**Comp tech secrets** You dont have to go all out!

[eqsasukei]

Just because Vanguard is going to be one of the best MMOGs ever created doesnt mean you need to pay ridiculous amounts of money on a top gaming machine..

As a computer technicians, I am always getting asked one question. "What are some things I can do to make my computer run faster?

Well here are several things you can do to get more out of your system without having to go buy one.


(Part 1 Maintenance)

Make sure your PC is in a well ventilated area. (You cant breathe without air...Neither can your computer)

Make sure you clean out the dust in your computer every 6 months.

Make sure you perform regular full virus and spyware scans

Keep internal cords tidy for more air flow.

(Part 2 Small upgrades)

Invest in a case with 3-4 case fans (the cooler your computer runs the faster and more stable)

(You may consider Watercooling, you will be suprised at the greater performance)

Invest in heatspreaders for your RAM

Invest in a aftermarket CPU cooler

Invest in a cooling compound (Yes, IT DOES make a difference)

If your video card is 128MB you may want to consider upgrading it to a 256 or a 512MB card.

( This will help with the advanced graphic options and rendering models and terrain faster)

1 gig of memory is possibly the most you will need (for right now)

If you have an extra opticaal drive bay, you might want to consider tunnel induction for it.

(Part 3 Buying a new system if need be....)

Dont be fooled by what big named manufactures sell. If you do some research you will find other companys out there that build the same thing and 3year warrantys for thousands less. So that dream machine you have always wanted may actually be possible.

"Im torn between a new desktop or a laptop for school." some people say.

If you are willing to pay for a gaming desktop you can afford a gaming laptop. On the upgrade wise a laptop is not as efficient, but laptops are getting just as good as desktops. Heh a AMD FX laptop with 2 gig of ram and a geforce 6800-6900 GTX laptop..People would die for that in a desktop...

If you know the basics of a computer hardware or know someone who does you may want to consider building your own machine by ordering piece by piece. You can build a awesome gaming machine for 800bucks(not including the OS) rather than paying 1600 for some big company to build it the same way for you.

Even walmart is now selling 64 systems hehe for around 900 bucks with monitor. All you would need is a video upgrade and be able to play games just like any other machine.

So just because you see the best game ever going to be released comming out does not mean you need the best system that is out.

Do some searching and find simple things you can do to improve performance and look for smaller companies with the same product quality as big name for less money.

This is a free consultation to anyone seeking advice on how to improve their computer performance or if they are seeking another machine.

(If you already have a big system make sure you maintenance it, to avoid performance decline)

Also if you are going on the route of a gaming system make sure you go with a true DVI monitor and not the adapter (quality is much better)


(Part 4 Monitors)

Monitors with low MS is the best ie: 6,5 or even lower

just because it might be a 20inch LCD doesnt mean it has better quality than a 17-19inch.

Look for 700:1 or higher contrast rates

Highest resolution the better (ie: 1920 x 1200)

IMO: stick with standard screen rather than widescreen if you can find the one with the same stats

If you have any questions feel free to ask me thru a PM.

I hope all of you MMO gamers out there found this helpful.

Thanks,

eqsasukei

(can also be found on the vanguardsoh.com forums and warcry)

[Jaqi]

Excellent post with some good information. Thanks for taking the time to put this together!