29-10-2003 23:05									#1
	whats a "gaming computer"? Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

Some PC manufacturers are now making what they call "gaming computers" My understanding is that these are your usual "bleeding edge" high spec computers, with particularly good video cards.

Seems to me they equate gaming with FPS. Not unreasonable perhaps, since its those folks who buy the bleeding edge rigs, after all.

OTOH it seems to me that for the types of games I prefer, essentially strat games, the limiting factor is usually RAM, not video card, etc. Is that others experience as well? What is the limiting factor for other genres, like RPG's, adventures, etc?

	29-10-2003 23:22									#2
	Inflate your Upload Space

It's a combination of CPU, memory, and graphics card IMO.

Having an inferior product as one or more of those components will bottleneck your "gaming experience".

FPS are games that require good specs, but some strategy games require them too, C&C Generals for instance.
Being able to run "less heavy" games seemlessly on the highest graphical settings is nice too.

Gaming PC manufacturers like Alienware and Falcon Northwest do not only use high-end components, they also try to optimize performance by, for example, optimizing your cabling for good airflow (cooling).

	30-10-2003 00:19									#3
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

Not a Mac...

	30-10-2003 00:43									#4
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

If optimized cabling is a must for a gaming PC, then nobody wants to use my PC for gaming.

I built my system myself, and I must admit that I payed very little attention to the cabling (except of course getting it right).

Asmodean

	30-10-2003 01:28									#5
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

I don't understand why it is almost impossible to buy a computer with more than 256MB of RAM in a computer shop, we all know Win XP is a ram sucker and modern games need at least 518

	30-10-2003 08:05									#6
	Tired of ads?

data, I'm afraid that has to be something Italian..

if I walked into a computer shop here I would have to search for that 256 MB ram for ages, because 512 MB ram is quite standard here

	30-10-2003 10:16									#7
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

Bah! I can build a system that will kick game ass for very nice prices.

State of the Art is just a waste of money. But you do get bragging rights.

	30-10-2003 15:47									#8
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

quote: Some PC manufacturers are now making what they call "gaming computers" My understanding is that these are your usual "bleeding edge" high spec computers, with particularly good video cards.

Thats true, the quote that is. I find RAM was the bottleneck factor for me.

quote: data, I'm afraid that has to be something Italian..

Unfortunately it's also a NZ thing aswell. When will we catch up .

quote: But you do get bragging rights.

I had them at the beginning of this year when i moved to uni. It was great. Although the buzz did were off rather quickly.

	31-10-2003 19:35									#9
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

quote: Originally posted by Flip McWho Thats true, the quote that is. I find RAM was the bottleneck factor for me.

thats kinda what i meant. I have an old 'puter, and when i go to check specs on a game, i usually find its the RAM thats constraining me, not the CPU. And anything that runs, there's no problems (that i can tell anyway) with the videos. But I dont have any action game, so I was wondering if this is an artifact of my genre preferences? Of course it could also be cause my PC is a difficult to upgrade proprietary box. When i get a new PC, I intend to get one where its at least easy to upgrade the memory. Presumably then I might upgrade the RAM to the point where something else is the constraining factor.

	31-10-2003 23:51									#10
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

quote: Originally posted by FlameFlash Not a Mac...

	01-11-2003 12:35									#11
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: whats a "gaming computer"?

Alienware.

	02-11-2003 13:56									#12
	Support Apolyton

I never buy whole computers anymore anyways.

I agree, even though I play a lot of computer games, I don't play first person shooters. So FPS isn't a big deal for me. Though I do play some graphics heavy RPG's. So I do need some decent graphics. But I especially need RAM. Especially if I decide to play Star Wars Galaxies (if they fix it), and Everquest 2. I also play Morrowind, and might buy dungeon siege expansion. Also I heard stuff about temple of elemental evil (though I heard about slowdowns with that game- they may need to fix it up). And knights of the old republic is coming to the pc!

But other than those new games I might buy. I will continues to play my old tried and true favourites. Fallout. Baldur's Gate. Even Diablo2 every once in a while when the mood strikes me.

	03-11-2003 02:53									#13
	Tired of ads?

quote: Originally posted by Zero quote: whats a "gaming computer"? Alienware.

YEAH that Area 51 rig is da bomb!

	03-11-2003 03:49									#14
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

quote: Originally posted by Zero quote: whats a "gaming computer"? Alienware.

No, that's "an over priced rip-off"