New to PC gaming - advice wanted

[jliedeka]

Well, not new but the last time I played non-casual games, I was running DOS. This weekend I ordered a 17" Alienware laptop for gaming. I have a few question and would welcome any general advice about gaming on the PC. I'm mostly interested in RPGs but may try a few shooters. On the Xbox, I've enjoyed the Elder Scrolls Games, the Mass Effect games and Deus Ex Human Revolution especially. I also liked the last two Saints Row and Rainbow 6 Vegas games.

1. Do I need a mouse or is a trackpad adequate? If I need a mouse, what should I look for?

2. Are there any especially good places to buy games? I tried Googling a few titles and didn't see any exceptional deals.

3. Any other advice for a n00b?

Jim

[Travis T]

I'd definitely want a mouse for gaming. I'd also look into an xbox controller(the wired ones can be conneted via usb). Steam has really great PC game sales, that's my preference on the digital distribution of games.

[jliedeka]

I looked at gaming mice. It seems everybody has a favorite. And for every favorite, somebody says it sucks. I bought a Deathadder Black to start with.

I'm hoping to get my computer Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. To start with, I bought all three Deus Ex games. Will probably get Skyrim next.

Jim

[Rickster71]

I looked at gaming mice. It seems everybody has a favorite. And for every favorite, somebody says it sucks. I bought a Deathadder Black to start with.

I'm hoping to get my computer Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. To start with, I bought all three Deus Ex games. Will probably get Skyrim next.

Jim

Enjoy your new PC.
Coincidentally, I just started Deus Ex - Human Revolution today.

[BoredSysAdmin]

Skyrim is by far the best rpg to come out in recent years, I enjoyed the original, the Dawnguard and playing the newest DLC - Hearthfire now

Yes, you definitely will want a mouse for pc rpg and might even an external keyboard..

Congrats on new toy and next time not going to hurt to ask the community on such large purchase ;-)

Deus Ex - Human Revolution - is another good Rpg/shooter

[jliedeka]

I've played all the Deus Ex games and Skyrim on consoles. Getting used to PC controls will be an adjustment but I guess it's less limited than a controller.

I think I read somewhere that the first Deus Ex was a lot better on PC than PS2. I'm looking forward to playing that first.

Jim

[JohnA]

Sign up with steam. I bough Skyrim through there because it was on sale for 50% off retail, they have daily sales on games.

[Hi Ho]

Steam is the only way I buy games these days if I can help it. It's awesome. I build my own PC's and my current rig is still plenty powerful for modern games even though I built it in 2010 but that is mainly because game developers aren't really pushing the hardware anymore. don't play a lot of games these days, mainly shooters like Call of Duty and some strategy like Age of Empires and I'm looking forward to the new Sim City even though it requires EA's awful Origin platform. Seriously... put it on Steam!

I use a Belkin N52te game controller but that doesn't seem to be made anymore. The Logitech G13 looks pretty similar. I like the ergonomics of the controller over using a standard keyboard.

I love my Logitech G500 mouse. the switchable scroll wheel lets me choose between click and super smooth scrolling and the software allows the setup of profiles that automatically change DPI and button layouts for different programs/games.

[woensl.itis]

Getting the right mouse really comes down to your personal preference. Everyone's hands are different. Gaming mouse or not, you will run into PLENTY of super expensive mice (mouses?) that you will just hate.
What you want to look for is something with the right weight for you that is dead smooth. Build quality should be really important, and a place mice fail is right where the teflon pads are glued to the mouse. When those start to get loose your aim will suffer.

Also, if you are looking for some of the best PC multiplayer ever for FPS, check out call of duty 4. It is simply a different beast than console. It's the best one on PC imo.
Also check out Battlefield Bad Company 2. Battlefield 3 was like Bad Company 2 for noobs.
And definitely get steam. You will find great deals on lots of indie games. Games that you will almost never find on the playstation store. Get:
-Amnesia - The Dark Descent
-Super Meat Boy
-MineCraft <-you must get this one
-Deus Ex (first one)


And never play FPS on PC with an xbox controller. You will get destroyed.'

Also, keep in mind that for most games you are going to have to do some serious graphics tweaks to get the best performance possible. There are usually configs that will suit your rig on the internet. You can just download them and apply them, easily.
For all FPS games, check out Bashandslash.com

[BoredSysAdmin]

game developers aren't really pushing the hardware anymore.

There are always exceptions to this rule aka Crysys 3 - I have i5-2500k and a Radeon 7870 and if I set Crysis3 to max settings at 1680x1050 - I get to enjoy a slide show