I would stay away from the FX line. Their performance was less than stellar, and that has allowed ATI to dominate the graphics card market for the past year and a half.
If you must have NVidia, I would wait a month or two until the 6600 cards finally hit the shelves. They'll be priced in the $150 range and will be a lot more future proof than either the FX or 9600.
The driver support use to be crap for ATI, but now they have the "catalyst" drivers, that work for all their boards since the Raedeon series.
Why do people NOT know this yet????? One driver for all boards, just like Nvidia..... do some research before you start posting crap about something you know nothing about.
LOL the catalyst drivers are shit. Thats what I was referring to. Anyway, thanks all for your help (those that actually did help). I need a PCI card though not AGP, yes I know PCI sucks, but thats what im stuck with on this PC.
Lying in bed, looking up at the stars, a single thought passed through my head. Where the fuc|{ is my roof.
What are the minimum hardware requirements for running EverQuest II?
Operating System: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP Processor: 1 GHz RAM: 512 MB Video Card: DirectX 9 compatible; pixel shader and vertex shader compatible hardware with 64 MB of texture memory Sound Card: DirectSound compatible audio hardware
What are the reccomended hardware specifications for the game?
Operating System: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP Processor: 2 GHz or greater RAM: 1 GB Video Card: DirectX 9 compatible; pixel shader and vertex shader compatible hardware with 128 MB or more of texture memory Sound Card: DirectSound compatible audio hardware
What type of video card will I need for EQII?
You will need a card that supports DirectX 9 features, such as pixel and vertex shaders.
Does that include the Nvidia GeForce MX line of cards?
Unfortunately the GeForce 4 MX cards are not supported because they do not have pixel and vertex shaders.
Will having a graphics card with 256MB be worthwhile?
Yes, having 256MB of RAM on the card does make a difference. Basically, more memory lets you run higher-quality textures without swapping them, thus increasing performance.
How will I know what option settings to run the game with?
When you install the game, it examines your hardware configuration and sets the graphic options for you to balance visual quality with performance.
What components should I use to build the "perfect" EQII machine?
The simple answer is to use the best components you can afford. Keep in mind that we've designed our game with the future in mind. It will take CPUs and video cards that aren't on the market yet to be able to play our game with all options cranked up to full. The idea is that as computers get faster and faster, our game will look better and better without needing an engine overhaul.
That said, you will be able to run EQII on current hardware and have a very pleasing framerate with excellent image quality.
Will I be able to play EQII on 56K dialup?
Yes, the lessons learned from the original EverQuest in terms of bandwidth optimization should allow 56K users to get along just fine in EQII.
The system requirements for EQII seem to be raising the bar quite a bit. Is that a wise move?
Back in 1999, some people thought we were crazy for releasing an online multiplayer game that required a 3D card, but the gamble paid off.
Likewise, we make no apologies about designing a game that awaits a future generation of hardware to see its full potential. We intend for our game to be around for years to come, and as processors and graphics cards get more powerful you'll see EQII take advantage of that technology.
Because if you weren't smart enough to look in the EQ2 FAQ before pre-ordering and then bothering to go to Google and type in "Video Cards with pixel shading" and get these 8 gazillion suggestions with prices...
Real reason: There are probably quite a few people reading the boards who have never seen the actual hardware requirements and to whom it would be useful knowledge.
Ack!! I wrote up like 1 page all of new things, and then my comp randomly freezes. Umm.. What can i say off the top of my head.
NPC's - Gestures, voice overs, and scripted actions to preform like real live people. Never seen anything like this done in an MMO. Not even close.
Tradeskills - Never seen an MMORPG done as detailed as this. Tradeskills actually require (get a load of this..) SKILL! Take the example of crafting a breast plate. You have to get the components, fire up the forge, then you enter a sort of mini game. You have to keep the forge at a certain temperature, by placing in a certain amount of wood every once in a while. Craft the actual breastplate, and then do different actions to give it better attributes.
Graphics- I know i sound like a graphics whore. But i simply can't play a game with bad graphics, you completely lose immersion. I would definitley call this new, because they have done so many different graphical elements regular MMO's won't show for years:
Character customization - This will be the first MMO you can look at peoples faces and recognize them, rather than reading their name.
Housing customization - From hundreds of different furniture, wallpapers, ect. Your house will be as customizable as the sims. Place chandelires (sp?) at the top of your ceiling, rotate any item you want in the house, drag and drop.
My minds completely blank. But EverQuest II definitley goes the extra mile and does things you won't see in other MMO's half as well done.
And i know i sound like a jerk for saying this but... Your complaining that this game that hasn't done anything revolutionary, and your anticipating WoW. I must have played the wrong beta or something.
"In Hollywood, a marriage is a success if it outlasts milk."
Originally posted by Tombs Because if you weren't smart enough to look in the EQ2 FAQ before pre-ordering and then bothering to go to Google and type in "Video Cards with pixel shading" and get these 8 gazillion suggestions with prices... Google Results for Idiots
...then I figured you needed someone to hold your hand all the way back to the beginning. You are welcome in advance.
The thing is, I already did all that. Thats why Im here jackass. I didnt say I pre-ordered did I? No, I didnt pre-order anything. I have the CD, got it free. I asked a simple question whose answer involves less typing then your posts thus far. So if anyone knows of a good PCI card with pixel shading, and HAS one (not Googles one), plz let me know.
Lying in bed, looking up at the stars, a single thought passed through my head. Where the fuc|{ is my roof.
Comments
I would stay away from the FX line. Their performance was less than stellar, and that has allowed ATI to dominate the graphics card market for the past year and a half.
If you want the stay near $100, get a Radeon 9600. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-289&depa=1
If you must have NVidia, I would wait a month or two until the 6600 cards finally hit the shelves. They'll be priced in the $150 range and will be a lot more future proof than either the FX or 9600.
The driver support use to be crap for ATI, but now they have the "catalyst" drivers, that work for all their boards since the Raedeon series.
Why do people NOT know this yet????? One driver for all boards, just like Nvidia..... do some research before you start posting crap about something you know nothing about.
LOL the catalyst drivers are shit. Thats what I was referring to. Anyway, thanks all for your help (those that actually did help). I need a PCI card though not AGP, yes I know PCI sucks, but thats what im stuck with on this PC.
Lying in bed, looking up at the stars, a single thought passed through my head. Where the fuc|{ is my roof.
-----------------Censored------------------
Hardware Requirements FAQ
What are the minimum hardware requirements for running EverQuest II?
Operating System: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP
Processor: 1 GHz
RAM: 512 MB
Video Card: DirectX 9 compatible; pixel shader and vertex shader compatible hardware with 64 MB of texture memory
Sound Card: DirectSound compatible audio hardware
What are the reccomended hardware specifications for the game?
Operating System: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP
Processor: 2 GHz or greater
RAM: 1 GB
Video Card: DirectX 9 compatible; pixel shader and vertex shader compatible hardware with 128 MB or more of texture memory
Sound Card: DirectSound compatible audio hardware
What type of video card will I need for EQII?
You will need a card that supports DirectX 9 features, such as pixel and vertex shaders.
Does that include the Nvidia GeForce MX line of cards?
Unfortunately the GeForce 4 MX cards are not supported because they do not have pixel and vertex shaders.
Will having a graphics card with 256MB be worthwhile?
Yes, having 256MB of RAM on the card does make a difference. Basically, more memory lets you run higher-quality textures without swapping them, thus increasing performance.
How will I know what option settings to run the game with?
When you install the game, it examines your hardware configuration and sets the graphic options for you to balance visual quality with performance.
What components should I use to build the "perfect" EQII machine?
The simple answer is to use the best components you can afford. Keep in mind that we've designed our game with the future in mind. It will take CPUs and video cards that aren't on the market yet to be able to play our game with all options cranked up to full. The idea is that as computers get faster and faster, our game will look better and better without needing an engine overhaul.
That said, you will be able to run EQII on current hardware and have a very pleasing framerate with excellent image quality.
Will I be able to play EQII on 56K dialup?
Yes, the lessons learned from the original EverQuest in terms of bandwidth optimization should allow 56K users to get along just fine in EQII.
The system requirements for EQII seem to be raising the bar quite a bit. Is that a wise move?
Back in 1999, some people thought we were crazy for releasing an online multiplayer game that required a 3D card, but the gamble paid off.
Likewise, we make no apologies about designing a game that awaits a future generation of hardware to see its full potential. We intend for our game to be around for years to come, and as processors and graphics cards get more powerful you'll see EQII take advantage of that technology.
Tombs why did you even bother posting that? I need to know a good PCI card with pixel shading 2.0 or higher. Your post helps me not at all.
Lying in bed, looking up at the stars, a single thought passed through my head. Where the fuc|{ is my roof.
-----------------Censored------------------
Because if you weren't smart enough to look in the EQ2 FAQ before pre-ordering and then bothering to go to Google and type in "Video Cards with pixel shading" and get these 8 gazillion suggestions with prices...
Google Results for Idiots
...then I figured you needed someone to hold your hand all the way back to the beginning.
You are welcome in advance.
Real reason: There are probably quite a few people reading the boards who have never seen the actual hardware requirements and to whom it would be useful knowledge.
Ack!! I wrote up like 1 page all of new things, and then my comp randomly freezes. Umm.. What can i say off the top of my head.
NPC's - Gestures, voice overs, and scripted actions to preform like real live people. Never seen anything like this done in an MMO. Not even close.
Tradeskills - Never seen an MMORPG done as detailed as this. Tradeskills actually require (get a load of this..) SKILL! Take the example of crafting a breast plate. You have to get the components, fire up the forge, then you enter a sort of mini game. You have to keep the forge at a certain temperature, by placing in a certain amount of wood every once in a while. Craft the actual breastplate, and then do different actions to give it better attributes.
Graphics- I know i sound like a graphics whore. But i simply can't play a game with bad graphics, you completely lose immersion. I would definitley call this new, because they have done so many different graphical elements regular MMO's won't show for years:
Character customization - This will be the first MMO you can look at peoples faces and recognize them, rather than reading their name.
Housing customization - From hundreds of different furniture, wallpapers, ect. Your house will be as customizable as the sims. Place chandelires (sp?) at the top of your ceiling, rotate any item you want in the house, drag and drop.
My minds completely blank. But EverQuest II definitley goes the extra mile and does things you won't see in other MMO's half as well done.
And i know i sound like a jerk for saying this but... Your complaining that this game that hasn't done anything revolutionary, and your anticipating WoW. I must have played the wrong beta or something.
"In Hollywood, a marriage is a success if it outlasts milk."
The thing is, I already did all that. Thats why Im here jackass. I didnt say I pre-ordered did I? No, I didnt pre-order anything. I have the CD, got it free. I asked a simple question whose answer involves less typing then your posts thus far. So if anyone knows of a good PCI card with pixel shading, and HAS one (not Googles one), plz let me know.
Lying in bed, looking up at the stars, a single thought passed through my head. Where the fuc|{ is my roof.
-----------------Censored------------------