[QUOTE="Bozanimal"]

There was an article written early this year/late last year on either HardOCP or Tom's Hardware examining this exact question. Their conclusion - if I recall - was that even old computers are capable of running modern games when they have the latest graphics card installed. After that came the CPU, bus speed (I know, weird), system memory, and then I forget. :)

Rhamsus

bus speed is very important. its literally the speed at which data can be sent between components. (simple defintion) low bus speeds will slow down the fastest of CPUs.

Rhamsus, you make me feel like that ad where Jessica Simpson says, "It's broadcast in 1080i, I don't know what that means but I want it," only I'm less hot. Much less.

There was an article written early this year/late last year on either HardOCP or Tom's Hardware examining this exact question. Their conclusion - if I recall - was that even old computers are capable of running modern games when they have the latest graphics card installed. After that came the CPU, bus speed (I know, weird), system memory, and then I forget. :)

Any DDR RAM is compatibledayaccus007

This is not true, many motherboards are picky about the RAM they are compatible with, which is why Gigabyte and other motherboard manufacturers provide memory compatibility lists.

This will not help with the software section of the install, but will walk you through the hardware aspect. Installing a graphics card is that easy. More tips on building a new PC in my blog. Best of luck with your own build.

Xaos, I thought time was an absolute, and that our relative perception was the only variable. This was also really meant to be philosophical rather than scientific.

For example, the hummingbird experiences normal time, it is our relative time that is slower to he hummingbird. ;)

fruits and vegtables, lean meats (chicken, fish, etc.)

Avoid Fried foods and/or foods high in sugar (desserts, soda,etc.)

Eat smaller meals (at least 4 a day)

skullkrusher13

What he said, only eat twice as much veggies, fruit, and meat as normal, drop all carbohydrates and sugars, and eat more frequently. No soda at all - not even diet - goes a long way.

Still think we are the only life? :lol: if so that's pretty ignorant.Brainkiller05

I wouldn't say it's ignorant. There is a distinct possibility that no intelligent (I believe you are implying intelligent) life beyond earth. That being said, the opposite holds true as well.

Personally, I think that there was an alien civilization millions of years ago, and someday we will discover it visually. However, the light will also be millions of years old, and therefore we will be watching an active civilation on earth through out instruments, yet the civilization will have passed into history.

It's sad, really.

with the way consoles have been coming up in price is this really a shock? i mean come on a PS3 for $600 add a controller and a game and we are at $700+ i could build a nice rig with that and guess what? households need PCs they dont need PS3s. so why not just spend the extra 300 on the PC you have to buy anyway to make it a decent gaming rig? two birds with 1 stone IMO.

Rhamsus

I think this makes a lot of sense. It's easier to appropriate something people already own - PCs - for gaming rather than force them to buy dedicated hardware, at least in theory. ;)

In its article, "Gaming PCs for the Masses" (subscription required), the Wall Street Journal discusses the attractiveness of the gaming PC marketplace. They cover Dell's XPS models, HP's purchase of VooDoo PC, and other large manufacturer entries into the market. A good read if you want to pick up a Wall Street Journal today. An excerpt:

Overall, world-wide sales of gaming PCs are expected to grow 39% to 2.7 million units this year, according to Endpoint Technologies Associates Inc. That's far faster than the 10% growth of overall PC sales last year, according to IDC. What's more, the margins from gaming PCs are far higher than those of regular PCs, which retail for an average $731.51, according to the latest figures from Current Analysis West. Analysts say in particular, gaming notebook PCs will be in high demand, mimicking the larger PC industry.

Boz