Computer Upgrade… ?
Sean gifted me a copy of Prototype for the PC. I checked the system requirements and saw that it needed an NVIDIA 7800GT or better, 2 GB of RAM or better, and an Athlon™ 64 X2 4000+ or better. My system matches the above except my processor is slightly stronger, a 4400+.
The first thing I thought of was this: requirements not met, a site which was advertised (not sure if it’s remained on point) as focusing on highlighting how games really look when played on systems which meet the minimum requirements. My problem with Prototype isn’t the looks. It looks great. Even at low settings.
It’s the frame rate. I fired it up and… slide show. Well, not a complete slide show, but at the lowest settings (shadows: low, graphics: low, resolution: 640×480) I get between 9-14 FPS. That’s eye-strain land. And it’s surprising because Fallout 3 played very well on my PC. (But I guess Bethesda’s engine scales better.) Oddly, I tried bumping the options in Prototype to max, and while everything looked better the frame rate didn’t change. How does that work? Why have the option for lower settings if they don’t add frames?
Anyway, it’s all left me debating.
Do I grab something like a GeForce GTX 260 (Core 216)? It would seriously boost my computer. My frame rates would likely sextuple from that kind of an upgrade, and the card, already fairly priced, will only get cheaper over time. Theoretically, I could wait it out until, say, Dragon Age: Origins comes out in October and grab it then.
On the other hand, I love my Xbox 360. I love achievements. I like playing in the living room on the nice new plasma TV. I can play games like Prototype on the 360 right now, without any extra cost, and get good performance. And I’ll be able to play DA: O in October on the 360, too (though I want to see the comparison between the PC and 360 versions).
Sure, PC graphics are marginally better than the 360’s, but that’s not important. You could argue that 360 provides better stability (less crashing). Maybe if there were more PC-only games, I’d feel a need to upgrade, but Neverwinter Nights 2 is one of the few games I can think of — and my PC already plays that one. In all, having a gaming PC and a 360 these days feels redundant.
I guess my debating is leading me toward ignoring my PC as a gaming machine. Seems a waste but also seems the fiscally responsible decision; it makes sense to only invest in one platform and the 360 doesn’t need upgrades. I guess I can’t complain too much. PCs aren’t supposed to last forever and mine served me well with games for 3.5 years without upgrades.
Thoughts from the peanut gallery?
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I say it makes more sense to put the new TV to use. You were so excited about being able to play games on it – so why would you wanna be cooped up in the bedroom in a not-so-comfy chair, playing on a tiny (in comparison) screen?
Oh, and you would only hafta pay for the game, and not a new video card. :up:
1Right. I agree.
42 inches beats 20 inches. A guaranteed 30 FPS beats my current 9-14 FPS. No crashing beats crashing. Lounging in a comfy chair beats hunched over a desk. Achievements beat no achievements.
The only real perk to the PC is, if the computer is powerful enough (i.e. I spend money to upgrade it), the graphics will be better and the frame rate could be more like 60 FPS (which is nice). But those aren’t drastic differences to me.
The only game on the horizon that has me even holding onto the debate at all is Dragon Age: Origins. But if the 360 version is as easy to control as the PC version, and has all the same content and features, then there’s no debate at all.
PS I know you just want me out in the living room.
2“PS I know you just want me out in the living room.
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STFU.
That goes without saying. But I wasn’t making up excuses for you to play out here just because of that. I was being serious. Ugh.
It seems stupid to play in the bedroom when you have a huge new tv (that would still look better, IMO, even if the graphics aren’t as fancy).
And I think your dad would be disappointed if he found out you were opting not to make use of his gift
3Haha, good points.
4Of course, the big question that went un-stressed is:
How can a game advertise a set of requirements that do not allow you to play the game? Awful.
http://gamergranola.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/outright-lies-game-minimum-requirements/
5And there’s there are these items, of which I had forgotten:
OnLive
6Gaikai