Novice Gamer with Questions

Please have mercy and pity on a Senior citizen that hasn't played any video games since the first Doom and Wolfenstein because I haven't had a computer capable of playing any.

I recently bought an ASUS NX90JQ that I hope can play some, but I have so very basic questions:

1. I stopped at Gamestop to look at PC games, and they had very little and I asked about used PC games, and they said that I couldn't play a used one because of the Product Key was a one time use. Is this correct? I have seen used PC games on Amazon and eBay.

2. Will PC games that run on Windows Vista run on Windows 7?

3. Is there anything that I will need to do to are on my computer to play a game? If so, please tell me in very basic terms and steps.

4. I looked at some gaming mouses and gaming controllers. Some were wired and wireless. The mouses had from 5-10 buttons and dpi (whatever the hell that is) from 1200 to 6000. I have never owned an xbox or playstation; so, I am not use to a controller, but could. Which are generally better or does it make much difference? Suggestions please.

Thanks

 

A. Remove whatever antivirus you have and installed
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx
1 . Steam is a great place to start if you have a decently fast internet connection Welcome to Steam There is a link at the top to install Steam, once installed you can get free games, demo games and great deals on full versions of popular and state of the art games.
With Steam everyting is digital, and can easily be backed up in case of hardware failure, or OS problems.

2. If your games are 32 bit they will run fine on win 7 (do you have 32 or 64 bit version of windows?) If the games are 16 bit (8 + years old) they will not run under window 7 unless you have the professional version of windows .
3. Download the game install files (I recommend grabbing a demo version, they are free and will allow limited play time or levels).
install the game with no other programs running. Be careful where you get the game, there are many sites that offer illegal games that may contain viruses. If Steam seems confusing try http://www.gamespot.com/pc/index.html or http://www.gamespot.com/downloads/index.html?tag=masthead;pc;downloads
OR http://www.gamershell.com/demo_download_archive.html (normally the bigger the better and the more likely it is to be playable)
4. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080818211646AAcmnCA
1000 dollars you did not buy it you stole it!

 

I wouldn't buy disc rentals, and if I would, I would make sure it would have a digital copy code. DO NOT BUY USED PC GAMES. No retail store would offer used pc games, not even gamestop. Number one reason is that the Product Key has already been used and you can't play online with them or use extra features.

Most people who buy PC games usually buy digital, and the best digital service would probably be Steam. It's like Xbox Live for computer and offers much more. Having digital copies would ensure you don't ever lose it, unless you lose you're account. Hundreds of millions of people use Steam and so you'll likely come across a PC gamer you know that uses Steam

As for mouses, it's a necessity, unless you can handle a touchpad like it's nothing. I would only get the fancy ones if I were hardcore like my friends are, but a good DPI would ensure great precision depending on what game you are playing.


Yes, Windows Vista games will run on Windows 7.

I speculated a little bit when you had ASUS NX90JQ model since that had an unbelievable price. You should be able to play all games on mid-high settings as good framerates with that GPU.

Big note: if you feel like your games aren't running as smooth as you want it, most reasons you have AA (Anti-Aliasing) at 2x or higher, make sure you decrease at the lowest setting, that setting chews your graphics a lot.

 

Here's a 3rd vote for Steam. There are a ton of inexpensive games that are well worth it. Like Josea said, many have demo versions that you can try first.

I would hold off on a new mouse and/or keyboard until you've gotten into a few games. That way you'll have an idea of what you like if you ever feel like you need something new. If you come across a game that you might want to try with a controller, I recommend the Xbox 360 controller (wired USB version).

Like Shobster said, increased AA can suffer diminishing returns (bigger performance drain than the increase in edge smoothness). Shadow detail is another setting to watch. One setting that I'm a fan of is V-Sync, but some people don't like the frame-per-second (FPS) drop.

 

Agree with Josea, don't bother going to Gamestop or any of those retail stores for PC games. They usually stock very few computer games. Shop onlline, I use Steam, Amazon Digital Games and Direct2Drive to buy PC games. It's all digital, you don't have to keep a DVD in the drive to play and never worry about losing the game disk or that stupid long passcode.

For controller, I actually never bought a dedicated gaming mouse, well, except the Republic of Gamers mouse that came free with my G73JH. If I am missing out, oh well. But if the games you are interested in support it, I have found the XBox 360 controller to be exceedingly well designed and comfortable for longer use (a major shortcoming for gaming with mouse/keyboard IMO), you can get it wired or wireless for use with PC. The wireless controllers require one of these Amazon.com: Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows: Video Games

 

You especially should appreciate this site: GOG.com

I've found more than a few good oldies here. I just thought since you mentioned doom that you'd be interested to know you can still play it on Windows 7

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I didn't think to give more info. This computer has Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bits, with Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M, and 12 gigs of RAM.

Yes, this is a very nice computer, especially at a price of $1,000 instead of $2,000 the original price. It has the 18.4" screen with the side speakers and dual touchpads on the side. I know this isn't for everybody, but I will be going overseas for a few months, and I wanted a multimedia that could do almost everything. This has the HD display, and a 11 watt speaker system that sounds fantastic to me.

I found this link Can You Run It? called Can You Run It. You select the game and it checks your system to see if you can run it and makes suggestions for a better game. I checked out a few games, and I could run all and there were no suggestions.

I enjoy FPS games and don't ever expect to be online playing. Doing a little research, I thought that these games looked interesting: Dead Space 2, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Left for Dead 2, F E A R 3, Crysis, Fallout 3, and the new Doom 4 coming out.

I don't have any games yet. I saw a few games that said for Windows Vista, and that is why I was asking if they would run on Windows 7.

I don't think anyone told me how Amazon and eBay can sell used pc games. Isn't the Product Key a one time use?

Shobster, you said "AA (Anti-Aliasing) at 2x or higher, make sure you decrease at the lowest setting, that setting chews your graphics a lot". What is this and how to I adjust it?

Networc, you said "Shadow detail is another setting to watch". What and how to adjust please?

Thanks again

 

"Shadow detail" is a setting that determines whether or not shadows in the game are highly detailed or simple blobs.

"Anti-Aliasing" refers to how much effort is put into smoothing edges.

Both of these settings can be adjusted within a game's graphic settings.

Regarding product keys, whether or not it's a one time use depends on if the game "phones home" to the publisher. Most older games only validate the key during the initial installation and never send a message saying "this key has been used".

If you don't plan on playing online games then I recommend passing on Battlefield Bad Company 2. The single player is just "okay"... it's the multiplayer everyone raves about.

But, purchasing online is still a great way to get games, regardless of whether or not you want to play 'online games'.

 

Thanks Networc for the information and suggestions.

I am looking forward to checking out some games. I have a 32" HD TV with surround sound, and my computer has the HDMI output; so, I can play and use the TV as a large monitor with better sound.

 

I really badly wanted that laptop its looks so awesome and I bet the sound is just sublime.

Such a shame they put in a 335M GT such a waste of what could have been an outstanding multimedia and high spec gaming laptop.

Still looks awesome though I struggled not to buy one

Here is the Link for your GPU at the bottom of the page it lists the games and give you an idea of how they will perform at stock.

 

Dallars, thanks for the link on my GPU. You are right about the 33M GT, but I had to take what was included at this price.

If I ever get more into gaming, I could always see about changing it.

You are also right about the sound on this one. It may look or seem odd with the speakers on the side, but they do give you a better stereo sound and with an 11 watt speaker output, which is more than some big screen TVs, it is super and as loud as you want it to be.

I use to get so disgusted with the sound on my old Toshiba. Even at it loudest, I could barely hear it a couple of feet away.

Now, I can hear this in another room.

 

I just love the style of it and again Asus fail in not making a laptop that can do everything because with that screen, sound system, touchpad and style all it needs is a high spec GPU to go with the 720qm and its sorted.

For a multimedia notebook and light gaming its a diamond although a little pricey at release I still want one haha

 

Where did you pick up the NX90 for $1000? Used/eBay?

 

No, I bought the ASUS NX90JQ new for $1,000.

There is a story to how I came about finding this computer, and it is interesting, but the short story is that I was very lucky to have found this one at all.

I had been looking and trying to buy a different computer, but couldn't locate it at the price I wanted.

I had seen the NX90JQ on eBay and thought about it. Anyway, I did a Google search for it and up came the $999 at Microsoft Store.

I wasn't sure it was for real or not, but I checked it out and bought one. I didn't get a confirmation for almost a day and was worried that I didn't get it. As it turned out, they sold out within a day.

I was lucky and found this at the same time it was on sale.

 

Lucky indeed, I almost pulled the trigger a few months back at full price, but I was a little worried about gaming performance with the 335M card. $1K would have been a no-brainer regardless. Please keep us posted how this rig performs.

 

It's no slouch, unless you're comparing it to the high end gaming models. IIRC, the nx90 had the same MSRP as my g73. So I chose between svelde finish and gaming power. Looking back, I think I'd have been fine with the 335m...

 

I just checked eBay for prices on this computer. New prices were running from $1249 to over $2,000.

The only downside so far is trying to find a bag big enough to carry it in. I know most people won't be carrying it around, and I won't anymore than I have to, but I will be travelling overseas for several months, which means that I will be carrying it around.

I found a company in Canada that might have a bag big enough. It was $69 plus $20 shipping, but I am not 100% positive it will work.

I have found some Manhatten Portage Messenger bags for around $50 with free shipping that are large enough, but there is NO padding whatsoever. If I have to, I can do without the padding, but I was still worried about the sides and front rubbing inside the bag.

I have been trying to contact other owners without any success to talk to them about this computer.

Any other forums with ASUS owners on them?

 

Now that's a big lappy. Being an audio buff, I have to admit my curiosity is peaked. Enjoy your new portable home theatre.

As for bags, I think the Targus XL should still be able to carry that. It'll be close tho. That would be too big for my Everki Beacon.

 

I actually suggested my friend that ASUS model, he would have bought it, but it either wasn't sold at retail at Fry's or you had to buy it through it's online store. And that was the full retail $2,000 price!

 

No slouch for old games maybe but 6-7k in 3DMark06 with the 720QM is very poor indeedfor a notebook with so much potential if I had the 5870M I would have been bought on the spot, I got 6k with my single 8700M GT and a T9300 but for multimedia only purposes sure it will do the job nicely.

Still a shame though because gaming on that 18.4inch 1080p screen with those speakers, awesomesauce.

 

I think Gamestop not offering used PC games (DAMN SPACEBAR) has a lot to do with it being unprofitable, too.

 

Something this big, you are not going to be able to find a dedicated laptop bag for it. Take some measurements and look for a mini-keyboard bag -- I am speaking of the music keyboard of course.

 

Forget the bag just carry it around holding it to show off its awesomeness.

Put a sign on it saying: ''Your mrs wish she had one of these, the notebook too''

 

This may be worth a look, but I would compare dimensions of the Toshbia with your 'bargain' of the year Toshiba 18.4-inch Carrying Case : Computer Cases | Toshiba Direct
Can I get hourly email updates from the M$ store?
Dallers, is that what you do?

Tex sinbad, what is next 160GB Intel X25-M SSD for 49.99 plus a $20 rebate?

 

Thanks for the suggestions on bags. I have spent many hours searching on the internet. The Toshiba and Targus bags are for 18.4” computers, but this one has the side speakers.

The dimensions are 21.20 x 11.32 x 1.80 in (538.48 x 287.52 x 45.72 mm).

The other bags are something like 20” wide.

I will look into a case for a musical keyboard.