How much PC do I need to run Crysis, Bioshock etc??

[glen]

My PC was built in 2003, and I have never kept a PC this long. Usually I update or tweak it every 2 to 3 years.

 

[AzN]

For Crysis there's not a PC that can max it out and still get 60fps.

Bioshock is okay for the most part. You can max it out with current midrange cards no problem including the 4670 with a modern dual core CPU.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: glen
My PC was built in 2003, and I have never kept a PC this long. Usually I update or tweak it every 2 to 3 years.

Budget?

 

[Lonyo]

My 7800GT struggled horribly with Bioshock, but when I upgraded the same machine (X2 4200+, 2GB RAM) to an HD4850 it was smooth as butter with everything on and up (1680x1050).

Bioshock is all about the atmosphere which is why high settings are IMO a must.
Crysis I played at 1680x1050 on my 7800GT and although frame rates were low and graphics pretty poor, I could still play it and it wasn't too bad. With the HD4850 I could just increase settings but they don't have much of an impact in terms of game enjoyment (except nicer frame rates).

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: glen
My PC was built in 2003, and I have never kept a PC this long. Usually I update or tweak it every 2 to 3 years.

You need a C2D, 2-4GB of RAM, and a $150-$200 graphics card as a starting point. What's your budget and current system?

 

[Foxery]

The midrange parts of current generation CPUs and GPUs will blow your socks off. Check out the Ars Technica System Guide for a general idea of what to look for, and possible budget levels. Note that their price targets include a monitor and speakers, so if you are happy with your current ones, slash another $300 off their figures.

 

[glen]

Do we need to get quad core or Vista?

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: glen
Do we need to get quad core or Vista?

Need Niether..

There is a Custom Crysis PC on sale for $700. They've (including crytek) sponsored this pc and they put XP on it. So that says something... and its only a dual core too.

If that's in your budget, I'd consider that since it is tweaked for gaming and designed as a budget gaming pc.

You don't really NEED a quad core. A faster core2duo would be fine. I'd opt for a dual core with faster memory than vice versa.

 

[glen]

Don't you need vista for Direct X 10?

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: glen
Do we need to get quad core or Vista?

Need Niether..

There is a Custom Crysis PC on sale for $700. They've (including crytek) sponsored this pc and they put XP on it. So that says something... and its only a dual core too.

If that's in your budget, I'd consider that since it is tweaked for gaming and designed as a budget gaming pc.

You don't really NEED a quad core. A faster core2duo would be fine. I'd opt for a dual core with faster memory than vice versa.

I was just going to say this. I've heard very good things about the Crysis $700 machine. They test, tweak, and 'burn in' each machine to ensure it works properly and up to Crysis standards before it goes out. If it gets really popular I don't know if they'd still do this, or it'll be a wait to get it.

 

[glen]

Wow - has everyone seen this:
http://farcry.us.ubi.com/index.php
I need a machine that will play that!

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: glen
Wow - has everyone seen this:
http://farcry.us.ubi.com/index.php
I need a machine that will play that!

Did you just ask AT if they have seen stuff about Far Cry 2? LOL what took you so long

BUT if you can get a PC that can handle Crysis it SHOULD handle Far Cry 2 alright. Now Crytek isn't involved in Far Cry 2 so I don't think they're the same engine, but it should be fairly comparable.

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Now Crytek isn't involved in Far Cry 2 so I don't think they're the same engine, but it should be fairly comparable.

Really? The game LOOKS so much like FarCry, I just assumed the engine was simply the next level of whatever engine it was, Crysis I think right?

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: glen

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Now Crytek isn't involved in Far Cry 2 so I don't think they're the same engine, but it should be fairly comparable.

Really? The game LOOKS so much like FarCry, I just assumed the engine was simply the next level of whatever engine it was, Crysis I think right?

Nope,I believe the story goes that the original Cry Engine was made Crytek and used in the original Far Cry. Then Crytek made the CryEngine 2 for Crysis, and Ubisoft made their own engine (Dunia) for Far Cry 2.

 

[BladeVenom]

Far Cry 2 is also being made for consoles, so the system requirement to run it will be a lot lower than those for Crysis.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Here's a good mix of parts for ~$900 without Windows.

Gigabyte intel P43 chipset mobo (or Asus P5Q Pro intel P45 chipset if you need RAID or firewire)
intel E8400 CPU (3.0 GHz dual core)
4 GB PC800 DDR2 -- I like Crucial
ATI 4870 or the new updated nv GTX 260 with 216 stream processors
WD 640 GB HD (2-platter and as fast as the old Raptors)

PSU: ~600 watt, Seasonic is one good brand, or ~700 if you bought the (P5Q Pro & 4870) and might add a second 4870 later
Case: whatever you like.

I have the E8400 + 4870 and they're a good combo for Mass Effect and Neverwinter 2 MotB at 1600x1200.

 

[JasonCoder]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
Far Cry 2 is also being made for consoles, so the system requirement to run it will be a lot lower than those for Crysis.

Not always the case. If they take the route Bethesda did with the Elder Scrolls it will run like shit and won't get much better on top end systems.

 

[FalseChristian]

Looking at those visuals it makes Crysis look like Doom in Comparison. It's gonna need at least core2Duo E8400 overclocked to 3.6GHz and 2 Radeon HD 5870 X2s or 2 GeForce GTX 350s to get 50 fps at 1600x1200 or lower.:thumbsdown: