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

[1cmanny1]

This SSD thing, how does it work?
I am thinking of getting this one
http://www.playtech.co.nz/afawcs0139...ctdetails.html

Now I know the idea is you install your OS and games onto it, but how does that work with Steam? You would only probably want a few games on it, yet Steam installs ALL of its games to one folder.

[A Barbarian]

Now I know the idea is you install your OS and games onto it, but how does that work with Steam? You would only probably want a few games on it, yet Steam installs ALL of its games to one folder.

Actually since about 6 months Steam allows to install each game into a different location on any partition/drive. Personally I preferred to install them into their default directory and to use 'junctions' to move them around where I need them. There is also a tool for this: http://www.stefanjones.ca/steam/ . Meanwhile I have moved all my games to a hard drive partition with the help of a few junctions (Steam base directory, Origin install directory, ...) and I use SSD caching for that gaming partition which will always automatically accelerate the games I currently play the most.

[alQamar]

Actually since about 6 months Steam allows to install each game into a different location on any partition/drive. Personally I preferred to install them into their default directory and to use 'junctions' to move them around where I need them. There is also a tool for this: http://www.stefanjones.ca/steam/ . Meanwhile I have moved all my games to a hard drive partition with the help of a few junctions (Steam base directory, Origin install directory, ...) and I use SSD caching for that gaming partition which will always automatically accelerate the games I currently play the most.

Unfortunately the Rome 2 preload cannot be downloaded on a different drive. So you may only dl it to another location after release. Nutheads

[sakura002]

U mean on graphic card, thaught someone said more than 2gb ddr5 ram is useless (the game runs on 32bit or something) could be wrong.

[sakura002]

With the ssd issue, loading screens go faster, when putting steam and os and game together there is no or less latency between devices (2 different hdd), ingame it wont have effect as in performancr. Srry bout double post cant edit.

[1cmanny1]

I would have to do something like this wouldn't I?
http://thebergerbits.com/?p=294

Does anyone have one, and play Shogun 2 etc on it? Is the technique in the above link what you had to do?

[ahowl11]

@Irishman
Yes, I am trying to avoid building my own as I have no experience with it.
If you say that that computer will work fine then I will take your word for it and get it. Can't wait to play.

[Hadro]

Hello people!

Just a quick question: I have steam installed on a 7200rpm HDD and was planning on making a new steam folder on my SSD for RTW2. Does Steam.exe (etc..) have to be on the SSD as well? Or will the new steam folder work just fine?

So basically... should I reinstall steam on the SSD as well. All I want is RTW2 to load slightly faster.

[A Barbarian]

All I want is RTW2 to load slightly faster.

Just install Rome 2 on the SSD and u are good to go. The Steam software itself is pretty small and doesn't really benefit from a SSD. Although you might want to think about moving your OS onto the SSD. If your SSD is large enough you can move the whole OS partition without the need to reinstall Windows.

[kambiz]

@alQamar

I've finally decided to go for Asus H87 pro as Mainboard. Bad thing is it has an additional VGA onboard :p besides that the system works fine so far
Just as last question. As my VGA is Gigabyte and my mainboard is ASUS ,Was it not better for them being from the same brand-company?

Thanks a lot for helping Me , wish you good luck especially in your business

[alQamar]

@alQamar

I've finally decided to go for Asus H87 pro as Mainboard. Bad thing is it has an additional VGA onboard :p besides that the system works fine so far
Just as last question. As my VGA is Gigabyte and my mainboard is ASUS ,Was it not better for them being from the same brand-company?

Thanks a lot for helping Me , wish you good luck especially in your business

No the brand is not decisive. The o nboard vga is in your intel cpu not on the mainboard. It is a good replacement if your gpu is broken or such scenarios. It will only be enabled when you plug in the HDMI on board otherwise it is disabled.

[A Barbarian]

Bad thing is it has an additional VGA onboard :p besides that the system works fine so far

You can disable it the in BIOS if you want.

As my VGA is Gigabyte and my mainboard is ASUS ,Was it not better for them being from the same brand-company?

It doesn't really matter since the cards are perfectly compatible with each other. For example I use different 7970s from Gigabyte and ASUS together in a crossfire configuration. No problem at all.

The only advantage could be to have the support software for motherboard and GPU integrated but often 3rd party software (like MSI Afterburner) is usually better anyway and can be used for any brand.

[Ravenfeeder]

With an SSD I install Steam onto my HDD secondary drive so that all the games download and install there, then use the tool mentioned above to move them to the SSD when I want to play them. Do the same with Origin, although I have to set up the symbolic links myself for that.
EDIT: Steam Tool link
Edit2: Symbolic links explained for Windows users, an excellent, easy to understand guide.

[GreenKing]

Hi guys, currently building a PC for Rome 2. how well do you think it will run?

Asus CM6730
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3330 CPU @ 3.00GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Nvidia Geforce GTX 550Ti, 1Gb
8Gb Ram 1666Mhz

[kambiz]

alQamar & A Barbarian thanks alot for replies ,I have no more concern regarding this machine. Hopefully it will prove itself Vs Rome2

[soccerlover10cf]

Why is it that hardly anyone have EVGA GTX 680 Superclocked?
I'm not familiar with GPU's, but my friend recommended me this card last year so I went along with it.

Is it a bad card or something? Most people have 670's over 680's.

[Zetto]

Why is it that hardly anyone have EVGA GTX 680 Superclocked?
I'm not familiar with GPU's, but my friend recommended me this card last year so I went along with it.

Is it a bad card or something? Most people have 670's over 680's.

Simply because the price delta b/n 680 and 670 doesn't justify the difference in performance... basically, people went for most bang for the buck

[Karpinskaia]

Here's my new PC. I know AMD CPU's underperform in Total War games, but alas, in my country the FX-8320's price is 40% lower then an i5-4670k so being on a budget I came up with this build:
MB: Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0
CPU: FX-8320
RAM: 8GB Kingston HyperX 1600 Mhz
VGA: Asus GTX 560ti DirectCU II Top
HDD: Seagate 320 GB 16 MB 7200 RPM
CPU cooler: Thermalright True Spirit 120 M (BW)
Case: Cooltek Timaios
PSU: Rasurbo Silent&Power 650W

I know that zooming in during a battle would mean a dramatic FPS drop, but as I play on legendary difficulty I don't have time to admire the troops and a quad core 4,6 GHz FX-8320 should be enough to handle the game from afar. At least I hope so.

[alQamar]

Here's my new PC. I know AMD CPU's underperform in Total War games, but alas, in my country the FX-8320's price is 40% lower then an i5-4670k so being on a budget I came up with this build:
MB: Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0
CPU: FX-8320
RAM: 8GB Kingston HyperX 1600 Mhz
VGA: Asus GTX 560ti DirectCU II Top
HDD: Seagate 320 GB 16 MB 7200 RPM
CPU cooler: Thermalright True Spirit 120 M (BW)
Case: Cooltek Timaios
PSU: Rasurbo Silent&Power 650W

I know that zooming in during a battle would mean a dramatic FPS drop, but as I play on legendary difficulty I don't have time to admire the troops and a quad core 4,6 GHz FX-8320 should be enough to handle the game from afar. At least I hope so.

When you are on budget go for a i5 4550 and H87 micro atx board. Then you can obeye your budget and will still get better perfomance!

[MonTeZuma]

Why is it that hardly anyone have EVGA GTX 680 Superclocked?
I'm not familiar with GPU's, but my friend recommended me this card last year so I went along with it.

Is it a bad card or something? Most people have 670's over 680's.

It's still a wicked card! I had one for about a year it will max out everything on the graphics side of things. I have a 780 now ( won it) and it makes no difference at the moment as everything is still maxed out.