The $1700 figure is based on getting a system with at least two years
before upgrades become a serious consideration (to maintain optimal
opperation) and get a system with a good upgrade path.
My Emachine is 600 meg in speed, and maxes at 256 on memory. It does
not have an AGP slot, which limited me in selecting a video card. I
got it cheap, two years ago. Not a bad deal, but I have been playing
a losing game of catch-up with demands by improvements in EQ. The
most critical limitation of my machine was the memory. A large core
of memory is the most important factor in getting optimal performance.
Even with the $1700 machine, after two years an upgrade to the second
from the top video card of that time would probably be less than $200.
That is not too bad.
Ultimately, the closer you buy to the bottom of the performance
scale, the sooner upgrades will have to be made, and the fewer your
options when you choose to upgrade. This dance can be made to work by
those knowledgable in computer systems and components, but many
buyers will start with a less-than-optimally upgradable system by
seeking discounts and package systems. They may not have the
knowledge or their systems the option for adequate upgrade.
Then again, there come significant changes to fundamental components
which alter the path of upgrades. For example, Nvidia is getting into
the motherboard market, which may alter standards for performance and
the options for upgrades. Also, some new ideas in video display are
coming forth. One new card allows you to view your game on three
monitors, giving a very wide surrounding view. This is new, and not
quite there, but will definitely affect the market and our upgrade
choices.
Quite likely I will find a servicable machine next year for less than
my target of $1700. Perhaps I will get lucky and find a real bargain.
I am constantly learning, and might be savy enough to buy better next
time.
Still, the game plays well for me, and is very rewarding.
Barto
--- In EverQuest@yahoogroups.com, Rob LeBeau <rlebeau65@y...> wrote:
> I see your point but I bought a machine for 600.00 a
> few months ago and it runs EQ fine.
>
> It is only a 1.2 Celeron with 300 and change RAM with
> a 64 mb video card. I can play EQ and a First person
> shooter with no hesitation at all.
>
> Granted the bazaar gets a little laggy but everything
> else is great.
>
> Yes, an UBHA machine would be great but you can do
> with much less.
>
>
> Hope this helps
>
> Rob
> --- "mlockridge01 <MLockridge01@c...>"
> <MLockridge01@c...> wrote:
> > I very much enjoy PC gaming. I also like to play on
> > consoles. I find
> > the style of game play is quite different in each
> > medium.
> >
> > Ultimately the consoles prove the easiest and least
> > expensive to buy
> > and upgrade. Generally a console and two games,
> > maybe a few more
> > items, can be had for $300.
> >
> > It is hard to put a decent pc together for gaming
> > for under $1000.
> > About double that will net a decent machine with
> > upgrade potential,
> > but without the need to upgrade for some time.
> >
> > The upper end of pc gaming runs around $8000.
> >
> > Obviously, more people can buy in for $300 than for
> > the $1000 plus.
> >
> > Part of me wants to be a pc hotrodder, and build an
> > ubermachine. Big,
> > bad, and hot. With adequate cooling, as well. That
> > part of me does
> > not have access to the purse. Sadly, real life
> > expenses have first
> > claim on my wallet.
> >
> > So, I am watching the trends, and encouraging myself
> > to adopt the
> > philosophy that I am a gamer, and the platform is
> > less important than
> > the experience. It is within the scope of
> > possibility, and probably
> > in the path of great profitability for the makers,
> > that console
> > online multiplayer games will be of such game
> > quality in the future
> > that holding onto the pc platform will be only an
> > option, and not a
> > necessity.
> >
> > Alternately, I can see online game manufacturers
> > selling systems to
> > insure their audience is there. Wouldn't that be
> > grand? Order the
> > game and the system all for one monthly payment.
> > Upgrade components
> > will be shipped when software demands require it.
> > Your system will
> > always be current.
> >
> > What will the future hold? I don't know, but I am
> > sure I cannot be
> > shelling out several thousand dollars every other
> > year. The cost has
> > to be brought in line with the spending capacity of
> > a large audience,
> > or else the hobby will suffer decline.
> >
> > Barto Proudfoot
> >
> >
>
>
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