darkcloud89

This is what Microsoft tried to do with the Windows Experience Index in Vista, and it doesn't really work out. 3DMark is too CPU dependant to be used for rating game requirements. The real problem with PC gaming is manufacturers talking up performance and '3d' on their machines and then sticking in a POS IGP with no upgrade options, leaving the customer frustrated and clueless as to why they can't play games.

That being said, while I don't think AMD's system here is perfect, it is a step in the right direction. AMD has the whole platform now and it's time they took advantage of that. What I don't understand is why AMD/ATi isn't using this as a tool to promote hybrid crossfire. Really I think that has the potential to make pc gaming more popular because a company like Dell could sell the regular desktop with the (not as) crappy IGP and then add 'gaming capability' for another like $60-80. I did read that AMD hopes that the PC Gaming Alliance as a whole will develop a similar system that Intel and Nvidia would be a part of, and that the Game! initiative was kind of a model for this. The end result here is that if all three of the major players get involved, it kind of forces the mainstream manufacturers into using some sort of gaming certification system which would ideally make pc gaming easier and therefore more popular.

I think the more significant impact isn't going to be AMD/ATi marketing, but more of an industry push for some kind of standard labeling so people who aren't as saavy have a reasonable idea as to the capabilities of their system.

slipstream808

So this is gonna "consolize" the PC. Interesting. BUT, people will still learn that if they want to play these PC games, they will be buying a costly system and may just say screw it and go for the console. Then again, it might be a boon in that people will buy a PC made for games since they are buying a PC anyways.

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Arkanor

System requirements on the box did not stop my brother from receiving Crysis for his Vaio with integrated graphics.

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