Buy nothing.

Summary

In this video, the creator delves into the challenges of the current tech landscape, particularly for gamers. With hardware prices soaring and components like GPUs being both scarce and overpriced, the video explores the reality of gaming on an 'average' PC setup. Using Valve's hardware survey, the host assembles a typical gaming PC build and tests it across various games, demonstrating how modern classics, remasters, and indie games perform even with mid-range specs. Despite frustrations with the industry, the video highlights the surprisingly solid performance of this average PC, offering a fresh perspective on gaming in today's tech environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Graphics cards are currently overpriced, hard to find, and often not worth the cost for average gamers.
• 😀 Many modern hardware issues, like unreliable power supplies and overheating, make upgrading a gaming PC frustrating.
• 😀 Despite hardware struggles, gaming PCs still perform decently for popular games, even at high settings, with the average spec being based on an Intel i5 12400F and RTX 4060 GPU.
• 😀 Most gamers still use older hardware, such as Intel i5 processors with six cores, and can still run popular titles with reasonable performance.
• 😀 While the latest tech might not be accessible, older hardware (such as the i5 12400F and RTX 4060) can handle demanding games at 1080p and moderate settings.
• 😀 Older titles like Elder Ring and Cyberpunk 2077 still run well on average PCs, but higher resolutions or ultra settings may need sacrifices in performance.
• 😀 Games like Forza Horizon 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 run smoothly on average PCs at 1080p, showing that older, well-optimized games can still offer great experiences.
• 😀 Newer games with high-end graphics, such as The Witcher 3 (with ray tracing), may not run well on average hardware, though performance can be acceptable without certain graphical features.
• 😀 Indie games, like Dredge and Roller Drrome, offer great experiences even on low-end hardware, showcasing that not every game requires powerful specs.
• 😀 Despite the state of the industry, the average gaming PC can still provide enjoyable experiences with modern games, even without constantly upgrading to the latest hardware.

Q & A

Why are graphics cards considered unreliable and poor value according to the script?

The script mentions that graphics cards are considered unreliable and poor value due to their high prices, rarity, and their focus on tasks like powering chatbots rather than delivering significant improvements for gaming. Additionally, there's a general perception of escalating prices without corresponding increases in quality.

What does the script say about the current state of CPUs?

The script highlights that, despite issues with other hardware, the CPU market is relatively stable. However, most of the best buys are older models, as newer CPUs are difficult to match with the lack of available GPUs, making it unnecessary to upgrade to the latest generation.

How does the author approach the question of 'what should I buy' in the current hardware market?

The author suggests that for most people, the answer is 'nothing'. With hardware prices so high and availability so low, it's better to make do with what you currently have rather than trying to purchase new components.

What is the gaming PC configuration chosen for the video, and how does it compare to popular specifications?

The chosen configuration includes an Intel i5 12400F, 32 GB of TForce Dark DDR4 3600 RAM, and a Gigabyte RTX 4060 Windforce GPU. This setup reflects the most popular PC specs from Valve's hardware survey, which are based around a six-core Intel CPU.

How well does the gaming PC handle modern titles like Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077?

The PC handles Elden Ring at 1080p max settings with a stable 60fps. For Cyberpunk 2077, it performs well at 1080p high settings, reaching around 80 fps, but ray tracing at ultra settings causes significant performance drops. The RTX 4060 struggles with RT Ultra in Cyberpunk, and the 3060 performs slightly better.

What about performance in older games like RDR2 and Skyrim?

RDR2 runs well on the setup, maintaining around 100 FPS in most areas, with only minor drops in cities. Skyrim Special Edition, being a much older game, runs effortlessly even at ultra settings, easily hitting the 60 fps cap without much effort from the hardware.

How does the RTX 4060 perform in terms of ray tracing in games like GTA 5 and The Witcher 3?

In GTA 5, the RTX 4060 performs admirably, averaging 75 FPS at ultra RT settings. However, the ray tracing effects sometimes feel underwhelming, particularly with lighting and reflections. For The Witcher 3, enabling ray tracing at ultra settings reduces the frame rate to around 40 fps, making it less playable without DLSS or performance tweaks.

What does the author think of modern remasters and indies on average PC hardware?

The author finds that many modern remasters, like Skyrim and Crisis, are not demanding for the average gaming PC, offering good performance even at high settings. Indie games like Dredge and Roller Drrome run easily on the average PC, with Roller Drrome achieving high FPS despite minimal graphical features.

What are some of the challenges faced by average PCs in the current gaming environment?

The average PC faces challenges with rising hardware prices, scarce availability, and the increasing demands of newer titles, especially those that push ray tracing and ultra settings. However, with a proper balance of older games, remasters, and indies, it is still possible to enjoy gaming without the need for cutting-edge hardware.

Why does the author emphasize using an average PC for gaming instead of upgrading?

The author suggests that while upgrades are often marketed as necessary, many games still run well on average systems, and the escalating hardware costs might not be justified. By making do with what you already have, gamers can still enjoy a variety of good games without unnecessary spending on new components.