You could get an X2 now, but I think you'll be seriously fine with a single core. Depending on what dual core you would be willing to spend on, I suggest you wait until you actually need it which won't be a while unless you're one of those users who likes to run alot of programs at once---like me. AMD's Quad Core desktop CPU should be available by the end of the year which will be compatible with AM2 slots, despite designed with AM3 in mind. You do have an AM2 CPU and motherboard right?
But before I'd upgrade the CPU, I'd get a better graphics card most definetly.
That was one of the best breakdowns of the Wii's graphical capabilities.
I found that wall of text so interesting, thanks man for taking the time to write that.
komdosina
It should give only more reason for you to be pissed at developers. And on the clock speed thing, I've seen both 239 MHz and 243 MHz, and I went ahead with the smaller one "just in case" not to overestimatethe Wii. Well also like I had said you got to take into account what kind of shader programs the Hollywood GPU can pull off and how efficient it is at pulling them off. It's hard comparing capabilities when the GPUs use different architecture somewhat, so it's going to come down to real world conditions and games to see how they look. Hopefully the whole thing about being able to "emulate" shaders used on the 360 and PS3 is true and fully possible, because I don't want to see another Far Cry: Vengence on the Wii.
Okay, I was wondering why you where using the number 239 MHz, whether its 243 MHz or 239 MHz it still is faster then Xbox's 233 MHz GPU, but 243 MHz sounds better :). As for Far Cry, I would have been just as happy had it looked like the Xbox version with the same graphics and AI running at 30fps with no slowdown (maybe added four player split screen not just two), a perfectly acceptable graphical situation for a first generation Wii game. Of course UBI Soft chose the cheap and rushed option rather then put the roughly extra 6 or 7 months to make proper Xbox Far Cry port, which I would rather have then that berley PS2 version.
There is a reason why the Gamecube and PS2 versions of Far Cry Instincts were cancelled. I can say that even still, a PS2 or Gamecube version could look much better than Vengence. Vengence is one of the worse case scenarios of a rushed game. Oh and the reason why the Gamecube at least didn't get FC Instincts I'm sure was because of RAM limitations. The PS2 version I'm sure had the same issue plus the overall graphics fillrate probably failed to deliver enough.
You should post this on SW, it would bring up an interesting new twist to the debate about the Wii's graphics.
Personally with the whole developers being lazy thing, I think its basically a repeat of what happened with the PS2 - they arent willing to spend the time fine tuning the games, and making money from casuals is a big priority. Ubisoft themselves have acknowledged this mistake.
Quofan
True as many multi platform games of last generation did not get special graphics treatments for the Xbox or Gamecube versions which could've been clearly better looking.
LOL you guys get so pissed not finding a Wii. Working at a game store, I think people are jumping the gun on getting their hands on a Wii, there's not enough good software yet. But it's their money. Hell I jumped the gun too, only to be a bit dissapointed, but at least I use my Wii for Gamecube stuff :D
PC's require much more power due to what others have said- OS,anti-virus, and several other running programs. However ...consoles are adding these things as well. Wii, Xbox and PS3 all basically have operating systems now with background programs runnign for internet and other things. The biggest factor though it you have to remember that The Wii only has to worry about running games in 480x640. Knock any pc game down to that and you can see how low it is as far as resolution. The xbox and ps3 can run up to 1080i which is a much higher resolution (i dunno the exact dimensions).
The Wii will look pretty nice eventually but i dont see it blowing anyone away . It's a fun system and we need some lasting games that arent party games.
dieasgrey
Well every game system needs an OS (OSs are necessary for interfacing all the components so they work correctly). The real difference when it comes to hardware needs for PCs in comparison to consoles is RAM. Plus requiring so much RAM for games does make it easy to take full advantage of the system. With such high amounts of RAM, PCs can actually have much larger or more detailed worlds with less loading (albeit the GPU can render all that detail with ease). On consoles, textures and other data generally gets streamed into the RAM and into the GPU constantly, especially with certain games like Grand Theft Auto. Also the VRAM in PCs makes framebuffering very easy. I do think the Hollywood could have a better texture memory buffer, as it's 3 MB but I think 6 MB or so could have been better, but it can be worked around. Also the considerable amount of extra RAM at 88 MB should definetly help the Wii dish out alot more. The fact the Wii has so much more along with the fact that the Wii has really good texture memory compression capabilities for storage is a good sign. How so? Why need so much more memory unless your system is alot more powerful? I honestly do think a full 128 MB of RAM would have been a good idea, but the 88 MB is enough.
That was one of the best breakdowns of the Wii's graphical capabilities.
I found that wall of text so interesting, thanks man for taking the time to write that.
sonic_spark
It should give only more reason for you to be pissed at developers. And on the clock speed thing, I've seen both 239 MHz and 243 MHz, and I went ahead with the smaller one "just in case" not to overestimate the Wii. Well also like I had said you got to take into account what kind of shader programs the Hollywood GPU can pull off and how efficient it is at pulling them off. It's hard comparing capabilities when the GPUs use different architecture somewhat, so it's going to come down to real world conditions and games to see how they look. Hopefully the whole thing about being able to "emulate" shaders used on the 360 and PS3 is true and fully possible, because I don't want to see another Far Cry: Vengence on the Wii.
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