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PC Hardware
If you just purchased an Xbox One or Playstation 4, I’m afraid I can’t help you as there is not much to be done to change what you have purchased. However, I’m talking about Personal Computer (PC) hardware, and we can do many things to improve performance up to a point.
If you are already tech-savvy about PCs, and are able to play the latest and greatest games, then this article may be too elementary for you. BUT, read on, as you may learn something. In my previous post, I talked about (OK my bride talked about) some games that can run on most computers. All you need is the latest versions of Flash or Java (they run in your browser) and the games will work, even on some older computers. In the past, I’ve been asked for my opinion on what sort of computer to buy. I’d ask, “What do you want to do with your computer?” Inevitably, the answer is read email, and surf the web. So, any basic new computer, laptop or tablet will suffice. These are available almost anywhere for under $500, and will include a LCD monitor most of the time. A short time later comes the great disillusionment.
What went wrong? Most of the time, it is because a program was installed, and refused to run or it ran poorly. It may not be a simple fix. People use computers these days for all sorts of things; video editing, modifying or enhancing your family’s vacation pictures, transferring VHS tapes to DVD. Either the computer is limited by memory, operating system (age), or does not have the proper graphics card needed for the task at hand. Most of the time it is because a game someone wanted to play won’t work. “How can that be? I just bought this computer last year!” What this means is we no longer use computers exclusively for email and surfing the web.
Today I will give you my advice, a new answer if you will, on what kind of computer to buy. It is based on what dairy farmers have known for quite some time; always breed your cows to the best available bull. Huh? Elder Mael must be having a senior moment! What the heck is up with the agriculture reference, I hear you say. It is simply this:
“Buy the best available computer you can afford.”
Why do I say this in a gaming column for older folks? It is that sooner or later, you’ll be glad you did. For example, let’s take a look at the requirements for Call of Duty: Ghosts, just released and Watch Dogs coming out next year:
Operating system: Windows7 or 8 64-bit. (32 bit is NOT supported)!
Minimum CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 @ 2.66Ghz or
AMD Phenom II X4 940 @ 3.0Ghz.
RAM (memory): 6 gigabytes, 8 recommended.
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti / AMD Radeon HD 5870
Video Cards
I do not currently have a system that is capable of running either of the games; so don’t feel “left out.” Modern games require lots and lots of video power to run. Modern video cards have at least a gigabyte of memory, and some have much more. Before you go out and buy the best Nvidia or AMD video card, be prepared for sticker shock. Usually a newly released video card goes for upwards of $1,000! Now don’t faint, as we DO NOT want to buy the latest and greatest video card. We want to buy the card that the new card is replacing, or even a generation before that. The generation interval for video cards is about six months. Purchasing the best video card today means that in a few months, it is no longer going to be the best. A newer card will replace it, and the price will drop on the older card, to make room at the top for the next latest and greatest in video technology. This is why I recommend buying the previous generation(s) of video card. A good rule of thumb is to purchase a card about six months to a year after it was introduced. You get really good graphics for an equally good price. Prices fall dramatically at first, and then taper off, until it’s a couple of years old, when it will no longer be available. For example, video cards mentioned above are about two years old and cost about $100. I’d go ahead and buy a newer video card if you want to play Call of Duty: Ghosts, or Watch Dogs.
Many mid level or even higher end beginner computers come with integrated graphics. What this means is the video card is actually on the main board, and will use some of the computer memory to do its job. Some newer computers come with really good integrated graphics (modern CPUs actually have video graphics right on the chip) and can actually play many of the available games. But what about next year when a new game is released? Well, many of the new computers will have integrated video, but may also come with an empty video card slot. When purchasing a computer, I would recommend making sure it has an empty PCI Express x16 Slot. Don’t panic! PCI is short for Peripheral Component Interconnect, which is why everyone calls it a PCI slot. There are other PCI slot types, so make sure yours will be able to use a video card. Now another problem may rear its ugly head; modern video cards need more power than you can imagine, and most likely will need a separate power connector from your computer’s power supply. One way entry level computers save money is to use a low end power supply, with just enough power to run the machine as it was sold to you. You may find that the needed 6 and/or 8 pin power source, is not available. If that happens, you’ll need to replace your power supply, or find an adaptor.
Computer Memory
Most basic computers now come with a generous amount of memory. Also called RAM (Random Access Memory), you’ll see 4 gigabytes or maybe more being available in computers that cost around $600. As long as you can match the type of memory that is installed or outright replace it with 2 or 4 new memory sticks. It is one of the most inexpensive upgrades you can make to your computer. The most commonly currently used memory is DDR3; DDR stands for Double Date Rate. An individual stick of memory has 240 pins on it. Older computers will have plain DDR memory, and have 184 pins. The different types are not interchangeable. This also means laptop memory is NOT compatible with desktop memory. And, don’t worry; DDR4 is set to debut in 2014.
Here is a diagram that may help:
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR3_SDRAM )
There are many technical differences between the types, but a good rule of thumb is to not mix different manufacturers, and pair up your sticks. Buy them in pairs; luckily most come that way.
How can you tell what kind of video card, memory and processor you have without opening up your computer? That will be my next blog entry.
Meanwhile, stay cool!
Elder Mael 