.  </p><p>3. I don't know enough about RAM, but I think there is specific RAM for your system.  Just get the fastest you can with the lowest latency.</p><p>4. Well, it's possible that you may not be able to fit the mobo, especially if you go with the SLI.</p><p>Sorry, not very specific answers for you.  The reason I did reply was to suggest this.  Be sure to check the 8800 GTX card versus 2 of the GTs to see what the performance is.  By the time you're ready to pick up the 2nd card for SLI, you may be able to get a much better card that will run faster than those two together.  Something to think about.</p>