Buying a new computer in the UK

[Cebei]

Hello people,

Since the brand new M2TW is on, I am considering a new desktop computer that will run the game smoothly even if I fill the battle map with tons of troops.

First of all, I have read somewhere that M2TW will require approx. +30% of the RTW, but that didn't make any sense. So, could you please make a guess about a system that will run the game smoothly and more important; which dealer would you suggest in the UK. Presumably, I will want reasonable prices and a good guarantee/service.

Thanks in advance
Ceb

[Beirut]

Best bet - wait and see.

Wait for a few reviews to come out before investing specifically for M:TW2 hardware. Once M:TW2 hits the shelves, the advice and complaints will hit the forums like a tornado and you'll have lots of work to do picking through it.

[Cebei]

Thanks Beirut,

It will be out around September right? Did anybody play the Beta version?

[LeftEyeNine]

The release dates fluctuate generally. However CA is not notorious with such behavior. So September is a reliable date.

And I don't think a beta was made public.

[Cebei]

My main question is this actually:

Would a 256mb graphics card be ok for M2TW, or do you think we should head towards 512mb cards?

[LeftEyeNine]

Cebei,

First of all gfx cards are not about their memory sizes, they are mostly about the chipsets they are based on.

A Geforce FX 5200 can have 128 MB while my 6600GT has the same, but well you can max out Heroes of Might & Magic 5 with my card, while I am suspicious if the game will be able to run at all with that FX 5200.

So trying to familiarise with chipsets (GPU's -in other words) of the graphics cards will help you a lot. It may take a few days to know generally about what is what but this is a good investment for your all time PC needs.

So the memory is useless? No not at all. For example a year ago or so, there were huge price differences (at least in Turkey) of a good video card's 128 MB and 256 MB versions. But for that time, games were not using much more than 128 MB so that the expensive additional 128 MB you were paying for of a 256 MB video card meant nothing. But as technology evolved rapidly now there is a noticable difference between 128 MB and 256 MB versions of the same video card. Because the games fulfill the capacity of the video cards with more memory.

By saying "same video card", I refer to their chipsets.

Hope this helps.

[Cebei]

Sağolun azizim

[LeftEyeNine]

Ne demek, işimiz bu muhterem

[orangat]

My main question is this actually:

Would a 256mb graphics card be ok for M2TW, or do you think we should head towards 512mb cards?

The amount of video memory is often used as a misleading selling point. Much of the vram will never be used if the core or interface is too slow.

The rule of the thumb is only get the stock configuration of video memory. That means 256Mb more than sufficient for x18xx, x19xx, 79xx, 78xx, 68xx cards and 512Mb is enough for the fastest gtx cards and 64Mb is plenty for cheap cards.

I think MTW2 is probably going to be a hardware hog and its going to take at least a x1800xt/7900gt to play it at high settings.

[Cebei]

The amount of video memory is often used as a misleading selling point. Much of the vram will never be used if the core or interface is too slow.

The rule of the thumb is only get the stock configuration of video memory. That means 256Mb more than sufficient for x18xx, x19xx, 79xx, 78xx, 68xx cards and 512Mb is enough for the fastest gtx cards and 64Mb is plenty for cheap cards.

I think MTW2 is probably going to be a hardware hog and its going to take at least a x1800xt/7900gt to play it at high settings.

Is there a website that explains the interaction between memory and stock configuration?

[orangat]

Not sure what you mean. If its the amount of memory equipped with stock models, Just look up reviews at http://www.tomshardware.com/site/vgacharts/index.html or other hardware sites.

[tibilicus]

Im currently using an ATi EAX 1600 Pro 512mb graphics card and im hoping that should handle mtw2 on high. Also if you can hold out for a bit the enw direct X 10 cards will be coming.

[Cebei]

Im currently using an ATi EAX 1600 Pro 512mb graphics card and im hoping that should handle mtw2 on high. Also if you can hold out for a bit the enw direct X 10 cards will be coming.

Oh, a fellow Briton. Where do you get your computer equipment? Dell is a bit overpriced I think; I was considering gaming PCs like Alienware and stuff. What do you recommend?

Not sure what you mean. If its the amount of memory equipped with stock models, Just look up reviews at http://www.tomshardware.com/site/vgacharts/index.html or other hardware sites.

Thanks, I'll have a look at it.

[tibilicus]

Live any were near manchester or shefeild? I got a custom built pc amd 4200+ x2, 2 gb of ram, 300 gb hd and my ATI EAX1600 pro 512mb grpahcis card for 600 quid. A similar model from dell would cost upwards 1 grand.

Tib

[Cebei]

Live any were near manchester or shefeild? I got a custom built pc amd 4200+ x2, 2 gb of ram, 300 gb hd and my ATI EAX1600 pro 512mb grpahcis card for 600 quid. A similar model from dell would cost upwards 1 grand.

Tib

I live in Oxford unfortunately Though I assume these people can ship the custom pc within uk? Do they have a website?

[Monarch]

Live any were near manchester or shefeild? I got a custom built pc amd 4200+ x2, 2 gb of ram, 300 gb hd and my ATI EAX1600 pro 512mb grpahcis card for 600 quid. A similar model from dell would cost upwards 1 grand.

Tib

Custom built? Thought you just plucked it off a shelf from some random guys stall at a PC fair?

:P

[tibilicus]

Custom built? Thought you just plucked it off a shelf from some random guys stall at a PC fair?

:P

Yes Moanrch but you chyoose your specs and he can add and take away stuff you don't want. It's not liek one of the stuff from Dell were you can't customize it, can't choose your parts and comes pre installed with a laod of crap. And I willg et the site link later Cebei ocne I have found the info.

Tib

[Mouzafphaerre]

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Vay babam! Cebei!
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