Was just wondering if anyone that reads this post, could please help me out a little by at least posting what system you currently have to play EQ1 on.
I want to upgrade my 5 yr old system. I am having trouble (not being a PC guru) figuring out what sys specs I need to play EQ1 effectively, and w/out having to upgrade system components every few months. I would like to have a basic gaming platform (desktop, not laptop) so I can play EQ1 w/out major hiccups or OS BSOD, as on XP.
Please just drop a line/post saying what general system info you run currently and also must play EQ1. That way I know your specs will be something I can consider to ensure that it does work with EQ1. Thank you so much for your time and help in this matter. =)
My current system specs are:
Dell 4700 Dimension desktop
OS: Windows XP (home)
CPU: Pent 4, 3.40 GHz / 3.39 Ghz, 3.00 GB Ram
MB: not exactly sure, but was w/e came with 4700 series (only has 1 PCI-x slot for video card) --- am looking to upgrade to MB that has min of 3 PCI-X slots, so i have room to upgrade later
VC: currently - Galaxy Geforce 220 GT, 1GB ram, 128-bit DDR2 (only after old PNY Gforce 512MB burned up 4 days ago)
HD: 120GB single
PSU: Antec 500w
as you all read what I have, I know this is very outdated, but still effectively play EQ1, and bot 2 chars....but, I seem to go thru video cards every 5-10 months.....prob because MB/PSU, lack of cooling fans, only 1 120mm in back....are likley causes....also with Nvidia VC's and Win XP.....tons of Blue screens after major patches....
just want an affordable system to play EQ1 on, and do basic computing on....I do not play any memory intensive games: shooters, or any high end games on it, just soley EQ1.....
thanks for your input....
===============================================================================
Also, any websites that custom build PC's....would be a great help in my hunt for upgrading.
have checked a few sites:
Alienware ---- kinda pricy, IMO
Cyberpowerpc ----- lots of negative reviews about damaged, broken, substituted parts
AVAdirect ---- not enough research to tell if they are a good, reliable builder?
Dell ---- heard quality has dropped alot in past years
HP ---- can't find any links on site to custom build one,lol
Edited, Nov 14th 2009 3:30pm by Mordwar
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EQ ran superb on an off-the-shelf compaq notebook ($900.00 cdn at the time) when Windows XP was just new. I could tab-window box on this laptop with some lag added, but made no efforts to optimize settings to reduce this.
Honestly, I think you will have a hard time finding any pre-packaged system that can't handle EQ. I have played EQ with some pretty lousy PC over the years. Pay for more RAM (or ensure RAM slots exist to upgrade) if you are worried.
EQ2 and newer games like Warhammer are a different story. My current desktop was built Frankenstien style to play them... it runs EQ great.
Honestly, I think you will have a hard time finding any pre-packaged system that can't handle EQ. I have played EQ with some pretty lousy PC over the years. Pay for more RAM (or ensure RAM slots exist to upgrade) if you are worried.
EQ2 and newer games like Warhammer are a different story. My current desktop was built Frankenstien style to play them... it runs EQ great.
I don't consider your PC outdated at all, at least not for EQ1. I use:
Windows XP SP3
Intel Core2 duo 6420 2.13ghz
2 gig DDR2-800
Nvidia 9600GSO 384 meg
Corsair 500W PSU
in a beautiful Antec Sonata II case which is nearly silent.
I just buy my components directly from newegg.com Even if you don't buy from newegg, it is a great resource for user reviews on any computer component so check it out.
Get Riva Tuner from Guru3D. When you run it, it sets up a tray icon, double click that and on the main tab select [Customize] under your listed graphics adapter. Pick the 4th icon for hardware monitoring and take a look at your GPU temperature. Every card is different but for comparison sake mine runs at about 58 degrees C.
Everquest is an old game with some updated graphics. I was probably playing it in 1999 using a 3DFX Voodoo and an Intel 486 cpu. That said, the EQ engine is not very well optimized and it helps to throw more hardware at it so the better you have, the smoother EQ runs. If you're having blue screens and crashes though, the most likely place to look is your own installation of WindowsXP. If you have the disks available and want to take matters in your own hands, reinstall it fresh. Reinstall directX 9 and the NVidia drivers and reinstall EQ using the Station Launcher.
I'd bet you 10 to 1 that solves your problems. If it doesn't, or you totally botch up your Dell... well you were ready to buy a new PC anyway and that's even better incentive.
Windows XP SP3
Intel Core2 duo 6420 2.13ghz
2 gig DDR2-800
Nvidia 9600GSO 384 meg
Corsair 500W PSU
in a beautiful Antec Sonata II case which is nearly silent.
I just buy my components directly from newegg.com Even if you don't buy from newegg, it is a great resource for user reviews on any computer component so check it out.
Get Riva Tuner from Guru3D. When you run it, it sets up a tray icon, double click that and on the main tab select [Customize] under your listed graphics adapter. Pick the 4th icon for hardware monitoring and take a look at your GPU temperature. Every card is different but for comparison sake mine runs at about 58 degrees C.
Everquest is an old game with some updated graphics. I was probably playing it in 1999 using a 3DFX Voodoo and an Intel 486 cpu. That said, the EQ engine is not very well optimized and it helps to throw more hardware at it so the better you have, the smoother EQ runs. If you're having blue screens and crashes though, the most likely place to look is your own installation of WindowsXP. If you have the disks available and want to take matters in your own hands, reinstall it fresh. Reinstall directX 9 and the NVidia drivers and reinstall EQ using the Station Launcher.
I'd bet you 10 to 1 that solves your problems. If it doesn't, or you totally botch up your Dell... well you were ready to buy a new PC anyway and that's even better incentive.
Hmmmmm.....so far, 2 replies (thank you btw!)....
...and i'm starting to be convinced that maybe the feedback i've gotten so far (from other sources), indicate that my crashes, blue screens, burning up video cards every xxx months is the source of Windows XP, in some form or fashion, and NOT my aging system being the root cause????
I guess any modern PC upgrade would sound like it'd be more than suitable to play EQ1, then? (am i right in this assumption?)
I will try that guru thing, i know i've always had a heating issue, just because the case Dell had at the time, isn't very flowy...meaning no intake fan, one 120mm out take fan above graphics card, one on PSU, and the PCI-E slot.....my graphics card faces with the fan down, on top of the sound card, so maybe 1/2" or less space for the graphics card to breathe...
Maybe the cause is the graphics cards have always run hotter than normally and are eventually "burning up" from lack of signifigant airflow?
---Please, keep the replies and system spec's coming, this is actually helping me figure out what is going on with my current system and the problems i've had, and am still having...
Haven't played EQ in 4 days, because of the blue screens, nv4_disp.dll crashes....etc....and looking up self fixes for these prob's.
...and i'm starting to be convinced that maybe the feedback i've gotten so far (from other sources), indicate that my crashes, blue screens, burning up video cards every xxx months is the source of Windows XP, in some form or fashion, and NOT my aging system being the root cause????
I guess any modern PC upgrade would sound like it'd be more than suitable to play EQ1, then? (am i right in this assumption?)
I will try that guru thing, i know i've always had a heating issue, just because the case Dell had at the time, isn't very flowy...meaning no intake fan, one 120mm out take fan above graphics card, one on PSU, and the PCI-E slot.....my graphics card faces with the fan down, on top of the sound card, so maybe 1/2" or less space for the graphics card to breathe...
Maybe the cause is the graphics cards have always run hotter than normally and are eventually "burning up" from lack of signifigant airflow?
---Please, keep the replies and system spec's coming, this is actually helping me figure out what is going on with my current system and the problems i've had, and am still having...
Haven't played EQ in 4 days, because of the blue screens, nv4_disp.dll crashes....etc....and looking up self fixes for these prob's.
Mordwar wrote:
Hmmmmm.....so far, 2 replies (thank you btw!)....
...and i'm starting to be convinced that maybe the feedback i've gotten so far (from other sources), indicate that my crashes, blue screens, burning up video cards every xxx months is the source of Windows XP, in some form or fashion, and NOT my aging system being the root cause????
...and i'm starting to be convinced that maybe the feedback i've gotten so far (from other sources), indicate that my crashes, blue screens, burning up video cards every xxx months is the source of Windows XP, in some form or fashion, and NOT my aging system being the root cause????
Operating system has nothing to do with video card burn out. Are you getting enough ventilation in your system? The higher the temperature on your video card's GPU or even your main boards' CPU, the higher the chance of burn out. If it goes anywhere over 90 degrees Celsius, then you're in really big trouble. I suggest putting more fans in your computer, by mounting them on your case (create a ventilation hole first). Make sure that the fans are pointing towards your video card's GPU. Software like http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php can help you monitor your system's temp.
Hope this helps.
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EQ2: Gwenythe: http://u.eq2wire.com/soe/character_detail/468152233422
EQ2: Gwenythe: http://u.eq2wire.com/soe/character_detail/468152233422
Just realized that one thing you should do before doing anything serious like reinstalling Windows would be running a memory test. A bad memory chip can cause all kinds of wacky errors and crashes too. The funny thing is, it's really easy to test and we seldom bother to do it.
Here's a link to a free memory test - if it's the same as the last time I used it, you need to be able to burn it to a CD and boot with it. If it starts throwing errors off, test your memory one module at a time in the first slot until you isolate a bad module.
http://www.memtest86.com/
I can relate to your issues with the Dell. I owned an off the shelf Compaq desktop once and it was a nightmare trying to fix/upgrade anything on it.
Here's a link to a free memory test - if it's the same as the last time I used it, you need to be able to burn it to a CD and boot with it. If it starts throwing errors off, test your memory one module at a time in the first slot until you isolate a bad module.
http://www.memtest86.com/
I can relate to your issues with the Dell. I owned an off the shelf Compaq desktop once and it was a nightmare trying to fix/upgrade anything on it.
If your memory test, and temperature seem fine (get a temperature monitor, if you don't already have one; think this is the one I have mostly used), and all the fans seem to be working fine. THe last problem could be under-powered PS, which HP is notorious for (they generally just give you enough power for what comes with the system and nothing else).
Although difficult to find, you can find Power Supplies that fit in a HP case with more power, but will be tough call. Most HPs I've upgraded or replced PS in, I usually just put it in a new case as well with a much better Power Supply, and of course cooler (larger with more fans). With an Antec 500W, it's prob not a power issue unless there's a problem with it and/or motherboard. Motherboard crack / short, sounds like a possible cause as well (once other issues ruled out).
I also avoid name brands for myself. You're generally better off having someone build you what you want / need, and won't include any propriotary parts, and easy to fix and/or upgrade. Check around locally, there is usually at least one place, if not many, in most cities that will do custom building at a reasonalbe (comparable to name brand) price. If not, there a many online stores that will do the same as well.
The system you listed if it wasn't burning up video cards is plenty for EQ.
If you need helpful review, tomshardware.com has the most unbiased reviews imho.
System I just bought:
M/B: sus M4A7485TD-M EVO
CPU: MD Phenom II x3 425 2.7GHz
RAM: 4GB dual channel DDR2
Vid: Built in ATI HD 4200
Aud: Built in 8-channel
HDD: 320GB 7200RPM WD SATA-2
DVD: 20x DVD+/-RW
OS: Windows Vista 64 with free 7 upgrade
Around $580 with 3yr warranty, extra fans, shipping, etc.
I could of probably gotten it cheaper, but since I don't work on computers any more, and I trust the company (pc-infinity.com) I bought it from, I didn't mind spending a little bit more. But I'm very happy with it so far, but haven't really pushed it, as I just got it yesterday (Friday).
Hope this helps some,
Yther Ore.
Edited, Nov 15th 2009 12:56am by Yther
Edited, Nov 15th 2009 12:59am by Yther
Although difficult to find, you can find Power Supplies that fit in a HP case with more power, but will be tough call. Most HPs I've upgraded or replced PS in, I usually just put it in a new case as well with a much better Power Supply, and of course cooler (larger with more fans). With an Antec 500W, it's prob not a power issue unless there's a problem with it and/or motherboard. Motherboard crack / short, sounds like a possible cause as well (once other issues ruled out).
I also avoid name brands for myself. You're generally better off having someone build you what you want / need, and won't include any propriotary parts, and easy to fix and/or upgrade. Check around locally, there is usually at least one place, if not many, in most cities that will do custom building at a reasonalbe (comparable to name brand) price. If not, there a many online stores that will do the same as well.
The system you listed if it wasn't burning up video cards is plenty for EQ.
If you need helpful review, tomshardware.com has the most unbiased reviews imho.
System I just bought:
M/B: sus M4A7485TD-M EVO
CPU: MD Phenom II x3 425 2.7GHz
RAM: 4GB dual channel DDR2
Vid: Built in ATI HD 4200
Aud: Built in 8-channel
HDD: 320GB 7200RPM WD SATA-2
DVD: 20x DVD+/-RW
OS: Windows Vista 64 with free 7 upgrade
Around $580 with 3yr warranty, extra fans, shipping, etc.
I could of probably gotten it cheaper, but since I don't work on computers any more, and I trust the company (pc-infinity.com) I bought it from, I didn't mind spending a little bit more. But I'm very happy with it so far, but haven't really pushed it, as I just got it yesterday (Friday).
Hope this helps some,
Yther Ore.
Edited, Nov 15th 2009 12:56am by Yther
Edited, Nov 15th 2009 12:59am by Yther
Burning out video cards in months is crazy. I have a couple of cards I've used for over half a decade and they run fine.
I didn't read everything above so pardon me if someone's already stated the obvious: run a temperature test! Also, as a real ghetto fix, just take the side off the case and run it open... or even better get a cheap personal fan and have its output flow over the video card. Do that for a few days and if it fixes your problem then you know you have a cooling problem.
I didn't read everything above so pardon me if someone's already stated the obvious: run a temperature test! Also, as a real ghetto fix, just take the side off the case and run it open... or even better get a cheap personal fan and have its output flow over the video card. Do that for a few days and if it fixes your problem then you know you have a cooling problem.
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I just upgraded my PC last month actually so I can tell you what is out there.
Normally I buy a pretty cheap PC and do a little upgrading on it. The problem was I always ended up with a pretty bad system. It never had a decent video card and never enough ram. This time around I spent a little cash and and very happy I did.
I ended up getting one of the gaming systems from Best buy:
Dell Studio XPS 8000, Intel® Core™ i7-860 processor(8MB Cache, 2.80GHz)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM3 at 1066MHz - 4 DIMMs
nVidia GeForce GTS240 1024MB GDDR3
The system runs everything great. The video card (comes with the system) is amazing (considering all the cheapies I have had in the past). For example I play Counter Strike and the best video stress test I have ever gotten was 38 fps with a ATI 512 X700 pro. Running Counter Strike on this system with the GTS 240 and I got 286 fps. I get an average of 150 fps in game with all setting maxed.
I run 3 accounts of EQ now with all setting on max and 100% clip plane and have never had a bit of lag. Not even in the GL or in the new zones.
EQ looks like a whole different game now. LOL
Edited, Nov 15th 2009 7:05pm by Boomsticker
Normally I buy a pretty cheap PC and do a little upgrading on it. The problem was I always ended up with a pretty bad system. It never had a decent video card and never enough ram. This time around I spent a little cash and and very happy I did.
I ended up getting one of the gaming systems from Best buy:
Dell Studio XPS 8000, Intel® Core™ i7-860 processor(8MB Cache, 2.80GHz)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM3 at 1066MHz - 4 DIMMs
nVidia GeForce GTS240 1024MB GDDR3
The system runs everything great. The video card (comes with the system) is amazing (considering all the cheapies I have had in the past). For example I play Counter Strike and the best video stress test I have ever gotten was 38 fps with a ATI 512 X700 pro. Running Counter Strike on this system with the GTS 240 and I got 286 fps. I get an average of 150 fps in game with all setting maxed.
I run 3 accounts of EQ now with all setting on max and 100% clip plane and have never had a bit of lag. Not even in the GL or in the new zones.
EQ looks like a whole different game now. LOL
Edited, Nov 15th 2009 7:05pm by Boomsticker
Quote:
Also, as a real ghetto fix, just take the side off the case and run it open...
Thats what I do. lol
Make sure to buy that air in a can and blow it out once a week too.
I was going to suggest a better solution is adding cooling fans rather than building a whole new system. Should try that first, since it should be pretty cheap.
Can put an input fan on one side, and exhaust on the other (I think exhaust is best close to the video card if you can so it blows out as much heat as possible.)
Can run with the case open, but that's not a great long term solution (cat could come by and pee on it or something. ;-) )
Edited, Nov 15th 2009 9:16pm by amastropolo
Can put an input fan on one side, and exhaust on the other (I think exhaust is best close to the video card if you can so it blows out as much heat as possible.)
Can run with the case open, but that's not a great long term solution (cat could come by and pee on it or something. ;-) )
Edited, Nov 15th 2009 9:16pm by amastropolo
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