SilverAgeFan

Am I the only one that saw this MMORPG article whilst the forums were down?

From the article:

Getting a lot of good input here. Thanks for all the advice thus far.

Another big question, because I honestly have no clue: Stand alone physics acceleration? Is this still even worth pursuing? Or are there little physics dedicated processors worked into the current generation of graphics cards and this is already taken care of?

Regarding SLI and dual video cards: currently, my main game is CoH, but I will be playing the field. There are things I have missed, like some of the graphic intensive first person actiony RPG's (Oblivion, Fallout 3, Bioshock, GTA IV and a number of other tempting titles friends have suggested over the recent years). I'm imagining THESE games and others not yet even announced for publication of this ilk are the sort that tend to take advantage of dual video cards, is that correct? Is it worth the bump?

(The budget is there. Just sorting out where to focus it. And again, display is not an issue. Using a 17 inch flat screen now, but I have a dedicated video editing system with a nice cinema display. A KVM switcher could easily clear up my physical desk space whilst giving me the 1920 wide if I want it... only issue, what to do during long **** After Effects renders. When babysitting those I tend to get in a bunch of CoH time. Perhaps I shelve the 17" and bring it out if I know I have a render fest coming up based...)

Again, thank you thank you all for the input.

At this point the i7-920 core sounds like a no brainer from everything here, every email I've gotten from techie friends and almost every summer of 2009 build guide I've read. Still struggling with which motherboard to go with... any input there? I've seen gigabyte mentioned repeatedly. Back when I built this machine, Asus was highly thought of but I've read some disparaging comments on their recent products but nothing specific. Thoughts?

Edit: one more question: Anyone out there have experience with complicated Nurbs modeling for manufacturing? I've been dipping my feet deeper and deeper into this pool. Aside from gaming, this is the one place where my current PC is starting to really show its age. Will my video card(s) really help with this? Or other than on screen rendering (Rhino mostly), is this mostly core processing and RAM that will help boost my performance there?

In game, I got a kick during an RP bull session when someone mentioned their character graduating with honors. Apparently some Latin conjunctions are offensive. Summa *** laude...

*sigh* When it came up as censored, it was sort of like having an obnoxious fourteen year old in the room interjecting "heh heh, durrr... you said ***! hurr!" None of us had that on our mind till the censor interjected. Someday, someone will program a contextual censoring engine. Till then, we get goofy garbage like this.

Edit: Sweet. The forums don't like Latin either!

As someone already stated, one of the Dev's did say that the TF limits would be left in as those are gating devices to help alert more novice players of the challenges (and even simultaneous glowie clicks in the case of a few TFs and trials) that lay ahead.

So you can't just say "Ima team of 8" and then run any TF you please. Doesn't work that way.

Your questions regarding outdoor spawns is a good one. In the meantime, you know that point X-ray in Firebase Zulu is really your best location to find fake nems, yes? All bunched up on one bit of floating rock. Fake Nemesis come in two's there even!

Thanks for the input everyone who replied. Been doing more reading and research.

Also got a suggestion via email from a friend to wait till windows 7 actually ships and wait on direct X 11 cards. What do folks here think of that advice? After six years on the same mother board and a busted old optical drive (figured I'm replacing the machine soon, why buy a new drive now, right?), I'm itching for a new machine. Is it worth putting off this purchase another 2-5 months?

Things I can eliminate from my purchase: no display needed. no sound system. on board sound will be fine for now.

Big question: what do people think of SSD's? Are they worth the $300 or so dollars? With gaming where do you notice the difference? i.e., do CoX zones load almost instantly relative to a traditional hard drive? Any experience how these things work with graphics applications, like hi-res photo editing? Do 30 meg images open in an instant? Or is that more of a RAM and processor issue these days? (If I got an SSD I probably would also get a 1 or 1.5 tb drive for swappable storage. In my non superheroing life I'm an artist and sometimes work with some heavy files, both for myself and for clients.)

Early conclusions: I definitely want a motherboard that can be expanded over the years. I'll likely be going with just one video card. (If you do two cards using crossfire (is that it?), do the cards need to be identical? I've read decent things thus far about that nVidia 285 and 295. but are they just not worth the price point currently? My thoughts were to maybe buy one this year and later when they become "lower end" as new stuff is introduced, buy a second one.)

Again thanks for all the input thus far. Sorry for the lack of structure in my questions above. Shooting from the hip as I feel my way through this. Though I can manage with it, hardware and selecting the right stuff is not my forte.

I'm currently researching suggestions for a new computer priced at $2000.

I'll be using the display (and for now mouse and keyboard) I currently have. Simple single flat monitor, 17 inch. No biggie. But I figure I can upgrade that later if I feel the need.

What I'm after is a set-up that is reasonably upgradable over the years. (i.e. if one video card will suit me fine for now, but later on I upgrade to something that warrants two or if system reqs move in that direction, I have the flexibility to do so.)

In the past I've read what looked like pretty good advice regarding what setups work well together. But I know these things get outdated quickly as new components become available, existing stuff drops in price, etc.

So if any techies out there are in the mood, would love to see some current suggestions for $2000 builds based on what is available this and next month. Is there anything coming out that I REALLY should consider waiting 2 or 3 months for? I have been putting this off for a couple years and it is a bit overdue already. (6 year old mother board! )

Thanks in advance

Also, it's been years since I've done this on a whole new system. How is setup these days? Is it even more plug and play than say 5-6 years ago, installing an OS and all that on a virgin machine? I've got a couple friends out of state that can help me via phone if need be. But I'm assuming that you still get a heck of a lot more for your buck building it yourself. Is this correct?

thanks. wasn't sure if it was that section or not. looked like a lot of bug related posts in there. didn't want to muddy the waters.

Any idea if those not in beta will be able to log into the CC as in prior closed betas? No need to point out how much goodness is in the foyer this time 'round.

Ignore the haters. Thanks for taking the time to put this together in a concise place.

So am I crazy, or did the old forums have a nice little corner with a few longstanding threads on hardware and advice for building new machines? I'm trying to find the appropriate place to read up and ask any questions as I begin researching what I'm going to put together for my price point.

(poor ol' Bessie's mother board is over six years now. many animals don't live that long.)

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That Fist slam for footstomp is awesome. Definitely going to be using that for my SS characters.

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To BABs or anyone else in the know: Would it be possible with this tech to eventually have a setting for "random" or "cycle" where multiple animations are available?

Because I kinda would like to use both the stomp and the fist slam...

I wouldn't mind a version of ice armor that is subtler, similar to hoar frost when it first animates up.

That is IF they are eventually doing some new geometries for these various armors and shields.

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how i feel regarding power customization...particularly the martial arts animations thing

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Not sure what a satirical song about Japan's lost decade has to do with power customization. But I guess you can dance to it.

Loving it BABs. Very excited about this system. Every character I play in CoX feels like my own invention. I never once feel like I'm running around as Link or Mario or some other avatar invented by someone else. The ownership I feel over my characters is unmatched by any other title out there on the market. When I think about it, this is my favorite aspect of this game.

The power customization that you've put so many hours with will take that experience to the next level. The gameplay of CoX is solid. Thank you, most sincerely, for making that which is already great about the City of ... game all the better! I'm really really looking forward to individualizing my characters all the more once i16 goes live!

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It's also not proliferation, it's basically a new set, like Mental Manipulation.

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Fair enough. But mental manipulation came out of a proliferation pass, so I stand by my write-in vote.

If it ends up in the garbage can with all the other write-ins, alongside Mr. T/ brutes and /Mickey Mouse controllers, so be it.