Best hardware combination for gameplay ?

lotharbucheim · 09-18-07, 05:42 AM

Hi guys..first may I say a HUGE thank you to all the modders whose hard work has made this game such an awesome experience ! I need your advice, as i am a computer-illiterate sub-simmer who has no real knowledge of computers but wants to enjoy SH3 with GWX to its full extent.My old computer is suffering witrh the demands of GWX 1.03, and the frame rate is very bad. its time for an upgrade, but I really want to upgrade to a machine that will let me play this game to its full capacity. I havent decided on a budget yet, so I would be really grateful for any suggestions as to how to get the best out of this game ( ie seamless frame rates, and all the capacity ) and then I can see how it will affect the bank account !... forgive my ignorance, but I would be very grateful for your help.

JCWolf · 09-18-07, 06:16 AM

Hey mate,

I guess a normal PC,
With as much Ram as you can but at least 2 Gb,
and a good Graphic Card...

Its what you need...

xxSWxxNinja · 09-18-07, 07:14 AM

I run 2gb and a 512mb card though I reckon 1gb and a 256mb card will run the game just fine on max graphics.

Hitman · 09-18-07, 07:14 AM

Ahoy Lothar,

From your post I can see that building it yourself is not an option

so you are going for a pre-built rig. Here are some hints that might help you:

- My current (3 years old) Pentium IV @2600 GHz with 2GB RAM and a 256MB ATI X800 runs GWX full detail, 16 Km visibility and all. So you should be fine with a modern PC, unless it is from the very lowest range.

- Key to performance is not the processor speed as you could think, but instead:

1.- Good overall transit of data (No "bottlenecks" caused by one cheaper component, like motherboard, video or RAM), i.e. a well balanced PC, and in that part the motherboard is ESSENTIAL. Look for one that admits faster processors and that allows the highest possible processor and RAM data output.

2.- A good videocard. Huge memory does not automatically mean higher performance, the chip speed matters a lot. NVidia are more stable, ATI have more performance for money, but do not render correctly some ffects in SH4.

3.- RAM. The more, the better. Even if your new PC can't run at all the speed the RAM admits, go for the higher spec RAM, as it will be later compatible with a processor upgrade. 2 GB should work marvels with GWX, but go for 1GB if costs skyrocket. Better 1GB of good memory now and a later upgrade, that 1,5 cheap GBs now.

When you are offered a PC, I would advice reading an internet review (Google search or go directly to Tom's hardware web) about at least: 1) Graphics card, and 2) Motherboard that comes shipped.

Finally, the integrated sound cards in many motherboards do a decent job, but they might become a bottleneck also when going for good performance in stressing games. Consider purchasing a dedicated Sound Card from Creative, and you will get better sounds plus performance.

Hope that helps, but in any case if you wish, post here the specs of the PC you are interested in, and we can help you evaluate it.

TheDarkWraith · 09-18-07, 01:45 PM

whatever you do get rid of the hard-drive that comes with the computer and throw in a SATA 150GB Raptor. Spinning at 10,000rpm she moves data and fast. That will cut down on your loading times big. I run two SATA Raptors in a RAID-0 and it's blazingly fast on the loads...well in everything for that matter. Go with the new Dual Core CPU's - I'm an AMD guy so I run the FX-62. My laptop runs the new core2 duo 2.0ghz and it does it just fine.
If you got some $$ buy an 8800GTX graphics card (BFG tech). I haven't found anything that can make this baby break a sweat yet.
Sound card - Sound Blaster X-Fi. Hands down - best card. I had the Audigy 2 and this X-Fi puts the Audigy 2 to shame.
Memory - 2GB is the limit for XP 32 bit (that is program addressable). If you get the 64bit version you can address much more. Plan on 2GB max memory. Windows Vista - hmm, I won't even go there as I'm not impressed with it AT ALL!

09-18-07, 05:42 AM	#1
lotharbucheim Seaman Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 31 Downloads: 49 Uploads: 0	Best hardware combination for gameplay ? Hi guys..first may I say a HUGE thank you to all the modders whose hard work has made this game such an awesome experience ! I need your advice, as i am a computer-illiterate sub-simmer who has no real knowledge of computers but wants to enjoy SH3 with GWX to its full extent.My old computer is suffering witrh the demands of GWX 1.03, and the frame rate is very bad. its time for an upgrade, but I really want to upgrade to a machine that will let me play this game to its full capacity. I havent decided on a budget yet, so I would be really grateful for any suggestions as to how to get the best out of this game ( ie seamless frame rates, and all the capacity ) and then I can see how it will affect the bank account !... forgive my ignorance, but I would be very grateful for your help.

09-18-07, 06:16 AM	#2
JCWolf Admiral Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Spain , Crossing Gibraltar! Posts: 2,292 Downloads: 202 Uploads: 1	Hey mate, I guess a normal PC, With as much Ram as you can but at least 2 Gb, and a good Graphic Card... Its what you need... __________________ JCWolf Mediafire SHIII Page User name : JCWolf Password : stefre@jcm

09-18-07, 07:14 AM	#3
xxSWxxNinja Seaman Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 35 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	I run 2gb and a 512mb card though I reckon 1gb and a 256mb card will run the game just fine on max graphics. __________________

09-18-07, 07:14 AM	#4
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	Ahoy Lothar, From your post I can see that building it yourself is not an option so you are going for a pre-built rig. Here are some hints that might help you: - My current (3 years old) Pentium IV @2600 GHz with 2GB RAM and a 256MB ATI X800 runs GWX full detail, 16 Km visibility and all. So you should be fine with a modern PC, unless it is from the very lowest range. - Key to performance is not the processor speed as you could think, but instead: 1.- Good overall transit of data (No "bottlenecks" caused by one cheaper component, like motherboard, video or RAM), i.e. a well balanced PC, and in that part the motherboard is ESSENTIAL. Look for one that admits faster processors and that allows the highest possible processor and RAM data output. 2.- A good videocard. Huge memory does not automatically mean higher performance, the chip speed matters a lot. NVidia are more stable, ATI have more performance for money, but do not render correctly some ffects in SH4. 3.- RAM. The more, the better. Even if your new PC can't run at all the speed the RAM admits, go for the higher spec RAM, as it will be later compatible with a processor upgrade. 2 GB should work marvels with GWX, but go for 1GB if costs skyrocket. Better 1GB of good memory now and a later upgrade, that 1,5 cheap GBs now. When you are offered a PC, I would advice reading an internet review (Google search or go directly to Tom's hardware web) about at least: 1) Graphics card, and 2) Motherboard that comes shipped. Finally, the integrated sound cards in many motherboards do a decent job, but they might become a bottleneck also when going for good performance in stressing games. Consider purchasing a dedicated Sound Card from Creative, and you will get better sounds plus performance. Hope that helps, but in any case if you wish, post here the specs of the PC you are interested in, and we can help you evaluate it. __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

09-18-07, 01:45 PM	#5
TheDarkWraith Black Magic Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 11,962 Downloads: 147 Uploads: 5	whatever you do get rid of the hard-drive that comes with the computer and throw in a SATA 150GB Raptor. Spinning at 10,000rpm she moves data and fast. That will cut down on your loading times big. I run two SATA Raptors in a RAID-0 and it's blazingly fast on the loads...well in everything for that matter. Go with the new Dual Core CPU's - I'm an AMD guy so I run the FX-62. My laptop runs the new core2 duo 2.0ghz and it does it just fine. If you got some $$ buy an 8800GTX graphics card (BFG tech). I haven't found anything that can make this baby break a sweat yet. Sound card - Sound Blaster X-Fi. Hands down - best card. I had the Audigy 2 and this X-Fi puts the Audigy 2 to shame. Memory - 2GB is the limit for XP 32 bit (that is program addressable). If you get the 64bit version you can address much more. Plan on 2GB max memory. Windows Vista - hmm, I won't even go there as I'm not impressed with it AT ALL!