Game to test system with.

[masterofzion]

I just built a new system (Core2Duo E8400, 4 GB DD2, EVGA 894 MB GTX 260). I'd thought that maybe doom3 would test it - but I am able to run it at max settings without much of a problem. Other than Crysis, are there any games that I can try out that would put the system through its paces AND be fun to play?

Thanks.

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: masterofzion
I just built a new system (Core2Duo E8400, 4 GB DD2, EVGA 894 MB GTX 260). I'd thought that maybe doom3 would test it - but I am able to run it at max settings without much of a problem. Other than Crysis, are there any games that I can try out that would put the system through its paces AND be fun to play?

Thanks.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R (I can't max out Clear Sky)

The Witcher

That's all I can think of at any rate.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Why wouldn't you use Crysis? I OCed my Q6600 and was able to run prime95, orthos, etc., all stable for extended periods. I tried running Crysis, and it crashed in the opening scene. It seems to be, in my eyes, the single quickest way to test system stability. Whether or not you like the game shouldn't enter into your calculations if your goal is to test your system; after all, Prime95, memtest, Orthos, 3Dmark, and other benchmarking software really aren't all that "fun;" they provide a useful look at how your system is performing and help you diagnose problems with hardware components.

Use Crysis to test your system, and when you've verified it's all running correctly, play a game you actually want to play.

 

[AMDZen]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
Why wouldn't you use Crysis? I OCed my Q6600 and was able to run prime95, orthos, etc., all stable for extended periods. I tried running Crysis, and it crashed in the opening scene. It seems to be, in my eyes, the single quickest way to test system stability. Whether or not you like the game shouldn't enter into your calculations if your goal is to test your system; after all, Prime95, memtest, Orthos, 3Dmark, and other benchmarking software really aren't all that "fun;" they provide a useful look at how your system is performing and help you diagnose problems with hardware components.

Use Crysis to test your system, and when you've verified it's all running correctly, play a game you actually want to play.

Except you don't have to PAY for any of the tools you just listed, Crysis costs money. Why pay $30 for a game your never going to play?

 

[Zenoth]

Crysis
Crysis: Warhead
Unreal Tournament 3
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
Medieval II: Total War

In MII: TW all you need to do is to populate a skirmish game with 80,000 troops on the field at maximum settings with AA and AF at high resolutions, and I guarantee you that Crysis in comparison runs very, very, very smoothly.

 

[nitromullet]

Racedriver GRID - Lots of cool visual effects like motion blur and HDR lighting that will push your GTX 260, plus it's really fun if you like racing games. I suggest getting a wheel for this one, or at least an Xbox 360 controller.

Fallout 3 (launches in Oct.)- Not sure about this one yet, but it's a Bethesda game. They have history of making decent, pretty games with fairly steep hardware requirements.

Unreal Tournament 3 + PhysX map pack from NVIDIA - UT3 is a fun enough MP shooter as it is, and checking out the PhysX map pack is a must just to see what all the fuss is about. PhysX is not a reason enough to get the game, but is definitely worth checking out if you already have it.

Gears of War - another Unreal3 engine game. Some people like it, some don't as much. Check out some reviews to see if it sounds like your thing.

Assassin's Creed - Gorgeous game that will make full use of your hardware. Admittedly, it does tend to get a repetitive, so definitely read some reviews to see if it's your thing before you buy. I highly recommend an Xbox 360 controller for this game.

 

[duragezic]

You don't think Crysis is fun to play? It may not be the best game ever but for the $20 or $30 max at which it costs now, I think it is easily worth it for the gameplay and is also going to be great for benchmarking your new system.

Also I agree with Clear Sky. It requires a pretty haus rig.

 

[angry hampster]

Don't knock crysis until you've tried it.

Download the free demo and you will get hooked.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I assumed OP already had Crysis. If he's just assuming that it's not fun to play despite it's comparatively high scores across multiple review sites and magazines, well...

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

I'd give Bioshock a try if you don't care about it's DRM, I had fun with the game and it can be found for under $20 dollars at times.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: Zenoth
In MII: TW all you need to do is to populate a skirmish game with 80,000 troops on the field at maximum settings with AA and AF at high resolutions, and I guarantee you that Crysis in comparison runs very, very, very smoothly.

What are you testing there though? Sounds like a CPU test -- like most RTS max unit tests.

 

[Zenoth]

Originally posted by: skace

Originally posted by: Zenoth
In MII: TW all you need to do is to populate a skirmish game with 80,000 troops on the field at maximum settings with AA and AF at high resolutions, and I guarantee you that Crysis in comparison runs very, very, very smoothly.

What are you testing there though? Sounds like a CPU test -- like most RTS max unit tests.

Believe me, you'll also test the GPU, if not that only. You don't even need to start the fight, right after the map loads, before the units placement phase ends, the A.I isn't active at all, just move the camera around with that many soldiers, or more (it ain't limited to 80,000, it can be higher). If anyone even with a Tri-SLi system manages to get 60FPS at say 1600x1200+ with a minimum of 4xAA and 16xAF then I will be very surprised. When the fight actually starts then the A.I kicks in and the frames drop is ten fold higher.

My own system can barely sustain 2 Vs 2 matches with only troops (no catapults, no cavalry, only men) with around 30,000 units, and that's without grass, no shadows, no AA, no AF, at 1280x1024, everything else at maximum. The skirmishes can have a 4 Vs 4 confrontation setup (and with mods you can go beyond the 8 total players limit), and the 80,000 units count or so can be reached with a 3 Vs 3 match. Technically speaking I don't know of any other games capable of testing a GPU like this one under these specific circumstances, but it's barely known or noticed since people usually play Campaigns, and even with Huge army sizes it is a rare sight to see more than 3,000 men battles (total, including enemy's numbers).

And to test properly the camera needs to be placed close enough to the ground, because the further away it gets from the action and the less detailed the troops become, to the point where they can become sprites, in which case the frames rate usually goes up noticeably (although it's still slow).

 

[masterofzion]

What I meant when I excluded Crysis earlier is that I already have it, and I'm looking for alternatives. I picked up BioShock tonight and that has been working wonderfully. I've got a friend that has a copy of MWII that I can try out so I will do that too.

Thank you for all your responses.

 

[Renob]

For the OP run the Crysis demo!!!

Why wouldn't you use Crysis? I OCed my Q6600 and was able to run prime95, orthos, etc., all stable for extended periods. I tried running Crysis, and it crashed in the opening scene. It seems to be, in my eyes, the single quickest way to test system stability

Give us more info about your OC, Im running my Q6600 at 3Ghz my FSB is at 1300Mhz and my 8800GT is way overclocked and I have no problems with any benchmarks or Cryiss.

 

[geoffry]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
Why wouldn't you use Crysis? I OCed my Q6600 and was able to run prime95, orthos, etc., all stable for extended periods. I tried running Crysis, and it crashed in the opening scene. It seems to be, in my eyes, the single quickest way to test system stability. Whether or not you like the game shouldn't enter into your calculations if your goal is to test your system; after all, Prime95, memtest, Orthos, 3Dmark, and other benchmarking software really aren't all that "fun;" they provide a useful look at how your system is performing and help you diagnose problems with hardware components.

Use Crysis to test your system, and when you've verified it's all running correctly, play a game you actually want to play.

I found my OC to be stable in Crysis but Assassins Creed crashed me fast.