Computer question for the young from the old-

Hi-As most people my age are pretty much computer challenged that is; the people I know are not what you would call computer geniuse's or anything near that-lol-But; I know alot of you younger people have been using these things pretty much since birth; you maybe you can help me with a question on software and hardware requirements needed to play todays 3-d video games-I have never played any and would like to check them out-some look very real and lifelike-pretty amazing-When I was a kid computers were huge-took lots of space and nobody had one-except big corporations-and the gov.--so-what would I need bottom line in order to get into the 3-d games-?-as far as processor speed-ram-video card etc-what would some of you gamers suggest-nothing real elaborate; just the basics-thanks

 

Better bang-for-the-buck would be to invest in an X-box.

Those are like $1-200.

To get the same performance out of a computer you'd need to spend that on a video card alone.

 

--Yea; I was wondering about that; if that would be the best way to go-Do new computers come equipped with the right cards-or how about the controls?

 

It REALLY depends on how sophisticated you get... I personally like computer games more than console (non-computer systems) games. The ability to use a mouse is hugely superior for first-person shooters. For $500 you could build a new, relatively decent computer that would be able to play all the newest games (albeit, some of the newest and future games coming out may have to be played at lower resolutions or graphic complexity). There are TONS of great older (within the last 5 years) 3D games to be played too.

While there are plenty of games that could be played on much less of a system...If you're building or buying a new one, I would start with at least 2.5gigahertz, 512mb ram, and $150 should buy a decent 3D card.

Most of your first person shooters (and other types of games) will be controlled by keyboard. But you definetly should invest in a couple of game pads too. They are great for playing the thousands and thousands of ROMS (nintendo,super nintendo,sega genesis, arcade games in file form played through an emulater) and sports or a lot of 2d games...

 

Ahahaha, yea... thats about what I spent on my video card. It was about $200.

 

Thanks Guys-I have plans for getting a new system and maybe it would be best to just make sure it has all the required specs and 3-d card--The new Windows O.S. is due out next year so I just may wait on that-get the whole thing at once and not have to mess with it for a few years-this stuff just changes so fast-what's new today is obsolete next year!-Whats up with that?-Great sales ploy for the mass marketing scheme for the huddled masses-lol-thanks again-

 

In order to play the latest games, your standard $500 loss-leader computer won't cut it.

As Green said, you're looking at two bills for the video card alone.

 

So-if any of you have any music questions on groups-songs etc-or anything pertaining to the 60s and -basically anything having to do with drugs sex or rock an roll-or just life in general; feel free to ask-I believe in information sharing' makes things a little easier-

 

Look at it this way, mate. If yer gonna buy yerself a $500 loss leader PC to do your internet and email, and you're also looking to play games, rather than try and upgrade your rig to the memory requirements and the like, spend the SAME CASH on a Xbox, being sold near me for $120 (or a PS/2 whatever) - you'll save some money, believe it or not, and get the best out of each system.
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OK IronGoth-that makes sense-I don't plan on becoming a full time gamer; just mess with it from time to time-The idea of the X-Box sounds like the way to go-For $120.00-And my next system will have the right card etc.-Right now' on this system ; I am real limited to what I can play-pretty much stuck with whatever Uncle Bill (Gates) wants me to play-The game downloads all want stuff that I don't have -Better video card or controllers; higher speed and on an on-SO-would a $500.00 Dell right out of the box; have enough gear to play most games-3-d?Also ; do you think Dell would do a free or cheap upgrade next year when Vista hits the market-It seems if I buy a computer this year with XP-then they would upgrade to the new system for alot less then buying the new O.S. outright-It's hard to figure whether to just upgrade this system or get a new one w/ the new O.S. already included-By the way-Great bike you have there-looks like new-

 

Those cheapie Dell and other computers are being made with absolutely garbage parts. They're the closest to disposable computers you can find.

It would be like asking if you could stick a turbocharger on a Daihatsu. Sure you could, but the thing would shake itself to pieces trying to use it.

 

I'd have to agree with irongoth on this one,your best bet would be to buy a console out of the box and just hook it up to your t.v. and play.They have pretty good graphic capabilities and they also have online capabilities if you ever wanna try any mmog's(massive multiplayer online games) or something like that.

Are you planning on investing in a new comp for other reasons rather than just gaming because of thats the case than that would be a whole different story.

Also what kind of games are you interested in playing like fps(first person shooters),rpgs(role playing games),strategy,or just in 3d games in general?.

By the way first time really visiting this portion of the forum as im usually found on the general hippie board so im gonna go see what else there is of interest around here.

peace!

 

My plan is to get a new system ; but I think now I'll wait until the new Windows O.S. comes out next year-Getting the XBOX- sounds like the best way to go and like I said I don't plan on getting real game heavy-just to check out and mess around with-The graphics are unbelievable and great art work-thanks for the input guys-

 

Don't get into those infernal video games-- they make one stupid. Get a library card-- they're free-- and join the Literate Generation.


I have advice, too, but I'm not Ann Landers (besides not being dead)-- I charge big bucks!

 

Thudly-Man-come on your startin to sound ancient-Of course I have a library card' but I am also interested in the technology that goes into these games-They are actually a form of modern art and I predict that some of them will be collecters items in the future-The sound and graphics that goes into them is amazing and; like I said; I don't plan on becoming a hard core gamer; but do we ever stop learning new things-I hope not-when that day comes' it's time to drop down into the hole and pull the dirt in behind me-We have a great library system here-they mail the books to you-free-no shipping-and no late fees-ever-can't beat it-

 

If you're into console gaming, you might want to hold out for the new PS3, which should be available by Christmas, for around $400.



I tried to post a link for the specs, but the site won't allow me to do it.

But here's a screenshot from a game to give you an idea of the graphics.

 

WOW--thats what I'm talking about-that looks like a photograph-maybe part of it is-I don't know but it dosen't get any more realistic then that-Jaybird-thanks for the information on that console-I can see where it could definately get spendy to get into-But-the designs and art work are so elaborate; it's amazing-If I was a little younger and hadn't eaten so much orange sunshine and purple haze in the 60s; I could see getting into the design of these things-very cool-thanks-

 

Robspace. If you want to get into computers, the main thing is don't buy one off the shelf. They are overpriced and have many proprietary devices, so upgrading or repairing is not viable. In otherwords it will be an overpriced antique in a very short time. Same with gaming consoles. 2 years tops they will be obsolete and the new games will be only compatable with the new console. Build your own. It's really easy. And it can be upgraded to keep up with the technology. Go to my web site and check out the Performance page. I have a lot of how-to links to help anyone considering building their own. I also have a contact page where I can be reached. I'd be glad to walk you through any of the building. That goes for anyone reading this.

 

Thanks Luvhuffer-Thats a great offer -appreciate that-I just got this one workin again-had a guy come to the house to get it goin-I accidentaly deleted a system file and Xp would not boot without it-and as my copy of XP is-well-"used"-I had to get a new OS- now running ME-I n a month or so I think I'm going to have this repair guy build me a system that has all the specs of the new Dell XPS-He said he could save me a few hundred less then the price of the XPS-which is around 1200-supposedly state of the art-

 

One problem about waiting for a new OS is the software -whether games or whatever- may not be compatible unless the software maker DEVELOPS for the newer stuff- Win XP is about as reliable as MS is gonna get. The hardware is what makes a gaming machine (e.g. CPU/processor, video card, sound card, memory, etc) so you can get a gaming machine right now that will take it to the limits for some time to come.

The other posters are correct in stating that "off-the-shelf" computers, whether from Gateway, Dell, HP, eMachines, etc. are not game machines per se...they will do the job but with a loss of quality of some sort; the other issue is those machines are not upgradable nor expandable. In the average shelf-sytem that sells retail for under $1,000.00 you get maybe $200.00 worth of (wholesale) hardware.

I've been computing since 1985 -first system was a Comodore AMIGA 1000 running at about 1.4 mHz with 1 meg Ram, 512K HD, 1200 Baud modem...ya had to LOAD the OS off of a floppy drive every time ya booted the computer.

If you want to know how to get a top-of-line gaming computer for cheeps drop me a private message. BTW: If you want some games I have a bunch...LIBERATED of course!