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

[alQamar]

I see.
@existenz If you are not in need to buy now i suggest to wait. There are dramatic changes to come.

[eXistenZ]

@existenz If you are not in need to buy now i suggest to wait. There are dramatic changes to come.

then i'll just go for the SSD and the extra ram. Or would a new gpu or maybe cpu be worth it?

[Epic28]

then i'll just go for the SSD and the extra ram. Or would a new gpu or maybe cpu be worth it?

What you'll want to do is get an SSD 120 gb or a 256 gb. Reinstall Windows to the SSD. I wouldn't recommend installing EVERY game you play on to your SSD and filling it up. I have a Samsung 120 GB with Windows 8 and plan to only install Rome 2 on. Use your HDD to store music, pictures, videos etc (files that don't require boot operations).

The best market GPU right now is the GTX 760. I just purchased one here in the States for $250 USD and a free game. It basically maxs out any game I throw at it. The new Radeon GPUs will be releasing soon also so expect competition for the GTX 760.

Like I said earlier, if you buy a new CPU absolutely go for the Intel chip, i5-4670 ~($220 USD) or the i5-3k series, no need for an i-7 if all you do is game

But seeing as you have an AMD motherboard, you'll have to buy a new motherboard also. An Intel motherboard will run you around ~ $150 USD.

I am not sure what pricing looks like in your area but by my estimates you're looking at...

GTX 760 - $250
Samsung SSD 120 GB - $100
Asus Intel motherboard - $150
Intel i5-4670k - $220
4 GB Ram - $40

= $760 USD (Keep in mind these are all rough estimates and also quality high head components (CPU and MOBO esp, wont need to upgrade either for years to come). Prices will vary in terms your location and suppliers. But thats a rough estimate in US currency for what you'd be looking at.

[eXistenZ]

What you'll want to do is get an SSD 120 gb or a 256 gb. Reinstall Windows to the SSD. I wouldn't recommend installing EVERY game you play on to your SSD and filling it up. I have a Samsung 120 GB with Windows 8 and plan to only install Rome 2 on. Use your HDD to store music, pictures, videos etc (files that don't require boot operations).

The best market GPU right now is the GTX 760. I just purchased one here in the States for $250 USD and a free game. It basically maxs out any game I throw at it. The new Radeon GPUs will be releasing soon also so expect competition for the GTX 760.

Like I said earlier, if you buy a new CPU absolutely go for the Intel chip, i5-4670 ~($220 USD) or the i5-3k series, no need for an i-7 if all you do is game

But seeing as you have an AMD motherboard, you'll have to buy a new motherboard also. An Intel motherboard will run you around ~ $150 USD.

I am not sure what pricing looks like in your area but by my estimates you're looking at...

GTX 760 - $250
Samsung SSD 120 GB - $100
Asus Intel motherboard - $150
Intel i5-4670k - $220
4 GB Ram - $40

= $760 USD (Keep in mind these are all rough estimates and also quality high head components (CPU and MOBO esp, wont need to upgrade either for years to come). Prices will vary in terms your location and suppliers. But thats a rough estimate in US currency for what you'd be looking at.

Thanks for the extensive reply. Unfortunatly, the prices where i wanna go (like explained, i go there for like 10 years), are a bit higher, so if i take everything, i will end up over my budget by quite a bit. Therefore, which would give me the best performance boost? GPU upgrade or MOBO/CPU?

Also, most space i use (current is only but i like only using 400GB at max, rome 2 calculated in.) is for games as far as i know. but isnt the point that you install them on the HDD?

[Epic28]

Thanks for the extensive reply. Unfortunatly, the prices where i wanna go (like explained, i go there for like 10 years), are a bit higher, so if i take everything, i will end up over my budget by quite a bit. Therefore, which would give me the best performance boost? GPU upgrade or MOBO/CPU?

Also, most space i use (current is only but i like only using 400GB at max, rome 2 calculated in.) is for games as far as i know. but isnt the point that you install them on the HDD?

If you fill up your SSD to or near capacity you'll start to notice an increase in load times, from cases I've seen, so i prefer to operate my SSD above ~50% free space. It is also wise to not overwrite/rewrite a SSD drive often (uninstalling and reinstalling programs) to it as SSD's have a limited number of writes on the drive. So therefore I wouldn't recommend storing every game you own to your SSD especially if you wont play them and if load times aren't a particular issue for you regarding that game.

If I had your PC I would hold off on purchasing either CPU/MOBO combo and a new GPU and wait to see how Rome 2 runs for you.

http://gpuboss.com/gpus/GeForce-GTX-...rce-GTX-560-Ti

Thats a comparison link for the gfx card I recommended versus your current GPU. Almost doubles your average FPS in the current top end games. You won't find a higher performing card at this price out right now.

Whats your power supply unit?

[Totalwarzone]

Alright, it seemed like it worked better but things pretty much fell down again. When in the middle of a (laggy) battle my GPU activity is only like 27%, is this normal?

[Totalwarzone]

Sorry for double post but I wanted to add that the first core of my processor is almost at 100% when my GPU doesn't even reach the 30%. Does this mean my processor is the problem?

[SamueleD]

Alright, it seemed like it worked better but things pretty much fell down again. When in the middle of a (laggy) battle my GPU activity is only like 27%, is this normal?

Sorry for double post but I wanted to add that the first core of my processor is almost at 100% when my GPU doesn't even reach the 30%. Does this mean my processor is the problem?

The 100% load on core 0 is normal in TW, unfortunately.
As for the rest I don't know, the low GPU load could be due to the fact that it has nothing to do while it waits for the CPU, but, again, if you have problems only in Shogun 2, then I don't think your hardware is the problem. Try playing other games, running some GPU and CPU benchmarks to see how they do, it should help you understand if the problem is really your hardware.

Run the CPU benchmark for Shogun 2 (you cna run it through steam), but first edit the benchamark file, it's found in the benchamark folder in the Shogun 2 program folder, it's called BenchmarkDX9CPU_preferences.script.txt, edit it to run at your screen native resolution, do 3 tests in succession and give us the results for each of them (just post the fps results, but if you can upload the logfiles with all the data also).

Edit:
x_res 1280; # x_res <int32>, Fixed window width #
y_res 1024; # y_res <int32>, Fixed window height #

to your screen resolution.

alQamar, do you have any other idea on how to solve this or at least understand what the source of the problem is?

[alQamar]

Yes could be as i said battle and graphics engine working independent from each other.

[alQamar]

No not really. And I think we are running into a communication problem here.

[SamueleD]

No not really. And I think we are running into a communication problem here.

Yeah, he has done a benchamrk, but it wasn't clear which one.


@Totalwarzone, please be more explicit.

[day_traitor]

I'm trying to post a link to the rig I just bought, but since I'm new it won't let me. Can I PM it to someone and have them post it for feedback?

[LordUhtred]

With Rome 2 around the corner I really think I need to upgrade! I have little to no idea what I'm doing so thought it best to post here.

My current set up is;
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
GPU: AMD Radeon HD6670 2gb
PSU: No idea at all, don't want to take my PC apart just yet
RAM: 8gb DDR3 @ 665mhz
CPU: Intel i5 2320 3.0ghz quad core

I was initially thinking of firstly upgrading my GPU and PSU (these first because these are parts my parents will buy for me as a birthday/xmas present) and later upgrading my RAM (I've heard 1600mhz would be much better for RTS) and much later my CPU, these are my current choices;
GPU:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GTX660-TI-DC...ords=gtx+660ti
PSU:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Buil...corsair+cx+450
RAM:
http://www.ebuyer.com/274061-g-skill...000cl11d-8gbxl
CPU:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Graphi...4th+generation

Basically would just like to know if these parts seem good enough to get a decent performance, and also that they will work well together etc. Any help would be very greatly appreciated as I don't want to waste money on the wrong parts.

[babydoc]

With Rome 2 around the corner I really think I need to upgrade! I have little to no idea what I'm doing so thought it best to post here.

My current set up is;
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
GPU: AMD Radeon HD6670 2gb
PSU: No idea at all, don't want to take my PC apart just yet
RAM: 8gb DDR3 @ 665mhz
CPU: Intel i5 2320 3.0ghz quad core

I was initially thinking of firstly upgrading my GPU and PSU (these first because these are parts my parents will buy for me as a birthday/xmas present) and later upgrading my RAM (I've heard 1600mhz would be much better for RTS) and much later my CPU, these are my current choices;
GPU:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GTX660-TI-DC...ords=gtx+660ti
PSU:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Buil...corsair+cx+450
RAM:
http://www.ebuyer.com/274061-g-skill...000cl11d-8gbxl
CPU:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Graphi...4th+generation

Basically would just like to know if these parts seem good enough to get a decent performance, and also that they will work well together etc. Any help would be very greatly appreciated as I don't want to waste money on the wrong parts.

Whats your budget?

[LordUhtred]

Whats your budget?

For the GPU, no more than £200, for the PSU no more than £60, the CPU and RAM which I will be doing at a later point, I will pay how ever much is needed lol (which may prolong the amount of time I wait, somewhat)

[SamueleD]

http://www.yougamers.com/ in this link u can test rome 2 , u can see that cpu requirements are vastly bigger than Gpu , this agree with what i am saying , better to have a i5-4670 with a Gtx 460 than a I3 3220 with a Gtx 660 ------ same Money wise

You can't test the game, as it's not out yet. Anyway, run the tests I suggested, please.

[Cyrus the Virus]

I'm really starting to consider to purchase a new PC for this game and others.
Time will tell.

[Raikou]

Need a little help,

Friends getting into total war games with Rome II but isnt sure if comps gonna handle it well.

Specs are:

Phenom II x4 965 3.4 GHZ

Radeon HD 5770 1 GB GFX Card

4 GB RAM

First wondering if this comp will be able to handle Rome II on ANY settings

Secondly, if he can spend some money what should he upgrade?

Thanks in advance

[Epic28]

Need a little help,

Friends getting into total war games with Rome II but isnt sure if comps gonna handle it well.

Specs are:

Phenom II x4 965 3.4 GHZ

Radeon HD 5770 1 GB GFX Card

4 GB RAM

First wondering if this comp will be able to handle Rome II on ANY settings

Secondly, if he can spend some money what should he upgrade?

Thanks in advance

Definily can run Rome on any setting. I'd say if he has some money to spare look to updating his GPU. Get one with 2GB of VRAM.

[alQamar]

On any settings for sure. I need a Shogun 2 CPU benchmark and GPU benchmark on to tell you what's more worth to upgrade objectively, Raikou.