[Toms' Hardware] "PCs Are Good For Anything, Just Not Games" - Page 2 - Overclock.net

jonny1989 · 03-10-08

I think a big problem is that people go and buy a game system (360,PS3, Wii, ECT), And they know that all they need to do is “pop” in a game that they like and play it.

Were as with a PC you have to know all the specs of your system CPU, GPU, RAM, ECT. You also have to know enough to know that you need a system with at least twice the power as the system listed on the back of they game box to run it the way you want it to. Then once you get home you have to install the game. Then you may need newer drivers to get the performance for the game that you want.

Plus there are GPU things you need to worry about like Shader model, ECT. My laptop has an Intel Extreme 2 (extremely slow) Graphics Chipset. Which doesn’t even support any of the Shader Model versions.

Even some educational games that my brother plays have to have Shader Model 2.0.

**ENTERPRISE** · 03-10-08

I could say so much in here but I wont.

However I will say this.

For an easy 99% trouble free gaming experience then console will always be the way to go. Console games are created and coded for only 1 type of hardware. Thus correct coding and anticipating problems is alot easier. With a console you also do not have to worry about hardware requirements or the latest drivers being buggy lol.

h4rdcor3 · 03-10-08

they need to outlaw all Intel Extreme graphics, there is nothing extreme about them except on how crappy they are.

RPIJG · 03-10-08

I think a good way to look at this would be to see how what percentage of computer sales go to someone who has even the least idea about how to swap or install a dedicated video card, I would wager it's a very small percentage of total computer sales. The issue with PC gaming is that it requires that the user/owner/player be knowledgeable about computers on a fairly technical level, while gaming on a console requires you to know how to plug it in and stuff a disc in it. PC Gaming also costs much more than console gaming especially if you want to keep up with the ever changing demands of PC Gaming. Just another reason that PC gaming is mostly an enthusiast only activity while even grandma at the retirement home is Wii bowling.

Danker16 · 03-10-08

the problem is that brand makers make ****ty computers for a high price

Gollie · 03-10-08

People (the masses) have been hoaxed into thinking that consoles are actually cheaper. Imo, they cost just as much as an average priced PC in the long run and there is NO upgradability outside of buying a new console.

All we can hope for is a cross-platform game that will allow the mouse/keyboard gamers to finally show their quick-twitch superiority.

jonny1989 · 03-10-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by h4rdcor3

they need to outlaw all Intel Extreme graphics, there is nothing extreme about them except on how crappy they are.

LOL DAM RIGHT

They also need to come up with some more standard laptop interfaces. There are like 3 different versions of Mini PCI I think and then there is Mini PCI-E. Plus there are different types of GPU slots in laptops that are very limited in what GPUS they support and often times can’t even be upgraded because no other cards are made for that type of interface.

It would be nice to be able to upgrade GPUS and CPUS like in a Desktop. I don't think it would even be that hard to come up with a standard laptop form factor. Like Laptop ATX or something.

Guruboy · 03-10-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ENTERPRISE

Console games are created and coded for only 1 type of hardware. Thus correct coding and anticipating problems is alot easier. With a console you also do not have to worry about hardware requirements or the latest drivers being buggy lol.

I'm not a fan of this generalization.

These days, you've got multiple versions of the same console coming out at different times, with PS3 and 360 that is. This doesn't necessarily make the game harder to code, but it does mean that the game has to be able to run on the weakest hardware. The only really good example would be hard drive size. To my knowledge, there aren't any games for the 360 that install game data onto the HDD to improve load times. This is evident because the PS3 version will always load up faster. Hardware differences with consoles definitely exist and they definitely take a toll on development and what the consumer ultimately sees.

In addition, many, many console games come out on multiple consoles. You can't be a single-console developer unless you've got an industry-leading reputation, like Bungie (though they develop for PC as well). Between the two (or more) consoles, the game has to be built almost from the ground-up, which I'm positive is much more difficult than building a single game that simply scales to mutliple PC platforms, which all have compatible hardware architecture.

For a console exclusive yes, the game is generally built for only one type of hardware, at least at first. Many titles like Halo move to the PC anyway. This obviously means that developers/producers can't afford not to release the game on PC.

The reality with consoles is that they DO get bugs and unless you've got a broadband connection, it's a bit of a pain just to install updates. Likewise, mods rule. I think PCs win in terms of how easy-to-patch they are, and the realistic role of mods.

mtbiker033 · 03-10-08

One thing is for sure, if the big name development houses for pc gaming choose to vacate the market because they don't want to focus on making a good pc game when they can go the easy route for console cash, its opportunity for a new developer to come along and take over. Look at Crytek, they came out of no where with FarCry and blew everyone away. No one had ever heard of Crytek prior to FarCry.

PC gaming will not die! Necessity is the mother of invention.

pbpenguins412 · 03-10-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny1989

LOL DAM RIGHT

They also need to come up with some more standard laptop interfaces. There are like 3 different versions of Mini PCI I think and then there is Mini PCI-E. Plus there are different types of GPU slots in laptops that are very limited in what GPUS they support and often times can’t even be upgraded because no other cards are made for that type of interface.

It would be nice to be able to upgrade GPUS and CPUS like in a Desktop. I don't think it would even be that hard to come up with a standard laptop form factor. Like Laptop ATX or something.

They have come up with a standardized form factor for upgrading GPU's, it's called Mobile eXpresss Module (MXM); the problem is that 1) OEM's don't advertise it because they don't want an upgrade market to form, and 2) some companies just refuse wholesale to get into it.

Check out www.mxm-upgrade.com for details!

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[Toms' Hardware] "PCs Are Good For Anything, Just Not Games"

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