Recommendations for PC upgrades for playing EM.

Star King · Post by **Star King** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:15 pm

Funny player after player I chat with during EM contracts comments on how they improved their PC system so they could enjoy EM more.
The reaction is very positive on how this EM game has cost them hundreds in video cards, operating systems, joysticks, mouses, headsets, keyboard, etc...
For me I completely performed a complete destroy and reloaded my XP operating system and drivers unto my hard drive and bought two more gigs of ram.
I saw an extreme improvement in game play and PC performance. Another suggestion is playing with a headset on rather then listening through your speakers. Chat is clear and crisp.

[Edited on 12-25-2008 by Star King]

Zaggeh · Post by **Zaggeh** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:34 pm

Uhhh... XP? It may be a lightweight OS, but it isn't going to be supported by Microsoft much longer.

I haven't messed around with the in-game chat yet (I have it disabled since I use Mumble with my friends), but glad to hear it is clear and crisp, I was kinda just expecting it to be really bad, which is why I never bothered.

As far as hundreds in upgrades... well, I just ordered my TrackIR this morning. Woot. Should arrive tomorrow. :-) I can't wait.

Twilly Frost · Post by **Twilly Frost** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:08 pm

I just Googled TrackIR. That's next on my shopping list, after Windows 7.

BTW XP works just fine, but it only recognizes 4 of my 8 Gigs of RAM and yeah...it's probably time to move on.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:22 pm

Nice, TrackIR will give you that extra immersion. I use it and do not play without it ever!.....

Star King · Post by **Star King** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:46 pm

If you have Mumble then you played Allegiance? I haven't played that since I got hooked on the Star Wraith games. That is where Mumble is used. How does Mumble compare with team speak in regards to system resources?

The in-game chat works but is very limited to same quadrant chat only.
I prefer Teamspeak because you can be five quardrants away or even off the game and still communicate with your friends.

[Edited on 12-25-2008 by Star King]

Zaggeh · Post by **Zaggeh** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:50 pm

Nope, never heard of Allegiance. Sorry.

In terms of system resource, it is lighter. That's the entire reason why I use it over TS and Vent.

Star King · Post by **Star King** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:57 pm

Good to know!!! Thanks!

I just learned something!

[Edited on 12-25-2008 by Star King]

Star King · Post by **Star King** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:19 pm

What does the TrackIR do?

Zaggeh · Post by **Zaggeh** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:22 pm

It is a head tracking device. You know how when you press F10 and look around? It does that kinda stuff by you just having to move your head slightly.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:27 pm

From post: 125760, Topic: tid=8526, author=Star King wrote:What does the TrackIR do?

It tracks your head movement so you can look around your cockpit by moving your head!....

Zaggeh · Post by **Zaggeh** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:29 pm

You do have to wear a dorky hat or headset clip though. :-P

aRottenKomquat · Post by **aRottenKomquat** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 9:50 pm

So forgive me for being skeptical, but isn't it awkward to turn your real head and have the screen adjust? You wouldn't be looking at the screen anymore... I guess you'd have to turn your head but keep your eyes the same? Just sounds disorienting to me.

Star King · Post by **Star King** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:41 pm

One recommendation that everyone should heed is when installing your graphic card be sure to have a minimum 450 watt power supply. Otherwise EM won't run right.

Zaggeh · Post by **Zaggeh** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:07 pm

From post: 125785, Topic: tid=8526, author=aRottenKomquat wrote:So forgive me for being skeptical, but isn't it awkward to turn your real head and have the screen adjust? You wouldn't be looking at the screen anymore... I guess you'd have to turn your head but keep your eyes the same? Just sounds disorienting to me.

I've spoken to some friends who use it and they seem pretty happy with it. I'm sure there is a period of time where you have to get used to it, but it probably becomes natural after awhile.

It's not a 1 to 1 movement conversion. The movements you make with your head are amplified. For example, if you want to look 90 degrees to the left, you don't turn your head straight left (in which case, as you said, you wouldn't be able to see the monitor). Instead, you just turn it slightly to the left.

I think there's probably some sort of configuration software with it to adjust the sensitivities and such, but I don't know (will know for sure after tomorrow night. I got one day shipping).

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:16 pm

Yes, there is an extensive software program with the TrackIR to tweak all kinds of things!....

Reaves · Post by **Reaves** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:20 pm

EDIT: read subject wrong. Though this was recommendations for updates to game.

Not sure what to suggest on updates for a PC...

Windows 7 64bit Ultimate Edition

I have 6gb DDR3 ram (think speed is 2100.. been awhile.. it's quick though)

GTX590 using Displayport to Samsung 27A750D 3D monitor. 120 hz refresh rate.

Quad Core Q9400 (as I recall.. I remember it being the 2nd fastest Quad Core)

G19 Keyboard (one with LCD screen and backlit keys)

Saitek X52 Pro Flightstick

Logitech G52 7.1 surround headphones or Creative 6.1 speaker setup

A nice chair. It's black and has cushioned arm rests.

Logitech MX5000 Mouse (love it)

My green lava lamp is also pretty neat and a suggested upgrade to your PC.

[Edited on 1-23-2012 by Reaves]

SeeJay · Post by **SeeJay** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:23 pm

Reaves, if it's the IDS multiplier you mean, I have it on the "mouse scrollwheel" on my X52 Throttle.

Works like a charm.

Reaves · Post by **Reaves** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:32 pm

From post: 125835, Topic: tid=8526, author=SeeJay wrote:Reaves, if it's the IDS multiplier you mean, I have it on the "mouse scrollwheel" on my X52 Throttle.

Works like a charm.

Great I'll give that a try. I thought I attempted to set it as mouse scroll.. will try again. Did you simply do it in the games controller setup?

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:41 pm

From post: 125832, Topic: tid=8526, author=Reaves wrote:I have an X52 Pro which if you are familiar with it, it has many axis to be able to set.

I'd love to be able to set IDS to an axis if possible. I've tried using Saitek Profiler but it just doesn't seem to work very well.

Using one of the axis dials on the throttle would be great for quickly adjusting IDS.

You can asign the Axis of the dials in the profile editor for throttle control.

The way I have my throttle set up however is with 6 Bands:

1. 0-8% AfterBurner
2. 8-16% Full throtle 100%
3. 16-80% Throttle = 16-80%
4. 80-86% Throttle = 10%
5. 86-97% Reverse After Burner
6. 97-100% Throttle is Off (do nothing)

You can Reverse the order of the bands but this is what works for me the best!.....

[Edited on 1-23-2012 by Maarschalk]

Angitherias · Post by **Angitherias** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:55 am

There is no support for windows xp. But if you make a slipstream CD with windows xp service pack 3, included with all the updates that is the way to go. Some of us don't have the cash to spend on new systems every couple of years, what with supporting a family or trying to replace an older vehicle, we make do with what we have.

You guys can check my system specs in the stickied system specs thread and see with an OLDER system, EM works just fine.

[Edited on 1-24-2012 by Angitherias]

Star King · Post by **Star King** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:17 pm

Dear Angitherias,

With the economy in all countries being bad. This thread hopefully will lead you to a low cost solution for more game enjoyment. Like the TrackerIR has a free (no cost) competitor that Dave K talks about in another thread.
I hope to hang on with XP long enough for the release of Windows 8. Microsoft always does this.

Angitherias · Post by **Angitherias** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:12 pm

I'm at the maximum upgrade path for my pc system. I have no gripes about it. Just because some of us have older systems does not mean we cannot enjoy EM as much as other people. Don't get me wrong, if you want to get a new computer system, go for it

Star King · Post by **Star King** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:54 pm

I'm in the same boat and agree with 100%! But it is nice to wonder if there is any advantage?

Angitherias · Post by **Angitherias** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:46 am

I figured when I first put put this system together, it might have to last me 10 years, I've used it 6 out of the 8 years so far. Original parts cobbled together in '04, upgrade mobo in '05, new HDD in '07 (original 120 gig crapped out, then got a 500 gig), CPU upgrade in '07 as well (put in a mobile chip in a desktop).
This past year when I resurrected this dead beast, found out I had a faulty power supply (caused a lot of issues) so replaced that, went from a 17" CRT monitor to the 25" I'm using now (sweet), still stuck with AGP so best vid card I could get, modded the cpu's heatsink retention clips so the heatsink was actually touching the die on the cpu, dropped temps by 30 degrees (no more thermal shutdowns).

Checked out EM and couldn't put up with keyboard and mouse play so got X52 joystick which I've been putting off buying for a few years.

Whatever you can afford so be it, just do your research before you buy, the way I figure it, my next top of the line system will cost me $2000.00 using quality components.

Cheers

Star King · Post by **Star King** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:36 pm

If you build your system you can save at least $1,000.00.
I actually have found used AMD & Intel Quad gamer systems
3.4 GHZ 8 GB systems from $659.00 to $889.00 this without an operating system.

[Edited on 12-25-2008 by Star King]