AMD vs PentiumFollow

I just read in a forum on another EQ site that computers with AMD Athalon 64 instead of Pentiums dont run EQ, at least not as well. Is there any truth in this? I just purchased a Dell today with this very CPU, but not dual core, cuz i know i heard that screws with EQ for sure. Also with a gig or DDR, a 256MB Nvidia graphic card, 320 processor and some little pink speakers that happened to be on sale. I havent played EQ in about 6 years so i would appreciate any of the veteran advice on this. thanks guys

-Linolas

Not everyone has issues running EQ on dual core or hyperthreading machines, but problems have been reported. For an explanation and work-arounds, see the following threads in the SOE forums:
http://eqforums.station.sony.com/eq/board/message?board.id=tech&message.id=125469
http://eqforums.station.sony.com/eq/board/message?board.id=tech&message.id=100224
http://eqforums.station.sony.com/eq/board/message?board.id=tech&message.id=107115
http://eqforums.station.sony.com/eq/board/message?board.id=tech&message.id=116242

The 64-bit processor shouldn't make much of a difference. You may have heard something about 32-bit apps running in sort of a virtual 32-bit environment if you are running 64-bit Windows. That is true, but it isn't nearly as ugly as it was running 16-bit apps in 32-bit Windows. The performances of most 32-bit apps are just fine in 64-bit Windows.

I'm pretty sure the AMD vs Intel information is a myth or at least several years out of date.

I think you'll find your new PC works well for EQ.


Edited, Nov 3rd 2006 at 6:23pm PST by JoltinJoe

I have an AMD processor on my laptop and it works fine. That was one thing I was worried about when I got it, but so far I haven't noticed much of a difference in gameplay.

Same thing here, Laptop with an AMD processor, runs beautifully.

Thanks for the info folks, I'm very glad to hear that. I actually have heard that from more than one source, including the rep i spoke to at dell when I was customizing my desktop. The guy told me I shouldnt get an AMD to run any online games. I sorta figured it was hogswallop, but you get a little paranoid when you drop a grand on a piece of machinery you havent even seen yet. Well, at least now I can put the abacus away and jump into the 21st century with the rest of you. Thanks again for the help, looks like there are still good people in EQ, cant wait the 9 days to jump right back in.

the new dual core AMD processors have the ability to run 32 as well as 64 bit operations at the same time. this should eliminate that problem.

hyperthreaded pentiums have the ability to disable hyperthreading in the bios settings on startup... the window you get into when you push F2

I have 3 pc's running EQ using AMD processors and never had a problem with any of them. Can you imagine the prices of intel processors if AMD ever went out of business?

I have several comps in this house all set up to play EQ on one of them is intel the rest are AMD home builds. I have only one problem that is in my opinion associated with AMD and it is the notorious "East-West Bug" where you have been in game for a bit and you turn in a direction and all you see is blue or grey and the particles and UI this I always go out of game and reinstall my vid drivers then go back in game and bam im good again. Reading this forum about this I might think it could be a temp thing since I really notice it when I am afk a long time or one of my botted toons sits still for a long time and just backs up my melee with casting then again it might be contributed to EQ being a 32 bit game on a hot running 64 bit processor. I might have to take my clerics machine the one it happens to most time and try a different cooling option.

As to laptops I had one till the power board went kapow and it was intel and ..cough gateway...cough. I had no problem except heat I am sure the newer designed laptops with their more efficient heat piping and cooling will have no problems, but if you do experience problems then look into cooling issues and there are aftermarket items that can help there.

This is no longer the case now that the Core 2 Duos are here anymore heat is a non issue for both companies.