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Specs of a Four-Year-Old PC
A top of the range PC bought four years previously would be equipped with an Intel Core 2 dual processor and a powerful Nvidia GeForce 8800 Ultra SLI, with at least four gigabytes RAM. A high-end rig would be equipped with a GeForce 8800 GTX instead of the SLI setup, while a medium range PC would possess the budget 8800 GT or ATI equivalent. A low specification computer bought four years ago would possess a single core processor and an integrated Intel graphics card.
Actions/Adventure Games
You can play a great variety of action games on a powerful four-year-old PC. On an SLI setup you can expect to play graphically intensive games such as "Assassin's Creed," "Resident Evil 5," and "Grand Theft Auto IV" on high settings and at good frame rates. A medium specification set-up should be able to play the same games listed at high settings but at lower frame rates. A low specification PC released four years ago will struggle with games released on the year it was bought. Such a set up will be able to play earlier releases, such as "Grand Theft Auto III," "Bully," and "Max Payne 2."
First Person Shooters
A powerful four-year-old PC should be able to run all of the most recent first person shooters, such as "Crysis 2," "Metro 2033," and "Brink." However, don't expect to be able to run these games on their highest settings, even on an SLI setup. A medium specification set-up should also be able to play these games, just on lower settings and with lower framerates. A low specification PC will have to stick to the relative classics, such as "Half Life 2," "Quake 3," and "Medal of Honor: Allied Assault."
Strategy Games
You will be able run graphically impressive strategy games such as "Starcraft 2," "Anno 1404," "Empire: Total War," and "World in Conflict" on a powerful four-year-old computer. A medium specification set-up will be able to play the same games on lower settings, while a low specification PC will have to stick to older strategy games such as "Shogun: Total War," "Total Annihilation," and "Ground Control."
Role-Playing Games
A computer equipped with a 8800 Ultra SLI setup should be able to play most role-playing games, including "Mass Effect 2," "Dragon Age 2," "Fallout 3," and "The Witcher" on high settings. However, even this set-up will struggle with more recent graphically intense games such as the "The Witcher 2." A medium specification rig can be expected to play "Mass Effect," "Vampire: The Masquerade -- Redemption," and "World of Warcraft." A low specification PC released four years ago will be able to run less demanding RPGs, such as "Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind," "Diablo 2," "Neverwinter Nights," and "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic."