"Ultra Mode" Hardware Reqs Known by Xmas?
By
AAQUI,
Posted on: 2009-11-09 14:05 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
Quote:
What about those that post and have no issues with it? Or those who don't post because... they have no issues with it? Rather hard to count that last group. If you're just going by those who complain in a support (even unofficial support) area, well, every product is "*censored.*" |
Originally Posted by je_saist
Just drop by the tech support forums and look at all of the people having massive issues with Microsoft's latest effort.
|
And how many of those issues are, frankly, user created?
(For the record - Win7 Home Premium, 64 bit, no issues at all - with *any* program I've thrown at it, I should add.)
Quote:
Only issue I had with my clean Win7 Ultimate 64 install was the same data transfer rate issue with SSD's from Vista. Fixed, albeit a pain in my tuckus.|
Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill
What about those that post and have no issues with it? Or those who don't post because... they have no issues with it? Rather hard to count that last group. If you're just going by those who complain in a support (even unofficial support) area, well, every product is "*censored.*"
And how many of those issues are, frankly, user created? (For the record - Win7 Home Premium, 64 bit, no issues at all - with *any* program I've thrown at it, I should add.) |
Had a major non_page BSoD problem, but that was because my RAM voltage settings were off (cus I'm a n00b). All fixed.
It is fairly likely that Ultra Mode will be using OpenGL 3 for at least some features, and may possibly require it to run Ultra Mode at all. While 3.0 only "officially" released in August 2008, many of the details have been around longer, so depending on manufacturer drivers are available for some older cards. It's an interesting question as to whether they'll be using OpenGL 3.0, 3.1 or 3.2.
OpenGL 3 is *roughly* equivalent to DirectX 10 in terms of hardware requirements, but doesn't require Windows Vista (or Windows at all, in fact).
On the Nvidia side, it doesn't matter much; currently any card that supports OpenGL 3 at all has driver updates to bring it up to (claimed) full 3.2 compliance. (It's not clear how well tested some of that is, as few games are actually using 3.2 yet.) This seems to be all GeForce 8xxx and newer (9xxx, 2xx, etc.) desktop chipsets, and all but the lowest-end equivalent mobile chipsets. See the Comparison of NVIDIA GPUs table for details, in the Graphics Library Support / OpenGL column.
ATI is more complex; according to the Comparison of ATI GPUs table, there are a number of chipsets that support 3.0 but do not have driver support for 3.2 compliance (e.g. the Radeon HD 4xxx line).
My recommendation at this point is that if your current card doesn't have support for even OpenGL 3.0, there's a substantial risk you'll be unable to turn on at least some of the Ultra Mode effects; and may not be able to use Ultra Mode at all. If you're getting a new card, make sure it supports OpenGL 3.0 at a *minimum*, and getting one that can properly support OpenGL 3.2 is a good idea.
One of the implications of this is that the folks still stuck on AGP are going to have an even tougher time of it. I'm not seeing any AGP Nvidia cards with OpenGL 3 support, and there are a scant few AGP ATI cards with OpenGL 3 support (Radeon HD 4650 and 4670 are still available in AGP versions for now). Time to start thinking about a more serious overhaul if you want Ultra Mode.
None of the above has to do with whether it's going to run Ultra Mode smoothly in combat; the above is about whether you can use it at all, even to take a shinier screenshot of your character at single-digit FPS. Based on the substantial performance hits of some of the similar Champions Online effects (realistic shadows in particular seems to hit lower end cards hard), my personal experience was that a ~300 GFLOP class card (GeForce 9600 GT) required me to turn off those effects to get playable combat performance; and Ultra Mode looks like it will be even harder on your system. I'd suggest planning for a ~700 GFLOP class card or better if possible, and a ~1000 GFLOP class card may be a good idea if you've got the budget for it.
Miuramir, Windchime, Sariel the Golden, Scarlet Antinomist...
Casino Extortion #4031: Neutral, Council+Custom [SFMA/MLMA/SLMA/FHMA/CFMA]
Bad Candy #87938: Neutral, Custom [SFMA/MLMA/SLMA/FHMA/HFMA]
CoH Helper * HijackThis
If you can run Crysis at a decent clip (around 30 FPS) you'll be more than able to run Ultra Mode. This graphical update is mostly about taking advantage of those nifty video card features that cost very little to no performance if said card supports it.
Branching Paragon Police Department Epic Archetype, please!
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by RadDidIt
So, so true.
But what foo' buys their system straight from Dell? Like I said, Ultra mode is for ULTRA players. :P |
Er. Me.
Becuase frankly, A) While I can upgrade individual components within my PC (and do), actually building one from scratch would make my head spin. B) I don't have the TIME to do that sort of shopping and assembly, and 3) Because well, it's a helluva lot easier.
As a result, I'm not exactly willing to drop another couple hundred bucks to pick up a 64-bit OS when my current one seems to run just fine for pretty much everything I chuck at it.
...there's a strange undercurrent of elitism running through certain members of this thread: "Ultra mode should only be for teh hardcorez gamerz who have loads of cash to spend on their system to keep it bleeding edge"...which frankly, isn't good business for Paragon, 'cause that is NOT where the majority of PC gamers are.
I'm hoping my vid card can support most of the innovations, but we'll see. I may yet need to upgrade.
The Cape Radio - You're not super until you put on The Cape!
Quote:
Take a look at your ram and video card. Can you swap those out if need be? Great now build a system.|
Originally Posted by LunarEclipse
Er. Me.
Becuase frankly, A) While I can upgrade individual compoents within my PC (and do), actually building one from scratch would make my head spin. B) I don't have the TIME to do that sort of shopping and assembly, and 3) Becuase well, it's a helluva lot easier. As a result, I'm not exactly willing to drop another couple hundred bucks to pick up a 64-bit OS when my current one seems to run just fine for pretty much everythign I chuck at it. ...there's a strange undercurrent of elitism running through certain members of this thread: "Ultra mode should only be for teh hardcorez gamerz who have loads of cash to spend on their system to keep it bleeding edge"...which frankly, isn't good business for Paragon, 'cause that is NOT where the majority of PC gamers are. I'm hoping my vid card can support most of the innovations, but we'll see. i may yet need to upgrade. |
Seriously it's not hard just pick compatible parts and plug em in.
The motherboard manual will answer almost any questions you come up with. Software stuff is a lot harder then slapping in pieces parts to make the frankenmachine of your dreams.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by LunarEclipse
Er. Me.
Becuase frankly, A) While I can upgrade individual components within my PC (and do), actually building one from scratch would make my head spin. B) I don't have the TIME to do that sort of shopping and assembly, and 3) Because well, it's a helluva lot easier. As a result, I'm not exactly willing to drop another couple hundred bucks to pick up a 64-bit OS when my current one seems to run just fine for pretty much everything I chuck at it. ...there's a strange undercurrent of elitism running through certain members of this thread: "Ultra mode should only be for teh hardcorez gamerz who have loads of cash to spend on their system to keep it bleeding edge"...which frankly, isn't good business for Paragon, 'cause that is NOT where the majority of PC gamers are. I'm hoping my vid card can support most of the innovations, but we'll see. I may yet need to upgrade. |
Seriously, I used to think the same way, and then...
I realized that building a computer (NOT PROGRAMMING! <----) is just adult Legos. Stuff only goes in one spot.
Loads of cash? I have a rig worth 6 grand on Dell/Alien and built it over 2 years for about 1000 total.
You know how I learned to build a comp?
Tada!
Quote:
Except real Legos can go in more than one spot.
|
Originally Posted by RadDidIt
I realized that building a computer (NOT PROGRAMMING! <----) is just adult Legos. Stuff only goes in one spot.
|
Branching Paragon Police Department Epic Archetype, please!
Quote:
I'd say try it anyway. It's worth the money to put in the little bit of time, and really - if something doesn't fit, or if you're having to push to get it in there, whatever it is is either turned around or doesn't go there in the first place. |
Originally Posted by LunarEclipse
Er. Me.
Becuase frankly, A) While I can upgrade individual components within my PC (and do), actually building one from scratch would make my head spin. |
Quote:
| As a result, I'm not exactly willing to drop another couple hundred bucks to pick up a 64-bit OS when my current one seems to run just fine for pretty much everything I chuck at it. |
Quote:
| ...there's a strange undercurrent of elitism running through certain members of this thread: "Ultra mode should only be for teh hardcorez gamerz who have loads of cash to spend on their system to keep it bleeding edge"...which frankly, isn't good business for Paragon, 'cause that is NOT where the majority of PC gamers are. |
(That said, I'll likely have a new system either built or in the works by the time GR goes live anyway - this one's over 3 years old now, some portions are as upgraded as they *can* be, or close to it, so it's getting to be time.)
Quote:
I barely trust myself to put in a graphics card >_> I almost ruined my last computer because I thought my memory sticks were corrupted after I pulled them out. After failing to sell them, I put them back in the motherboard. I swear up and down the damn street that I pushed both sticks all the way in...my damn fingers were sore from pushing down to make sure they were locked in. After so many forced restarts, I did one last check to make sure the memory sticks were pushed in...turns out one of them wasn't *deep sigh* and then I get the joyous message of a corrupted start up file.
|
Originally Posted by RadDidIt
Seriously, I used to think the same way, and then...
I realized that building a computer (NOT PROGRAMMING! <----) is just adult Legos. Stuff only goes in one spot. Loads of cash? I have a rig worth 6 grand on Dell/Alien and built it over 2 years for about 1000 total. You know how I learned to build a comp? Tada! |
Quote:
OEM's are sold with an either-or media. You buy 32-bit and 64-bit separately.|
Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill
Every windows 7 box you get (retail, not sure about OEM) = both versions.
|
Granted, if you could get your hands on BOTH media types, you're set for whatever.
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
Quote:
Checked my card on that comparison list and it says 1062.720 GFLOPs. Woo hoo!
|
Originally Posted by Miuramir
...
None of the above has to do with whether it's going to run Ultra Mode smoothly in combat; the above is about whether you can use it at all, even to take a shinier screenshot of your character at single-digit FPS. Based on the substantial performance hits of some of the similar Champions Online effects (realistic shadows in particular seems to hit lower end cards hard), my personal experience was that a ~300 GFLOP class card (GeForce 9600 GT) required me to turn off those effects to get playable combat performance; and Ultra Mode looks like it will be even harder on your system. I'd suggest planning for a ~700 GFLOP class card or better if possible, and a ~1000 GFLOP class card may be a good idea if you've got the budget for it. |
Playstation 3 - XBox 360 - Wii - PSP
Remember kids, crack is whack!
Samuel_Tow: Your avatar is... I think I like it
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill
A couple hundred bucks? I hope you're talking about system price - which itself is false, unless you're looking at a new system anyway. Windows 7 = 32 and 64 bit in the same package. Same product key. Every windows 7 box you get (retail, not sure about OEM) = both versions. |
I'm Canadian, our software prices are a tincher higher than down south.
The basic upgrade backage for Vista to 7 here is 130 bucks plus tax (Thus, 150 bucks). Thus I exaggerated a bit, but not hugely.
Still, I'd rather buy DJ Hero for that kinda bank. *g*
Edit: Now, just to elaborate/shore up my position here: I'm not saying that GR is likely to take a monster system, or that it'll break the bank to get a system that'll run it properly. I'm arguing that it's not in the best interests of the devs to create such a richly-anticipated feature that REQUIRES a monster system to run, and thus would only be available to a small number of players. I'm reasonably sure my existing system will be able to run MOST of the GR features just fine.
The Cape Radio - You're not super until you put on The Cape!
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill
(That said, I'll likely have a new system either built or in the works by the time GR goes live anyway - this one's over 3 years old now, some portions are as upgraded as they *can* be, or close to it, so it's getting to be time.)
|
Considering the nature of the graphics upgrade, it's fairly certain that a system capable of running it at least "acceptably" shouldn't break the bank.
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
I bought the 64bit OEM version of Windows 7 the day it came out from MICROCENTER.
Nothing was "seperate" cost me 89.99$
It was the STAND ALONE... (Not upgrade)
------------------
and again, I think ultra mode should be for 64 bit systems. That is what ULTRA is all about.
Well, I won't be upgrading my OS in order to play in ultra mode. It would make more sense to make it available to both.
Quote:
By "separate" I mean you didn't get a copy of the 32-bit-only Win7 Install media.|
Originally Posted by Perfect_Pain
I bought the 64bit OEM version of Windows 7 the day it came out from MICROCENTER.
Nothing was "seperate" cost me 89.99$ |
With the Retail, you get both.
Quote:
| It was the STAND ALONE... (Not upgrade) |
Quote:
| and again, I think ultra mode should be for 64 bit systems. That is what ULTRA is all about. |
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
Quote:
*nod* Yeah, I already have the system mostly priced out. Components now, depending on if I go AMD or Intel = around $1100-$1200, and that's with splurging on one or two items (I'm picky about cases, and the two I'm looking at - both coolermaster, both apparently wonderful to work in - run about $200 sans power supply.) No SSDs or anything fancy, twin "good old fashioned" HDs - and the prices on some of those components will likely go down by the time I buy them.
|
Originally Posted by Hyperstrike
Considering the nature of the graphics upgrade, it's fairly certain that a system capable of running it at least "acceptably" shouldn't break the bank.
|
Quote:
My tower. :P |
Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill
*nod* Yeah, I already have the system mostly priced out. Components now, depending on if I go AMD or Intel = around $1100-$1200, and that's with splurging on one or two items (I'm picky about cases, and the two I'm looking at - both coolermaster, both apparently wonderful to work in - run about $200 sans power supply.) No SSDs or anything fancy, twin "good old fashioned" HDs - and the prices on some of those components will likely go down by the time I buy them.
|
*coughs* My airflow cooling system
Great, now I'm saddened. From what I'm hearing here my laptop isn't quite up to snuff. I obviously didn't have that much of a choice in parts but I got the best graphics card I could get with the machine (curse you lack of knowledge of netbooks). I have a NVidia GeForce 8600M GS with 512mb dedicated RAM and DirectX 10. Not the best I know but I manage to run CoX on maxed out settings right now with no slowdown (save rubberbanding caused by server lag in instances like invasions) as well as run several other applications at the same time. I have 4 gb of RAM and a 64 bit operating system. Though from what I'm hearing it looks like I'm gonna be outta luck. Sadly I will not have the money for a dedicated gaming rig for a few years at least. Oh well.
Quote:
I already spec'ed out a $700-ish dollar system for someone that should run CoH in Ultra mode acceptably, so long as they aren't expecting to do it at 1920x1080 (though 1600x1050 looks almost doable).
|
Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill
*nod* Yeah, I already have the system mostly priced out. Components now, depending on if I go AMD or Intel = around $1100-$1200, and that's with splurging on one or two items (I'm picky about cases, and the two I'm looking at - both coolermaster, both apparently wonderful to work in - run about $200 sans power supply.) No SSDs or anything fancy, twin "good old fashioned" HDs - and the prices on some of those components will likely go down by the time I buy them.
|
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
Quote:
Eh, I try to avoid all the windows and lights and things. |
Originally Posted by RadDidIt
|
Current case - nice to work in.
New system is going in either this or this, most likely.
Heh. Yeah, skyscrapers are gettign popular. I still like my Zalman 9500s. though.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Memphis_Bill
Eh, I try to avoid all the windows and lights and things.
Current case - nice to work in. New system is going in either this or this, most likely. Heh. Yeah, skyscrapers are gettign popular. I still like my Zalman 9500s. though. |
That second case looks sleek and sexy.
Quote:
I'd love to hear the explanation explaining this statement. Mostly because as it stands, it lacks a certain... knowledge of operating systems and this game's requirements.| and again, I think ultra mode should be for 64 bit systems. That is what ULTRA is all about. |
Anyhoo, MB, I've got the cooler master cosmos. I love it a lot. Whatever rig I build next will go in that case and I'll buy something smaller to move the current gamer rig guts into.
Be well, people of CoH.
He's like the 40 Year Old Virgin of OS's.
"If you take it out of the plastic, it's worthless!"