I need help deciding which computer to buy ... =0

[Frijoles]

<p>Hi,</p><p>I'm about to purchase a new computer to play EQII on, and I'm having trouble deciding which one (of the two available to me) I should get.</p><p>My sole interest is in determining which computer will run the game better (I'm shooting for very high settings, but I'll take what I can get).</p><p>The systems I have to choose from are these two:</p><p><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113152">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16883113152</a></p><p><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147971">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16883147971</a></p><p>Neither of these systems is 'top of the line' for gaming - I understand that - but they're all I have to work with (budget constraints, etc), so I need to choose between them.</p><p>I'm hoping to get a TSR's opinion (please, please, <em>please</em>), but everyone please feel free to chime in (and thank you!)</p><p>Thanks in adavance!</p><p>=)</p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p>Your fellow community members should have some great recommendations for you <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Frijoles]

<p>Well so far I see that yours is the only response - which one would you choose, Josh?</p>

[Evanair]

<p>Of the two (both of which show no longer available on newegg) the HP is better.Graphics card is newer, and the CPU Core clock is higher.  6 cores won't so much more than 4 but the ghz rating will.  Ram is negligable over 3gb in EQ2, even if you add the 64bit server extensions to expand from 2gb to 3gb in a virtual 32bit mode.  That's strickly for EQ2 speeking.The gateway is better all around PC though.  the x58 chipset is a lot newer than the 700 series the HP is running.  Also, more Cashe on the CPU.  Though it looks like the Gateway is running intigrated graphics (discrete memory vs dedicated).</p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p>Thanks for the advice!  I'll include that you want a faster CPU with at least 2 cores, higher GHZ rating is better for EQII.</p>

[Frijoles]

<p>Thanks a bunch guys, but I'm still undecided - my heart says 'Gateway' but my head says 'HP' (I wouldn't consider either of these proprietary brands ordinarily, except that the pricing happens to be pretty hard to walk away from, considering my current budget - they're both factory refurbished, and both priced at under $650 US).</p><p>The Gateway <em>does</em> have a (PCIe) Radeon HD 5850, btw, with 1 Gb of dedicated memory (ddr3?) - I don't know why they insist on using the word 'descreet' in all their product descriptions - but it <em>is</em> a separate adapter and not integrated (I double-checked.)</p><p>I like the Gateway for expandability too - and the fact that it has separate optical drives (not pertinent to playing EQ2, but I think it's nice to have a dvd burner and a separate blu-ray player). The triple channel memory is nice also - and I like the eSata ports, the external drive bays up front, <em>and</em> the honkin' 750 watt PSU.</p><p>On the other hand, the HP's Radeon HD 6850 has slightly better numbers, and I dig the built-in wifi - but that case is a *nightmare* inside (I used the NewEgg listings for the photos =p ) - I wouldn't wanna have to go crawling around inside that thing for any reason.</p><p>Both systems lack USB 3.0 (another non-gaming consideration, I know), but they both have 7200 RPM hard drives - and I've never in my lifetime used more than a 200 gigabyte hard drive, so the size differential between them is pretty much a non-issue.</p><p>I'd *love* to figure out a way (and to be able to afford) to upgrade to a solid state drive with whichever system I wind up getting, incidentally, but that's another matter. =p</p><p>(eenie meenie minie mo ... )</p><p>Thanks again for the imput! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[friggo]

<p>I usually never buy computers from companys like dell, hp etc etc.</p><p>When its time for me to get a new computer i check the market for prices,</p><p>read up on motherboards, cpu:s, gpu:s, hdd and so on to see what product that fits me within the budget</p><p>im having. A good motherboard with qvl memories (Qualified Vendors List) is important in my opinion.</p><p>A good power supply (preferably a modular one)  and a descent graphic card. 8Gb of ram is my tip of the day. Had 4Gb before myself but were close to maximum use to often with games and Win 7.</p><p><span style="float: left;"></span></p> <p>Downside is that for a person that never built his or her own computer it might be risky.</p><p>But if you have a good friend that can and will help you it might be a good way to go.</p><p>Upside is that you get what you want. But this is only my opinion <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p>Wish you luck in your chase!</p>

[WanyenII]

<p><cite>friggo wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I usually never buy computers from companys like dell, hp etc etc.</p><p>When its time for me to get a new computer i check the market for prices,</p><p>read up on motherboards, cpu:s, gpu:s, hdd and so on to see what product that fits me within the budget</p><p>im having. A good motherboard with qvl memories (Qualified Vendors List) is important in my opinion.</p><p>A good power supply (preferably a modular one)  and a descent graphic card. 8Gb of ram is my tip of the day. Had 4Gb before myself but were close to maximum use to often with games and Win 7.</p><p>Downside is that for a person that never built his or her own computer it might be risky.</p><p>But if you have a good friend that can and will help you it might be a good way to go.</p><p>Upside is that you get what you want. But this is only my opinion <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /></p><p>Wish you luck in your chase!</p></blockquote><p>I am with ya on this ^^</p><p>But, for a lot of people who don't know computers, and won't be doing their own troubleshooting down the road, I lean towards suggesting a big box brand.  They will pay a premium for the brand when comparing spec to spec and dollar for dollar, but down the road hassle you can just take it back to the store and usually get it repaired or replaced, often on the spot.</p><p>Nevertheless, building your own is certainly a gratifying.  Each build is always just a little different, but the major pieces will generally fit together the same.</p><p>For the video card, if you play EQ2 and thats basically it, middle of the road is more than adequate.  I have an XFX Radeon 6750; which is probably upper middle-end, and I couldnt be happier.  A couple steps down from that would I am sure be adequate.</p><p>Hard drive.  Strongly consider an SSD for the operating system.  They are pricey and limited in what they can store (smallish comparatively).  The game itself doesnt need necessarily need to be on it, but general computing experience is vastly superior to mechanical platter drives.  For me going to SSD for the OS was like going from dialup to cable internet.  Because of price and size limitations they aren't for everyone, but I've been very happy with the 60 gb Micron-based unit I've been using for the past six months.  I should have got one size bigger is my only regret.</p>

[Frijoles]

<p>Thank you for your responses guys. I went with the HP and I'm not regretting that decision in the least - EverQuest II runs on this beast (High settings, 40+ fps in SFP, in Gorowyn, *and* in Neriak, tyvm!) like I've never seen EverQuest II run before. This machine is awesome.</p><p>=)</p>

[TSR-JoshuaM]

<p><cite>Frijoles@Oasis wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Thank you for your responses guys. I went with the HP and I'm not regretting that decision in the least - EverQuest II runs on this beast (High settings, 40+ fps in SFP, in Gorowyn, *and* in Neriak, tyvm!) like I've never seen EverQuest II run before. This machine is awesome.</p><p>=)</p></blockquote><p>That is great to hear <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </p><p>I remember my first huge upgrade while playing EQII, it was like a whole new game and one I enjoyed far better than I did before the upgrade!</p>