stubbie
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Posts posted by stubbie
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Thanks everyone. All your input has been seriously considered and appreciated.
After much agonising I have come to the following decision.
To upgrade my current cpu to a quad on the 775 socket will not give me good value for the money.
To upgrade my gpu will probably allow me more eye candy in games but will not have a great effect on frame rates.
My 4 gig RAM is only ever reaching around 70% usage with my games so I don't see that as needing an upgrade.
...........and I have over a hundred games that I either have only played a short time or not at all. They all will run fine on my current pc (except the witcher 2), so I should play them before I buy games that need more horsepower.
So I'm holding onto my money and saving up to get a whole new pc one day in the future.
As a side note: What started this was my, at times, dismal frame rates in Guild Wars 2.
I posted in another thread here what I did with the graphic settings (increased all the settings to high...yes high) and now I can play the game with acceptable (for me) frame rates.
Thanks again for all your responses. Hopefully it my also be of help to someone else in a similar position.
edit:
Oh I forgot to mention. jonny over at DA suggested overclocking by about 10%. I am more than willing to do that as the hardware in this pc is all able to be overclocked quite safely.
But I am totally without knowledge on overclocking. The one time I tried I failed miserably with a BSOD and never tried again as I was too scared.
If anyone knows of a good site on overclocking with a step by step guide for dummies I would appreciate it.
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Now here's a strange thing to keep in mind.
Someone in one of the many sites I visited trying to tweak the best graphic settings suggested raising the graphic options if your cpu is getting throttled in GW2.
Yep raise...not lower.
They did have an explanation why, but I forget now what it was. Something to do with by not selecting high graphics you actually cause the cpu rather than the gpu to handle a lot more calculations, but don't quote me.
I originally had GW2 set with medium/low graphics. Now while it was playable in the open areas with little activity (averaged about 40 fps), it struggled in towns and especially in mob fights.
Sometimes as low as 15fps.
So for the fun of it today I raised all settings to high (except shadows..left them at low as they really, really, give the fps a massive hit).
Amazingly the game suffered no loss at all with frame rates, in fact I now average 45fps in the open areas .
I was even caught up in a very intense mob fight with graphic mayhem and sparkles and kabooms and you name it going on.
It went no lower than 25fps whereas before it would have been a slide show.
So keep that in mind if like me you thought high settings were beyond your pc's capability.
Apparently if your graphic card is decent and your cpu is a bit lacking it's the way to go.
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Thanks Dragon Brother. That's the first I have seen that site, and the prices are very reasonable.
I will keep them in mind if I go with a new MB, etc. I didn't realise that going the MB/RAM/cpu path was in my reach. You have given me food for thought.
I'm going to join Whirlpool as well. I have used their site for info in the past. Time to ask them the question too I think.
And yep Kiyeri. My drivers are all up to date. It was the first point of call for me.
Funny though that only one of your cores is being used. Both of the cores in my dual core are being used at almost 100%.
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I'd think you'd want to really confirm that GW2 will make use of the extra cores.
That is not so easy.
I have googled a lot about it and all I can find is beta results (the game was not cpu optimised at that point) and also a lot of speculation only about the games usage of quad cores.
An official response would be most welcome if there is one.
Though with that being said my upgrade would still be considered if I knew there would be a notable performance increase for games that do use quad cores, keeping in mind the upgrade will only be able to use the old 775 socket architecture.
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Guys I have a bit of a dilemma that I would appreciate any input on.
I currently have a 4yr old pc that is starting to show its age with some games especially Guild Wars 2.
First off I have very limited funds so a new pc is out of the question.
My current pc set up is as follows;
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16Ghz
GPU - ATI HD 6870 1gig memory
MB - Gigabyte GA-X48-DS4
RAM - Corsair 4gig Xtreme DDR2
27" monitor
Windows 7 64bit
This pc was a high end pc when I built it 4 years ago and it it still in top condition. I clean it regularly and have never overclocked anything. It still plays most of the games that I play at good fps.
But it is struggling a bit with Guild Wars 2.
As GW2 is cpu intensive I was thinking that I will upgrade the cpu. I know that the cpu is the bottleneck on this pc as it is running at 99% usage when in GW2.
I cannot afford to replace the motherboard/RAM/CPU so I am very restricted on my upgrade choice.
Games these days seem to use quad cores. When I built the pc that was very uncommon hence the reason I went with a high end dual core.
I'm considering buying an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3Ghz. I can get one for approx $350AUD which is just in my price range.
My question is;
Will an upgrade from my current dual core cpu to the Core 2 Quad show much difference with a game like GW2 that I believe utilises quad cores?
Or is the old 775 socket stuff just too old for todays games?
I don't expect a massive increase in fps as the E8500 is an excellent dual core on the 775 socket anyway. And I feel that the rest of my current hardware has just about maxed the motherboards capabilities.
But if I could gain about 10 fps I would be most happy.
Thanks for reading.
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Yeh I've been looking as well. How the hell do you "sell out" on digital copies?!
Lol
Of coarse they haven't actually sold out of digital copies.
ArenaNet has simply put current players needs before money.
The game is more successful than they thought so with more and more people playing the servers were getting hammered and people were getting connection issues.
So they are implementing more servers to cope.
When they are happy that they can handle the load more digital keys will be released.
It's a bold move and I doubt that some other companies (Blizz"cough"ard) would take such a commercially sensitive decision.
While very frustrating for people that want to buy the game and play, it is totally welcome by those that have the game already.
And it will make the new buyers experience with the game much more pleasurable than what we experienced when the game was first released.
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4 year old pc here.
GW2 is cpu intensive.
I only have a Intel dual core2 E8500 3.16Ghz and it is at 100% usage while playing (no other background processes).
I also have an ATI HD6870 gpu that doesn't get stressed at all.
Settings are basically at medium/low and at times the fps can still go below 20.
I think the game really needs a good quad core more than a high end gpu..
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The auction house ruined the game as far as I'm concerned.
One of the main attraction for these types of games is the loot.
Loot from drops......... not from going to a big merchant.
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This only relates to the PvE game. I have not played PvP.
If you want to specialise as a healer forget it. GW2 doesnt have that. Instead every class has it's own healing capabilities.
So basically it means that GW2 is very solo friendly. You will need to join parties later on to take on the optional dungeons though.
Also you will come across a lot of random encounters where you will automatically join up with others in the areas.
This gives you a feeling that you are always part of the Guild Wars community even though you are playing solo. It are a great feature and works well.
So...
If you want to play a mmo where it is mandatory to have specialist characters in an organised party to progress, GW2 is not for you.
If on the other hand you like playing online and chatting to guild mates but basically playing solo, then GW2 fits the bill nicely.
btw...I absolutely love the game..............so far.
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You Saved Our Broken Umbrella
Z O R R O
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Let the juggling act begin...Diablo 3, Guild Wars 2, Torchlight 2.
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An achievement to be proud of. Hardcore is very hardcore in D3.
I tip my hat you you guys.
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stubbie.5216
I would like to be a part of your guild, but only if you understand that my priority lies with Clan DA.
Though I promise that if I party up/chat/generally have a blast/ with you guys my influence points will be yours.
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Because I am a member of another clan I only offer my comments for consideration...not for implementation.
Option 1..This is a good option for a guild that will be focused on PvP. During the time I have played I have been spammed by guilds actively recruiting for PvP.
GW2 is an excellent game for PvP due to the way it handles levels. Everyone in PvP is equal...it's just how you choose your skills and how your party setup is constructed determines how well you do.
So recruiting people for PvP shouldn't be a problem...if your guild is rated high.
But as far as I am aware Dark is not focused on PvP?
Option 2.... We all want decent people in our group. So it's only natural that we would want people that we meet in game who seem okay to join. But atm, I think most players are feeling their way around the game learning all its intracies. Not many free players are focusing on partying or guilds nor does the game require you need to be in one in low levels.
So it could be hard getting a free player to even answer your request to join a guild.
Option 3...the same approach our clan seems to take. We are not actively recruiting people atm, though new members are always welcome. We don't spam the chat asking for new members. Most of our clan players players will probably ask someone who they have partied up with and enjoyed their time with if they want to join a guild and only then suggest our clan.
You guys at DARK are always welcome to join anything Clan DA are doing in Guild Wars..and any other game for that matter.
Disclaimer: I am not an officer in the Clan DA guild and all my comments are purely my own.
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Wonderful post.....thanks Kiyeri
I have played the original Guild Wars and also got to participate in the GW2 beta.
But the two games are very different and I appreciate these tips for newbs like me.
Looking forward to the 28th.
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One thing that stands out in the video card comparison list........ATI users have a better chance of running the game with acceptable frame rates.
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and...
Official Launch Australia east coast: Tuesday 28th 5pm.
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Think my choice will be
kb
Logitech 510
Mouse
Steelseries sensei or g500 I tried the g500 perfect fit for my hand just need to try out sensei could be its a little to small for my gorilla hand
The logitech 510 looks like a great choice for a keyboard, though all those extra configurable buttons would only confuse me.
But it has the lcd screen which you will love.
Did you by chance check out a Logitech G9? It might be an old model but it is still a great piece of hardware, and it fits my gorilla hands perfectly.
You might be able to get it for a cheap price.
The sensei looks good on paper but the style and silver finish is something that would turn me off.
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I haven't used any of your choices so my comments may be of no use.
However with that said I have a Logitech G9 mouse and G15 keyboard.
Both have served me well for 3 years.
Logitech products have always been excellent for me.
I also like the SetPoint software that comes with Logitech gaming mice.
One thing to consider is that my G15 has a lcd screen which I have found extremely useful for monitoring cpu/ram/gpu usage while gaming.
I would now be lost without it....one reason why I haven't yet upgraded.
Also I would only ever get a wired keyboard and mouse for gaming.
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No experience with that card but Tom's Hardware lists it as below the one that is being replaced.
Yep it's 2 tiers down so you will definitely get lower performance then you got with the GT220.
This just shows how deceiving nVidea are (ATI can also be the same) when it comes to numbering graphic cards.
Use the list that Wygram posted to get a good idea what to get. I cant recommend any nVidea cards as I have only used ATI for the last few years.
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Sacred 2 has never left my computer.
Looking forward to the v140 CM Patch.
Will probably give the game another play through once it is released.
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I had occasional rubber banding before 1.03. At a guess I would say twice per hour.
After 1.03 I get it much more frequently, about half a dozen times per hour.
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I'm finding my DH is having a real tough time in hell, and I'm only in act 1. It's becoming a bit of a game of frustration rather than one of fun.
So far I have focused on damage but I can see that it is now time to refit her for a lot more defence.
Though if that doesn't work I think I wont suffer any more...I'd rather take some time off and wait untill Torchlight 2 gets released.
How's the game?
in Guild Wars 2 General Discussion
Posted
I'm finally getting my head around crafting.....it opens up a whole new fun side diversion to the game.