"Fair enough, but shouldn’t a PC gamer know their machine’s specifications and then match these up to the system requirements listed on the game’s box?"
That depends on whether the "minimum specs" are genuinely based on requirements for the thing to run at all, or merely represent what someone putting together the box art thinks sounds like a likely spec of an average PC within the last 2-3 years.
I run a machine elements of which are on the ancient side (GF3Ti200 and an Athlon 850). I regard even the minimum specs on the box as suspect - my machine chugs along with Doom 3 happily whilst miles below the official specs and handled Prey without issue but won't touch Quake 4 as it specifically needs SSE (which the old Althlon lacks) - the QIV specs don't mention this, they just demand a P4 class or above (even though it would probably run fine on a P3). I understand that companies can't test their software with every feasible hardware combination but the information provided isn't enough to make an informed judgement - its frustrating knowing that on the offchance that your purchase won't work you're potentially out of luck "because you don't meet the published specs".
(I'm not a hardcore gamer and the machine works very well for its main role as a family PC/ PVR - it'll get replaced when it dies)
With hardware purchases its even sillier as you are very unlikely to need a 2GHz+ machine to install a new DVD burner or printer successfully... but it still gives the reatiler a get-out clause should it not work.
"And don't even get my started on why a time lord with a ship that can take him to anywhere in the universe spends every episode on earth!"
That would be due to the dark machinations of his ultimate nemesis, The Beancounter...
Even accepting the limitations of the format, the RTD-penned shows have seemed to be generally, weaker, sillier and more reliant on a McGuffin of the week than others. He's good at setting up a two parter but does seem to have problems with wrapping up the second part. He still deserves kudos for getting the show revived.
Register
14 posts • joined Thursday 14th June 2007 16:38 GMT
Twin Kingdom Valley. The "secret of life" as a sparkly/ gemmy thingy that literally took hours to render on screen (this was in the 8-bit days) :)
Possible new slogan?
IT
ONLY
REVEALS
EVERYTHING
The trouble with launch parties is...
....deciding what to use as a payload
Mice
"...and I for one welcome our geriatric murine overlords...."
The T plan
So dinosaurs were never fat, they were just big boned...
I'll get my coat - its the one made out of genetically-modified T-Rex skin.
Lingflation
Makes a nice change from the swinepocalypse. :)
Software specs
"Fair enough, but shouldn’t a PC gamer know their machine’s specifications and then match these up to the system requirements listed on the game’s box?"
That depends on whether the "minimum specs" are genuinely based on requirements for the thing to run at all, or merely represent what someone putting together the box art thinks sounds like a likely spec of an average PC within the last 2-3 years.
I run a machine elements of which are on the ancient side (GF3Ti200 and an Athlon 850). I regard even the minimum specs on the box as suspect - my machine chugs along with Doom 3 happily whilst miles below the official specs and handled Prey without issue but won't touch Quake 4 as it specifically needs SSE (which the old Althlon lacks) - the QIV specs don't mention this, they just demand a P4 class or above (even though it would probably run fine on a P3). I understand that companies can't test their software with every feasible hardware combination but the information provided isn't enough to make an informed judgement - its frustrating knowing that on the offchance that your purchase won't work you're potentially out of luck "because you don't meet the published specs".
(I'm not a hardcore gamer and the machine works very well for its main role as a family PC/ PVR - it'll get replaced when it dies)
With hardware purchases its even sillier as you are very unlikely to need a 2GHz+ machine to install a new DVD burner or printer successfully... but it still gives the reatiler a get-out clause should it not work.
@Sam
Four words.
"Would you like cashback?"
(If I wanted ***ing cahback I'd have ***ing asked for cashback)
@Andy
"And don't even get my started on why a time lord with a ship that can take him to anywhere in the universe spends every episode on earth!"
That would be due to the dark machinations of his ultimate nemesis, The Beancounter...
Even accepting the limitations of the format, the RTD-penned shows have seemed to be generally, weaker, sillier and more reliant on a McGuffin of the week than others. He's good at setting up a two parter but does seem to have problems with wrapping up the second part. He still deserves kudos for getting the show revived.
More Moffattt should be a very good thing :)
Wonder if it'll ever work on an old Netgem?
The old Flash 4 limitation probably doesn't help - but what's wrong with wanting to see iPlayer via an iPlayer?
Comet, you say?
Remind me - what was Comet's old slogan?
So she's left them short of two Inches?
I'll get my coat.
Wet Fuzz
So now we know what Pegg and Frost can do for a sequel...
NASA Tech support
"Have you tried turning it off, then turning it on again..."