High End Gaming Everquest computer

[Dolaorn]

I'm a big fan of Everquest, been playing for almost 7 years now, and up until now i've only used decent computers. The computer I have no My dad got for me as a gift, and it's a good comp, it does basically what I ask it to and dosn't complain heh. But I can't do what I want to do on Everquest, and that's 4 box, or play 4 characters at once. I can't do this because it is very intensive on the computer ram and things of that nature. I'm just looking for specs on how to build the best computer I can at the moment that will allow me to do that, and also upgrade in the near future if need be. I do have one problem though, I can't buy the parts all at once right now, I got too many bills that eat up my money right now. So I have two options, go with a list you guys suggest, and buy those parts one at a time as I can afford them, or live with the computer I got at the moment, and try to save some money to get pieces all at once, and btw the thing that is eating up all money right now, is a girlfriend heh.

[El gato Loco]

1st, buy all parts at once not alittle at a time because then they may be outdated by the time you get all the parts for the computeer

2nd, do you have a Budget??

[glc]

Live with what you have now - and start saving. Buy everything at once so you get the highest tech you can for your $$$.

Please give us the full details on your present computer, then we can suggest a dollar amount you will need to build something worthwhile. You will probably be able to reuse some parts if you feel like gutting the present computer.

[Dolaorn]

I currently use a AMD 64 3300+ 1 GB SD DDR Ram, 19 in flat pannel monitor, SB Audigy 4 sound card, ATI Radeon 9600 256 mb video card, 280 GB HD, what hd i'm not sure. It's upgradeable to 2 gig ram, which I would imagine would have some improvement on the performance, only thing is I don't know a whole lot about computer hardware, i know the basics, like the memory and taking a sound or video card in or out, but the rest I have no clue, I don't even know what overclocking is, how to do it, or if it would help my computer at the moment. Right now I don't really have a budget, like I said bills eat up a lot of the money I make, i could probably set aside 50-100 dollars out of a paycheck if i don't buy anything extra like books or something, and i don't go out with my friends much.

[glc]

Can we get just a bit more detailed? Is this a name brand computer? If so, brand and model please. If not, can you get the exact motherboard model?

I'm thinking you can do a couple upgrades to it right now to make a big difference. You have a plenty fast enough processor, ram is "okay" but 2 gigs will make a big difference, but that video card is what's killing you. Problem is, it's gonna cost you 300 bucks for a proper video card. Another gig of ram is less than $100. You may have to get a better power supply to feed a high end video card, got any data on yours?

[Dolaorn]

attached the dxdiag.txt file i got, it's the only thing i can think of, as to the power i don't know, without taking it apart to look, i don't know anyway to check it.

[MakeYourslf2012]

Just upgrading your video card to something like a 6800GT AGP will give you a huge performance boost. That would most likely be your first priority. After that, like glc said, another GB of RAM will up your performance also.

[glc]

Never mind - it's a HP Pavilion. I doubt the power supply would handle a 7800GS (which is the one I had in mind). Start saving for a custom build if you are that serious about that game.

[MakeYourslf2012]

Originally Posted by glc Never mind - it's a HP Pavilion. I doubt the power supply would handle a 7800GS (which is the one I had in mind). Start saving for a custom build if you are that serious about that game.

I overlooked that - If you wanted to upgrade, the highest card you can get is a 6600GT, anything higher requireds a connection directly from the PSU.

When was your system purchased? It might be able to handle the 6600 - the power units in proprietary systems are usually pretty stable and could supply enough juice to this card if its not too old.

The 6600GT will still give you quite a performance boost over what your using now.

[glc]

A 6600GT will not even come CLOSE to doing what he wants to do. He really needs a PCI-E setup with a 7900GTX or a X1900XTX.

[Dolaorn]

I bought it last year about april, it was a stock comp from best buy, but i had a few things added on, just at the time 2 boxing was the max i was planning, but lately 2-3 friends have retired and i took over their accounts.What should I do?

[glc]

In response to your private message, overclocking is not an option with a HP computer or any other name brand computer. Overclocking is a hobby, not a way to increase performance and save money - you will often wind up spending MORE money overclocking something rather than just buying something fast to begin with.

What should you do? My advice is start saving up for a proper custom build and deal with what you have the best you can.