Build a PC for Rome 2 / Hardware Recommendations and Advice Thread

[SamueleD]

i went for the 250GB SSD, so would it matter much? I thought the point was to use the SSD for the games and applications and the classic HD for the files like music and photos?

Oh well if you have 250GB you can place steam and games there, it will make load times much shorter!

[alQamar]

Yes you can place steam and Windows on it then but for storing music and videos it is a waste as they use only little traffic

[king-nord]

I Haven't posted on here in years nor have i played total war games for well over a year so excuse me for not checking the forum first for similar posts but i do not have enough time on my hands to scan through this forum ( i don't have the time like i did as a kid *violin plays* ) . I was just wondering if anyone could send me a link/help or a name of an affordable computer that can run this game well, i do not wish to pay out thousands just for one game. I'm intrigued by this game and truly hope it lives up to everyone's expectations. probally not

[MonTeZuma]

Check out the stickied thread about pc system requirements and help, they have loads of different systems and can leave a post for help.

[Mimoxx]

Mmm
Many say the i3 processor is enough to play r2 with high unit sizes and graphics , i doubt u can ran it up to to 25 fps , its only 130 dollars

[-=PHX=-Hades]

In before the move!!!

I would imagine how affordable a computer is would depend a lot on where you live, so I'm no help here.

[Epic28]

Take it to this thread.

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...-Advice-Thread

Post your budget and location there. Sounds like you are looking for an already built PC. Or laptop?

[Geniuswas]

What affordable computers are there?

A custom built one.

[AstroCat]

I think I'll be ok, not the fastest on the planet but still solid I think, the Titan definitely helps the cause. Can't wait for Rome II!

Processor (CPU): i7-2600k@4.2GHz
Motherboard (Mobo): Asus P8Z68-V Pro
Graphics Card (GPU): EVGA GTX Titan
System Memory (RAM): G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
Chassis (Case): Antec P182
CPU Heatsink Fan (HSF): Cooler Master Hyper 212
Case Cooling: (5x) Scythe S-Flex
Power Supply (PSU): Corsair 750TX
LCD: Asus VE276Q 27 (1920x1080)
Soundcard: Creative Labs X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro
Solid State Drive (SSD) 1: Samsung 830 SSD (OS-Apps)
Solid State Drive (SSD) 2: Crucial M4 250 SSD (Games)
Hard Disk Drive (HDD): WD 6400AAKS (Media-local)
Optical: Lite-On 12X BD-R iHBS212-08
OS: Win7 Pro 64bit

[Toho]

well I have a power related question.
right now because of some events I now have a lot of stuff linked to the same power extension cord I have (multiple ports).

so basically I have my PC, Modem, Router and External HD all drawing power from one multiple port extension cord from on slot (obviously).

is this safe? will there be any damage to my computer in the event of a power outage or regular heavy use? I have never had so many devices linked to the same extension cord that is why I am asking.
also this is an old extension cord I found in the addict it must be years... maybe even decade I have this thing so it is not anything fancy or new.

[alQamar]

I think I'll be ok, not the fastest on the planet but still solid I think, the Titan definitely helps the cause. Can't wait for Rome II!

CPU: i7-2600k@4.2GHz
MB: Asus P8Z68-V Pro
GPU: EVGA GTX TITAN
MEM: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
CASE: Antec P182
COOLING: (5x)Scythe S-Flex
PS: Corsair 750TX
LCD: Asus VE276Q 27 (1920x1080)
SC: Creative Labs X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro
SSD1: Samsung 830 SSD (OS-Apps)
SSD2: Crucial M4 250 SSD (Games)
HDD1: WD 6400AAKS (Media-local)
OPT: Lite-On 12X BD-R iHBS212-08
OS: Win7 64bit

Should be ok for TW although due to engine limits you will face a FPS drop from over 100 to 40 in battle cam closeups.

well I have a power related question.
right now because of some events I now have a lot of stuff linked to the same power extension cord I have (multiple ports).

so basically I have my PC, Modem, Router and External HD all drawing power from one multiple port extension cord from on slot (obviously).

is this safe? will there be any damage to my computer in the event of a power outage or regular heavy use? I have never had so many devices linked to the same extension cord that is why I am asking.
also this is an old extension cord I found in the addict it must be years... maybe even decade I have this thing so it is not anything fancy or new.

Well I don't know the local standards at your country. But speaking about Germany I would avoid to use very old extensions and if you have worthy hardware on it use high quality extensions with a burst / lightning saver like APC or Belkin (they cost about 15-30 Euro)

Regarding your question about the amount of power draw people have a complete wrong idea of how many a computer consumes. My one draws about 280 watts incl. a monitor.(see sig). Modern PCs do not need more than 300 watts max if you don't use an sli or something big as a gtx titan.
So a psu with 500 watts 80 plus is fairly enough.
So why there are 750, 1000 or even 1500 watts PSUs? Just for SLI configurations. If you have a triple or quad sli or a x79 mainboard with 2 octa core cpus.

That's for the understanding of amount of power. Now to your question. In Germany you can use a usual power cord or extension with a diameter of 1.5 mm^2 to a load of max 3500 watts, so at least in terms of german standards you can easily use 2-3 powerful water heater at one cord the same time (about 3000 watts) and would be safe. Your setup is fairly far away to draw so much power. To get a feeling for it use a power meter cheap ones are ok to give you a quite exact view.
What happens if the power draw is higher than the cable is designed for?
Depends on duration of overload but if it last few seconds or longer the cable gets hot and the spacing will melt causing a short circuit and the plunge to kick out. A heavy overload may also cause a short circuit and fire from the cable.

[Daily]

Merged threads.

[Biggus Splenus]

Thanks Daily

@ Geniuswas - what's your price range? Have a look at the OP for a bunch of recommended custom builds in different price ranges.

[Lionheart11]

Short story is my current graphics card has just started dying(artifacting) the past few week and I will probably have to source a new card before Rome release. Problem is that im out of touch with current cards and low on money. My old card is a 560ti 1GB and im looking at the 650ti 2GB or equal card if anyone has suggestions. My old card still runs shogun maxed out but a replacement would have to be qual or better. Thanks

[SamueleD]

http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...Thread/page100

[ptoss1]

Worry about the CPU, not the GPU.

[=Vastator=]

Waiting to be merged, i say that 560 Ti is sligthy better than the 650 Ti, almost equal to the 650 Ti Boost.

Worry about the CPU, not the GPU.

Even if his GPU is diyng, like he said?

[Geniuswas]

http://www.hwcompare.com/13796/gefor...adeon-hd-7870/
I compared the 650TI 2GB to my current one, the Radeon HD 7870.
For some benchmarking, I run Shogun 2 on ultra, maxing out everything but only put 4x AA. However, in certain large battles, especially with 40+ units on the field, there is certainly some noticeable lag. Hence, considering Rome II will be slightly more advanced in terms of Shogun 2's graphics, and considering the 7870's superiority over the 650TI technically, I wouldn't bet on the 650TI performing well on high. However, it would probably be decent for low-medium settings.

[=Vastator=]

http://www.hwcompare.com/13796/gefor...adeon-hd-7870/
I compared the 650TI 2GB to my current one, the Radeon HD 7870.
For some benchmarking, I run Shogun 2 on ultra, maxing out everything but only put 4x AA. However, in certain large battles, especially with 40+ units on the field, there is certainly some noticeable lag. Hence, considering Rome II will be slightly more advanced in terms of Shogun 2's graphics, and considering the 7870's superiority over the 650TI technically, I wouldn't bet on the 650TI performing well on high. However, it would probably be decent for low-medium settings.

Lag in large battles is not caused by the GPU, but by the CPU (CPU bottlenecks).

[Geniuswas]

Lag in large battles is not caused by the GPU, but by the CPU (CPU bottlenecks).

I've looked into the issue, and if you have a powerful CPU, it shouldn't be the sole cause. The lag is the result of the GPU rendering the large amount of soldiers. I have an i7 3770k so it's a pretty strong CPU in its own right.