Well, limited resources. I went to Our Guy locally 'cause he gives us great deals and builds solid systems. Told him I needed it to run EQ2 better than "balanced" video wise, be cool, and try not to break 1200 bucks. Here's what he came back with:
Antec NineHundred Gamer Case with 550 Watt Power Supply
Lights (Blue, Green, or Red)
Asus M2N-E motherboard ,with 8 USB ports and integrated networking
Athlon 64 X2 5000+(2.8GHz,512KBx2)
2GB,800MHz DDR2
eVGA Geforce 8600 NVIDIA Graphics with 512 MB
250GB SATA,7200 RPM Hard Drive
16X DVD+/-RW SATA, with Nero burning software
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1
I said to avoid the Geforce 8800 as I read of all kinds of issues with it, and I was willing to brave Vista but I'm reading there's a performance loss with Vista and EQ2, and that if I go Vista I should get a faster processor. This is coming in at $1100 'cause we've bought a system from him before.
Opinions please?
PS - I asked about SLIing a couple 7600's, which is what he did for Hubby, and he said "I am recommending the nVidia GeForce 8600 GT as it performs a little better than two GeForce 7600 video cards"
PPS - dammit, I'm reading the tech support forums and getting all wishy-washy. I'm thinking XP and an 8800, since I'm only reading about the stuttering issue on SLI'd 8800's.
Edited, Apr 16th 2008 11:09pm by Calthine
Edited, Apr 16th 2008 11:13pm by Calthine
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general feelings and personal opinions:
- Asus M2N-E - I love Asus mobos and couldn't think of anything I'd rather use in a new build.
- Athlon 64 X2 5000+ - I'm an Intel guy but if Athlon is the way you wanna go it's probably a fine CPU.
- 2GB (ram) - not with Vista you won't - 4GB is gonna be your starting point unless you stay with XP
- 250GB SATA HD - just make sure it's a Western Digital caviar drive and you'll be fine!
- eVGA Geforce 8600 NVIDIA - just to throw a monkey wrench into things, consider the NVIDIA 9 series "9800 GX2" It offers a pair of 512MB cards built onto a single frame... thats right... a GB of vid ram in a single slot.
I put one of these in my last machine when they had just come out and I have been very happy for over a year now. I tend to run at "very high" (2 steps above balanced) in most zones and only ever see lag in the worst possible locations. For these moments (and for raiding) I bump it down to a step above balanced and all is right with the world again. for screen caps I bump it all the way up and it never complains. Frame rate averages 45+
- Asus M2N-E - I love Asus mobos and couldn't think of anything I'd rather use in a new build.
- Athlon 64 X2 5000+ - I'm an Intel guy but if Athlon is the way you wanna go it's probably a fine CPU.
- 2GB (ram) - not with Vista you won't - 4GB is gonna be your starting point unless you stay with XP
- 250GB SATA HD - just make sure it's a Western Digital caviar drive and you'll be fine!
- eVGA Geforce 8600 NVIDIA - just to throw a monkey wrench into things, consider the NVIDIA 9 series "9800 GX2" It offers a pair of 512MB cards built onto a single frame... thats right... a GB of vid ram in a single slot.
I put one of these in my last machine when they had just come out and I have been very happy for over a year now. I tend to run at "very high" (2 steps above balanced) in most zones and only ever see lag in the worst possible locations. For these moments (and for raiding) I bump it down to a step above balanced and all is right with the world again. for screen caps I bump it all the way up and it never complains. Frame rate averages 45+
XP or 2 more GB memory - that's what I was thinking. Because of the budget, I'll probably go XP.
The 9x series... like this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150284
I *might* be able to squeak that out of the budget if I don't tell my husband, lol. But I'm cautious, I'm seeing mixed reviews.
Meanwhile, anyone have any negative experience with EQ2 and a single 8800?
The 9x series... like this one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150284
I *might* be able to squeak that out of the budget if I don't tell my husband, lol. But I'm cautious, I'm seeing mixed reviews.
Meanwhile, anyone have any negative experience with EQ2 and a single 8800?
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Asus M2A-VM mobo
AMD Athlon X2 5200+ Dual-Core CPU
Extreme-Performance AMD CPU Cooling Fan System Kit
4GB DDR2-800 RAM (PC6400)
NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT 1GB w/DVI + TV out
250 GB hdd [Serial-ATA-II, 7200 RPM, 8M Cache]
20X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive
Creative Lab Sound Blaster Audigy SE
600W PMPO 3 PCS Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System
Vista home premium
-------
$958.00
FedEx 2-Day to AK: $109.00
Total: $1,067.00
*hugs ibuypower*
AMD Athlon X2 5200+ Dual-Core CPU
Extreme-Performance AMD CPU Cooling Fan System Kit
4GB DDR2-800 RAM (PC6400)
NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT 1GB w/DVI + TV out
250 GB hdd [Serial-ATA-II, 7200 RPM, 8M Cache]
20X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive
Creative Lab Sound Blaster Audigy SE
600W PMPO 3 PCS Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System
Vista home premium
-------
$958.00
FedEx 2-Day to AK: $109.00
Total: $1,067.00
*hugs ibuypower*
... holy crap.
okay, I can't figure out how to get started on that site (I know, I'm pathetic, blame the kids), gotta link?
Edited, Apr 17th 2008 12:40pm by Calthine
okay, I can't figure out how to get started on that site (I know, I'm pathetic, blame the kids), gotta link?
Edited, Apr 17th 2008 12:40pm by Calthine
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http://ibuypower.com/mall/lobby.htm
About half-way down the page you will see a box with a list of chipsets and base prices ("Intel Quad-Core Configurator", "AMD Athlon X2 configurator", etc.). Click the chipset you want to start a build for and it take you to the system options list where you can pick and choose all the pieces you want along with +/- how much it adds or subtracts from the price (when was the last time you needed a floppy?). Beyond that pick your OS and periphrial options and your good to go. You even get a choice of free games and ipb swag.
Word of warning though, it's easy to lose focus and get greedy on there. "Hmmm...well the Xtreme Blaster Ultra Alpha DecaCore Supreme MegaCard is only $75 more..." Keep your eye on your total and keep in mind shipping.
I got my last gaming rig from IBP and love it. Built it ahead of spec and it's been able to keep up with everything I've thrown at it.
About half-way down the page you will see a box with a list of chipsets and base prices ("Intel Quad-Core Configurator", "AMD Athlon X2 configurator", etc.). Click the chipset you want to start a build for and it take you to the system options list where you can pick and choose all the pieces you want along with +/- how much it adds or subtracts from the price (when was the last time you needed a floppy?). Beyond that pick your OS and periphrial options and your good to go. You even get a choice of free games and ipb swag.
Word of warning though, it's easy to lose focus and get greedy on there. "Hmmm...well the Xtreme Blaster Ultra Alpha DecaCore Supreme MegaCard is only $75 more..." Keep your eye on your total and keep in mind shipping.
I got my last gaming rig from IBP and love it. Built it ahead of spec and it's been able to keep up with everything I've thrown at it.
That is slightly above my pc's specs and I can run eq2 on maximum settings. The only slow does I get is if I try to raid I usually have to turn it down to high. I have the same video card you got same memory. MY processor is the 4800 but not a huge difference there.
Yours has a faster (and bigger HD) which might help a little. I still use Windows XP as I have heard alot more negative about Vista then positive.
Yours has a faster (and bigger HD) which might help a little. I still use Windows XP as I have heard alot more negative about Vista then positive.
Hi
Well, the real problem here is that I am *not* up on current tech. I'm relying on people I trust to make sure I don't end up with something that sucks or that I'll be throwing out next year (yeah, I know sometimes that can't be helped).
The other advantage to going local here is the 1 year warrenty. Yes, websites may rock, be reliable, etc, but I can't drive the box over there if something comes up, I have to ship it out of state. Shoot, Zeek would probably even stop by here before he opened the shop if I were swamped with kids. Not even Dell does site service here.
That vid card that ODB recommended is the shiznit, but the site you linked wants $900+ for it, I can get it cheaper at Amazon. haha.
Okay, next quote I'm gonna ask for XP (cheaper than doubling RAM and sticking with Vista, but get it quoted with both the 9800 GX2 and the 9600GT and see what comes back.
Still lookin' fer feedback on an 8800 NOT running as SLI.
The other advantage to going local here is the 1 year warrenty. Yes, websites may rock, be reliable, etc, but I can't drive the box over there if something comes up, I have to ship it out of state. Shoot, Zeek would probably even stop by here before he opened the shop if I were swamped with kids. Not even Dell does site service here.
That vid card that ODB recommended is the shiznit, but the site you linked wants $900+ for it, I can get it cheaper at Amazon. haha.
Okay, next quote I'm gonna ask for XP (cheaper than doubling RAM and sticking with Vista, but get it quoted with both the 9800 GX2 and the 9600GT and see what comes back.
Still lookin' fer feedback on an 8800 NOT running as SLI.
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Quote:
Still lookin' fer feedback on an 8800 NOT running as SLI.
I'm using a Geforce 8800GT myself, 512MB memory. Works like a charm.
Along with 2GB RAM, Vista, an Intel core duo E6850 3.00 GHZ and a recent version of Norton that did cost me close to 2000 USD. Granted, mostly because the USD is at such a low rate to the EUR.
I'm not sure at what settings I'm playing, not the best ones but definitely a good one. No lag but then I also don't raid, so my computer hasn't really been tested yet.
I did have a huge problem with Vista, but Kaolian sorted it out for me. It's basically the administrator part of Vista that messes up the game. It's easy to deal with though, once you know what exactly to do. Other than that, I haven't had a problem with Vista whatsoever.
Quote:
That vid card that ODB recommended is the shiznit...
ODB??? Old Dumb Bastage? :)
Dyslexics of the world, UNTIE!
Asked my guy to requote me with XP (cheaper than doubling RAM) and and the three following cards:
Geforce 8800 Ultra
Geforce 9600GT 1GB
Geforce 9800 GX2 (might as well dream big)
Asked my guy to requote me with XP (cheaper than doubling RAM) and and the three following cards:
Geforce 8800 Ultra
Geforce 9600GT 1GB
Geforce 9800 GX2 (might as well dream big)
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So here's what came back on the vid cards...
Yeah, that GX2 ain't happening.
Edited, Apr 17th 2008 8:30pm by Calthine
Quote:
As far as the video cards are concerned, here are some comments. The 8800
Ultra is WAAAY over priced for the performance and very hard to find. I
provided both 512 MB and 1 GB versions of the 9600. The 9800 GX2 provides
significantly higher performance but requires a larger power supply
(ThermalTake ToughPower 850 and add about $185). The following represent
additional price over the existing 8600:
8800 Ultra: add approximately $800 additional OUCH and YIKES
9600GT 512 MB: add $120
9600GT 1 GB: add $180
9800 GX2: add $550 plus $185 for the power supply
Ultra is WAAAY over priced for the performance and very hard to find. I
provided both 512 MB and 1 GB versions of the 9600. The 9800 GX2 provides
significantly higher performance but requires a larger power supply
(ThermalTake ToughPower 850 and add about $185). The following represent
additional price over the existing 8600:
8800 Ultra: add approximately $800 additional OUCH and YIKES
9600GT 512 MB: add $120
9600GT 1 GB: add $180
9800 GX2: add $550 plus $185 for the power supply
Yeah, that GX2 ain't happening.
Edited, Apr 17th 2008 8:30pm by Calthine
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