@schLuen:

I play with a 30" Dell LCD monitor (2560x1600 in fact) 4 or so feet from my face. Not sure what the equivalent TV size at 10-13 feet distance would be, but let me tell you, it is fun!

ReadNLearn

heh...

knowing me i'll buy it on steam in an obsessive compulsive fit like i did the other gta games and dawn of war and overlord and.. .... and.. well.... shit even assassins creed. i got problems.

relax_guy

@Arttemis: Yeah I know that I can play it safely at 1024x768 but I want to know if 1440x900 is possible on that rig as its my monitors native resolution.

harshalizee

@Fryfat2:
well, I own the PS3 version of the game
but I prefer the PC controls since it's 1000 times more easy to aim :D

it's just weird since most of us are used to have a screens right in front of the keyboard. But playing 1600p on native resolution in my face would probably kill my eyes xDDD ....or I would die of radiation sickness ...lol

schLuen

@schLuen: Then play on a sofa with a 360 controller, just like I do with Devil May Cry IV and Assassin's Creed. HTPC's are great, and their cases look more elegant than a console, at least in my opinion.

Fryfat2

Replay not a big selling point? Screw that noise, it's HUGE to me. I'll gladly re-buy this game on PC knowing that I can replay and record things directly.

SeedyROM

@Captiosus: Many PC games are multiplatform, and scaled to run on 360/PS3. The $500 computer now will play games as long as the HD consoles last, which should be at least another 3-4 years.

PC exclusives are another story of course, they'll need more horsepower in a couple years.

Fryfat2

I can't imagine playing on a keyboard and a mouse on a table in front of a 50 inch HDTV xD
hell... even if the TV is like 13feet away it would be pretty strange xD

schLuen

@Arttemis: I agree that he makes his point valid enough, but I wouldn't recommend anyone go straight econobox, ever. At least not if they're looking to build a gaming rig that will last beyond this calendar year.

Better to spend a little higher at the beginning to spend less down the line than to spend less at the beginning and have to spend a lot more revamping more components than necessary later. That's where a lot of PC gaming 'hate' comes from.. people who bought el cheapo systems and then when they wanted to run a specific game they found out they'd have to spend a TON more.

I think DaFox's estimate of $800 is more on point for a decently expandable low price box with great expandability for years to come.

You're still on AGP??? You're a better man than I. ;) I begrudgingly went to PCIe last year. :P

Captiosus

@harshalizee: I couldn't tell you how high you could push it, but I know the native resolution for GTA4 was only 630p for the PS3.

Any resolution with a greater number of vertical pixels would look sharper than the console counterpart.

Arttemis

@DaFox: What I tell customers who don't think they can build a PC:

Building a PC is nothing more than a jigsaw puzzle with really big pieces. Insert piece A into slot B. The only time it requires skill is when you run into a problem and you need someone who knows how the pieces are supposed to work together when it's all connected. Putting it together? Easy. Understanding how the CPU communicates with the RAM and Video Card, not so easy - but you don't NEED to know that to put it all together.

Captiosus

@Captiosus: Aside from the discrepancies, his list still makes his point. PC parts are cheaper compared to the mainstream software now than they have been in the last 4+ years.

Building a decently lasting gaming rig would clearly cost more than the price he listed, but its benefits surpass just the gaming realm. I feel safe in saying that everyone here on Kotaku uses their computer for hours each day.

My 4 year old computer is still running strong, but the AGP form factor and Shader Model 2.0 compliant video card are dating themselves. That machine cost roughly $1k to build back then, but it plays The Orange box at 1680x1050 with everything at near-maximum (not to mention all my old favorites)!

Arttemis

Can anyone tell me how far I can push it(in terms of resolution) on a PC with 2.66 Core2Duo, 2Gb RAM, and an 8600GTS, without burning my PC!

harshalizee

@Refused: It really is easy, Its not just kotaku that thinks that. Basically just find some detailed video, watch it. Get help picking/buying your parts (I highly recommend the tech forum on www.edgeofnowhere.cc) then read all the manuals and piece everything together very much like legos,everything snaps together and just a handful of screws to hold everything to the case.

$800 is the sweet spot for the best computer without going overboard and wasting money.

DaFox

@Fryfat2: As a systems and network tech for a living, I find that parts list utterly laughable.

CPU: I wouldn't recommend below a 2.4Ghz Core2Duo or AMD equivalent, certainly not a 2.0 Core2Duo. I'd be more apt to recommend that someone looking to build from scratch spend the extra $110 and get the OEM Core2Quad 2.4ghz from Newegg instead if they want real performance.

Memory: 800MHz DDR2? Most CPUs are going to 1066MHz FSB. So if you buy the cheap 2.0GHz CPU on the list and later upgrade to a faster Core2Duo or Core2Quad, you're going to have a memory bottleneck. Again, better off biting the bullet and getting a 1066MHz CPU and 1066MHz DDR2.

PSU: 380W. Are you kidding me? That thing isn't going to push enough voltage on the 12v rails for any future upgrades.

Sure the parts list would build a cheap gaming rig. But it would have a lifespan of about 6 months (hell, I'm willing to bet that GTA4-PC will require a minimum 2.4GHz CPU). Then it would need a new CPU, upgraded ram to match the CPU's FSB to prevent bottlenecking, and a whole new PSU.

The only positives in that parts list are the mobo (it's decently upgradable for the price) and the video card.

Captiosus

@Thorax: Only if you're as unlucky as me ;). I'm very good at designing+making+programming electronics, but I must be the unluckiest person in the world :D. A case with PC assembling: at uni we had to disassemble and reassemble PCs, and I quickly showed to all other 19 groups, each with a different mobo and case, individually how to do it (took less than an hour). All booted fine, my own PC went in sparks all around XD - the mobo had a bad design that short-circuited when positioned correctly in the given PC-case XD.
The latest thing was a lightning hitting my PC XD.

somarix

For me the resolution isn't really the concern, it's the framerate. What is the situation on the framerate? Because I can't believe there's a game like GTA IV on the PS3/360 with such framerates...at least have it at a constant 30fps!

reddevil3

@slyzxx786:

Requirements:

A little better than the 360 and a little worse than the PS3

ircmaster

@Santa_Lock22: 1440x900 here. I gotta upgrade video cards though, and even then, I don't think I could buy the same game twice. I'd like to see some HD videos of the PC version in action though. Wanna know what I'm missing.

tironabardheblu

Anytyhing on the spec requirements ?

slyzxx786

woooww playing with a huge resolution in a big monitor that i don't have that's just nice

if you have a nice pc that can run it go ahead and enjoy it

if you have the consoles its a great game so stop bashing that just childish

mpar

Plasma is awesome, my friend has a 50 inch Samsung plasma and it has the most awesome black level I've ever seen (close to CRT HDTV which is literally 100% black).

But I don't recommend getting plasma if you wanna hook it up with PC because it has a tendency to have static pictures staying for a long period of time (hence, burn-in issue). LCD HDTV is the better choice for PC users.

HobbaHobba

@Detre:

Ah...

Well...I'm a console/PC gamer..have two computers...one is prebuilt other is selfbuilt...

Only reason i'm not upgrading it for this...is that I'm going to wait a couple more years.

Vecha

@Fryfat2: I appreciate that, but I'll say the same thing I say to all my PC savy friends; is their a chance I will blow up/light on fire/shoot self in face/strangled to death?

That's how I am with electronics.

Thorax

@Fryfat2: In that article they had it easy :). I've seen enough PC-cases and various components with nagging stuff (that can make you destroy the mobo with a screwdriver, lawn-mower style ^^). Only lately parts became really nice.

somarix

I think the problem with GTA's multiplayer is that when you have a great sandbox idea for a match you feel like a five year old trying to get it going. "Okay, let's play Terminator! You get rockets and a police car, and I have to try to get to the north end on foot!"

All, and any and all modders, please make a superhero mode! I would love to see how that natural motion stuff works when you can punch cars to oblivion and knock people backwards a good 50 feet. Niko could be a regular Hancock.

eastshore4

Looks fantastic. Now bring on teh hardcore PC guys who are going to tell us all why we're stupid for playing games on consoles.

bkchurch

@enewtabie(wants a job at Insomniac Games in NC): Then they wont get to play GTA 4 on PC for cheap? They are more then welcome to overpay for pre made gaming rigs, but his initial statement still holds true. Theres nothing keeping them from building there own machine. Them being to lazy to do so isnt a valid excuse. It looks difficult at first, but there is plenty of information online that shows you what you need and how to assemble it. I personally remember talking a friend through building his PC part by part via ventrilo. It took him about a hour and a half at the most.
@Vecha: I think he meant most console gamers.

Detre

Deeeeammmmn. I'm wondering if my laptop can run this now...seeing as how it's probably the most capable computer in the house. D:

@Al2x: You can kick the guy through the cellphone functions.

Frank

Can't wait. The real version of GTA IV hits in November, enough of the console limitation shit.

mva5580

If no-one makes a multiplayer zombie uprising mod, I will lose all faith in humanity.

Placentasaurus

Man, after Heavy Rain, nothing looks good.

flashadams

@alaren: Thats exactly the point I was going to make! I can't wait until some modder puts together Pirate Theft Auto, thats going to be awesome :).

iLov3

@enewtabie(wants a job at Insomniac Games in NC): +

What?

Most gamers don't upgrade their computers?

Not saying you are wrong...just curious.

Vecha

@kromekoran: I forgot to mention free roam. Well, more so party mode. We usually don't go into free roam because each time we try to set something up some d-bag comes and assassinates us.

Going to the skateparks and half pipes near the brooklyn bridge with NRG's is pretty sick though.

Al2x

My PC just shat itself...

Amazon_Chris

@Refused: Building a PC is easier than most Lego kits, but it's scary for the average person because the blocks cost $100+ rather than pennies. I hate to keep linking the same site, I honestly don't work for them, but here's the guide I used:

[techreport.com]

Fryfat2

@Fryfat2: Exactly my point..

enewtabie(wants a job at Insomniac Games in NC)

@Refused:

Once you build your first PC, it's smooth sailing from there. I was a bit nervous building my first PC, but I did a great job and I've now been building my own for over 10+ years.

It looks like that screenshot up above doesn't have that strange filter that's on the PS3 and 360 versions. I *might* just have to buy this game again for that alone. All of the other GTA games gave you an option to turn that filter on/off ... and GTA IV was the first that forced you to play with the filter on.

dead_red_eyes

@Al2x: I still have fun griefing kids in Free Roam. I'd have even more fun if they upped that 16 cap to 32, but I guess you need dedicated servers for that, and for whatever reason dedicated servers and XBL don't play nice.

kromekoran

@alaren: The point is that most of the people that are gamers aren't going to..

enewtabie(wants a job at Insomniac Games in NC)

must have mods...

sm_twinz

PC's are stupidly easy to put together as most parts only plug in 1 spot and as long as you have half a brain and a bit of common sense anyone can build a PC. I built my PC in 3 hours and that was my first attempt at building one.

dsmx

Am I the only one that doesn't like GTA IV online anymore? It was fun for what, maybe the first month, and then I got extremely bored of it. The deathmatches were stupid, people would just sit in one spot waiting for someone to get into their range (btw, exact range control SUCKS on GTA) and then just mow them down quick. GTA race was pretty fun but then at the end of the race it was whoever was in first vs. the entire goddamn fleet of people waiting for you to get near the finish.

Al2x

@enewtabie(wants a job at Insomniac Games in NC): A console.

Fryfat2

@Fryfat2: One of theses days I am going to do that. Everyone on Kotaku seems to think building PCs is really easy. Sometime in the future when I have the cash I will have to try it to play a couple of PC games. Got any suggestions on sites which would teach you how to build PCs?

Refused

@enewtabie(wants a job at Insomniac Games in NC): I would recommend buying a mid-range HP jor equivilent PC and snap in a higher-end video card with modest power requirements. Certainly not much more difficult than snapping together a couple of lego's.

homernoy

@enewtabie(wants a job at Insomniac Games in NC): Learn how.

alaren

@Ryuk: Maybe. Dell's biggest with that res is only 30". That includes an NEC and a Samsung. [accessories.us.dell.com]

I think that's still the biggest Apple is making right now too.

Spartan1308™

2560 x 1600.... wow... that sure must be nice. All I have is my integrated graphics card laptop. *sigh* I'm gonna go back to my 360 and play TF2 with a tear in my eye now, excuse me.

Mini-Boss

@Fryfat2:
What about the majority of people that won't build a PC from scratch? What do you recommend then?

enewtabie(wants a job at Insomniac Games in NC)

My 1600x1200 seems so tiny in comparison... *rez envy*

ShaggE

That screenshot looks awesome, makes me hope Niko doesn't turn-around and spoil the realism.

somarix

Why do we keep talking about resolution, replays, and draw distance!? These are barely selling points!

Bigger multiplayer, I'll grant that's a good point. How about mouse and keyboard control? Huge improvement. The possibility of mods? Fabulous. MP3 station for the radio? Brilliant!

GTA has always been better on the PC. I'm excited for this, even though my 8600 will certainly get nowhere near 2560 x 1600... though I could care less as my monitor maxes out at 1440x900.

alaren

@Spartan1308™: Probably not. If you look at todays GPU prices though, you might find you don't have to spend too much more than that to run the game at that resolution. Of course you had better have a decent power supply; number one on my list of important components.

homernoy

@Spartan1308™:

I believe they do, but they're not TVs. They're monitors.

Ryuk

Can't Wait! Few games out to push my beast, nice to have another one heading my way.

wrecks

@Fryfat2: Well that's nice, but would it run this game at 2560 x 1600?

Spartan1308™

@Spartan1308™: One notch under 2560x1600 is probably 1920x1080 then :P

cheesecake000

@Fadakar: 1024x800 over here!

Then again, I don't play PC games, so that might be a part of it...

Santa_Lock22

I didn't realize they made 50" plasma screens that could output a res over 1920 x 1080.

Spartan1308™

Before we hear the typical "$3000 PC!!!" myths, remember that you can build a PC for $550 that will visually outperform any console. Here's a decent partslist, if you're interested.
[techreport.com]

Fryfat2

I am getting this the day it goes on sale. It's been a long hard wait, but it sounds like it will be worth it.

homernoy

2560 x 1600?

God, way to make me feel bad about 1280x1024, Rockstar. :(

Fadakar

@Fryfat2: They never listen. Just stop bothering with them. :\

Drake Lake: Oh No You Didn't!

what 50" plasma has a native rez of 2560x1600?

silentbob343

@enewtabie(wants a job at Insomniac Games in NC)

if they're not a gamer, why would they want a gaming pc or even a game to that matter?

either way im looking foward to the editor! gonna have some fun there for sure :D and thank god keyboard and mouse! no more waggling that bloody stick upwards to get a headshot. damn autoaim takes the fun outta the shooting straight off!

necrozim

I can't wait :)

Th3Chos3n0n3

I feel like a chump buying it on 360 now. Oh well, it's kept me interested. I can still play with my non-gaming PC friends.

Ryumeka

I make no apologies for my $2000 PC.. however, I also already have the game for the 360, which is probably what any sane person would have done.

//Some games require a PC.. GTA aint one of them.

Scuba Steve

This game is so overrated...

digitalpowershot

Why all the masturbation about 2560x1600? GLQuake supports that resolution too, and it's 11 years old.

I expect *every* 3D PC game to support all resolutions that my video card supports.

TickleMeElmo

Why buy a Saturn when you can get a Lamborghini.

More expensive = better

arcum

Yup. 1440x900 tops for me. But I still can't wait. If I get half the mileage out of this as I did San Andreas it'll be worth every cent.

Karlott

@TickleMeElmo: You are a tool man, do you even understand what resolution is, how it relates to image quality, and how it is different than polygon count?

You should really crack an Internet open now and then and read it, they have good info.

DevCo

Good thing 'll be updating my PC this september. Not much, just getting 2gb ddr2 (later 'll be getting 8gb later, just as soon as 4gb gets around) and a GTS 8600, i don't trust th 88 and 9x series.

'll be getting this game as soon as I can, GTA is Pc only since 1!!!!!

KristenBal

Definitely going to buy this once I get a good computer. :D

LastFace

I wonder how many people are going to torrent it before it's released.

Ardaihm