And it is on this day that I declare my computer no longer gaming capable.

Currently saving money to remedy the situation

By Joseph Shaffer · April 4, 2018

My current computer still works. Unfortunately, it can't do more than stream videos.

You see, this computer has lasted six years. While playing Gothic II, it would intermittently crash. I thought that was the game, since other players reported the same problem. However, the issue continued to arise while I played through Avencast: Rise of the Mage (though it didn't occur while I played Upwards, Lonely Robot, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs or Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons). Sadly, after 17 hours of progress, the computer crashed and corrupted my game data, thereby ending my run. I was at the final stretch, too.

Thankfully, I have a laptop that can probably play some of the less advanced games on my backlog, like Heretic and Hexen. Still, it stings knowing that I put so much effort into Avencast, only to see it vanish in an instant. I dig the game, so going back through it won't be a problem.

Comments 2

honestgamer Staff Apr 4, 2018

That stinks, but six years is a good run for a computer that gets a lot of heavy use (and gaming certainly qualifies). I just got a new laptop myself, so I can maybe do more guide writing. The good news is that amazingly capable computers are now quite affordable, especially on a site like newegg. Hopefully, you won't be without first-rate hardware for long!

hastypixels Apr 5, 2018

You also get to experience the joy of getting into the latest batch of GPUs! Yes they're priced stupidily right now, but you can mitigate most of that by getting a GeForce 1050 or 1050Ti. Both of those are nearly comprable to an "old" GeForce 970.
Hardware Compare has a quick-and-dirty comparison system so you can do a by-the-spec ...er, comparison.

I'm actually running an old (2011) i7 and a GeForce 1030, and frankly I've been impressed. They're all using GDDR5 now, and for 30watts of juice, it's really, really hard to complain. The performance is impressive. HP Retail boxes are actually a solid option for retrofitting, if budget is a worry.