Computer Help/Questions

hnbsz

I plan on playing EQ 2 on release and have some questions about my Pc.  I am far from an expert on computers so your help is appreciated.

Current set up:

1.7 P4; 384 RDRAM; Geforce4Ti4200.

Obviously, I need some upgrades but don't have a lot of cash.  I know I need a new card and more ram but RD ram is really freakin expensive. (big mistake getting it in the first place).

Think I should just get a new MB and new ram?  And does anyone have any hotspots for getting the stuff cheap?  (buddy of mine built current one ages ago and has moved so. . . )

thx

Alkar

http://everquest2.station.sony.com/systemscan/ look at that it should give you an idea on what you need

teal

mobo ram cpu video lol

lga775 mobo-- -- prescott 3.0ghz 800mhz bus-- -- 1gig ram-- -- gforce6800GT 128mbbuy something you want and save up for it youll be happier

 

but if your cpu is s478 a new mobo and ram shouldnt be that painful

dhettinger

Since RD Ram is so costly maybe you could EBay it and have that money to help you out. That is if you can do without that system for a little. I would really suggest getting upto atleast 512 if not 1g of ram. You CPU should be okie and you can play with that video card just not with all the effects and what not.

So like you said your on a budget. Get the ram as it is your largest problem right now, and as you get more money you can work on the other things. GL and I'll see ya in game!

Devine

Actually I have a similar problem. My home PC uses RD-Ram and I only have 512 of it.  Im looking to double that to get to 1Gig but the price is out of this world.

I will probably have to break down and get it though if I want to increase the performance of the EQ2. 

If I find any good sites with some half decent prices selling this ram I will post it here.  If anyone else has some good sites please list them.

Cheers,

IowaYeti

I forget, which came first with P4's SD or RD RAM? whichever came first, I have an older comp with 512 in it and 128MB sitting out, not being used. If someone is interested in it (2- 64MB Sticks obviously) Send me an e-mail/PM, in here, with your offer. I guarantee to sell it much cheeper than anywhere else, as a favor to one lucky soul who can use it. My old comp cant use the new RAM and is maxed at 512MB already. My new one has the new and 2GB of it. 

~Yeti
...Role Player since before D&D had their first hardcover books. (Simple and Advanced Editions rules!)
...has a very hard time keeping the same avatar.
...became disenchanted with SWG after a long long haul, but still dedicated to MMORPG's.

xcalibur

I'd dump the rdram system altogether.  It's just a money sink.  If you can afford the new mb and/or cpu I would highly recommend that as it will be upgradable in the future.

Hubabuba

Heres what I do when I'm getting ready for an upgrade but I'm not sure what to upgrade first.

1.  Download (free), register (free), then run 3dmark's video benchmark utility from www.3dmark.com

2.  Browse other peoples results, and compare how your video card would run with a faster processor.

3.  Browse other peoples results, and compare how your motherboard would run with a better video card.

4.  Browse other combinations of RAM upgrades, processor upgrades, etc etc.

You can get a fairly accurate idea of where your money would be best spent.

Having had the gForce TI4200 and upgrading to an ATI 9800 pro I can honestly say you wouldn't be dissappointed with going that route.  My benchmark score went from something like 1300 to 5800 with that upgrade, seriously, it was like getting a whole new PC.  But don't just take my word for it, run the tests yourself.  It may be a little time consuming, but if you are on a tight budget there is no better way that I've found to figure out what the best upgrade for your existing system would be.

p00ka

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Originally posted by Hubabuba
Heres what I do when I'm getting ready for an upgrade but I'm not sure what to upgrade first.
1.  Download (free), register (free), then run 3dmark's video benchmark utility from www.3dmark.com
2.  Browse other peoples results, and compare how your video card would run with a faster processor.
3.  Browse other peoples results, and compare how your motherboard would run with a better video card.
4.  Browse other combinations of RAM upgrades, processor upgrades, etc etc.
You can get a fairly accurate idea of where your money would be best spent.
Having had the gForce TI4200 and upgrading to an ATI 9800 pro I can honestly say you wouldn't be dissappointed with going that route.  My benchmark score went from something like 1300 to 5800 with that upgrade, seriously, it was like getting a whole new PC.  But don't just take my word for it, run the tests yourself.  It may be a little time consuming, but if you are on a tight budget there is no better way that I've found to figure out what the best upgrade for your existing system would be.

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All that will do is show whether or not you will achieve higher frame rates in 3DMark, which simulates theoretical conditions. Adding system memory (generally) will not improve your benchmarks whatsoever, as long as you meet the requirements to run the program. 1GB vs 2GB, for example, will yield no significant difference in frame rates in 3DMark.

Furthermore, both nVidia and ATI have tailored their drivers to achieve artificially high frame rates in 3DMark - thus making their cards appear faster than they really are. Even if this weren't the case, 3DMark still does not simulate the real-world conditions that exist in current games. Case in point: ATI products win in 3DMark, but nVidia is currently the leader in Doom 3 performance.

As for the original post: I would definitely get a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM. You can get the entire package for under $800, and you can probably get at least $200 for your old parts on eBay. Rambus is a real loser of a technology - investing further into Rambus parts is a huge waste of cash. PC3200 is a much wiser investment in the long run.

-pooka

AnthonyP2003

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Originally posted by teal

mobo ram cpu video lol
lga775 mobo-- -- prescott 3.0ghz 800mhz bus-- -- 1gig ram-- -- gforce6800GT 128mbbuy something you want and save up for it youll be happier
 
but if your cpu is s478 a new mobo and ram shouldnt be that painful

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Scary im about to upgrade and thats almost exactly what im getting, except the 3.2's arent much more than 3.0's so im getting a 3.2 and fyi, 6800 gt's in pci-e dont exist yet.