Upgrade Advice [Archive] - EQ2 Forum Archive @ EQ2Wire

HuntressSWG

09-19-2009, 09:19 AM

I recently returned to Everquest 2 after a long stint in WoW. I'm returning to school to finish my Broadcasting and Film Degree as well as going to pick up a Computer Networking Degree. With so much time devouted to school and work World of Warcraft is not the game for me. I have always enjoyed EQ2 and am defintely enjoying my return as it enables me to put in as little or as much time as possible and still walk away feeling like I have accomplished something. With that being said the one thing that has always nagged me about EQ2 is the performance. I have a budget of 700-750 dollars atm that I can use to upgrade my system and make EQ2 perform better. Having to pay for school on my own as well as living costs I wont be having any spare money for at least another year at best. My only concern is that my upgrades must make my EQ2 experience much more fluid and also be able to yield a pleasurable gaming experience for Modern Warfare 2 and Left for Dead 2. I'm currently running the following:E6600 at 2.4EVGA 680i MoboEVGA 8800 GTX4 gig of DDR2 8500Vista 32 (I know I should have 64bit to use all 4gig but didnt know that at the time of purchase) On balanced settings Im pulling about 30 FPS in group settings such as Fallen Gate and about 60ish in the outdoors. Im trying to maximize my FPS in the group setting as much as possible since this will be where I spend my most time. With my limited computer knowledge I chose the following upgrades from NewEgg and would like to run them by you guys and get some input. If I can lock down what I should get I could get these parts tomorrow morning (the video card I was after isnt in stock at New Egg so would have to wait for it.)Vista 64 w/ a windows 7 upgrade coupon 150.00$: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116676&cm_re=vista_64-_-32-116-676-_-Product" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...6-676-_-Product</a>My reasoning here is that I can jump up to the 64 bit version windows and utilize all my memory and also have the ability to play CODMW2 and LFD2 with DX10 graphics not to mention upgrade to Windows 7 when it is released. I originally thought about going to Windows XP 64 but that would hamper my CODMW2 and LFD2 experience even though EQ2 would perform better on XP since from what I have read its optimized for it.Intel E8500 @ 3.16Ghz 180.00$: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16819115036</a>Faster then what Im currently using and since EQ2 is very CPU dependent I figured this would be a good upgrade as well. EVGA 285 GTX 410.00$: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130486" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16814130486</a>The video card is what Im shakey on but I think this is a good choice. I really dont need to go as high as a 295 GTX and from what I have read this is a good bang for the buck card.There ya have it this is what Im looking at. Is this is a good combo for an upgrade and if so how much fps gain in small groups will I be looking at if I jump from balanced to high quality or even just stay at balanced? EQ2 is my main concern here there really isnt anything on the horizon MMO wise that peaks my interests (maybe SW: Old Republic) so please some serious advice would be great. Saving up for another system isnt going to be in the cards either for at least a year so please dont recommend that or we wouldnt be here having this thread <img src="../images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" />

HuntressSWG

09-19-2009, 02:45 PM

I'll post my DxDiag as well. Im sure this game should and could be running better for hwat I have it set on which is just around High Quality standards with shadows off. Maybe someone can catch a glaring problem here:------------------System Information------------------Time of this report: 9/19/2009, 12:38:14 Machine name: SEAN1138-PC Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.090302-1506) Language: English (Regional Setting: English)System Manufacturer: NVIDIA System Model: 122-CK-NF68 BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz Memory: 2814MB RAM Page File: 1077MB used, 4648MB available Windows Dir: C:Windows DirectX Version: DirectX 10DX Setup Parameters: Not found DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode------------DxDiag Notes------------ Display Tab 1: No problems found. Sound Tab 1: No problems found. Sound Tab 2: The file ctaud2k.sys is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer. Sound Tab 3: The file ctaud2k.sys is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer. Input Tab: No problems found.--------------------DirectX Debug Levels--------------------Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)---------------Display Devices--------------- Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX Manufacturer: NVIDIA Chip type: GeForce 8800 GTX DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC Device Key: EnumPCIVEN_10DE&DEV_0191&SUBSYS_C8353842&REV_A2 Display Memory: 1894 MB Dedicated Memory: 743 MB Shared Memory: 1151 MB Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz) Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll,nvwgf2um.dll Driver Version: 8.15.0011.9038 (English) DDI Version: 10Driver Attributes: Final Retail Driver Date/Size: 7/14/2009 13:54:00, 7565824 bytes WHQL Logo'd: Yes WHQL Date Stamp: Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-42D1-11CF-BC78-3EE802C2C535} Vendor ID: 0x10DE Device ID: 0x0191 SubSys ID: 0xC8353842 Revision ID: 0x00A2 Revision ID: 0x00A2 Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_B ModeWMV9_B ModeVC1_A ModeWMV9_A Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps= DDraw Status: Enabled D3D Status: Enabled AGP Status: Enabled

HuntressSWG

09-19-2009, 02:45 PM

-------------Sound Devices------------- Description: Speakers (Logitech USB Headset) Default Sound Playback: Yes Default Voice Playback: Yes Hardware ID: USBVID_046D&PID_0A0B&REV_1013&MI_00 Manufacturer ID: 65535 Product ID: 65535 Type: WDM Driver Name: USBAUDIO.sys Driver Version: 6.00.6001.18000 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail WHQL Logo'd: Yes Date and Size: 1/20/2008 21:21:29, 73088 bytes Other Files: Driver Provider: Microsoft HW Accel Level: Basic Cap Flags: 0xF1F Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0 HW Memory: 0 Voice Management: No EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, NoSensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No Description: SPDIF Out (Creative SB X-Fi) Default Sound Playback: No Default Voice Playback: No Hardware ID: PCIVEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00231102&REV_00 Manufacturer ID: 1 Product ID: 100 Type: WDM Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1368 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail WHQL Logo'd: No Date and Size: 10/8/2008 01:21:50, 526232 bytes Other Files: Driver Provider: Creative HW Accel Level: Basic Cap Flags: 0xF1F Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0 HW Memory: 0 Voice Management: No EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, NoSensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No Description: Speakers (Creative SB X-Fi) Default Sound Playback: No Default Voice Playback: No Hardware ID: PCIVEN_1102&DEV_0005&SUBSYS_00231102&REV_00 Manufacturer ID: 1 Product ID: 100 Type: WDM Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1368 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail WHQL Logo'd: No Date and Size: 10/8/2008 01:21:50, 526232 bytes Other Files: Driver Provider: Creative HW Accel Level: Basic Cap Flags: 0xF1F Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0 HW Memory: 0 Voice Management: No EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, NoSensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No---------------------Sound Capture Devices--------------------- Description: Microphone (Logitech USB Headset) Default Sound Capture: Yes Default Voice Capture: Yes Driver Name: USBAUDIO.sys Driver Version: 6.00.6001.18000 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail Date and Size: 1/20/2008 21:21:29, 73088 bytes Cap Flags: 0x1 Format Flags: 0xFFFFF Description: "What U Hear" (Creative SB X-Fi) Default Sound Capture: No Default Voice Capture: No Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1368 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail Date and Size: 10/8/2008 01:21:50, 526232 bytes Cap Flags: 0x1 Format Flags: 0xFFFFF Description: Line-In (Creative SB X-Fi) Default Sound Capture: No Default Voice Capture: No Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1368 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail Date and Size: 10/8/2008 01:21:50, 526232 bytes Cap Flags: 0x1 Format Flags: 0xFFFFF Description: Microphone (Creative SB X-Fi) Default Sound Capture: No Default Voice Capture: No Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1368 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail Date and Size: 10/8/2008 01:21:50, 526232 bytes Cap Flags: 0x1 Format Flags: 0xFFFFF Description: Digital-In (Creative SB X-Fi) Default Sound Capture: No Default Voice Capture: No Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1368 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail Date and Size: 10/8/2008 01:21:50, 526232 bytes Cap Flags: 0x1 Format Flags: 0xFFFFF Description: Auxiliary (Creative SB X-Fi) Default Sound Capture: No Default Voice Capture: No Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1368 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail Date and Size: 10/8/2008 01:21:50, 526232 bytes Cap Flags: 0x1 Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

asdfasdf

09-20-2009, 04:23 PM

I will suggest you E8400 then E8500 cus it's easy to overclock to 3.6GHz but it's cheaper. And you better need a CPU cooler too.Talk about VGAs, ATi's HD5800 series is coming out soon (end of Sep.), and the performance it claimed is way better then GTX285, but cheaper. So weather you like nVidia or ATi, all series will reset their price for the new HD5800 series. In short, you could either buy cheaper nVidia cards, or, new HD5800 series for better performance and C/P.

Ferret

09-21-2009, 12:20 PM

I'd say first and foremost the E8500 it will help the most in EQ2 and make the overall system move faster. With that mobo 4.0ghz is VERY easy on the E8500 under normal cooling"if you overclock". The 64bit windows is nice but will not help much"if at all" in EQ2 but is nice to have and becoming a must. Lastly the video card since EQ2 is your primary concern I'd worry about this last since this will only benefit you in the other games you want to play really, plus it is expensive. Id recomend holding off on the card all together like the other post said. The next gen cards are on the way and OUR motherboards and processors are already last gen. May be better off saving for down the road for a new setup.