Windows Free HL2 content for Core 2 Duo?

Check this out: http://www.steampowered.com/intel/

It links to the HL2 DEMO, how's that exclusive HL2 content? I'll have to check it with my E6600 as soon as I get home...

 

It's probably the demo but with an improved engine that only dual core CPUs can handle. You will probably see some nice features, wonder if it'll work with a AMD X2 CPU as well.

 

I doubt it's any different - they'll be trying desperately to get as many people as possible to buy it.

 

_Kat_, if you do d/l it, let us know if it's any different...

On a similar note, is there any word on the Source Dual Core update? I've been putting off playing Ep1 until it's released, in hope that it'll bump up the fps a bit (played through HL2 again a few months back on my new comp, all settings on max. Tried Ep1 & had to drop the res and a few other settings down to get a smooth frame-rate - I want to play @ 1920*1200 damnit!).

 

Uuuh... All it does is add another Half-Life 2 to my My Games list in Steam. I think that the page is still a work in progress or something...

 

I tried it.. nothing happened..

 

It appears to be an extended demo, exclusive to Intel CPU users...

Methinks Valve have recently received a wad of cash from the guys at Santa Clara

 

Hmm... Does HL2 support 6x AA? Because that's the only difference I saw, I think it only sports 4x normally.. That's the only possible change I've seen. It's not really a demo either, although it might be because I have HL2 retail, don't know.

 

I'll ask Gabe... Hopefully he'll answer.

 

half life 2 supports 6x AA... but for some reason my graphics card doesn't... I'd have expected a 7600gs to support it.

4x MSAA does me fine though. I still have no idea why at resolutions of 1920x1440 and such that people still need 16x TMSS or whatever it is... I see most jaggies disappear at 1280x1024 with 4x MSAA.

Maybe some people are just ultra pedantic.

 

People just like putting the sliders at full

 

Could be wrong but I've got a feeling that Nvidia cards don't support 6x anti-aliasing. They do support 2x,4x,8x & 16x (& even 32x with G80 in sli) but 6x is ATI territory, IIRC.

You could always set 8x in the nvidia control panel but your 7600gs might struggle to maintain a smooth framerate with that. At 1280x1024 4xMSAA is plenty.

 

just looked at my control panel... it has 2x, 4x and 8xHQ... so 6x be ATI territory.

My card would be able to manage it just fine. It's overclocked above and beyond 7600gt clocks... (580/1650) compared to the average 7600gs's default of (400/1000)

It's a brilliant overclocker... and I hardly ever see Hl2 dipping below 70fps with everything on high at 12x10 with 4x MSAA. Worth it for £60!

I just see no point in upping the settings any more... why bother when the game already looks gorgeous?

 

I meant no offense to your 7600gs my friend, they're great cards for the money and clock extremely well. Your clocks in particular are very good

What brand/model do you have (and more importantly where did you get it) as one of my brother's is considering a 7600 and for £60 it seems too good to say no.

At 1280x1024 you probably could get away with 8x AA. I personally think you'd be much better off using Transparency Supersampling 4xAA, rather than 8x or 4xMSAA though (if you get decent frame rates) tbh.

 

Hmm wonder if it's any good.

Ah well tis free so it's gotta be good

 

It's a Galaxy 7600GS with 1.2ns RAM (if my memory serves me correctly) it had default clocks of (550/1550) so very good value compared to the ~£70 slower 7600GS's.

I'll PM you the link as I think bit-tech frowns upon ebay.

I couldnt get it much above stock without upgrading to a nice zalman cooler though... but stock is still pretty impressive.

 

Cheers for that Idioteque

And err, sorry for the thread highjack guys

 

I have a 7900GS and it does 6x...

 

Well, aren't you the lucky one?

Damn nvidia and their confusing features.

 

Honestly, I see so little difference between 0x AA and 6x AA that I just leave it off