PC Graphics Quickly Catching up with Consoles, Says Nvidia

[eth3rton]

TG Daily has posted an interview (http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/05/15/nvidias_derek_perez_where_high-end_goes/) with NVIDIA's PR Rep Derek Perez, talking about future graphics for PC gaming.

Ostensibly, the purpose of a major trade show like last week's E3 Expo is to demonstrate the upper crust of consumer technology, to expand the limits in the customer's mind of what's possible. But historically, what's possible for the consumer has also meant what's affordable; and this year, we're not only seeing the price of enthusiast tier PCs rising to unexplored levels with the inclusion of technologies like Nvidia's quad-SLI, but the price of top-tier gaming console prices rising as well - and Nvidia isn't absent from that market, either.""It certainly is, but Sony's going to be very successful with PlayStation 3, with or without us."Are they having second thoughts here....? Without us...? I know they can't bail out but I'm pretty sure they can't be totaly happy with the price point either...

[Tricky Thumb]

Are you kidding me?

Price-point or not that system is going to make them BANK sooner or later. I'd hope nVidia isn't counting on a quick turn-around on this one, it's gonna take some time assuming the system is eventually successful.

[ddbrown30]

Catching up? My $1100 CDN computer is already better than the 360.

[CrashCart]

Hmm, PCs need to catch up to consoles? I always thought it was the other way around. Though, if the push in PC gaming is to cram as many expensive video cards into a graphics array in my PC as I can, I think I may quickly drop out of the PC gaming market. One high-priced card is enough for me, thanks.

I don't upgrade often, and when I do, I build a mid-high range system that I intend to work into the ground for several years. I'll pass on this, though, if I have to buy four video cards to make that box.

[Deadend]

Yeah, I am getting sick of the current solutions Nvidia is coming up with.

"JUST SHOVE MORE CRAP IN THERE!", it's a bad idea in my opinon. If both Nvidia and ATI insist that SLI and such are the way things should be, I will be getting a WiiPS360, and then laugh at the PC market where everyone tries to cram 4 video cards in their tower to get marginaly better framerates after spending several weeks tweaking settings.

[Heretic Machine]

Hmm, PCs need to catch up to consoles? I always thought it was the other way around. Though, if the push in PC gaming is to cram as many expensive video cards into a graphics array in my PC as I can, I think I may quickly drop out of the PC gaming market. One high-priced card is enough for me, thanks.

I don't upgrade often, and when I do, I build a mid-high range system that I intend to work into the ground for several years. I'll pass on this, though, if I have to buy four video cards to make that box.

It's just standard e-peen bullshit. You don't need anything more than a GeForce 6800 and a gig of RAM to run Oblivion with damn high specs. I know, because I do. People dicking around with four 7900's are just doing it because they want to say that they can, it's wasted power and money.

[Demo_Boy]

"Sony's going to be very successful with PlayStation 3, with or without us."
I think what he means is that they could ship the PS3 with a piece of cardboard for the video card and the ps3 would still sell like hotcakes.

[Kem0sabe]

How can anyone say that pc´s need to catch up with consoles... after seeing the crysis demo? Oo

[Chill]

It's just standard e-peen bullshit. You don't need anything more than a GeForce 6800 and a gig of RAM to run Oblivion with damn high specs. I know, because I do. People dicking around with four 7900's are just doing it because they want to say that they can, it's wasted power and money.

Unless they have a display that warrants it. A 30" display will require a quad-SLI setup if you intend to play modern games with all options maxed. I only have a 20" WS display, but playing Oblivion in 1680x1050 with all options maxed would not be possible on anything less than a 7900GT.

[Dag-Sabot]

"Sony's going to be very successful with PlayStation 3, with or without us."
I think what he means is that they could ship the PS3 with a piece of cardboard for the video card and the ps3 would still sell like hotcakes.

Well, for about a month anyway.

I remember the pre launch hupe for the Battlefield 2 MC (360) and how it was going to look better than the PC, guess what? It looks like butt compared to BF2 (PC). I have both platforms and BF2 and GRAW not only look better on my mid-range PC, but have more functionality.
(yes i have HDTV)

I think the new consoles, while cute, are hardly revolutionary...Yet.
And im ok with that.

[Watership]

Catching up? My $1100 CDN computer is already better than the 360.

Huge power without game software really means nothing.

[absolut taco]

Catching up? My $1100 CDN computer is already better than the 360.
I'm sure you will be comforted by that thought as less and less games come out for your platform, and a lot of the ones that do will be ported from the 360.

I'm sure I'll get a retarded answer, but I'll take the bait. Better how?

[Heretic Machine]

Unless they have a display that warrants it. A 30" display will require a quad-SLI setup if you intend to play modern games with all options maxed. I only have a 20" WS display, but playing Oblivion in 1680x1050 with all options maxed would not be possible on anything less than a 7900GT.

Well, that's what happens when you buy crappy LCD monitors that look like shit outside of their native resolution. Buy a CRT, it's cheaper, and it looks better than an LCD.

[Jetherik]

Does this mean that PC gaming is not dead? :D

[Chill]

Well, that's what happens when you buy crappy LCD monitors that look like shit outside of their native resolution. Buy a CRT, it's cheaper, and it looks better than an LCD.

Obviously you've never seen a NEC 20WMGX2 in action. Give your eyes a treat and go to a local Fry's and check it out.

[Citizen Philip]

Unless they have a display that warrants it. A 30" display will require a quad-SLI setup if you intend to play modern games with all options maxed. I only have a 20" WS display, but playing Oblivion in 1680x1050 with all options maxed would not be possible on anything less than a 7900GT.

Inches mean nothing. It's resolution. a 30" display with 1600x1200 at maximum resolution doesn't need quad anything.

[Spigot]

Catching up? My $1100 CDN computer is already better than the 360.
Same here. I can already run Oblivion and have it look nicer than the 360.

As for less and less gaming for the PC, isn't this death knell sounded every time a new generation of consoles comes out? I may have a lot less shelf space for the PC games at the local store but more and more are going directly to digital distribution.

That said, I loves me my consoles. I'm just not ready to chuck the PC out the window anytime soon.

[fitbabits]

Does this mean that PC gaming is not dead? :D
Never was and never will be. Not on my watch.

[Johan]

So, let's see...Nvidia makes a comment that reflects well upon computers for gaming purposes, and we're supposed to ignore their freaking bias? Sony would like to tell you the PS3 is "too cheap" and MS would like you to know that the 360 is 'Live Anywhere' and Nintendo wants you to know about their revolutionary controller-concept...no bias from any of them, either.

[Citizen Philip]

I'm sure you will be comforted by that thought as less and less games come out for your platform, and a lot of the ones that do will be ported from the 360.

I'm sure I'll get a retarded answer, but I'll take the bait. Better how?

Piecemail upgrades, free mods, you can write and maybe even print your work, burn cd/dvds, organize your mp3s, watch movies, internet surfing, chat programs etc.

Oh yeah. Mostly free online play with more players per map, free mods, MMOs, RTS and TBS, Flight Sims, higher graphic resolutions, excellent sound, control setup is flexible from gamepads to K/M to joysticks.

I haven't seen a reduction in games at all. I don't see them mentioned here at all, but that's not surprising. Age of Legends, Sin Episodes, HL2: E1 coming out shortly. Enjoying Oblivion, GalCiv2, Civ4 and recently finished up FEAR.

In fact I was a bit disappointed there was no Sin Episodes headline, as it's really the first episodic content game readily avaliable (via Steam). I bought it and played through it, not had a change to discuss it anywhere.

[Syl]

PC's where superior to the Xbox360 before it launched.
Hell, just look at resolutions and games on both systems. PC graphics systems are far ahead of anything that can possibly be offered in console graphics, simply due to price reasons.

[Cyotik]

An Xbox 360 can easily outperform a pc of comparable price. That having been said, my pc is my baby and gets all the money loving it needs so its not an issue for me what looks better.

[Borys]

How can a story about PC video cards be spun into anti-Sony propaganda in the very title post is beyond me.

And yes, ultra high-end PCs are already far ahead, but that's old news actually.

[Abash Alarmist]

So, let's see...Nvidia makes a comment that reflects well upon computers for gaming purposes, and we're supposed to ignore their freaking bias? Sony would like to tell you the PS3 is "too cheap" and MS would like you to know that the 360 is 'Live Anywhere' and Nintendo wants you to know about their revolutionary controller-concept...no bias from any of them, either.

That would work if you didn't forget one important thing: nVidia is the manufacturer for the GPUs in every damn PS3 and Xbox (not 360) on the market. They will make a killing with the PS3, and they will still make a killing on PCs, as is ATI with the Wii/360/Gamecube/PC.


Also, what the fuck are you complaining about?

[Talanvor]

Eh, I have a PC and an Xbox, planning on picking up a Wii probably around launch. *Maybe* a 360 after a price drop. I'm a PC gamer at heart, but I haves my funs on the consoles too.

And yeah, a Quad SLI setup is insane. Just for the friggin heat and noise issues. Hope they're watercooling those bad boys.

[Stormwatcher]

All hail the almighty PC, where I can play Wing Commander: Privateer and Oblivion all in the same gaming session. (Not to mention Ocarina of Time, Super Mario Bros 3, Phantasy Star 4, Onimusha 3, Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance, Valkyrie Profile, Xenogears...).

Talk about backwards and "frontwards" compatibility.

BTW, I found the nVidia interview quite insightful. Those guys know what they're doing.

[Johan]

Also, what the fuck are you complaining about?

I would ask the same of you, but I know the answer; this is, after all, a forum, and filled with opinions, etc. You certainly didn't need to spend your time reading or replying to my post, though I'm flattered you did...flattery right back at ya with mine, too.

[Stormwatcher]

I would ask the same of you, but I know the answer; this is, after all, a forum, and filled with opinions, etc. You certainly didn't need to spend your time reading or replying to my post, though I'm flattered you did...flattery right back at ya with mine, too.
Are you really gonna pull this shit off in EVERY THREAD? Do really think you are coming off as witty, intelligent or whatever? were you homeschooled or something?
Damn it, this is a FORUM, people are supposed to read and answer your comments. You are not talking to the wind here, kid. Get on with the program.

If you post something, you better be well prepared with arguments. this cutesy smart-ass kid shit is just ridiculous.

[Johan]

Are you really gonna pull this shit off in EVERY THREAD? Do really think you are coming off as witty, intelligent or whatever? were you homeschooled or something?
Damn it, this is a FORUM, people are supposed to read and answer your comments. You are not talking to the wind here, kid. Get on with the program.

If you post something, you better be well prepared with arguments. this cutesy smart-ass kid shit is just ridiculous.

Thank you...and please, cool down.

Read my other posts...some opinions overlap, some relay frustrations, some relay facts...stuff for FORUMS. Two threads does not make "EVERY THREAD."

[Abash Alarmist]

I would ask the same of you, but I know the answer; this is, after all, a forum, and filled with opinions, etc. You certainly didn't need to spend your time reading or replying to my post, though I'm flattered you did...flattery right back at ya with mine, too.

My point was to correct and enlighten you that nVidia isn't just in the PC market. They are in anything that requires a graphic processing unit...I was just curious what you were trying to point out in your little rant. Mine was backed with facts with a point, and yours was highlighted with ignorant opinions without a point to it.

[Johan]

My point was to correct and enlighten you that nVidia isn't just in the PC market. They are in anything that requires a graphic processing unit...I was just curious what you were trying to point out in your little rant. Mine was backed with facts with a point, and yours was highlighted with ignorant opinions without a point to it.

Forums are full of opinions and very few truthful facts, usually muddied with inaccuracies. My point with my 'rant' was to state that I don't trust anyone who comments upon any product in which they have a stake for success; that's bias. I would much rather see independent analysis; the rest is p.r. garbage. Enron certainly proclaimed their 'product' would continue, until it crashed. Video games are no different, in that it is a business and the players cannot be unbiased about themselves, or even each other.

[Draft]

PCs are far ahead in total processing power, but game playing power? I wonder how 3Dmark would run on an Xbox 360.

[Tempest261]

An Xbox 360 can easily outperform a pc of comparable price. That having been said, my pc is my baby and gets all the money loving it needs so its not an issue for me what looks better.

Comparable, including the fact that all 360 games are $60.00? (Compared to the PC's relativetly low $30-50 range on new titles). That adds up after a while. Plus throw in the overpriced peripherals, and I found a 360 much higher in price for relative power. It's not the console that's expensive- it's the other crap that *** tags the margin onto...

[absolut taco]

PCs are far ahead in total processing power, but game playing power? I wonder how 3Dmark would run on an Xbox 360.
Exactly. When you remove the giant overhead called Windows you get a lot more power out of your processors. Also, when your games are optimized for one hardware setup instead of supporting a million combos of CPUs/Video Cards/Memory, surely that is an advantage.

[anopolis]

I'm havin a little difficulty understanding what the deal is, this has all been said several time before ps2/xbox .. of course the pc will overtake!! they get a frest tech every six months or so whoopdee doo, but developers cant get right down to the metal as they can with the consoles allowing them an extended lifetime... anyone outthere happy with a gforce 3 in your agp slot right now? now way in hell however can they still produce gfx outta the xbox that still rather impress? sure!

this thread went from something obvious to a bunch of angry dudes pointing there fingers at each other,

[anopolis]

damn i kant tipe or spell

[MORGiON]

How can a story about PC video cards be spun into anti-Sony propaganda in the very title post is beyond me.

Its not hard havn't you been reading "The Sony Witch Hunt" (Sorry EA) latley?

For the record, I am just as dissapointed as everyone else with the PS3 price point etc...

[Schnoogs]

It's just standard e-peen bullshit. You don't need anything more than a GeForce 6800 and a gig of RAM to run Oblivion with damn high specs. I know, because I do. People dicking around with four 7900's are just doing it because they want to say that they can, it's wasted power and money.

I had a 6800 and it didnt provide enough power for my 23" 1920x1200 widescreen display. So you might want to reconsider your statement...

[Spigot]

I have a 6800 GS PCI Express and it runs just ducky on my 19" monitor at 1600 x 1200. I tend to play a bit lower than that though, but I'm happy with the card.