Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Need to upgrade my system any opinions?
Camthylion
Member UncommonPosts: 220
in Hardware
Right now im running windows XP, AMD Phenom 9500 QUAD 2.2ghz, 2GB ram, 8600GT 256 nvidia, onboard asus 7.1 audio, 1mb DSL connection.
I still can't run EQ2, Vangaurd or Age of Conan and a couple other off line games on max settings with AA set to max! and it's anoying me cause i just bought this rig a few months ago what do I need to upgrade too? links from newegg or anyother site would be nice so I can look at the products. I'm planing on playing darkfall online when it releases and I must play it on max everything!! lol so any help/feedback would be great.
Comments
You need a better graphics card. Most games are heavily reliant on the card and most system builders seem to love pairing machines with crappy GeForce 8600s. You also will probably have to upgrade your Power Supply, although there are video card options that won't require a new one. Just need to know your budget to make a good suggestion. Here is what I would typically suggest.
I went from an 8800GT to a GTX280 and I will tell you somthing I am happy with it.
If you do go for a GTX 280 then get the BFG OC GTX280 as they come factory overclocked and offer a lifetime warranty if you register it.
You will need to upgrade your PSU however if your only running an 8600.
If you go for a GTX280 I would run it on either a cheap 800 watt or a good branded 750 watt at least.
----
Also if you want games like Vanguard and AoC to run smooth look into getting a Raptor HDD and make sure you Defrag after running 1st time it will stop any stutters.
I did test AoC full settings on my rig 3.1 ghz quad core 4 gig DDR3 and GTX280 on a normal harddrive fresh install defragged and it did stutter a little now and again due to HDD seaking. I then installed it to my C: drive that is a Raptor HDD ran the game once closed it down then defragged and ran it again and there was no stuttering at all.
My budget is about $300-400 cuz I plan to have another computer built for my wife to play on or I may just give her this one after i buy a few new parts and build my self a better one
lol
when people say "quad core cessors are NOT for gaming" do you just ignore that fact? im sure it has been said thousands of times.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4252460&sku=P450-9110 E
why fk around, you plainly dont know what you are doing.
Your link doesn't work.
The first point JT addressed was brought up by another participant in our conversation -- the memory leak that's been giving users fits when they're trying to play for an extended period, or frequently changing zones. This is the number one item on their Honeydew List. I'd be surprised if it's more than a patch or two away. Hyboreans, rejoice!
BI's query was a bit further down the pipe; namely, What sort of support will AoC (and subsequent titles) have for multi-CPU/multi-core systems? At the moment, according to JT, AoC makes use of a second CPU core primarily to handle some secondary tasks and physics effects (it will also engage Nvidia's PhysX effects if your system's got those particular toys available). The roadmap currently calls for the game engine to make greater use of a second core, and, slightly further down the road, scale across a third and fourth core to further boost performance.
Given the heady demands it already makes, there's a good chance that folks would have invested in a potent, multi-core system as part of their intent to play, so it's nice to see that the extra horsepower these folks have available won't continue to lie fallow down the road. No ETA was given (despite the threat of vigorous noogies and much batting of eyelashes -- charisma was obviously my dump stat) for when this will come to pass, but it's good to see that it is part of their upcoming plans for the title, as well as future releases. Correspondent for Age of Conan.
The newer games that are coming out are muti cpu supported meaning they use all core cpu that your system has, to take the load off and keep memory leaks down and what not... if you think Quad core isnt the future of gaming then you are sadly mis informed. Games of yesterday life WoW and DAOC, Shadowbane may not be quad supported but the newer titles coming out utilize all cpu your system has meaning better preformance from your game.
As I said I want to upgrade my rig for Darkfall online which will more then likely use muticore just like all the rest of the newer titles coming out now adays.
The computer specs are not out yet for Darkfall, but I'd just follow the advice above and upgrade the GPU and PSU if need be. Tasos had said once that a medium rig would run the game @ 60 fps. My opinion would be to upgrade the GPU to able run AOC at high settings, then you will be able to run Darkfall or any other game coming out in the next year or so just fine at high settings.
No point in running AA max, this makes you lag when cranked up on any game and any hardware. Turn down particle effects to medium high. Max everything else and you will be maxed with no difference in quality over maxing everything.
You need to learn to tweak certain graphics settings to get the best out of your card. Although an 8600GT should play EQ2 on max with no hicups, I think as mentioned AA and particle effects is the culprit here.
When EQ2 first launched I had a 6800 Ultra and ran the game maxed no problems, then ran into major lag latter on after they added patches etc. Had to tweak around settings and particle effects and AA was the major problem that I learned.
AOC is an under optimized engine and will lag an 8600GT on max settings, no point there in trying. Vanguard is about the same and will lag even a 8600GT maxed. Play with settings a bit, try new drivers.
Who let you in the VIP section?
Ok one never tough the 46xx Not a single one of them are worth the money.
Tell us your mebo model.
The 48xx are wonderful, good buys,
the 9800 gt is a great buy if ya get it cheap (but in most situations id opt for a 48xx)
the 280s are wonderful but costly.
x2 no thank you.
"Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one ..." - Thomas Paine
I have to disagree with the HD4600's comment. They have comparable performance to the HD3870/HD3850 from a year ago. They have a price tag much lower, have a lower wattage then those models, and can run AA/AF better then them. This puts there performance around the GeForce 8800GT when you factor in AA/AF. Its the most ideal sub $100 card. It also requires much less wattage making a PCI-e connector unneeded and it can probably run on the same PSU.
The reason why should be obvious as they have the same transistor count as the previous model built on the architecture of the 4800's. With a better cooler, you can probably overclock them to the same clocks as well.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162007
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121274
SAme price and the 9600gt will own it enough said.
However, looking at non -rebate no deal prices the 46xx are cheaper , but you can always find a 9600gt on sale for quite a bit if you look.
The bit rate is the most harmful thing to the 46xx card i bet.
"Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one ..." - Thomas Paine
Actually, you got me there. Half the bit-rate does have a performance impact.
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx
will fix you right up.
best bang for the buck.
I would agree with zombie_nixon that the 4850 would be by far the most bang for your buck. Though if you want to come closer to your $400 budget try this link https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=7840045
That's assuming you don't have a sufficient powersupply and two that you feel comfotable overclocking. Otherwise take the thermal paste and heatsink off there. Though if you wanted to get the absolute most out of your system for $400 you can consider my setup. For $400 the best card you can buy, assuming you can find it, is the 4850x2. For $300 I'd say go with an overclocked 4870 1gb or 260. Good luck.