newchemicals

How about lowering the prices of character renames and transfers? Then give us some reduced prices for buying in bulk like we get for character slots?

Transfers:
1 for 2.99
2 for 4.99
5 for 9.99

Renames
1 for 1.99
2 for 2.99
5 for 5.99

After getting free xfers (and renames) while the 50% off sale was tempting, I would prefer lower prices.

I picked up a Phenom II 965 for $99 at Frys. Made all my LAG on BAFs and Lambdas go away.

According to cinebench 11.5 (64bit) going from an Athlon II 630 to a Phenom II 965 was a 49% increase in FPS. Raw CPU power gain was 27%. Tests were run using a Sapphire 5770 Vapor-X. I haven't even tried to OC the 965 yet Clearly, the 630 was holding my 5770 back.

If you are running an Athlon II this is a good upgrade if your MB can take the Phenom II chips.

Hope your new graphics card is working out for you.

That is one of the main reasons why I don't recommend "gaming" laptops.

I have the 5770 in my old PC. The Sapphire Vapor-X version. Its a decent card but I found it a bit lacking when pushed hard. However, as PC tech goes, its showing its age. BAF and Lambda trials will lag with the card unless you have a great CPU.

ATI wise the 5770 are being replaced by the rebadged (i.e. its really a 5770) 6770. Same card higher price. Call it a marketing job, but its for people who don't know any better.

Ok, so there is the 6790 which is a small improvment over the 5770/6770. However, for just a little more cash a 6850 is a nice bump more. I would suggest the 6850 if you want an ATI card. 6790 cards are reject 6850s.

Nvidia I would say there are two choices. GTX 460 1GB its about $140 (make sure its 1GB) and a nice card. GTX 560 Ti is a good card for $210 (after rebates). Note: there is a GTX 560 card so make sure it has the Ti after it or you get a different chip. (Again, another case of Marketing preying on the unsuspecting buyer). I would suggest if you want an Nvidia card to get the 560 Ti

Here, this site is good reading on GPU tech. Apparently they didn't like the 550 Ti or the 6790.
http://www.anandtech.com/tag/gpus

Check out sites like www.hardwaresecrets.com and www.jonnyguru.com about PSUs. Telling people how much Watts the PSU is doesn't really say much. It just a number, make and model of the PSU matter. If its a low quality PSU then people might wonder about it. Too often people are extemely cheap out PSUs and find out the hard way.

According to the ACER website the model of PC you have has this as its PSU. "Industry Standard 250 Watt".

Now, I'd have to ask the question, what if any mods have you made to your PC? It makes me wonder if you have enough power to even run the card. The machine came with IGP so did you later add in a card and if so, what was it before the 550 Ti?

Have you run http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/

First thing I run to get rid of all the junk on name brand PCs.

Well, the most extreme test would be to wipe the drive and reinstall the OS but that is really the last resort.

I don't have a Dell 560 but perhaps another user here has one or maybe if other users with GT 440s are having issues.

Was the GT 440 card something you installed or did it come with the 560?

(most of us have custom PCs so troubleshooting a name brand PC is like reviewing McDonalds' food for quality)

Read this first.

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=231628

I don't know how much you follow the technical issues forum but there are at least 2 people with GTX295 who had issues. I haven't heard any update if this has been resolved. The fastest single card single GPU is the best answer. There are many good choices like ATI 6870, 6950, 6970 or Nvidia 460, 560, 570, 580. Of course, none of those are cheap.

It won't boost performance.

I would say save up your money until you have enough for an overhaul.

Short Answer: Yes

Long Answer: It would depend on what your expectations are. I use a cheap Dell laptop for marketing. Oh, I can run around and do some street sweeping, but after getting used to ultra mode. The scaled back gfx look awful and I get lag with just about any gfx on the screen. If low end graphics all you need and don't mind lag if you do fight, then it should be good enough. Just avoid the LAG areas like Atlas, Talos, Cap and Grandville (lots of graphics). I usually trade in Imperial City, KR or St Martial.

Pardon for asking, why do you feel changing your PSU is necessary?

Based on the specs on your system, I don't think its a good idea.

je_saist: Been running some test setups trying to find the point where CPU matters. I never really had any issues about CPU speed until the incarnate trials started.

Wondering if a project on finding out where lag starts and what makes lag on 24 member BAFs minimal. For example, with AMD Athlon II 630 I am the last person to zone on Lambdas and nearly last on BAFs. (Well, hard to tell on BAFs other than Mother is about half done on her cutscene by the time I finish zoning. However, I appear last on the team list, suggesting I was the last to zone)

With an Intel 2500K I zone first on both trials. The biggest thing I noticed was no lag with the 5770/2500K but I get lots of lag with the 5770/630. When AMD's Bulldozer comes out in June, I hope to pick up a Phenom II chip cheap and do some OC'ing with it.

Just go to Home Depot and buy a finished shelf 2'x1' for about $8.

Then place your PC on that slab of wood and its off the rug.

I remember teaming up with you a couple of times on Freedom Damz. It will be nice to see you around

Just remove the long animation time on AS and remove the interrupt.

They should just merge the two incarnate shard/thread currencies and be done with it.