System Requirements -Help-

[Hozuki]

Hi there, so it's been awhile since I played EQ2 (started when it came out, stopped about splitpaw saga release) this was mainly due to insufficient system requirements.

I have gotten a new computer since then and it seems to do okay with other games I have tried (WoW works fine, LoTRO isn't the greatest but ok) But whenever I try EQ2 it will not work, I get in and start playing but instantly before I can do anything the screen is completely laggy and I don't seem to have control really.

It has been about a year, maybe 2 since I got this computer and it cost about $1200, I am just wondering how I can find out the computer specs because I do not remember/have the specs anymore. Is there a program or something that can tell me them, because I probably need to upgrade a few things and I would really like to get back into EQ2.

So anyways if anyone could just point me in the right direction of something that can tell me what my specs are I would appreciate it a ton. Thanks!

[Winter12345]

i believe if you click start, and then click "My computer" you will open a file website. On the left side i think there is a button on the top that says "View system information" this will tell you your comp specs.

But i didnt understand if that was what you were asking for, were u asking for how do i see my comp specs or how do i see if my comp specs are good enough for eq2?

Hope whatever i wrote tho helps =) welcome back to eq2 btw

[Galn]

First you can find out memory and CPU by right clicking on "My Computer" and clicking properties. Video card can be found by going into your control panel, then system and then hardware. You may need to do a little digging in there to determine exactly which one you have.

 From what yo've described it may be memory, or lack there-of, thtas the problem. Load the game and fromthe character select screen click on options and put the game on extreme performance. See how it runs there, it is possible you may have the game on too high of settings to run on your system right now.

[Hozuki]

Wow thanks for the speedy help: I did what you said and heres what I came up with for my specs:

System: Microsoft Windows Xp (Media Center Edition Version 2002, Service Pack 2)

Dell Dimension DV051 Intel, Pentium 4 CPU 2.80GHz

then below that it says 2.79GHz, 0.99 GB of RAM

 For my Local Disk (C I have 46.6GB used space, 97.6GB free space, my total capacity is 144GB

I couldn't find my video card by going control panel>System>hardware I may just be looking wrong, but using the free version of Systems Information for Windows (I found online using google just now) it says under the video option I have a Intel 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset (I don't know if I'm looking at the right thing or not) says it has a video memory size of 128MB.

My connection is through a wireless connection so my speed is at 54.0Mbps the wireless driver is from christmas 2004 I think, it is a Wireless-G PCI Adapter Model No.: WMP54G and the wireless program I am using is LINKSYS. I don't think I can get a faster connection with this model, is it possible to get a faster connection with another?

 So anyways those are my specs that I was able to find (thanks for all the help). Is there someone blaringly wrong that I need to fix. last time I tried playing my settings were on the lowest I believe. I need to reinstall/redownload all the patches atm, so Im not sure how long that will take. I guess I am just asking is my system good enough to play EQ2 On? do I need a new video card/more memory/faster connection? and how would I go about getting those. Thanks and I appreciate any help you all can offer.

[Tel]

If you want to find your video card do the following:right click your desktop select properties.Go to the settings tab, then click the advanced button.Click on the adapter tab, and it will be listed there.

[Winter12345]

Hmm i think i found your problem however im not sure.. you mentioned that you thought that your video card was Intel, well sadly if it is, intel isnt actually a supported brand for eq2 and usually doesnt work when trying to play eq2 with it. I would recommend getting a Nvidia Geforce series graphics card because it's a supported brand for eq2 and works. Ill try to get you some websites that sell nice graphics cards cheap. (aim for Nvidia or Radeon as my suggestion though)

http://www.pcmag.com/products/0%2C%...150&stpdinglp=1

sorry for the long website, i went over to it sadly didnt seem so good, ill try to find you more =)

[Winter12345]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&name=256MB

this website is good, lots of more graphics cards, =)

[Araxes]

You are using an integrated video chipset, which is not suitable for high-end gaming.  It probably does work fine for something like WoW, which has very modest requirements, but EQ2 is the most demanding hog of a game I have ever played.To play at acceptable levels with good looking visuals I'd say you will need to look at two things:RAM.  You will want somewhere between the 1.5 and 2GB range.  The sweet spot seems to be around 2.  Over the years the texture usage has increased a great deal and thus the game really requires, at minimum, 1.5 GB of dedicated RAM.Along with that, make sure your system can utilize something other than SDRAM.  SDRAM is not efficient for gaming.  You will want a performance RAM, if your motherboard supports it.  DDR, DDR2 most likely for your configuration.  Which is cheap these days.Second, you have to update your graphics card.  Unfortunately, since you use an integrated chipset, this may not be possible with your current motherboard.  Mortherboard upgrades generally mean its time for a new rig altogether, as every other component in your system relies on the motherboard as its central nerve system.  However, it is possible that you may be able to support PCI-E ... I think your best bet is to contact Intel (apparently the maker of your MOBO) and discuss with a tech the best solution so s/he can walk you through the steps to find all this information.

[Hozuki]

Hey thanks for all the help guys!

Well I looked up my motherboard the Dell OJC474 and the actual computer/case the dell dimension E310, but I am still unsure whether its PCIE or AGP. Also I am not sure how to find out what the w.rating on my power supply is, any advice on where to find that?

I am just wondering so I get the right kind of Video Card

GeForce 8600GT seems like a good deal: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCate...ame=Video-Cards It says it is built for Windows Vista, but if I have windows home xp would it work okay on it?

Thanks a ton guys, I'm getting pretty excited about playing EQ2 again, hoping I can have it hooked up by tonight " width="15" height="15" />

[Aston]

TrAcKa05 wrote:

GeForce 8600GT seems like a good deal: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCate...ame=Video-Cards It says it is built for Windows Vista, but if I have windows home xp would it work okay on it?

Yeah, don't worry. The Geforce 8x00 cards work on XP aswell. Basically, the cards support DX 9 (which is available in both Vista and XP) and DX 10 (which is exclusively to Vista). So, if you'd like to make use of DX10 applications at some point, you'll definitely need to upgrade to Vista. However, the DX10 games have been pretty demanding, so you would not get war with a 8600 GT anyway, I'd say. Anyway, don't worry... If you grab that card, you'll be able to make use of it in XP and EQ2 should run pretty good with it.

[Skywarrior]

TrAcKa05 wrote:

Well I looked up my motherboard the Dell OJC474 and the actual computer/case the dell dimension E310, but I am still unsure whether its PCIE or AGP. Also I am not sure how to find out what the w.rating on my power supply is, any advice on where to find that?

According to the specifications in the Manual for the E310 (available in the Documentation section of the Dell site), your computer comes with a PCI-E slot (x1) and a 230W PSU.  There is some question on a couple techie sites that mention this model as to whether or not the case could actually handle the heat generated by a late-model video card.

Your system also uses 400- and 533-MHz DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM.

In order to upgrade your video you will likely need to get a new PSU (in the 400-450W range.  The motherboard will accept a PCI-E card, but it is the older (x1) and not the (x16) you are likely going to need.  You may have some real problems with cooling too and Dell cases aren't known for being particularly friendly to piecemeal upgrading.  Good luck though.

You can find the spec sheet I referenced here:  http://support.dell.com/support/edo...0.htm#wp1052310

[Hozuki]

Hey thanks everyone for all the help,

So basically what I am getting is I need a new PSU (400-450w) (Do I need this is if I go with a 6800GT?)

A video card : GeForce 6800GT seems good

And my motherboard is okay?

How would I go about remedying the heating issue?

 I really don't want to go out and blow $200 and find out I still wont be able to play lol, so sorry I am just asking more and more questions

I am just unsure because I personally don't know a lot about computers and am getting mixed responses:

I received advice in another thread that says:

"The Dell Dimension E310/OJC474 motherboard has a PCI-E chipset, but DOES NOT have a PCI-E slot capable of accomodating a 8800. The E310 has two PCI and one PCI-E x1 (that's one x1 slot, not one PCI-E slot) slot. You need a x16 slot to mount an 8800, 8600, or pretty much any card made recently.

You really don't have any upgrade paths that are economical in terms of price/performance. PCI-E x1 cards are unicorns, and you're not going to find any that are much better than integrated graphics. You're pretty much stuck with the integrated graphics."

So I am really not sure which is right because both replies seem quite similar except one is it will work, one says it wont lol. Thanks a ton, a little more help would be extremely appreciated

[SiruKai]

The 6800gt is still  a bit of a low end card.Nvidia: I would reccomend a 7900 or 7950 if you can afford it.Radeon: Get the x1950pro or xtthey are only DX9 but they are still very good cards.

[Mwahaha]

I'd just like to say that anyone else having any questions about their PC being able to run EQ2 can check here.

[Wulfgr]

sounds like another happy dell computer.  Maxed out from the factory with no hope to upgrade!