They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist... - General John Sedgwick
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Asus handles Crysis with aplomb
Bundled into a box
Fri Nov 23 2007, 12:00
ASUS IS PUTTING OUT an exclusive bundle comprising the 8800GT and a copy of Crysis - rather an well-paired upgrade, we'd suggest.
The bad news? It's only in Korea.
The 8800Gt is the 512MB version, and it comes daubed with a Crysis sticker on the cooling fan. No word on pricing, but Asus has clearly scored quite a coup convincing EA to let them distribute the game gratis with the card.
How long until we start seeing bundles over here? Hopefully not too long - although we'd settle merely for actual 8800GT stock anywhere, let alone bundled with anything. µ
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As far as performance issues are concerned, I also had a bad surprise. I have a Core 2 Quad, 2GB of DDR2 and an 8800 GTS 320MB. When I first started the demo, I put it at highest settings and I got a slideshow. I put it the lowest settings and it was playable, but no more.
Then a friend told me about the latest beta driver from Nvidia and convinced me to install it. Now I can play at highest settings, 1600 by 1200, without much trouble. It's not Battlefield 2 smooth, but it's generally smooth enough.
So I went from slideshow to 35fps average with a driver upgrade. I can't help but wonder what exactly did Nvidia cut out to get that increase in performance ? I doubt very much that it is simply a magical upgrade and I have the same visual quality as before. I really, really don't think so. Especially since I do not have a magical increase in framerate in all my other games, just Crysis.
But the beta driver makes things a lot better for Crysis, that much is undeniable.
What about the plomb? You said there was a plomb! I demand my plomb! Either that, or my money back!
I have Crysis, Crysis is maybe the most technologically advanced game ever, BUT, I like to play my games at the highest settings possible and I broke my neck this year to get the best system that I could afford, at the time, and Crysis is finally here, and it's barely playable at the higher settings. Everyone can go out and buy whatever videocard they choose to play the game, but why go out and spend cash on a new card now, and be just barely able to play the game at the LOWEST settings.

Maybe I'm stupid, or maybe I'm far more patient then most people, but I'm tired of playing this hardware upgrade Russian Roulette. I'm going to start buying all my games years in advance and until hardware comes out that can play it well, it's just going to sit and gather dust, and the games that actually run "as God intended" on my current hardware, such as UT3, will get my playtime, and my praise, and my highest recommendation.
damn i got a 8800Gt with company of heroes and im never gonna play that game
NewEgg has a EVGA Superclocked 8800GT (currently out of stock) that comes with Crysis...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130306

THey also have one with Quake Wars. So there's choice for you. :)

Cheers,
John
EVGA has had free Crysis with their 8-series cards in the U.S. for a while now. The only problem, as you mention, finding the only card worth purchasing these days (8800GT) in stock at retailers where this is valid. Go to evga.com for details.
EVGA has been offering this bundle in the US for about a week, i got one from Mr Egg.
what about this then, not asus, EVGA!
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-041-EA&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1008