RandomStranger wrote on 2023-07-23, 15:09:

NWN2 however, I'd be surprised if it's issues, if there are any, would be on the CPU.

The engine isn't amazing and needs all the help it can get, both from GPU and CPU. Some of the settings are disproportionately heavy and require some serious grunt, but even with low resolution and lowest settings Cedar Mill P4 3.4GHz / 9800 GTX+ couldn't get more than around 30-40fps in the starting village if I recall correctly. So yeah, it does want its CPU and it wants it now if smooth framerates are to be desired.

2 slots for DDR2 is only a problem if you want more than 4GB though 1GB DDR2 are practically free these days and good 2GB modules you have to pay money for.

And on the topic of memory, if you do end up with nForce, the approved/tested modules list is your bible, stick by it for less problems.

PcBytes wrote on 2023-07-23, 11:14:

Mahigan wrote on 2023-07-23, 05:48:

BitWrangler wrote on 2023-07-23, 05:43:

790i

Well, I've built one recently and whatever you do... stay away from the nVIDIA chipsets for these. In theory, they overclock better, in practice... d*mn thing is unstable. The Intel x48 is the chipset to get if you can find one at a good price. It is stable and compatible with everything. You won't get random issues like your Ethernet dropping off. It will run beautifully and allow you the true and authentic Core 2 experience. It also does the 1,600MHz FSB if that's your thing.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but nVidia chipsets aren't made for OC at all. They have FSB holes from what I remember reading.

Could be, but what I was getting was onboard devices failing despite the PCI/PCIe bus being locked.