I'm curious about "custom-built computers" --

Is it possible to build a computer that can play
ANY type of game, REGARDLESS of the age of the game --
fast OR slow --
one computer that would cover it all, whether the game is on
disc or online;
and that would last a long time?

I'm not referring to one that would have to be upgraded
every few years for some reason or another.

I know this question sounds elementary, but,
wouldn't it be nice to have a computer that wouldn't have to
be upgraded for any reason, in spite of how often computers change?

I don't think so.Games keep pushing the envelope of technology and computers have to evolve and keep up.This is especially true in video cards.Just when you think you have the top video card you find out that new game requires a higher shader version than your card has.

Yup, what Geo said. Some older games won't run on 64-bit operating systems;some older games don't like new video cards or sometimes just their drivers. Many older games will play on our new systems, but certainly not all. See our Windows 7 and Games and Windows 8 and Games threads in the Glitches forum. There are always virtual machines that may work... but they don't always like new hardware.

Newer adventure games are beginning to require better and better video cards. Most high end cards will play adventure games for a long time to come, but if you are an RPG or shooter gamer, like Geo says, the games require a better and better card.

The only way you will probably not need a new computer until the old one dies - or the operating system is no longer supported like XP - is if all you did was email and elementary web surfing.

aserID there is one thing I forgot to say,I like the idea of custom built computers though.Thats why I buy my computers from cyberpower where I can choose every component.There are other companies like that out there also.I think it is WAY better than picking a computer up off the shelf at a store.A computer like cyberpower and others can always be easily up-graded because nothing is proprietary.

Hey, Geo and Draclvr-- thanks for the info!!

Aser

It might be best if I move you guys to the Tech forum. Please continue there. Thanks.

I was thinking that might be a good idea. It's a great discussion.

I agree with Geo with the custom built computers too. I build my own, but I have "built" at least a dozen or more computers for people from reputable on-line builders including Cyberpower. One individual in the UK has the best computer she's ever had by going that route. She can play everything from Big Fish games to shooters if she wanted.

I wouldn't have anything other than a custom built computer but I've always been lucky enough to have someone with the proper technical skills to source quality parts and build the machine for me.

And this has definitely stood me in good stead as my old Win98 computer is now 17 years old and running as well as ever and my WinXP machine is now 11 years old and also running beautifully

My latest machine, a Win7, is only a baby to "my" mind at 2 years old - although it will be considered as already "ancient" by some folk !!

Actually, it is almost possible!
I have never seen or used anything other than custom built computers, by the way.
But currently, the possibility to run all games depends rather on software than hardware.

That is - it is all quite easy. Just take the best and the newest hardware you can afford
First, install a new x64 OS (Windows 7, 8.1 or even 10TP) to run newer games.
Second, install a Virtual program (Microsoft Virtual PC, or VMWare, or Virtual Box etc.) - and install older OSes in it.
Third, have another hard drive ready and install older x32 OS there.
Done.

For example, I have rather new PC with both Windows 7 x64 and Windows XP x32 as 'real' OSes - and DOS 6.22, Windows 3.11 and Windows 98 as 'virtual' OSes. The result is - 99,9% of games regardless of the age run fine indeed!

That's what I was thinking, too, Iurii, when I read this post.

I have Windows 7 and also have Virtual PC running Windows 98, DOSBox, and Windows 3.1 installed as emulators. Thus far, there hasn't been a single adventure game that I haven't been able to play with this setup.

Yup, I memtioned VMs too. But I thought some of them balked at the high end video cards and large amounts of RAM - especially when installing old operating systems like DOS?

VMs emulate old cards and CPUs so that newer components are not obstacles for them.

Ah, I see. So the hardware in a computer is not an issue then.

Right. Programs you run in an emulator only "see" what is set up in the emulator in terms of RAM, video card, sound card, etc. They are nifty little self-contained units in this regard.

If you're looking for a computer where all you have to do is stick the disc in and go, the answer is no.

If you have technical skills, or are willing, able, and have the time to learn the technical aspects, you can get MOST older games (not all) working on a modern computer.

Other folks here have mentioned the emulation and virtual machine software that can be used to play old games. I won't repeat, except to say even the virtual machine solution can be limited in the cases of Windows games that have speed issues (1997 version of Safecracker) and early Windows games that require 3D-accelerated graphics.

However if you're looking for a "stick the disc in and go" computer, which is how it often worked back in the Windows 95/98 days, it's not possible for games of all ages on a new computer. You can get that (or something close to it) once you've set up the game, but the method for installing different games will vary depending on the operating system it was made for.

I'm not going to go into new and upcoming games, but game requirements are a moving target, especially for "the latest" action games. Adventure games tend to have lower requirements, a few years behind current action games. Compare the requirements for the new "Witcher" game with the requirements of "Book of Unwritten Tales 2."

Mad, Iurii, Marian and Jenny:

I'm glad I posted this subject--
all of your responses have been
extremely informative. Thanks
a bunch!

Aser

If you want to check out Virtual PC,
Metzomagic has instructions for installing and running Virtual PC 2007 ***here***.

Gameboomers has the older version for Virtual PC 2004 ***here***