ok, i have the EQ2 startup disk and when i try to create my toon for EQ2 it gives the error "This machine appears to be below minimums and EQ2 will not operate. [Pixel shader version 0x0000 < 0x01011]. does anyone have any ideas?

the requierments for EQ2 are...
-Operating System: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP
-Processor: 1GHz or greater
-RAM: 512 MB
-Video Card: DirectX 9 compatible. Pixel shader and vertex shader compatible hardware with 64 MB of texture memory
-Sound Card: DirectSound compatible audio hardware

However the requierments for EQ are
Windows® 98/2000/ME/XP
Pentium® 2 400 equivalent or greater
256 MB RAM
ATI Radeon 7500/NVidia GeForce 1 equivalent or greater
DirectX Compatible Sound Card
28.8k + Internet Connection
4X Speed CD-ROM
500 MB Hard Drive Space
DirectX 9.0
EverQuest Classic and a valid EverQuest account
I haev 512MB of ram, the one this i'm curious about is the ( Pixel shader and vertex shader compatible hardware with 64 MB of texture memory) how do i know what this is?

Ah and the recommended specs for EQ are....
Windows® 98/2000/ME/XP
Pentium® 3 equivalent or greater
512 MB RAM
NVidia GeForce 3/ATI Radeon 8500 equivalent or greater
DirectX Compatible Sound Card
56.6k + Internet Connection
16X Speed CD-ROM
1.5+ GB Hard Drive Space
DirectX 9.0
EverQuest Classic and a valid EverQuest account

What video card do you have? Specs on your system are a lot more helpful than all that stuff.

Well after i posted this someone informed me that it is probably my video card. it's and intergrated video card that came with my dell. i'm thinking of upgrading them memory in my dell just have to get home and crack it open to see what's in it. Though i'm not sure how to upgrade the video card IF i even can.

Running games on integrated video is not normally a good way to go.

Yes, it's more than likely your video card. You can disable it and install a new one, if your computer has an AGP slot. Being a Dell, I think it probably does unless it's one of those tiny form factor cases.

Ya know I got this same message, I have an GeForce FX440 128MB DDR AGP8X. I found this link on nVida's site but I don't see my card listed so in theory it should work or am I missing something? http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_13959.html

It might support pixel shaders, but not the dx9 shaders.

so basically I need a new card?

Pretty much.

What card do you suggest? Or should i just wait for me to build my computer, course i would like to keep my Dell around alittle longer haven't had any magor problems with it.

Well if i'm gonna buy I'm gonna get the 6800 or whatever else is out at the time EQ 2 comes out. At this moment, I'm good to go with EQ1 and my card. *sigh* at the having to upgrade though. Thanks ******** Shynia for an informative and useful thread.

I'd go with whatever the best ATI card is that fits your budget.

Well i want to go ahead and try to upgrade because like i said i have the starter disk that lets you create your char before the release date so all you have to do is load the game switch to SOE ALL ACCESS and you're ready to go.

Will this work?

$59.00
ATI (http://www.atitech.ca/) - Sapphire RADEON 9200 SE ATLANTIS 128MB DDR AGP8X TVO (Lite Retail)
Details:
Sapphire RADEON 9200 SE ATLANTIS 128MB DDR AGP8X TVO support multi-monitors
Part - 310-9600SR
Updated - 7/23/2004 12:26 AM


Or this?

$67.99
eVGA (http://www.evga.com/) - eVGA N303 nVIDIA e-GeForce FX 5200, 128MB DDR, TV-Out Retail Box
Details:
128-A8-N303-L6, eVGA nVIDIA e-GeForce FX5200, 128MB 64 bit DDR, S -Video TV-Out
Part - </B>128A8N303L6
Updated - 8/3/2004 1:57:00 PM

If EQ is your main concern, get an Nvidia card as SOE seems to cater to them first before ATI.

/agree Cados

ATI used to be a preference of mine but IMHO nVidia is outpacing them.

I have that same disk, came with my pre-order of EQ2. I got it at EB games this weekend while I was perusing, interesting enough they told me the release date was 11/2/04. *sigh* it keeps moving. I did load it another PC, with a better card and all I can say is WOW.

This a good deal? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=929561&Sku=P450-8505

If EQ is your main concern, get an Nvidia card as SOE seems to cater to them first before ATI.
Not at all. I don't have the link handy, but I saw a SoE developer comment that basically said they're developing equally throughly for both cards, regardless of the marketing crap.

NVidia is only outpacing ATI if you count the monster cards that suck down more power than a lot of systems have total, and put out more heat than an old AMD chip. For a typical user, ATI still blows NVidia away IMO.

Best bang for the buck would probably be something like the 9800 line: http://www.pricewatch.com/h/prc.aspx?i=37&a=11032&f=1

Unfortunately, you should go with a video card that costs more than $60. Usually, $200 is usually the sweet spot.

Scroll down to the "Graphics Card Question" thread. There have been a couple of others lately, too.

Wait, what disc do you get if you pre-order? Some preview or what?

yeah.

you pay $5 to pre-order and you get a disc thingey. one has trailers, concept art, making/behind the scenes type stuff. but the other one allows you to create your character you will use now. and you are flagged for a free set of J-boots.

While sort of on topic, is it just me or do the Ratonga rock? :P

But why do Erudites look like they should be tied up in Area 51? :(

don't ever buy a fx 5200, the 9200SE outpaces it like its no ones business


what you SHOULD buy are 9800pro's, wait for the revision of the cards that were released a few months back and see how they work, if you have to buy one of the new high end cards, buy what ever you find first .. and take my word on it, you are going to want to

im concerned that my 9800pro 128 will not be sufficient... or will increasing my RAM to 2GB be more beneficial for eq2? what do you guys think?

or will increasing my RAM to 2GB be more beneficial for eq2? what do you guys think?
From what?

upgrading from 1GB

Video card would probably matter a lot more than 1gb -> 2gb.

kew, thanks

I picked up a nVidia 5200FX TV/DVI out 256MB card for $83.00 at Sam's this past Sunday. Also snagged 512MB PC3200 for $81.00, after I just shelled out that same amount for 256MB two weeks ago.

I don't know what the prices are like in the rest of the country but those are pretty good to me so passing along to yas in the market for upgrades.

Yeah I know there are better cards out there but hey that's the best card that's in my price range :D