13 replies to this topic

[Ravingdork]

I'm going to be getting a new desktop computer soon in order to give my worn out laptop some rest. I am VERY interested in having a rig that can handle this game and then some. I've already found the site's minimum and reccomended settings for the game, but for all I know their "reccomended settings" will have the game running on medium settings. I not only want them max everything out, but I want to have it run smoothly as well.

Should I just go for the reccomended stuff, or do you think I need to do more? Should I expect the system specs to change as the game evolves? Are their any specific monitors, periphials, or other components that you might reccomend?

I'm new to MWO, but a veteran of past Mechwarrior PC games. I have a budget of about $660. I might be able to stretch a few hundred more...maybe.

[Durant Carlyle]

An i5-2500k (it's i5, despite the reqs saying i3) quad-core will play the game quite nicely. I would definitely go with a more powerful graphics card than they recommend though, as they will be transitioning to DirectX 11 as soon as they work the bugs out.

I like the game at 1920x1080 resolution or higher, and any good 23" LCD monitor can do that. Mouse and keyboard are the best control scheme right now. I'd recommend a gaming mouse with more than just the standard 2 buttons so you can easily fire more weapon groups.

Edited by Durant Carlyle, 15 March 2013 - 10:16 PM.

[EgoSlayer]

Even the recommended specs are a bit on the light side for the graphics card. That config would not run maxed out settings. Your best bang for the buck is to spend more on the video card, like half of your budget. An Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD HD 7870/7950 type card are going to be a good investment. They have plenty of head room to run high graphic detail settings at HD (1920x1080) resolutions that are common for most monitors.

After that, the rest of the recommended specs are not bad, but if possible aim a bit higher on the CPU. You didn't mention if you were going to build the system yourself, or buy a pre-configured system. There are often deals to be had on decent pre-configured systems for $2-300 that would only be lacking in the video card department. It doesn't look like you have a Fry's in Florida, but they do have an online and ship: http://www.frys.com/ They have sales every week and usually have really good deals on systems. The shipping on a system might be a deal breaker though, so if you have a good electronics/computer shop around you might be able to find something similar.

Edited by EgoSlayer, 15 March 2013 - 10:21 PM.

[Ravingdork]

Found the following local ad online:

Great and amazing HTPC/GAMING computer used for home use. Sad to sell but I'm moving and I need the cash. Serious offers only. Tons of specs and details not mentioned. All the wiring is extremely tidy to increase airflow and decrease cutler when working on the PC.

Spec:
Comes with all wires to monitor and pc
Windows 8 + Media Center WITH GENUINE KEY!
21.6" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ HDCP support 300cd/m2 1000:1 Built in Speakers
Xigmatek Elysium Black Server Edition (non window) CCC-HSA0DS-U03 All Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Super Tower Computer Case (AMAZING CASE!!!!) + 6 FANS
ASUS M4A89TD PRO/USB3 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Phenom II - X4 965 Processor running at 3.90 GHz
CORSAIR Hydro H70 CWCH70 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
CORSAIR XMS3 16GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
DRIVE 1-HGST Deskstar 7K1000.C 0F10383 1TB 7200 RPM SATA
DRIVE 2-WD Green WD30EZRX 3TB IntelliPower SATA
BLU RAY DRIVE - LITE-ON Black 4X BD-ROM 8X DVD-ROM 32X CD-ROM SATA Internal 4X Blu-ray Reader Model
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner
AeroCool X-Vision 5.25" Bay control 5 sets of Fans and Temp and voltage display.
Antec VERIS Mult-Station Basic Internal IR receiver and remote
XBOX 360 wireless remote + Receiver
Logitech Keyboard + Mouse

Do you think that would work out spec wise? It's going for only $400, which is ~$250 under my budget, so I could afford to upgrade it even further if need be.

[Forestal]

Durant Carlyle, on 15 March 2013 - 10:16 PM, said:

An i5-2500k (it's i5, despite the reqs saying i3) quad-core will play the game quite nicely. I would definitely go with a more powerful graphics card than they recommend though, as they will be transitioning to DirectX 11 as soon as they work the bugs out.

That would be reason enough for me to hold off getting a new rig-- as long as my old laptop does not give out...

It seems like the frame rate always takes a hit after the latest patch, so PGI is probably still working out the graphical details (literally, as in how much detail can the engine handle with the proposed 12-a-side drops?), so I'd probably wait for MWO's actual launch to see what other graphical errors-- err, I mean-- effects they are introducing into the game.

But you're right, the thing to look out for will be a graphics card/processor that can handle the high/very high settings (and the CPU that goes along with that).

BTW, what would be the trade-off between having "2 GB dedicated graphics VRAM + 4 GB RAM" vs "1 GB VRAM + 8 RAM", assuming I can't afford to have both "2 GB VRAM+8 GB RAM"?

Edited by Forestal, 16 March 2013 - 02:02 AM.

[EgoSlayer]

Ravingdork, on 15 March 2013 - 11:52 PM, said:

Found the following local ad online:

Great and amazing HTPC/GAMING computer used for home use. Sad to sell but I'm moving and I need the cash. Serious offers only. Tons of specs and details not mentioned. All the wiring is extremely tidy to increase airflow and decrease cutler when working on the PC.

<snip>

Do you think that would work out spec wise? It's going for only $400, which is ~$250 under my budget, so I could afford to upgrade it even further if need be.

Looks pretty good assuming it's running a 64-bit version of Windows 8 to use the 16GB of system memory. The HD6850 video card was a good card, and it's only one generation old so it's still capable of running DX11 when it is enabled in MWO and good quality graphics. You would have a good game experience and can update the video card in the future if you want more detail, although it wouldn't be necessary.

Forestal, on 16 March 2013 - 01:51 AM, said:

That would be reason enough for me to hold off getting a new rig-- as long as my old laptop does not give out...

It seems like the frame rate always takes a hit after the latest patch, so PGI is probably still working out the graphical details (literally, as in how much detail can the engine handle with the proposed 12-a-side drops?), so I'd probably wait for MWO's actual launch to see what other graphical errors-- err, I mean-- effects they are introducing into the game.

But you're right, the thing to look out for will be a graphics card/processor that can handle the high/very high settings (and the CPU that goes along with that).

BTW, what would be the trade-off between having "2 GB dedicated graphics VRAM + 4 GB RAM" vs "1 GB VRAM + 8 RAM", assuming I can't afford to have both "2 GB VRAM+8 GB RAM"?

Both sound like they are integrated graphics solutions, so not the best option. Dedicated graphics memory is better than shared because it will be better performance and it doesn't subtract from the main system memory. If they are discreet stand-alone video cards and they are just describing them that way, the 2GB VRAM card is probably the better of the two still. It's likely a newer version and the larger memory allows the card to work with higher resolutions and still be able to do features like anti-aliasing.

Edited by EgoSlayer, 16 March 2013 - 07:05 AM.

[Durant Carlyle]

If you had to choose between having a graphics card with 2GB in a system with 4GB of RAM or a graphics card with 1GB in a system with 8GB of RAM ... I'd definitely go with the 2GB+4GB option.

[Ravingdork]

Alright, the Craigslist deal fell through. I'm now leaning towards getting this computer, and then upgrading the graphics card to a GeForce GTX-660.

I'm wondering though if I can save money by getting a lesser graphics card (or even keeping the one in the computer). My only concern is being able to MAX out MWO's graphics and have it run flawlessly. I don't care for other games too much (maybe the new SimCity).

So, would a lesser graphics card do that? If so, do you know which one? The Best Buy rep told me that he played MWO (and backed it up with detailed knowledge) and that he got "Ultimate" level graphics with his 660, but he may have just been trying to make a sale.

[Durant Carlyle]

To be honest with you, I wouldn't recommend an AMD processor at all for a gaming rig. This game is very CPU-dependent, and Intel is the powerhouse in that regard.

If you could find a system with an Intel quad-core CPU and a 660 or higher GPU, you'd be pretty well set. Something similar to this.

Note that gaming performance varies greatly depending on what resolution you run. I get what I call "good" performance at 2560x1440 (ASUS 27" PB278Q monitor) with a 3570K CPU and 680 GPU, averaging 60 FPS most of the time with dips to 45 FPS in chaotic close combat with lots of on-screen explosions and stuff (using the Very High setting in MW:O). At 1920x1080 resolution, the same setting gives me 60 FPS no matter what's going on. I do have V-sync on, so it won't go above 60 FPS to prevent image tearing and such. I could get higher performance at the 2560x1440 resolution by overclocking my CPU, but I don't need to as it's still smooth even at 45 FPS. Of course, I expect that to change when DirectX 11 is implemented.

Edited by Durant Carlyle, 20 March 2013 - 04:31 PM.

[Ravingdork]

Sadly I can't afford that, and none of the i5 computers I've seen come with what I'm looking for while also being in my price range. The i5-3570K listed with that computer appears to be ranked #91 according to CPU Benchmark. The FX-8120 is ranked #110.

I can afford the latter.

Furthermore, the LAN Warrior BB700i doesn't have 3.0 USB ports, is only expandable to 16 GB RAM (I want 32 max), and has an ATA II hard drive rather than ATA III. It nearly has the graphics card I want, but my brother is helping me pay for the rig in return that he gets the stock graphics card out of it.

I only have $650 of my own. I'm already really pushing it already by asking my family for the rest. Tacking on $100 for the LAN Warrior BB700i just isn't an option.

Edited by Ravingdork, 20 March 2013 - 04:36 PM.

[Durant Carlyle]

Then I recommend waiting until you CAN afford it. The difference is only $100, so the wait shouldn't be that long.

If you absolutely must get a computer now, then go ahead. But you will likely regret the lower-performing CPU and GPU in the more affordable system.

[T0rmented]

if your thinking gtx660 think gtx660ti far far better performance

[Nirilus]

I think the computer looks pretty good.

I run the game pegged at full tilt, aa and everything. Haven't experienced slowdowns since several patches ago.

In my experience I have 2gb RAM on card (gtx680), and utilize 3-4GB system memory (out of 8gb).

On my quad core i5 2750k, I have no problem running it.

I think the processor utilization issue is way overblown, however, one thread does take 80-90 percent of one of my cores, so you may take some kind of hit with an AMD processor if it can't fully handle that thread.

Edited by Nirilus, 20 March 2013 - 07:17 PM.

[Forestal]

Durant Carlyle, on 16 March 2013 - 03:57 PM, said:

If you had to choose between having a graphics card with 2GB in a system with 4GB of RAM or a graphics card with 1GB in a system with 8GB of RAM ... I'd definitely go with the 2GB+4GB option.

Thanks, I was actually eyeing an 8 GB RAM system with 1 GB (higher-end) graphics card-- cos my current/old system with 4 GB RAM + 1 GB graphics doesn't give me any graphical problems (hooray for "backwards compatibility"?).... Apart from the "earthquake simulator" (frame rate drop) when getting hit by missiles, making me unable to respond/react effectively.

Edited by Forestal, 20 March 2013 - 05:51 PM.