How Much Difference Does a Graphics Make

[jayzippo]

So I have been playing Oblivion since DAY ONE. I started with the XBOX 360, beat the game with that system. I used the 360 because the graphics were very good, and no lag (for the most part). I wouldnt use my computer, though it is good, if I tried to get any kind of graphics VIA a game it would LAG. SIMS 2 on MAX graphics would give me lag, so I didn't even attempt it on Oblivion.

 

So after I beat the game I didn't play for about 7-8 months. Then I saw the TES IV Game of the Year aedition on sale for 20 bucks and I bought it for the PC.

 

Loaded it on my computer... Dual 2.0 / 256MB Graphic Card / 4 GB internal memory.

 

I had it at "High" and it took a while to find the right setting with my 22 inch flat screen moniter, but after wards I began to play.

 

... it lasted maybe 2 minutes. I was creating the player and the cursor was going real slow, I had to click things more then once to register. So I adjusted my settings to MEDIUM. Graphics were DEFINATELY scaled down, but little lag was apparent. I played the game for a bit but I just could never really get into it with the graphics.

 

So insert Best Buy sale and a 50.00 gift card and I got myself a GeForce 9400 GT 1 GB graphics card. Read reviews before I purcahsed and I couldnt find one truly negative comment about it. So I got the Card 2 days ago, installed it and then proceeded to load up Oblivion.

 

(now I am part time graphic designer and a semi-professional photographer so this made sense on that scale as well to upgrade so this was not JUST for Oblivion or Games)

 

I set it to ULTRA HIGH. Started it up... and WOW. What a difference. Smooth, percise, beautiful.

 

I loaded up an older game and started playing, it was like a brand new game. THe Chain mail, its like you can see everylink... the trees, every leaf is blowing. Then came combat. I came across a mudcrab at the shoreline outside the Imperial City. Between the reflection in the water and the MudCrab I got Lag. Not horrible, in fact it was only at the beginning and then everything smoothed out. But When I ended up fighting two skeletons on the shore line with it raining out... wow. serious lag.

 

SO I have tweaked it with the "Optimize Oblivion" and I have to tell you, the graphics are AWESOME, no lag whatsoever and I am starting from scratch again, playing a character and loving every second of it. I had two wolves and Imp attack me at once while it was snowing and had NO lag whatsoever.

 

I look back on this and realize WHAT WAS I WAITING FOR? I love graphics, I love great graphics. So I did a little research and my OLD graphics card 2 years ago was @200+ dollars. Ahhhhh thats why I waited, because my new one would have been 4-500 dollars most likely.

 

TONS of great sales going on, I got my card for 72.00 total including tax and shipping. Its like a whole new world with Oblivion, and I tried the SIMS maxed out and it just FLEW... not to mention my 12 MB pictures and grphics are edited with EASE.

 

I just thought Id relay that info and my story. I apologize if it was boring and dry...

 

I have a full day to play Oblivion on Saturday so if anyone is interested in watching starting early in the morning @ 7am:

 

http://www.xfire.com/live_video/beruud/

 

You can get the idea of the graphics and how smooth everything works now.

 

Thanks for reading.

[Hateful_kat]

After you install a dozen mods, especially large texture replacements, bye bye smooth gameplay. Good luck with that video card.

[dezdimona]

you need a new card...upgrade it.

[jayzippo]

WOW it would be better if I actually get the Header right in the post...

 

graphics CARD make... sheesh!

 

I played again for a short time and holy bejeezus it is so freegin nice have a sweet card.

[dezdimona]

WOW it would be better if I actually get the Header right in the post...

 

graphics CARD make... sheesh!

 

I played again for a short time and holy bejeezus it is so freegin nice have a sweet card.

awesome.a great set up means a whole different game experience

[David Brasher]

Why do they create video games that won't run right on the average computer? I believe they should not make software that won't perform well on the machines the majority of the people own.

 

I bought about the fastest computer available at the stores in my small town. (One of the most expensive too.) It can almost run Oblivion well if I lower some of my graphics settings.

 

Graphics are nice, but what you really want is play-value anyhow. You want a story that is so engaging, and activities that are so interesting that you can do them for many many hours.

[jayzippo]

Why do they create video games that won't run right on the average computer? I believe they should not make software that won't perform well on the machines the majority of the people own.

 

I bought about the fastest computer available at the stores in my small town. (One of the most expensive too.) It can almost run Oblivion well if I lower some of my graphics settings.

 

Graphics are nice, but what you really want is play-value anyhow. You want a story that is so engaging, and activities that are so interesting that you can do them for many many hours.

 

I agree. Prior to my new card, I just wanted to play and use some new mods, etc. But after a while, the graphics really bothered me, so I decided to keep an eye on video cards on sale.

 

For 2 months I waited and Finally the one I bought GeForce 9400GT which was 129.99 about 3 months ago, dropped down in price by half... I dont know why... but it got nothing but positive reviews so I ordered one.

 

So now I dont HAVE any issues, except on 1600X1200 it gets a little choppy with the environments mod and weather mod running at full scale. I use @1200x800 (I have a 22" widescreen) and I have yet to experience any lag or chop.

 

The card was 70.00 bucks plus tax and shipping. Worth every cent. If you have a birthday coming up or an extra 60-70 bucks... its worth it to upgrade... it really is, and it also plays my DVD's better as well!

[Chaosblade02]

My Nvidia Geforce GS 7600 (512MB) runs this game flawlessly, no lag and I got my settings turned up. I don't think a 1 gig card is needed to get the most out of the graphics on this game. CPU probably has something to do with it getting choppy. This PC I have is a 3.8 ghz pentium 4 with HT. I think those still perform better than multi-processor PCs for most games.

[BossDweebe]

Why do they create video games that won't run right on the average computer? I believe they should not make software that won't perform well on the machines the majority of the people own.

 

I bought about the fastest computer available at the stores in my small town. (One of the most expensive too.) It can almost run Oblivion well if I lower some of my graphics settings.

 

Graphics are nice, but what you really want is play-value anyhow. You want a story that is so engaging, and activities that are so interesting that you can do them for many many hours.

 

They do make games that run on an average computer. Just not with full eye candy. XBox and PS3 are the other option.

If you want them to make games that look beautiful and run on an "average" (does that mean low end?) computer then you are asking for too much.

Another option is buy older games. Far Cry broke the backs of computers when it came out, and will run beautifully on a current "average" machine. If they had always made games that ran on "average" computers we would all still be stuck in Mario Land.

 

If you live in a small town then it may be best to by a computer or upgrades on line. If you are in the US then New Egg (just an example not an add) is a good start. They have lots of good user reviews and can provide you with all the parts to build your own.

I have built several computers from on line companies here (small town) in Australia. I had no previous experience, and have had no problems. Just a bit of reading, and care. I don't know what you are using, but Dell, HP and the like,

while known for good support and machines, are not generally good value for money when it comes to a game machine.

 

The game play verses . eye candy has been around longer than complaints about skimpy impractical armor.

Of course game play is important, but Cryodill (and any other game for that matter) in all it's glory is not something

I would like to have missed.

Another thing that gets over looked with Oblivion is - if Fallout 3 were released first everyone would be complaining

about it instead as the tricks learned by Bethesda from Oblivion were used in that game to make it more stable.

 

Story lines - I can take 'em or leave 'em. I enjoyed the story in Dues Ex Invisible War, and one ot two others, but

it's mostly gameplay and nice graphics that get me in. Oh! And did say modding?

I can do Oblivion for many hours alright. 300 on the counter first game unfinished so I didn't ruin the plot.

Almost up to that again with the second game.That does not get near the real total which includes mod testing and general stuffing around that didn't get saved, but what I still can't figure out is why does looting and selling

and organising, and riding aroung in the country keep me hooked for all those hours ? One answer is the

beauty of the scenery. The way the torch light plays on the walls, and more.

 

 

btw: my machine is only mid range and Cyrodill is beautiful. Dual Core Opteron 180/8800GT w512vRAM/2Gig DDR RAM.

[roquefort]

"One answer is the beauty of the scenery."

 

Yeah that gets me too. Since I got the Unique Landscapes set installed I spend more time just dorking around the Oblivion countryside with my best gal companion than doing quests :biggrin:

 

Funny thing is that I actually live out in the country...