Throwing my two cents in:

I was excited when Microsoft announced last week they're doing the 'free XBox with a laptop' deal again. I never had the disposable income to get an Xbox since my main console purchase was the original PS3, and I have a fairly updated gaming PC (need a new laptop for school); just didn't seem worth the money to buy another console.

I was stoked to get the free Xbox, but then I thouhgt about what games to get. Well I played Halo 1 and 2 on PC and wasn't blown away or anything by them. Played Gears 1 on the PC and didn't like it. Therefore, those two franchises are thrown out (plus the fact that I don't enjoy multiplayer very much, so I wouldn't get either just to play multiplayer). Already have Gran Turismo 5 and some other racing sims on PC, so Forza was thrown out.

And then I was honestly stumped as to what games I could possibly get. What are some good gaming experiences on Xbox that aren't on PC or PS3?

So, yes, I do agree that Microsoft's exclusives are lacking TO ME. But I could see how someone who is a fan of those franchises (GeOW, Halo, Forza) would enjoy that line-up.

Just my $0.02.

Thanks for replies all. Yeah, I'm not sure why the graphics card didn't go out, so that plus all of your responses makes me feel safe to play the game again.

Eh, if it died just like that, it was bound to do it, eventually. What motherboard did you have, anyway?

Diophage

It's an MSI X58 Pro

I decided to start using texture mods for Mass Effect 2. This one, specifically: http://www.facepunch.com/threads/1052033-Mass-Effect-2-High-Resolution-Texture-Mod

I used the "Ultra Textures" version. My game ran fine, no loss of FPS, and everything looked awesome.

Then one night when I was playing, I paused the game to go eat. I came back, and my system was off. Long story short, the motherboard was fried.

I just got my computer up running again with a new motherboard.

Could this mod (or any graphics-intensive game) have caused the mobo to fry? I'm hesitant to play again...

Thanks in advance.

I don't know much about laptop GPUs so I need some help.

I know that the Radeon HD 5870 is better than the Geforce GT 330M, but how much better is it?

Of the following games, how close could each card get to maxing it (given 6GB DDR3 RAM and a Core-i7 @ 1.60Ghz):
- Crysis
- Mass Effect 2
- Fallout 3
- GTA4

Thanks in advance.

Might be the wrong place, and probably a stupid question, but is there a way to convert my PS3 game save for Fallout 3 so it works with the PC version?

I rented Fallout 3 for the PS3 when it came out, and I just got a gaming comp capable of running Fallout 3, so i purchased it but I don't want to have to start all over if that's possible..

The PC saves are FOS files and the PS3 saves are:

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the replies.

Those are gonna be the final specs.

Thanks for all the help.

Also, will the above set up be able to run most games on highest settings at 1920x1200?

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the replies.

Unless you want the best of the best and plan on doing lots of rendering I wouldn't get the core i7, it's not worth the cost. a core 2 will run all games for the next few year just fine. why get a tri sli motherboard if you are only getting a single gpu? that's a waste of money. no game wont run well and a single 260gts. You don't need a core i7 to max crysis, it can only use 2 cores and is gpu limited. a radeon 4870 can run it on very high. get either a core 2 e8500 or q9550 4gb ram or phenom 2 x3 702/x4 920 and radeon 4870/geforce gtx260 either of those will run new games great cost half as much. imprezawrx500

The reason I have a tri sli motherboard is, as stupid as it sounds, that's basically what iBuyPower offers...

I also want this to be as "future proof" as possible.

Here are the (most likely) final specs:
(frome iBuyPower)
- Intel Core i7 920 Processor (4x 2.66GHz/8MB L3 Cache)
- XIGMATEK Dark Knight 120mm CPU Cooling Fan System H.D.T. (Heat-pipe direct touch) technology
- MSI X58-PRO Intel X58 CrossFire and SLI Supported Chipset w/7.1 Sound, Gb LAN, Triple-Channel DDR3, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0, Triple PCI-E MB 3-Way SLI
- 6 GB [2 GB X3] DDR3-1600 Triple Memory Module Corsair or Major Brand
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 2GB w/DVI + TV Out Video
- 320 GB HDD
- 800-Watt Power Supply
- Onboard Sound (I guess? I don't really know what that means...)
TOTAL (with shipping): $1488

Yes? No?

Thanks in advance.

yes, the 4890 is directly comparable to the GTX285. And also the GTX275. There is not much difference between the three in frames. The 4890 is just a better price. With the 4890 I can max any game at 1680x1050 with 4AA. Now if you got a card with 2GB video memory you may pull off 8AA. That would be the only real difference.

chris24l

Thanks for the reply.

What you said now makes me want to lean towards the 2GB GTX 285...

Thanks for the reply.

I'm most probably going to go with iBuyPower's system (them building it and shipping it) versus buying everything myself from NewEgg.

So the ATi 4890 is dircetly comparable to the nVidia GTX 285?

Also, what is the difference between the 1GB and 2GB GTX 285?

Thanks in advance.