Difference between revisions of "Low-end gaming"
(→Tweaks) |
(removed red links; misc. cleanup) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
| − | [[ | + | {{cleanup}} |
| + | [[File:Asus EEE 701.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Asus EEE PC 701 with GMA 900.]] | ||
| − | '''Low end gaming''' can be defined as gaming on modest 'low end' system requirements. Because of the way that PC hardware continually develops, there is no fixed definition of what can be considered 'low end'. However, '''PCGamingWiki''' has chosen to focus on providing information about gaming on hardware that is 'pre- | + | '''Low end gaming''' can be defined as gaming on modest 'low end' system requirements. Because of the way that PC hardware continually develops, there is no fixed definition of what can be considered 'low end'. However, '''PCGamingWiki''' has chosen to focus on providing information about gaming on hardware that is 'pre-Ivy Bridge', or requires modest hardware that achieves a score of less than 6000 in 3DMark06. |
This page is closely related to the [http://www.reddit.com/r/lowendgaming/ /r/lowendgaming subreddit]. | This page is closely related to the [http://www.reddit.com/r/lowendgaming/ /r/lowendgaming subreddit]. | ||
== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
| − | '''PCGamingWiki''' has chosen this cut-off point to determine what is '''low end gaming''' because, as of 2012, Intel's | + | '''PCGamingWiki''' has chosen this cut-off point to determine what is '''low end gaming''' because, as of 2012, Intel's Ivy Bridge (on its impressive HD 4000 chip) and AMD's Fusion chips will provide relatively high quality 3D performance as a standard for virtually all computers in the future. This is in stark contrast to previous generations of integrated GPUs such as HD 3000 or GMA 950, which had very poor 3D performance compared to dedicated GPUs of its time. |
== Lists == | == Lists == | ||
* '''[[List:Low End Games|PCGamingWiki's List of Low End Games]]'''. | * '''[[List:Low End Games|PCGamingWiki's List of Low End Games]]'''. | ||
| − | |||
* [http://vsrecommendedgames.wikia.com/wiki/Low_end_computer_games /v/'s list of low end computer games]. | * [http://vsrecommendedgames.wikia.com/wiki/Low_end_computer_games /v/'s list of low end computer games]. | ||
* [http://gamingbolt.com/100-games-to-play-on-your-netbook-or-home-computer 100 Games to play on your netbook or home computer] - published 5 January 2010. | * [http://gamingbolt.com/100-games-to-play-on-your-netbook-or-home-computer 100 Games to play on your netbook or home computer] - published 5 January 2010. | ||
* [http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/intelhdgraphics3000_2000/sb/CS-032052.htm Intel's HD 3000 game list]. | * [http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/intelhdgraphics3000_2000/sb/CS-032052.htm Intel's HD 3000 game list]. | ||
| − | * [http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/intel945g/sb/CS-020666.htm?wapkw=intel+gma+950+games Intel's GMA 950 game list] - Also known as the '' | + | * [http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/intel945g/sb/CS-020666.htm?wapkw=intel+gma+950+games Intel's GMA 950 game list] - Also known as the ''Intel 82945G Express Chipset.'' |
== What Games? == | == What Games? == | ||
| − | On a typical low end graphics system, such as a | + | On a typical low end graphics system, such as a GMA 950, games which do not utilise 3D are more likely to run smoothly. While there are many things to take into account when investigating whether or not a game will run on such a machine, the single biggest factor is age. Most games released 8+ years ago will run fairly well on anything short of an old <strike>toaster</strike> netbook. This being said, another important thing to keep an eye on is the genre. First Person Shooters are much less likely to run well than, say, Real Time Strategy games. |
=== [[:Category:Emulation|Emulators]] === | === [[:Category:Emulation|Emulators]] === | ||
| − | Emulators tend to run well on low end hardware, for example, the emulation of [[PlayStation]] and [[Nintendo DS | + | Emulators tend to run well on low end hardware, for example, the emulation of [[PlayStation]] and [[Nintendo DS]] titles. [[PlayStation 2]] and other more recent consoles require high system requirements to run well. |
=== Flash Games === | === Flash Games === | ||
| − | Flash games typically perform well on integrated graphics if they are run within their own process, for example, [[Machinarium]] or [[VVVVVV]]. However, many Flash games are integrated into browsers. Unless one has a | + | Flash games typically perform well on integrated graphics if they are run within their own process, for example, [[Machinarium]] or [[VVVVVV]]. However, many Flash games are integrated into browsers. Unless one has a GPU with hardware Flash acceleration, one may experience a great deal of slowdown playing certain Flash games. For example, [[The Binding of Isaac]] provides a very poor experience even on relatively good hardware. |
==== Popular Flash Game Websites ==== | ==== Popular Flash Game Websites ==== | ||
| Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
== Tweaks == | == Tweaks == | ||
| − | Many games can be tweaked so that they can be run on hardware that does not meet the minimum system requirements, for example, [[Diablo III#Video Card Not Supported|Diablo III]] can be run on a | + | Many games can be tweaked so that they can be run on hardware that does not meet the minimum system requirements, for example, [[Diablo III#Video Card Not Supported|Diablo III]] can be run on a GPU as low as an Intel G41. Mods and utilities can also be used to increase performance in games, for example, [[The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim|Skyrim]] can be modded to increase framerate.<ref>http://cookingwithgrenades.com/7557/modview-skyrim-enhancing-skyrim-performance/</ref> |
One of the more useful things to keep in mind is that the minimum resolution for a game might not be shown in the in-game options. This happens surprisingly often and the lower resolution can often bring the framerate from something unplayable to something managable. The most common way to get to such small resolutions is to find and edit the relevant configuration file, but as always this depends on the game you're dealing with. Although, there has been many successful methods to changing the config file of a certain game, mainly the most popular ones. | One of the more useful things to keep in mind is that the minimum resolution for a game might not be shown in the in-game options. This happens surprisingly often and the lower resolution can often bring the framerate from something unplayable to something managable. The most common way to get to such small resolutions is to find and edit the relevant configuration file, but as always this depends on the game you're dealing with. Although, there has been many successful methods to changing the config file of a certain game, mainly the most popular ones. | ||
| − | + | Individual PCGamingWiki articles will often list tweaks that improve performance. | |
=== Google Chrome === | === Google Chrome === | ||
| Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
If you experience problems with flash games, you can switch to the official Adobe Flash player by opening chrome://plugins/, expanding details for ShockwaveFlash, and disabling the entry for pepflashplayer.dll. This shouldn't be required for most games, but is a known issue with Kongregate and the rare flash game. | If you experience problems with flash games, you can switch to the official Adobe Flash player by opening chrome://plugins/, expanding details for ShockwaveFlash, and disabling the entry for pepflashplayer.dll. This shouldn't be required for most games, but is a known issue with Kongregate and the rare flash game. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
== Graphics Chips == | == Graphics Chips == | ||
=== [[Intel (GPU)]] === | === [[Intel (GPU)]] === | ||
| − | ==== | + | ==== HD 3000 ==== |
| − | ==== | + | ====GMA 3150==== |
The GMA 3150 should be able to play games from 1999 and before at high settings (for example, [[Quake III Arena]]). <ref>http://netbookist.com/blog/2011/06/23/where-does-the-netbookist-netbook-rank/</ref> | The GMA 3150 should be able to play games from 1999 and before at high settings (for example, [[Quake III Arena]]). <ref>http://netbookist.com/blog/2011/06/23/where-does-the-netbookist-netbook-rank/</ref> | ||
| − | ==== | + | ==== GMA 950 ==== |
| − | ''Also known as the ''' | + | ''Also known as the '''Intel 82945G Express Chipset'''.'' |
= References = | = References = | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Guide]] |
Revision as of 04:30, 29 March 2013
Low end gaming can be defined as gaming on modest 'low end' system requirements. Because of the way that PC hardware continually develops, there is no fixed definition of what can be considered 'low end'. However, PCGamingWiki has chosen to focus on providing information about gaming on hardware that is 'pre-Ivy Bridge', or requires modest hardware that achieves a score of less than 6000 in 3DMark06.
This page is closely related to the /r/lowendgaming subreddit.
Definition
PCGamingWiki has chosen this cut-off point to determine what is low end gaming because, as of 2012, Intel's Ivy Bridge (on its impressive HD 4000 chip) and AMD's Fusion chips will provide relatively high quality 3D performance as a standard for virtually all computers in the future. This is in stark contrast to previous generations of integrated GPUs such as HD 3000 or GMA 950, which had very poor 3D performance compared to dedicated GPUs of its time.
Lists
- PCGamingWiki's List of Low End Games.
- /v/'s list of low end computer games.
- 100 Games to play on your netbook or home computer - published 5 January 2010.
- Intel's HD 3000 game list.
- Intel's GMA 950 game list - Also known as the Intel 82945G Express Chipset.
What Games?
On a typical low end graphics system, such as a GMA 950, games which do not utilise 3D are more likely to run smoothly. While there are many things to take into account when investigating whether or not a game will run on such a machine, the single biggest factor is age. Most games released 8+ years ago will run fairly well on anything short of an old toaster netbook. This being said, another important thing to keep an eye on is the genre. First Person Shooters are much less likely to run well than, say, Real Time Strategy games.
Emulators
Emulators tend to run well on low end hardware, for example, the emulation of PlayStation and Nintendo DS titles. PlayStation 2 and other more recent consoles require high system requirements to run well.
Flash Games
Flash games typically perform well on integrated graphics if they are run within their own process, for example, Machinarium or VVVVVV. However, many Flash games are integrated into browsers. Unless one has a GPU with hardware Flash acceleration, one may experience a great deal of slowdown playing certain Flash games. For example, The Binding of Isaac provides a very poor experience even on relatively good hardware.
Popular Flash Game Websites
Tweaks
Many games can be tweaked so that they can be run on hardware that does not meet the minimum system requirements, for example, Diablo III can be run on a GPU as low as an Intel G41. Mods and utilities can also be used to increase performance in games, for example, Skyrim can be modded to increase framerate.[1]
One of the more useful things to keep in mind is that the minimum resolution for a game might not be shown in the in-game options. This happens surprisingly often and the lower resolution can often bring the framerate from something unplayable to something managable. The most common way to get to such small resolutions is to find and edit the relevant configuration file, but as always this depends on the game you're dealing with. Although, there has been many successful methods to changing the config file of a certain game, mainly the most popular ones.
Individual PCGamingWiki articles will often list tweaks that improve performance.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome has its own implementation of Flash, known as PepperFlash.
If you experience problems with flash games, you can switch to the official Adobe Flash player by opening chrome://plugins/, expanding details for ShockwaveFlash, and disabling the entry for pepflashplayer.dll. This shouldn't be required for most games, but is a known issue with Kongregate and the rare flash game.
Graphics Chips
Intel (GPU)
HD 3000
GMA 3150
The GMA 3150 should be able to play games from 1999 and before at high settings (for example, Quake III Arena). [2]
GMA 950
Also known as the Intel 82945G Express Chipset.