4 Cores, 4GB Ram, GF 8800GTX - Does it really help?

[Archangel]

Dear Forum Members,

I am so pissed in the last time with all the lag (5 sec delay after selecting weapon or fap) and low FPS rates, that I ordered components for a new Computer.

So my question to you all. Will it be helpfull for gameplay? Will be the FPS rates better, lag and freezes lesser?

This will be my new configuration:

Processors:......2 x Intel Xeon 5150 (total 4 cores)
Ram:...............4 GB (fullybuffered)
Graphics:.........Nvidia Geforce 8800 GTX (768 MB)
HDD:...............5 x 500 GB (Raid 0 for System Partition and Raid 5 for Data Partition)

Give me your comments, pls.

If this config does not help, MA will have no chance to argue against to less performance, in my opinion.

 

[SODERD]

nah waste of money...

no joking it will help but i dont think it will help as much as you hope for.

ask Etopia i think he stated that he had 4gb ram and still had lagg...

For me i think the fiberoptic 100mbit broadband and being a swede helps alot.

but look at it from the bright side... you can surf porn faster then most of us

 

[Tzepu]

Now that's an "ubah" configuration. As you said, if that doesn't help with the lag nothing will
What's the price tag on it?
Maybe post your internet connection speed also

 

[Kerham]

Internet connection and MA hardware matters a lot more. But that is a sweet config.

 

[Archangel]

Now that's an "ubah" configuration. As you said, if that doesn't help with the lag nothing will
What's the price tag on it?
Maybe post your internet connection speed also

Line:
I have just an 3Mbit/s line with about 15ms ping time to next Router at the telecom provider. To MA I have about 70-90ms ping time. Did not change since 2 years.

Costs:
Computer costs not easy to assume, because I have the most. Lets assume about 3200 EUR without monitor if you buy all new.

 

[711]

Actually, a couple of weeks ago I bought a very similar PC to the one you describe :

Core2 Extreme QX6700 2.66 GhZ (Quad Core)
4 GB Dual Channel SDRAM (667 Mhz)
728 MB 8800GTX
160 GB 10000 RPM SATA HDD


I can tell you that you will notice a massive improvement in not only graphics quality, but also FPS.

I turned up all the graphics settings in the client loader to the max (4X Anti-aliasing, max visual quality, 32 bit color, etc.). I was very impressed by the detail of the graphics. It was almost like playing a different game.

In windowed mode at 1280x800, I get FPS over 140, and well over 100 while fighting a mob, or in populated areas.


**Note** If you can, you should avoid Vista at all costs, and go for Win XP Pro instead.

 

[dr_udi]

Hey Arch !

I still think this nuclear factory that you are going to build will eliminate everything that has to do with lag BUT before I would make a buy like this I would contact someone who could help you monitor your internet connecting checking for ping, packet loss etc etc to see that you traffic really runs smoothly.

I my self use my work comp for PE sometimes. Its a IBM T60 2ghz 2gb RAM and ATI Mobility Radeon x1400 GFX card. This setup is no way uber but I can still play lag free even on a 3G connection sitting on a bumpy train on my way to/from work. I think you problems has to do with your internet connection.

Many people think u need 100/100mbit connection to play lag free but that is just wrong. All u need is a steady connection. My 3G is 384k only and it runs just fine. Think about this before getting you wonder puter

/Udi

 

[dr_udi]

**Note** If you can, you should avoid Vista at all costs, and go for Win XP Pro instead.

Agree 100% here

 

[GullyFoyle]

You don´t need such a high-end system to play EU at max quality. I can play EU with all settings with a old XP3000+, GF 7800GS and 1GB RAM. I even turned on max AA and AF in the driver settings.

Even such a high-end system won´t help against the freezes when selecting a weapon or other lag problems.

If you only play EU you don´t need such a powerful system, that´s for sure. But if you play other modern games too and if you don´t have problems to spend so much money for a new system just buy it and be happy.

 

[Archangel]

Actually, I just bought an very similar PC as the one you describe a couple of weeks ago:

Core2 Extreme QX6700 2.66 GhZ (Quad Core)
4 GB Dual Channel SDRAM (667 Mhz)
728 MB 8800GTX
160 GB 10000 RPM SATA HDD


I can tell you that you will notice a massive improvement in not only graphics quality, but also FPS.

I turned up all the graphics settings in the client loader to the max (4X Anti-aliasing, max visual quality, 32 bit color, etc.). I was very impressed by the detail of the graphics. It was almost like playing a different game.

In windowed mode at 1280x800, I get FPS over 140, and well over 100 while fighting a mob, or in populated areas.


**Note** If you can, you should avoid Vista at all costs, and go for Win XP Pro instead.

Thx, this sounds promising! Means, I will be able to do some pvp more successfully again.
My assumption on the sometimes happend freezes of 5-30 sec is: The EU Client on my local PC does the freezes, because of overload...
I am really curious if the freezes are still there? I will report here in this thread. I will build up the computer in the next days, btw.

For sure, 711! I will never use Vista before SR-1.

Ah, another information, I selected this Motherboard:
Tyan Tempest i5000XT (S2696) with SAS option
http://www.tyan.com.tw/product_board_detail.aspx?pid=43
(Dont know if Link is against EF rules)

 

[Archangel]

Hey Arch !

I still think this nuclear factory that you are going to build will eliminate everything that has to do with lag BUT before I would make a buy like this I would contact someone who could help you monitor your internet connecting checking for ping, packet loss etc etc to see that you traffic really runs smoothly.
/Udi

You gave me the missing hint! Thx! "Packet Loss", did not check it out.
May be my GigaBit Switches at home do some! I will have a look If I am at home this evening.

 

[e-lite]

Most cases of lag is limited to client side. Something I wrote about back when people whined that PK didn't work. I have tested entropia on computers all from underspecified computers to machines that have sience fiction like specifications that most home users will not yet see for another 3-4 years. And from experience I can with confidence say that a good system and a good connection will eliminate most of the lag in entropia. Only in very few cases that lag is server side. Arch, that system will do you alot of good, and you'll be satisfied I'm sure.

 

[Archangel]

You don´t need such a high-end system to play EU at max quality. I can play EU with all settings with a old XP3000+, GF 7800GS and 1GB RAM. I even turned on max AA and AF in the driver settings.

Even such a high-end system won´t help against the freezes when selecting a weapon or other lag problems.

If you only play EU you don´t need such a powerful system, that´s for sure. But if you play other modern games too and if you don´t have problems to spend so much money for a new system just buy it and be happy.

Thank you for the warm words! You have to know I am quite a Performance Freak... I allways need maximum speed, as well on the road...

 

[dr_udi]

You gave me the missing hint! Thx! "Packet Loss", did not check it out.
May be my GigaBit Switches at home do some! I will have a look If I am at home this evening.

Make sure you have the latest firmware on your gigabit switch and absolutely the latest driver on your giga bit network card. Ive seen so may odd things happening with network cards. worst example is when windows reports 1gb connection and when you look close its 1000mbit / half duplex thats just...bad.

Try to lock you card and gigabit port to 1gbit or try even to downgrade and lock em both on 100mbit/full duplex.

/Udi

 

[e-lite]

Make sure you have the latest firmware on your gigabit switch and absolutely the latest driver on your giga bit network card. Ive seen so may odd things happening with network cards. worst example is when windows reports 1gb connection and when you look close its 1000mbit / half duplex thats just...bad.

Try to lock you card and gigabit port to 1gbit or try even to downgrade and lock em both on 100mbit/full duplex.

/Udi

That is a very good recommendation. There's no need for 1Gbit for EU, and half duplex makes it even worse. 100mbit is about 100 times more then is needed for EU anyway. Better to have full duplex then some fake and half duplex 1gbit.

 

[Ezekiel]

sure this config will help
i have a pc with ATI x1900 and one with x600 believe me there is a big differance in the game play and graphics

 

[DRDoom]

You gave me the missing hint! Thx! "Packet Loss", did not check it out.
May be my GigaBit Switches at home do some! I will have a look If I am at home this evening.

And disable the use of jumbo frames on the gigabit connection. They need to be repacketed anyway before putting the frames on your router.
Allthough even running 10 Mbit switch should not make the difference since the bottleneck is your internet connection.
Having a fast switch in store and foreward buffers or even better a cut -through switch if more important than just the Gigabit or 100Mbit specification.

 

[Ime Tattia]

Most cases of lag is limited to client side. Something I wrote about back when people whined that PK didn't work. I have tested entropia on computers all from underspecified computers to machines that have sience fiction like specifications that most home users will not yet see for another 3-4 years. And from experience I can with confidence say that a good system and a good connection will eliminate most of the lag in entropia. Only in very few cases that lag is server side. Arch, that system will do you alot of good, and you'll be satisfied I'm sure.

Did you test many areas, did you test known bad areas, did you test during peak hours or quiet time..?
Gfx lag is whole other issue from servers hiccupping.
Personally I have noticed that more often certain server areas get messed up especially since client configuration remains the same and traceroute shows no problems with connection.
Could be due to serverpark allocating bandwidth/processing power to other areas but definitely server side.
Also other areas are way more heavier to gfx-card than others and some cleaning up / optimization could surely be used.
There are also weird inconsistencies between areas, for example keep an eye on your inventory behaviour...
We could definitely use an Q&A with technical developers regarding gfx & general performance issues and for once get some usefull answers from MA .

 

[Etopia]

Just changed my comp , for sure , stay with XP pro 64 ... dont go under vista.
As for disk , go for som raptor , or new 15k rpm SCSI.
For ram , since your card alow it , and it seems you got money , take a good ram , like kingstom Xtreme , or som Gskill with very hight FSB.
Add som good fan for pross.
Configure the whole setting to have the max FSB you can...

New dual core , can run very very overcloked.my 2.6 run at 3.4 and dont heaven take a bit of heat.

As for performance increase , i have to say ... from my p4 .3.4GB with 2Gig ram , to my new config its like night and day..

Simple exemple , opening storage whent from over 10 sec to a bit less than 3.
My "normal" FPS is over 200 , and over 100 while fighting mobs with gun out(MA please fix that shit bug that reduce FPS by 2 when a tool is used.... just lame shit bug).
The worst fps i got is 80 when there is like 30 drone around me with like 10 avatar.All this with setting very hight for my graphic card.(AA 8x,aniso 16x...)
For sure , the good ram and fast disk improve a lot the whole system.

 

[e-lite]

Did you test many areas, did you test known bad areas, did you test during peak hours or quiet time..?
Gfx lag is whole other issue from servers hiccupping.
Personally I have noticed that more often certain server areas get messed up especially since client configuration remains the same and traceroute shows no problems with connection.
Could be due to serverpark allocating bandwidth/processing power to other areas but definitely server side.
Also other areas are way more heavier to gfx-card than others and some cleaning up / optimization could surely be used.
There are also weird inconsistencies between areas, for example keep an eye on your inventory behaviour...
We could definitely use an Q&A with technical developers regarding gfx & general performance issues and for once get some usefull answers from MA .

Yes. I am aware of all this and it's been tested. My statement applies to it also.

 

[chielsen]

@ Etopia, lag is because of th movement of the mob in full detail, not because of the tool.
I get it especially from fungoids, when they shoot acid, i think they want to calculate every acid part in they are, because i get super lag every shot at me.

@ arch, isn't xeon for servers? I don't know what else you are going to do with your pc, but a server combined with hardcore game pc?

 

[Etopia]

@ Etopia, lag is because of th movement of the mob in full detail, not because of the tool.
I get it especially from fungoids, when they shoot acid, i think they want to calculate every acid part in they are, because i get super lag every shot at me.

You whant to bet ?
If yes , i am ready to put a bet of 10k ped on the table.

got anywhere you whant.take out a weapon or other tool , and your FPS is decreased with factor 2.
It was exactly same with map ( i think it was fixed dunno if MA bugged it back) before VU 7.0.
That FPS rate decrease came when MA changed avatar mouvement system , and we lost the choise to see or not the tool in first person ( i think it was VY 7.1 or 7.2)...

 

[sahel]

Im sure a newer faster system won't do any harm atleast and gives you a very nice performance boost at best, but a thing lot of people overlook is the quality of your internet connection / provider (and your modem / router / home network hardware). I know people who spend a few k$ on a uber-machine, but still stay with the cheapest isp they can get. As long as my rl pedcard allows it i'll be happy to pay some more for highquality isp, and think it is really worth it.

 

[SKULL]

i think that such a powerfull system will help with performance for sure but much more improvement can be gained from improving MA servers and bandwith.

 

[chielsen]

You whant to bet ?
If yes , i am ready to put a bet of 10k ped on the table.

got anywhere you whant.take out a weapon or other tool , and your FPS is decreased with factor 2.
It was exactly same with map ( i think it was fixed dunno if MA bugged it back) before VU 7.0.
That FPS rate decrease came when MA changed avatar mouvement system , and we lost the choise to see or not the tool in first person ( i think it was VY 7.1 or 7.2)...

Strange i don't notice that. For me the display of the mob is the worst part. Maybe because my gfx card is not that good.

 

[Bedamax]

I have already done some tests with EU and it does not seem to benefit from having multiple CPU cores. I have a Core 2 Duo @ 2.4Ghz and the second core is never more than 10% loaded while running EU. This would suggest that a Quad core would make no difference at all compared to a dual core, since EU appears to run mainly on one thread.

Buying a better graphics card is more likely to make a difference - when I upgraded from a 5900 Ultra to a 7950GT (overclocked by 15%), I noticed a big improvement in framerate (at least double the rate of my old card). Now that you can select a resolution over 1024x768 I imagine the improvement is even bigger.

Upgrading from 2Gb to 4GB RAM also won't really have any benefit unless running multiple high memory applications, since a single process can't use over 2GB RAM anyway due to 32bit address space limitations on Windows. It's much more important to choose 2GB of high performance memory and make sure it works with your motherboard first (not every motherboard can utilise ultra low latency RAM!).

Also, disk speed makes very little performance difference except when you're loading the applications (or short on RAM). If you do want a performance disk, the RAID route isn't really advisable for a home system. The performance of a single 10,000 or 15,000 RPM drive is usually just as good. RAID is useful mainly for high bandwidth or resilience rather than performance on desktop apps which is more to do with latency (seek time).

 

[Montaque]

Off topic a little bit but I noticed that many posts mentioned the internet connection!
I asked in a support case about the connection settings in CL and I got a quite good & informative answer. (in swedish) So I give ya a short version:

EU uses max 128kb/sec both upp & down the settings u can change is mainly to balance the speed that your connection has!! Lag is mostly from packet loss that one might experience if the connection settings are way off the real connection speed. Note that your connection speed may change from day to day and that is related to the amount of traffic your internet supplier have on the wire.

Something like that. It's not exactly the answer I got from EU-support, I translated the answer from memory so there can b some confusion I suffered while translating.
Anyway , hopefully it helps someone atleast

 

[Archangel]

Just changed my comp , for sure , stay with XP pro 64 ... dont go under vista.
As for disk , go for som raptor , or new 15k rpm SCSI.
For ram , since your card alow it , and it seems you got money , take a good ram , like kingstom Xtreme , or som Gskill with very hight FSB.
Add som good fan for pross.
Configure the whole setting to have the max FSB you can...

New dual core , can run very very overcloked.my 2.6 run at 3.4 and dont heaven take a bit of heat.

As for performance increase , i have to say ... from my p4 .3.4GB with 2Gig ram , to my new config its like night and day..

Until know I had a Raid 0 of 3 x 15k Seagate Fibrechannel SCSI Disks only for the system partition.

Dont know if I can overclock this Xeons. I will test it...
And you run 64bit XP? indeed? it is running with EU?

Sure, opening storage depends on speed of EU-program installation. Therefore I am well settled.

I am very curious about the result, when I am ready with build up new PC...

 

[Archangel]

Make sure you have the latest firmware on your gigabit switch and absolutely the latest driver on your giga bit network card. Ive seen so may odd things happening with network cards. worst example is when windows reports 1gb connection and when you look close its 1000mbit / half duplex thats just...bad.

Try to lock you card and gigabit port to 1gbit or try even to downgrade and lock em both on 100mbit/full duplex.

/Udi

Another good hint! Thx! I will check the whole network settings.

For explanation: I use Gbit-Ethernet, because there are cables layed in the my house. And we are running or own LAN, protected with a good Firewall (only 100 Mbit/s )

 

[Archangel]

And disable the use of jumbo frames on the gigabit connection. They need to be repacketed anyway before putting the frames on your router.

Frame size, yes! You are right! I will check my network settings of my network cards and of the Firewall. Thank you!