The Hidden Forest

I've not seen much of a thread on hardware that excels at handling multiple instances of EQ. So....thought I'd start one.

Counter to all the tests and reviews at Tom's Hardware and other places that review gaming computers, running multiple instances puts different demands on machines than running a single instance of a game with high graphics demands. I've played with different configurations for years but my current is my favorite... I used to try to be on the bleeding edge of hi-tech computers that I assembled. Now I try to be on the dull edge of corporate workstations.

My favorite machine at the moment is a Lenox Thinkstation 4229 sporting two 8 core hyperthreaded processors running at about 2.7 GHz. Their combined hyperthreaded cores yields 32 cores. (2 x 8 x 2). It has 124 GB of memory. This monster workstation has an R9 290x 8GB Sapphire video card. Tests on http://www.userbenchmark.com/ assess it as a UFO. The entire set up was purchased on Ebay for about $1500. As some components were bought last year, the seasoned Ebay dumpster diver could probably now shave off about $300.

There are several added advantages of this hardware. For example, during winter months you can use it to heat a room. It would make a reasonable anchor for a good sized ship if anyone were to tire of it as a computer.

This was a hot stuff enterprise computer back in 2013 that would have cost about 10 times what I paid for it ($15,000). This is the advantage of being on the dull edge of enterprise technology.

For years I put together my own computers but when I first started buying workstations (HPZ800s) I became convinced not to do that anymore. The quality of enterprise computers just is far too much superior to even the best gaming builds...cases designed by BMW, toolless removal and replacement of hard drives, etc. etc. They really are nice, as one would expect if purchased when they first came out for $15,000.

Anyway, I'm sure many people have attitudes, opinions, and etc. that are different than mine and would love to take issue with me so hey, that's what forums are for. Hope this kicks off fun discussion.

Ahhh... come on, there must be some folks out there who have compared hyperthreaded Intels with AMD multicores. I'm guessing if you guys have you've found that Toms Hardware's advice that hyperthreaded does nothing for gaming is entirely wrong. Running multiple instances needs more cores imho. Some of the new AMDs out there with multicores seem like a good gamer approach as well to boxing....

This hardware is a workstation not homogeneous with his old hard drive, especially not necessary for boxing.

With a simple quad core with 16GB ram and a very classic video card, it's possible to run between 12 and 18 instances.
Learn to manage your EQ instances Cpu/Gpu/Memory balancing (eqclient.ini, mq2fps, mq2clipper, mq2turbo, eqplaynice...)

Nb: 18bots with quad 8thread at 3.2Ghz you are only at 50% of the CPU !

At this price you can have two pc and box twice more

I feel like you're not asking the right questions or lookapple with bootcamp or alienware.

I'm using a I7 cpu that came out in 2009. I'll only upgrade cpu/mb when the current one dies since I don't play anything demanding atm. Never really tried AMD products, always been a intel chipset guy.

While I haven't really played in forever I use a desktop with an AMD 8 core 4.2Ghz (no hyperthreading) with 32GB of memory and a fairly basic memory card and I was at one time boxing 24 toons with zero problems. I was playing with all the regular graphics on too. No stick figures or anything like that. Paid somewhere in the $700 range for the computer. Never really tried to play anything else on it since I am more of a PS4 guy but I would imagine that my video card would be the thing that holds me back.

Some interesting comments. I just use SSDs on my workstation and as I noted it clocks as a UFO, the highest category.

For cpu management, I use Isboxer and assign cores to each character. Bottleneck for now seems to be my CenturyLink connection, sigh, best I can get in the sticks where I live is 10 Mbps.

Back when I was on Live I was an AMD user and think the 8 core cpus look like they would be very good for multiple instances.

I said memory card but meant video card lol. Wouldn't let me edit it. Oh well. I have the same Internet connection as you Rafe. It sucks sometimes for sure. I had an I7 processor before. I think it was an 8 core as well. I like the AMD a bit better

I5 -3470 - 3.2ghz
16gb ram
Nvida GTX 660
Non SSD hard drive that I've had for 4 machines now...

I've done 24 with standard models, but it was clunky, stick figures on all but 2 now and nice and smooth.

Honestly the game will never look good, so I just turn models to the ugly default and turn all quality options down as far as possible.

Yes, there is no interest to use the power calcul unnecessarily.
Personally, I have only the tank or active client using resource.
All background Eq Client is on graphical standby, and is only reactived when i focus it manualy.

It is not necessary to activate the stick figures. You not completely limitate the gpu usage.
This in order to box more, and rather to reach the the server instances limitations.

To do this, read the wiki plugins cited in my above post. And you can forget about the useless window management tools and other.

For you to understand my thoughts by magnifying the thoughts line. We can almost play a complete raid only with the map and the terminals.