to all who constantly complain about loading times and framerates

Askatan

512 MB RAM is the absolute minimum to run this game. this is officially stated by SOE.

I have a 1700+ XP Athlon, 1 Gig RAM and a geforce 4200 with 64MB RAM. with "high performance" the game runs GREAT.

if you only have the minimum hardware specs required in any game, you should NOT complain about framerates or loading times.

Sony says 1Gig would be good. and that's how it is. simply as that. 512 MB will still run this game, but not great.

if you have 10 small applications and spyware running in the background, if you have old sound and graphic drivers, old direct X or a fragmented harddrive, AGAIN: dont complain.

a game is poorly programmed when there is NO reason why it should run poorly on average hardware.
this game is top notch. it has the most advanced engine today. the reason why it is extremely demanding is, that it is built to still look top notch in 2 years. WoW looks old even before release.

but even if you run EQ2 at "high performance" (disables most advances features) it still looks better than DOOM 3. so why complain about the fact that you would need a card with 512MB RAM (which does not exist yet) to run the most advanced features?

check this guide out:
http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=tech_support&message.id=3265&no_redir=true

it tells you how to optimize your settings

AND: THERE IS NO LAG! I have chars on several CROWDED (first day) servers, and all runs fine.

I understand that most of you cannot differenciate LAG from slow hardware, but at the moment, there is (in contrary to the beta) no server lag. because if it was, all would experience the same, and the so called "LAG" is only felt by players who (after a small hardware interview) had simply bad stuff (Geforce 5200 anyone?) built in their PCs. or not enough RAM.

Hubabuba

The Following is from www.everquest2.com, the official minimum requirements.

-Processor: 1GHz or greater
-RAM: 512 MB

If you are at or near these settings you should turn every video option you can find all the way down.

Minimum system requirements = minimum graphics.

This isn't computer science here, its basic thinking.  Meeting the Minimum system requirements doesn't mean you can run the game at its full potential, or even medium graphic settings.  Meeting the minimum system requirements DOES mean you can run the game at its bare minimum, which means using the lowest graphic settings.  It doesn't end here.  Running with the minimum system requirements and minimum graphics doesn't mean the game will still run blazing fast, some things will still be slow, ie zoning.  Zoning is slow on minimum system requirements because you are running the minimum system requrements, zoning is faster if you are above the minimum system requirements.

Again, this isn't rocket science, you don't need a computer degree to understand it, this is simple logic.  If you are at or near the minimum requirements, expect the game to run, don't expect it to run at its full potential, don't even expect it to run fast, just expect it to run.

P4 2.8, 1gb 3200 ram, 9800 pro 128 mb (far from being top of the line hardware) and it runs great, zoning only takes a few seconds, I run with the 3rd highest graphic pre-set at 1280x1024, the game runs well, it runs even better when I turn it down to 1024x768.  I don't have the best hardware, so I don't try to use the best graphic settings.  Just because I exceed the minimum hardware requriements I don't expect the game to run smoothly with the maximum settings.

Honky

Nice, I think i'll be able to run it smoothly on my P4 2.6 with 1Gig RAM and a 9600xt 128mb.
maybe i'll try it out when they start handing out trials, cuz i'm not paying until i'm playing

also, With 1Ghz memory you should also make sure you use a NT kernell based operating system or the upper 512MB will nto be used at all (hecne win98/me will not benefit from more memory)
that is, if there are still gamers out there that use these systems
this information only counts for the microsoft slaves, also signed: yours truly

xephmaiden

The game does come with a one month subscription, and the game itself is about the price of any single player game.

Johnark

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Originally posted by Askatan

but even if you run EQ2 at "high performance" (disables most advances features) it still looks better than DOOM 3. so why complain about the fact that you would need a card with 512MB RAM (which does not exist yet) to run the most advanced features?

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Strange, I'm able to run Doom 3, Star Wars Battlefront and Need for Speed Underground 2 at high or very high with max Antialiasing 2x.  But in EQ2, I disable them cause when walking in a city, it lags.  But that's not my PC's fault, it's SOE.  When walking in the forests or in Antonia's landscapes, the game is flawless.

But considering I am going back and forth from the city back into the wilderness, I won't be going through my configs back and forth switching on and off the graphics each time.  Which is why I always run EQ2 at medium to high with minimal shadows and antialiasing (if there is antialiasing, i didn't try looking cause I know it will lag).

You shouldn't compare offline games with a MMORPG unless you're someone that doesn't mind switching all graphics to maximum when you're about to enter a dungeon or the wilderness.

____ _ ____________ _ ____

Scissors & Wood Glue - 19.99$
Lineage II Platinum Edition DVD - 59.99$
Having more fun building the 3D Elf Paper doll that came free with the game rather than playing Lineage II - Priceless.

For everything else, there's Mastercard.
____ _ ____________ _ ____

Askatan

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Originally posted by Johnark

Strange, I'm able to run Doom 3, Star Wars Battlefront and Need for Speed Underground 2 at high or very high with max Antialiasing 2x. But in EQ2, I disable them cause when walking in a city, it lags. But that's not my PC's fault, it's SOE.
...
You shouldn't compare offline games with a MMORPG unless you're someone that doesn't mind switching all graphics to maximum when you're about to enter a dungeon or the wilderness.

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is this posting a joke? are you a troll?

I have never seen anyone with obviously SO LITTLE (=none to negative) knowledge about 3d engines posting his "fantasy facts" so boldly.

do you have any knwoledge about polygon count or shaders, dont you have ANY common sense when it gets to numbers?
in DOOM 3, YOU NEVER have more than 3 "players" or as it's a single player game - monsters - on your screen. simply because moving characters (along with shaders for clothing) have the highest polygon count BY FAR, they eat most framerates.
additionally: doom 3 has NO shaders whatsoever in use, only bumpmapping and shadowing. the EQ2 engine uses most advanced directX9 shaders for water, clothing, and particles and so on. this makes this game look so top notch, but it eats resources as hell.
AND doom 3 has rendering paths for OLD graphic cards, which is possible, because it doesnt utilize advanced features all the time. in EQ2 this would be nearly impossible, as the game engine completely relies on direct X 9 technology.

SO: in EQ2 you WILL have at least 10 "players" on your screen on ANY market place in a city. it can even get "worse". in doom 3 (which, I say it again, has a) not so demanding technology, and b) rendering paths for old cards, which AUTOMATICALLY disable certain features) ) YOU ONLY HAVE 3 characters TOPS on your screen at one time. DO YOUR MATH!!!! in the "wilderness" there are usually not so many fps-eating objects on your screen. additionally: EQ2 has a LOT more detail and detailed objects than DOOM 3 or any other game.

so how old are you? 11? can you count to 12? it's incredible how someone like you can use a PC... MS must really be on to somehing...

so: if your PC cant handle 30 characters on one screen, it is SOEs fault, because DOOM 3 ONLY PERMITS 3 at a time, and that runs ok? if you had actually read the guide I posted the link to, you would have used the options to make even 30 chars possible without chopping framerates. of ccourse, that 30 would never look like the 3 on doom 3 with todays hardware. in 1 year, things might be different

and I forgot: when I follow your logic, MS word has the best "3d engine" because I can run antialiasing 16x without any problems. in need for speed "the game engine" only manages 2x before creating choppy frames. EQ2 is worst, because I cant even turn on antialiasing....

Askatan

double post

Honky

small correction: doom3 DOES use various shaders, vertex shaders are one of them
in fact, it uses all the advanced features of DX9c as does EQII. i'd lookup the details for you but its late so I might be off on some points if I do...

the differecne is, as you already pointed out, in the amount of stuff that has to be displayed on screen at the same time (polygons, if you will...there's other stuff contributing here as well), especially moving characters but also the landscape with massive buildings that is more open then the claustofobic feel of D3, will affect your performance.

also, Dont' expect to be using AA anytime soon in the upcommong MMORPG releases
It isn't needed if you run above 1152*864 resolution anwyays.

If i'm wrong at something, give me a break, I had too much

Ulfar

So its all down to how much memory is it. Funny thing is I have 1.5 gig of memory and an ati radeon 9800.

The game runs great until you change zone a couple of times and then its slideshow time. This has nothing to do with the amount of memory you have but with the way EQ2 code utilises it. Plus you know that little light on your hard drive, I didn't know it was supposed to be on all the time.

Sorry but sony have some major optimisations to do to this game. This will be displayed when you see how half life 2 runs which although not an mmorpg will have graphics that are just as demanding.

 

Roin

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Originally posted by Askatan




Originally posted by Johnark

Strange, I'm able to run Doom 3, Star Wars Battlefront and Need for Speed Underground 2 at high or very high with max Antialiasing 2x. But in EQ2, I disable them cause when walking in a city, it lags. But that's not my PC's fault, it's SOE.
...
You shouldn't compare offline games with a MMORPG unless you're someone that doesn't mind switching all graphics to maximum when you're about to enter a dungeon or the wilderness.

is this posting a joke? are you a troll?

I have never seen anyone with obviously SO LITTLE (=none to negative) knowledge about 3d engines posting his "fantasy facts" so boldly.

do you have any knwoledge about polygon count or shaders, dont you have ANY common sense when it gets to numbers?
in DOOM 3, YOU NEVER have more than 3 "players" or as it's a single player game - monsters - on your screen. simply because moving characters (along with shaders for clothing) have the highest polygon count BY FAR, they eat most framerates.
additionally: doom 3 has NO shaders whatsoever in use, only bumpmapping and shadowing. the EQ2 engine uses most advanced directX9 shaders for water, clothing, and particles and so on. this makes this game look so top notch, but it eats resources as hell.
AND doom 3 has rendering paths for OLD graphic cards, which is possible, because it doesnt utilize advanced features all the time. in EQ2 this would be nearly impossible, as the game engine completely relies on direct X 9 technology.

SO: in EQ2 you WILL have at least 10 "players" on your screen on ANY market place in a city. it can even get "worse". in doom 3 (which, I say it again, has a) not so demanding technology, and b) rendering paths for old cards, which AUTOMATICALLY disable certain features) ) YOU ONLY HAVE 3 characters TOPS on your screen at one time. DO YOUR MATH!!!! in the "wilderness" there are usually not so many fps-eating objects on your screen. additionally: EQ2 has a LOT more detail and detailed objects than DOOM 3 or any other game.

so how old are you? 11? can you count to 12? it's incredible how someone like you can use a PC... MS must really be on to somehing...

so: if your PC cant handle 30 characters on one screen, it is SOEs fault, because DOOM 3 ONLY PERMITS 3 at a time, and that runs ok? if you had actually read the guide I posted the link to, you would have used the options to make even 30 chars possible without chopping framerates. of ccourse, that 30 would never look like the 3 on doom 3 with todays hardware. in 1 year, things might be different

and I forgot: when I follow your logic, MS word has the best "3d engine" because I can run antialiasing 16x without any problems. in need for speed "the game engine" only manages 2x before creating choppy frames. EQ2 is worst, because I cant even turn on antialiasing....

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His post wasn't a joke, but yours sure was.  I nearly laughed myself to death.

The sig that I wish I could use:
http://home.comcast.net/~robthegamer/Undeadtest.gif

diegofrgc

Askatan on which server do you play?

jayheld90

btw there IS 512mb graphics cards... if you want proof click here . anyway, it seems to be a memory leak that is causing the lag, after you play for a while (a few hours or so this will occur) there really isn't anything you can do to fix it, except restart your computer. im sure it will be addressed by SOE in the near future.

dsorrent

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Originally posted by jayheld90 
anyway, it seems to be a memory leak that is causing the lag

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Hmm, I don't think this is the case.  If you are running Windows XP, before you start playing, open up Task Manager and click on the Performance tab.  Now stretch it so it's the width of your screen and minimize it.  After playing EQ2 a while pop out (either alt-tab or exit the game) and check the Page File Usage History.  If there was a memory leak you should see it sloping or stepping up.  I haven't seen this thus far in playing.  So I don't think it's a memory leak.

Kiamde

There is a definent memory leak. I know this because I monitor my performance during games and memory usage rises dramatically after 4 or 6 hours of play. There is a program that resets and cleans memory that I may get, but until then I have to endure the lag. SONY, do something about it.

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Stealing sub-woofers everywhere!

elvenangel

*hasn't read all the posts yet so if someone already said it ignore* 

 

Ulfar, there's something to do with the Ati Radeon 9800's compatibility with the game.  There's some people in the game that know how to fix that so you wont have this problem anymore.  If I remember correctly some of the shaders / graphics are Nvidia built so the Ati has to be set differently to handle them.  Anyway I could be wrong on the Nvidia part but I know there's a way to set up your comp to get rid of that issue.

Thoom

I have a 9800pro as well can anyone post the optimum settings to run EQ2 smoothly? Also what is a good memory managing program what will help reset the memory while playing to plug the pesky leaks.

Those lag from leaks really blow when your soloing a group mob

Gnarled

Well.. . . you could, say, errr. . .relog every three hours and maybe stick your head outside or kiss a girl or lift some weights or something. . .

EQII
Requiiem, Coercer
Nektulos

NoisyMonkey

I run game on high quality+ :P... water is all the way up on a geforce fx 5900se... 512 megs of ram... and a page file.. only have really abd fps and really bad load times after like 3-4 hours of play... but first 2-3 hours is excellent :O

Johnark

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Originally posted by NoisyMonkey

I run game on high quality+ :P... water is all the way up on a geforce fx 5900se... 512 megs of ram... and a page file.. only have really abd fps and really bad load times after like 3-4 hours of play... but first 2-3 hours is excellent :O

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Are you running on a XEON 3.4ghz processor or something!?!?!?!

I'm running on an AMD 2600+ with a Geforce FX5900 (not SE, but the real one, so mine is faster) with 1 gig of RAM.  Sure the game runs perfectly and very fast at high res when in Antonica or forests.

But the moment I enter a city or when i'm grouped with 6 people in the Blackburrow and we're all casting spells at the same time, forget it... the game lags.  I'm running at 75% of graphic rendering at 1024x768 max with a bunch of graphical enhancements at 50%.  It's too bad cause I'm not the type of person with the patience to turn off and on graphics whenever I enter a city and exit.  So I always run at lower graphics, but hey, I'm used to it by now after playing a bunch of MMORPGs.

____ _ ____________ _ ____

Everquest 2 female elves are HAWT! World of Warcraft nightelves are NAWT! I'm not an EQ2 fanboy, I'm an elf fanboy. (^_^)

I'll go for blond hair, white skin elves anyday!!!
____ _ ____________ _ ____

jayheld90

yes, that gf5900 is faster than the 5900se which is the same as the 5900xt. the memory speed is faster on the regular 5900. so he must be running a pretty fast cpu or he is just lucky.  5900se

Robbgobb

Is there a place to learn about this stuff? I normally run games at the lowest graphics I can because I don't like lag and such. I don't really know much though. I have to learn by reading occassional posts that gives me things that help me learn. If there is a good dummy book or something on making a computer run MMOs smoother I would appreciate the title or a link. Thanks.

dsorrent

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Originally posted by Kiamde
There is a definent memory leak. I know this because I monitor my performance during games and memory usage rises dramatically after 4 or 6 hours of play. There is a program that resets and cleans memory that I may get, but until then I have to endure the lag. SONY, do something about it.

-----------------

Stealing sub-woofers everywhere!

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Hmm.. see, I haven't experiences this leak at all, and I've played for 8 hours straight on the weekend.  Perhaps the leak exists in the code for some kind of in-game setting that you have set on your system but I don't have on mine.  That's the only explanation I can come up with.

langalee

If you remember when EQ1 came out or even after it did and they had the expansions mainly Luclin because it introduced the new huge zones with lots of stuff in it.  When you loaded into a zone back then when it first was released it took at least 5 min.  Even a bad load time into FP doesnt take that long on medium graphic settings.  Give them some time, they will tweak it and we will be runnin around like nothing before no time.  Its really not to bad and if you think it is maybe you should try another game.  I honestly dont think its that bad. 

When EQ 2 came out i was running a 5200fx nvidia card with 512 mb ram, and a p4 3ghz, i know a laughable video card to be using for a game like this, but it worked.  As you can imagine i got really choppy framerates on games like doom 3 and far cry, but only in certain spots in FreePort does it get really bad, so i thought you know what im not happy, so i went and spent 400$ on a new GeForce 6800GT overclocked 256MB video card and purchased 1 gig of RAM, guess what, those same spots still give me problems now and then.  Just give them some time to master the technology right.  But your RAM will make a BIG BIG difference in your zone times, but not the choppy framerate, ganna need one of them new PCI Express cards to really stop that from happening, the bus speed on an AGP i dont believe is fast enough to process the game.  I have the best AGP card on the market and it still happends, but at least its not when your fighting monsters, only when running through the city wich is absolutly breathtaking as far as the animation is concerned.

Just my 2 cents

Langalee