New Computer - Any pitfalls to worry about?

[JasperStone]

16 hours ago, Hyperstrike said:

No.  That's basically a Windows issue.
Does multi-monitor work?
Yes-ISH.
Are all problems that crop up fixable without third party software?
DEFINITELY NOT.

 

 

There's a difference between "Max" settings and MAX SETTINGS.

VERY few things can run CoH at high resolution with things like 16x-32x FSAA turned on.
That's just because most cards outside the NVIDIA **90 cards (which are absolute overkill) do not 1have a frame buffer big enough.

But, for most things, running at default "Ultra" settings is more than doable.

As to laptops, avoid Intel graphics.
But I always ALWAYS recommend a dedicated laptop cooler stand.
Brand is irrelevant-ish.
They'll usually keep your laptop cooler (and quieter) than the on-board fans and heatpipe systems.



Avoid "2-in-1" or "foldable" pseudo-tablets.
Actually one of the better "bang for the buck" right now is a Dell
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/new-inspiron-16-laptop/spd/inspiron-16-5635-laptop/usichbts5635fyxf

8 core 2.0-4.5Ghz Ryzen 7
16GB RAM
1TB SSD

While yes it's integrated (on CPU), it's 8 cores Radeon Graphics.
I bought one of these for my brother, and it runs CoH JUST FINE!

Basically this thing is essentially "mobile workstation" class.

So long as you're not trying to rock 4K with all settings maxed, it's fine.

$700

Don't bother looking at the Ryzen 5 version.
They auto-downgrade the memory and SSD in the configurator.
The price is identical, so just be happy with the extra grunt.

If you want to add on mouse, headset, etc, etc, there's only 4 USB slots (3 A-type and 1 C-type).
If you're using more, I recommend getting a USB-C to USB-A hub.
https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Aluminum-Adapter-MacBook-Chromebook/dp/B07DFYQXY7

 

 

 

For Desktop, here's a newer edition of the 1080p ready system.

Now, this is about $200 more than my previous system.

For a couple reasons:

1: Larger SSD (2GB)
2: MUCH beefier GPU (RTX 4060 vs RTX 3050)
3: 32GB vs 16GB

In short, the system's overkill.
If you need to shave the price down, drop back to a 1TB SSD and an RTX 3060.
And pare the memory back to 16GB.

This should cause the price to drop back into the $800-900 range.

One last thing.  This time I sourced SPECIFICALLY for

• New
• In Stock
• Shipped from the US (locally sourced)

This will likely cause a small rise in the price, but waiting a month or three for a component to arrive SUCKS!
Time is money and how much is your personal time worth to you?

 

...

 

I appreciate your obvious knowledge, despite its killjoy effect.

 

Having played CoH during on what I could afford .. this meant everything was turned way way way down.

Most characters looked pretty terrible.

The city looked terrible.

But I could play.

 

I simply stated what the game told me when I first logged back in.

 

Yes, I Maxed (no matter how wrong that may be according to you) my settings, except the ones that I knew would be the most troublesome out the gate.

How beautiful the city is.

The water.

The friggin trees!

How the sunlight and shadows move

I never saw these things on my other PC.

I still go to spots in Paragon just for a view and the music.

 

[Hyperstrike]

4 hours ago, JasperStone said:

 

...

 

I appreciate your obvious knowledge, despite its killjoy effect.

 

Having played CoH during on what I could afford .. this meant everything was turned way way way down.

Most characters looked pretty terrible.

The city looked terrible.

But I could play.

 

I simply stated what the game told me when I first logged back in.

 

Yes, I Maxed (no matter how wrong that may be according to you) my settings, except the ones that I knew would be the most troublesome out the gate.

How beautiful the city is.

The water.

The friggin trees!

How the sunlight and shadows move

I never saw these things on my other PC.

I still go to spots in Paragon just for a view and the music.

 

If you're running at anything over 1024x768, crank your FSAA down to 2x-to-4X.  You quite literally won't be able to tell the difference without spot inspections or software.

Glad you're enjoying the "new hotness"  though.

[Snarky]

[Hyperstrike]

5 minutes ago, Snarky said:

Well said Snark!

😁

[Squid Vicious]

Consider the Mac.  I've recently installed and tested CoH on the 2018 Intel processor model Mac Mini.   i7 w/ 32 GB RAM.   Intel UHD Graphics 630.  Mini gets pretty warm but even during Hami raids, the system seems to render and perform ok.

 

I haven't tested the new M1 or M2 processor minis, but I hear great things about them and how cool these machines perform under load.

[Hyperstrike]

3 hours ago, Squid Vicious said:

Consider the Mac.  I've recently installed and tested CoH on the 2018 Intel processor model Mac Mini.   i7 w/ 32 GB RAM.   Intel UHD Graphics 630.  Mini gets pretty warm but even during Hami raids, the system seems to render and perform ok.

 

I haven't tested the new M1 or M2 processor minis, but I hear great things about them and how cool these machines perform under load.

Sorry, no.

If you have a work-based (Graphic arts, sound production, multimedia) purpose for running Mac, or have been a pre-existing Mac customer, maybe.

Otherwise, I don't recommend one trapping oneself in the platform.

Simply because I'm playing a game doesn't mean I want to cripple myself on a toy.

[biostem]

If you are at all handy with computers, buy a used tower, (from a reputable seller), then a mid-priced graphics card, (new or used, your choice), and you'll be set to play CoH for life.  No need to break the bank or go through multiple layers of emulation or the like.  Heck, you could even pick up a cheap KVM switch and stick with your other computer to get the best of both worlds...

[Hyperstrike]

3 hours ago, biostem said:

If you are at all handy with computers, buy a used tower, (from a reputable seller), then a mid-priced graphics card, (new or used, your choice), and you'll be set to play CoH for life.  No need to break the bank or go through multiple layers of emulation or the like.  Heck, you could even pick up a cheap KVM switch and stick with your other computer to get the best of both worlds...

By preference I don't see the point of buying a used computer unless you are REALLY good at pulling good deals out of thin air.
And buying it as an additional machine...

[biostem]

10 minutes ago, Hyperstrike said:

By preference I don't see the point of buying a used computer unless you are REALLY good at pulling good deals out of thin air.

It is a lot cheaper.

 

11 minutes ago, Hyperstrike said:

And buying it as an additional machine...

Some people are hesitant about loading games or other "non-productivity" software on their main computer.  If you are in a household where, for instance, you have other people that work from home, attend classes, or do any of a number of other online activities, you may want a completely separate environment where the activities of others will never impact how the machine performs.

[Hyperstrike]

6 minutes ago, biostem said:

It is a lot cheaper.

 

It's also a way to get "problem children" devices.

 

6 minutes ago, biostem said:

Some people are hesitant about loading games or other "non-productivity" software on their main computer.  If you are in a household where, for instance, you have other people that work from home, attend classes, or do any of a number of other online activities, you may want a completely separate environment where the activities of others will never impact how the machine performs.

Agreed.  I'm just spoiled.

[biostem]

5 minutes ago, Hyperstrike said:

It's also a way to get "problem children" devices.

Perhaps, which is why you need to be both computer savvy enough to work on your own machine and to only buy from reputable resellers.  I also favor freshly installing Windows to avoid any undesirable software that may remain on said machine, either by accident or intentionally, (though this also goes back to my "only buy from reputable" comment).

Edited August 31, 2023 by biostem