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