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Reliability; Why PCs aren’t So Amazing

#Phonepunk#

#Phonepunk#

Banned
So I bought Doom Eternal Friday on Steam and had a blast playing it. The next day when starting I see a message saying to update my AMD drivers. It was a dialog coming from the Doom game itself. So I do that.

So today I boot up and start playing. My screen and all audio shuts off after a minute or so of play. It sucks but this is a common thing in PC gaming. Many many times I have updated graphics cards and this begins happening.

It sucks because not only does it mean I can’t play my game, I can’t use my computer at all. Just starting my computer now means a guaranteed shut down within a minute or so. This isn’t a full shut down, I still see the hd light, but the monitor is off and I can’t wake it up without a hard reboot.

Luckily I am an old school PC tinkerer and know a few things about Windows. “I’ll just roll back the driver!” So I boot up and by the time AMD has loaded the whole thing shuts down again.

So I try rebooting in safe mode, holding shift at boot up, and for some reason this is not working. It used to be you could just hold shift and it would go into safe mode. Not any more I guess. So I have to boot up, run msconfig from the command line, and set the Boot mode to Safe Mode, all before it shuts down again. I do this. I get to safe mode. My monitor isn’t shutting down anymore so I can uninstall the AMD software.

I reboot. It goes into Safe Mode again lol. I have to run msconfig and fix the boot again. Missing that hotkey a lot right about now.

So now I’m back in real Win 10 and I’ve reinstalled my driver back to the previous version. ThIngs are great, games are playing, nothing is shutting down.

But at what cost? It took me a solid hour of working on this to get it to work. And I sort of know what I’m doing! This was a standard video driver update. Not anything crazy. So yeah I can see how this would break someone who wasn’t as PC savvy. Off it goes to the Nerd Bar or whatever.

When I think about gaming and the PC vs Console question, these problems are always at the forefront in my mind. Consoles just always work. The convenience factor is overwhelming.
 
#Phonepunk#

#Phonepunk#

Banned
Well here is an update for you my pc is still shutting down. No Doom Eternal for me. Turns out rolling back drivers didn’t fix it. So now I don’t know if it’s a PSU problem or a CPU problem or what. It’s going to be a massive effort to find out. My computer is momentarily fucked and I can’t play my new game. I haven’t installed any new hardware. What the fuck???
 
Last edited:
synchronicity

synchronicity

Member
Get Linux! :p (but seriously, even though gaming is not as robust as with Windows - you can always dual boot.)

But yeah, there are issues from time to time, but

496e34ea-f060-450d-a7a8-ff492eff51c6_text.gif


Most issues, in my experience, are pretty trivial and quickly and easily remedied. But there are instances where the convenience of consoles are apparent. (I still prefer PC though.)
 
OmegaSupreme

OmegaSupreme

advanced basic bitch
I must be a lucky one. Never had any major issues on pc. I've had bugs and crashes sure but never a whole system blow up. I'd argue about consoles always working. I went through three xbox 360s for red rings and one ps3 for its yellow light of death.
 
drotahorror

drotahorror

Member
I'm using some components from a 2011 build in my current PC that I built in 2016. Everything working smooth here. I've honestly never had any major issues while PC gaming. I've played on PC since the early 90's.
 
Revolutionary

Revolutionary

Member
Dealing with Windows and drivers is by far the worst part of PC gaming, easily.

But once everything is working right, PC gaming outshines console gaming by a country mile. I still play my exclusives on consoles but multiplatform games are always better on PC.

Edit: Also, not trying to rub it in but AMD drivers have always been unreliable garbage. It's one of the many reasons why so many PC gamers prefer Nvidia.
 
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Stuart360

Stuart360

Member
PC gaming is more complicated than console gaming for sure, but its much easier than it used to be 20 years ago. Its all about experience, once you know what you're doing, these problems are easy fixable.
Its just like most things in life, there are often caveats if you want the 'best'.
 
magnumpy

magnumpy

Member
#Phonepunk# said:
So I bought Doom Eternal Friday on Steam and had a blast playing it. The next day when starting I see a message saying to update my AMD drivers. It was a dialog coming from the Doom game itself. So I do that.

So today I boot up and start playing. My screen and all audio shuts off after a minute or so of play. It sucks but this is a common thing in PC gaming. Many many times I have updated graphics cards and this begins happening.

It sucks because not only does it mean I can’t play my game, I can’t use my computer at all. Just starting my computer now means a guaranteed shut down within a minute or so. This isn’t a full shut down, I still see the hd light, but the monitor is off and I can’t wake it up without a hard reboot.

Luckily I am an old school PC tinkerer and know a few things about Windows. “I’ll just roll back the driver!” So I boot up and by the time AMD has loaded the whole thing shuts down again.

So I try rebooting in safe mode, holding shift at boot up, and for some reason this is not working. It used to be you could just hold shift and it would go into safe mode. Not any more I guess. So I have to boot up, run msconfig from the command line, and set the Boot mode to Safe Mode, all before it shuts down again. I do this. I get to safe mode. My monitor isn’t shutting down anymore so I can uninstall the AMD software.

I reboot. It goes into Safe Mode again lol. I have to run msconfig and fix the boot again. Missing that hotkey a lot right about now.

So now I’m back in real Win 10 and I’ve reinstalled my driver back to the previous version. ThIngs are great, games are playing, nothing is shutting down.

But at what cost? It took me a solid hour of working on this to get it to work. And I sort of know what I’m doing! This was a standard video driver update. Not anything crazy. So yeah I can see how this would break someone who wasn’t as PC savvy. Off it goes to the Nerd Bar or whatever.

When I think about gaming and the PC vs Console question, these problems are always at the forefront in my mind. Consoles just always work. The convenience factor is overwhelming.
Click to expand...

who gave this child a PC. only adults are allowed to use PCs :(
 
#Phonepunk#

#Phonepunk#

Banned
It’s just a massive sucky thing. Like I woke up ready to play Doom Eternal not fuck with broke ass Windows all day


T-Cake said:
You don't need to mess about with msconfig. Hold down SHIFT when you click on the Restart option in Windows.
Click to expand...
As stated in the OP this method was not working for me. I am well aware of it as it has been in Windows since the 90s
 
Last edited:
njean777

njean777

Member
Never had these type of issues really, other than the odd part breaking or dying PC gaming hasn't really ever given me a massive headache. Then again I never mod games much, or overclock at all. I just leave everything on default settings.
 
Last edited:
Ellery

Ellery

Member
Sorry to hear about your problems. Like you said yourself PC isn't for everyone and it is a sad thing because it is objectively the best platform and way to play games.

However on the bright side the next gen console that come out this year are going to be powerful (much more powerful than the PS4 and Xbox One were in 2013 compared to high end PC hardware) so besides losing customizability, free online gaming, cheaper games, a gigantic library and PC exclusive games you won't miss out too much. Third Party games should run extremely well on both next gen consoles.

My personal advice would be to not give up because PC might have a slightly higher entry bar which will ultimately being rewarding in multitudes, but that is easy for me to say right now and probably not something a person being angry/frustrated wants to hear at the moment.
 
TwistedSyn

TwistedSyn

Member
PC gaming can be troublesome sometimes. Though I never usually run into any of those problems thankfully. Doesn't mean everyone else has my kind of luck.

The computer I have right now (from 2018) had ran into one serious issue which was my os hard drive failing. I was using a WD VelociRaptor and it finally kicked the bucket last year around February. It was a bit of a pain to have to reinstall the OS but, it felt satisfying to finally have the OS on an SSD.
 
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#Phonepunk#

#Phonepunk#

Banned
Lol how is this “objectively the best way to play” when I cannot play the game one day after purchase?

Th is has happened with many games for me. Dark Souls once got a Steam update the completely broke x360ce making it impossible to control. Dark Souls II I was suddenly unable to launch one day, I was not able to play until half a year later.

Can you imagine if a console just stopped playing a game entirely for months? Lol “objectively the best way to play” that is objectively false. Wow dudes.

People calling me a kid or entry level or something, y’all need to tone down the Steam forum style aggression.I’ve been PC gaming since the 80s scrubs
 
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Ecto311

Ecto311

Member
I have the opposite problem. Left PC gaming around 2005 or so and started again in 2010 or around there with the starcraft 2 beta. No real issues but also built my own pc's for a long time. Always went nvidia and intel parts no issues.

Now if I sit down to play switch for example trails rising will just dump out at random here and there no reason why and no fix that I have seen. Xbox one is a mess with new menus and other issues. Controllers won't sync or some other bullshit. Can't find apps or games since the menu is a disaster.

Now PS4 is ok but it wants me to update payment info even though I have done that to download a free demo. Well fuck you xbox, ps4 and sometimes switch. PC has been my best option and looks the best with my ultra wide, 8600k and 1080ti for now.
 
Skyr

Skyr

Member
I mean PC gaming was never so easy and accessible as of today. Since I am on Windows 10 I didn't experience a single driver problem (intel/nvidia)

I still wouldn't recommend a PC to anyone who isn't tech savvy at all.
But come on if you are an old skool PC tinkerer as you say, this shouldn't irritate you too much. It used to be so much harder.
 
N

Nerd Strangler

Banned
ElleryJamesRoberts said:
Sorry to hear about your problems. Like you said yourself PC isn't for everyone and it is a sad thing because it is objectively the best platform and way to play games.

However on the bright side the next gen console that come out this year are going to be powerful (much more powerful than the PS4 and Xbox One were in 2013 compared to high end PC hardware) so besides losing customizability, free online gaming, cheaper games, a gigantic library and PC exclusive games you won't miss out too much. Third Party games should run extremely well on both next gen consoles.

My personal advice would be to not give up because PC might have a slightly higher entry bar which will ultimately being rewarding in multitudes, but that is easy for me to say right now and probably not something a person being angry/frustrated wants to hear at the moment.
Click to expand...
How is PC objectively the best platform? Interested to hear this.
 
#Phonepunk#

#Phonepunk#

Banned
Virex said:
You are embarrassing yourself OP.
Click to expand...
Lol wait why should I ca re what a jackass like you thinks?

am I supposed to not talk about my personal experience w gaming on this video game forum?

cool it works for all you guys that is amazing. y’all pc games for decades w no problems ever I totally believe that. that isn’t the topic of this thread.
 
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Grinchy

Grinchy

Banned
I fucking hate the new AMD software. Completely bloated. Can't find anything easily and it's just inundated with ads for games everywhere.

I liked tinkering with PC stuff when I was younger but it's just more of a pain in the ass now. I still want to build a nice beefy new PC a year or 2 after the new console generation starts, but it may be the last time.
 
ViolentP

ViolentP

Member
#Phonepunk# said:
Lol wait why should I ca re what a jackass like you thinks?

am I supposed to not talk about my personal experience w gaming on this video game forum?

cool it works for all you guys that is amazing. y’all pc games for decades w no problems ever I totally believe that. that isn’t the topic of this thread.
Click to expand...

Probably generalizing PC's as an unreliable platform based on anecdotal information is the reason your statements aren't being taken seriously.
 
Ellery

Ellery

Member
Nerd Strangler said:
How is PC objectively the best platform? Interested to hear this.
Click to expand...

Cheapest games, best graphics (if you are ready to pay), most customizable, biggest library, full backwards compatability, allows all and every controller/mouse/keyboard/any other input device, allows for much more immerse sim stuff like multi monitor setups, supporting all VR headsets/racing wheels, no additional cost for multiplayer games, lots of games/genres that aren't possible on other devices, customizable graphic/display settings depending on what you prefer like visuals/framerate, doing stuff simultaneously without switching out of the game like running a video on a second monitor and usually you get to experience things first like RayTracing in games or ultra fast loading with NVME SSDs (playing Doom Eternal right now and the loading times on my 1TB NVME SSD are so fast I never need to wait it is basically seemless transition).

There is much more but some things I don't want to list like that you are able to do other stuff besides gaming, that millions of apps are supported and then you also have gray area illegal stuff like emulators that allow for a lot of games.
 
N

Nerd Strangler

Banned
ElleryJamesRoberts said:
Cheapest games, best graphics (if you are ready to pay), most customizable, biggest library, full backwards compatability, allows all and every controller/mouse/keyboard/any other input device, allows for much more immerse sim stuff like multi monitor setups, supporting all VR headsets/racing wheels, no additional cost for multiplayer games, lots of games/genres that aren't possible on other devices, customizable graphic/display settings depending on what you prefer like visuals/framerate, doing stuff simultaneously without switching out of the game like running a video on a second monitor and usually you get to experience things first like RayTracing in games or ultra fast loading with NVME SSDs (playing Doom Eternal right now and the loading times on my 1TB NVME SSD are so fast I never need to wait it is basically seemless transition).

There is much more but some things I don't want to list like that you are able to do other stuff besides gaming, that millions of apps are supported and then you also have gray area illegal stuff like emulators that allow for a lot of games.
Click to expand...
Oh you are serious. Do you know what the world objective means?
So on PC I used to have to buy 2 copies of games for me and my girlfriend, on console I gameshare and only buy 1 copy of a game. Which do you think is objectively cheaper?
 
Ellery

Ellery

Member
Nerd Strangler said:
Oh you are serious. Do you know what the world objective means?
So on PC I used to have to buy 2 copies of games for me and my girlfriend, on console I gameshare and only buy 1 copy of a game. Which do you think is objectively cheaper?
Click to expand...

Of course I am serious. I said best and I meant that. I never said everyone has to like PC the most.
I own multiple consoles and love them for their own reasons. I will buy a next gen console even though my PC is more powerful.
 
HerjansEagleFeeder

HerjansEagleFeeder

Member
#Phonepunk# said:
So I bought Doom Eternal Friday on Steam and had a blast playing it. The next day when starting I see a message saying to update my AMD drivers. It was a dialog coming from the Doom game itself. So I do that.

[...]

When I think about gaming and the PC vs Console question, these problems are always at the forefront in my mind. Consoles just always work. The convenience factor is overwhelming.
Click to expand...

Please ignore the PC MASTER RACE defense crowd. I've been playing on PC since the early 90s and I totally agree with almost everything you said. I still think PC gaming is great, but sometimes it can suck real bad. However I think it's important to distinguish between Windows related problems and PC gaming related problems (even though for most people, PC gaming is Windows gaming). At this point in time I'd say that playing mainstream AAA titles is usually experienced better on consoles (take Anthem or Mortal Kombat X as examples). For someone like me, PC gaming is about different titles anyway. Europa Universalis, Civilization, Minecraft and countless other titles, including early access ones, are best (or exclusively) played on PC. That often times includes Mac OS and Linux. I've said before that I'm annoyed by Sony fanboys. I also despise PC MASTER RACE kids who just discovered PC gaming 10 years ago or so, not being able to shut up about their lord and savior RGB christmas tree with cable management. It's not perfect. But if you want freedom, PC gaming is your best bet. That's why I usually own all of the most relevant platforms to pick and choose only the best parts of each of 'em. I can't be bothered with AAA gaming on PC these days, for example. Having your console update everything in the background during night is just way better than booting up your machine and, worst case scenario, experiencing the shit you described in the OP.
 
longdi

longdi

Banned
Never had a game forcing a driver update from within the game.
Unless you have really old drivers and OS?
I mean even consoles today forces updates before you can play.
 
N

Nerd Strangler

Banned
ElleryJamesRoberts said:
Of course I am serious. I said best and I meant that. I never said everyone has to like PC the most.
I own multiple consoles and love them for their own reasons. I will buy a next gen console even though my PC is more powerful.
Click to expand...
How the heck is your PC more powerful? I bought a 3950x, specifically hoping it could keep up with next gen consoles but im not even sure.
 
PhoenixTank

PhoenixTank

Member
#Phonepunk# said:
Well here is an update for you my pc is still shutting down. No Doom Eternal for me. Turns out rolling back drivers didn’t fix it. So now I don’t know if it’s a PSU problem or a CPU problem or what. It’s going to be a massive effort to find out. My computer is momentarily fucked and I can’t play my new game. I haven’t installed any new hardware. What the fuck???
Click to expand...
When you rolled back, did you DDU in safe mode first to rule out driver issues?
 
Knightime_X

Knightime_X

Member
Just let it update.
Slower the pc slower to time it takes to do so.

One time during an update screen was black for 20 minutes.

Must have patience.
Or upgrade
 
HerjansEagleFeeder

HerjansEagleFeeder

Member
Ivory Blood said:
No joke, this is probably the most likely answer to all your woes. NEVER had any trouble with Nvidia, at least not on the level that my system was shutting itself down randomly.

AMD has that reputation for a reason.
Click to expand...

From anecdotal evidence, I agree that NVidia tends to be a bit more reliable when it comes to these things. However, the green team can get on your nerves in whole different ways pretty easily, too. For example forcing you to create a GF Experience account to do basic stuff. The rate at which new driver versions are released pisses me off, too. Because the damn program wouldn't shut up about it. Then theres pricing. Do you remember the GTX 970 debacle? There lots to talk about here.
 
D

Donwel

Neo Member
#Phonepunk# said:
Well here is an update for you my pc is still shutting down. No Doom Eternal for me. Turns out rolling back drivers didn’t fix it. So now I don’t know if it’s a PSU problem or a CPU problem or what. It’s going to be a massive effort to find out. My computer is momentarily fucked and I can’t play my new game. I haven’t installed any new hardware. What the fuck???
Click to expand...
I can probably answer this. The adrenalin 2020 update fucked a lot of rigs up, there are varying opinions on what exactly is causing the problems. AMD have basically spent since last November trying to fix their drivers, the last update a couple of weeks ago fixed a lot of black screen and system hangs, but yeah they still need work.
Maybe try using DDU to uninstall your drivers and reinstall the most recent update.
Failing that the last stable driver for a lot of people was 19.12.1
 
The_Mike

The_Mike

I cry about SonyGaf from my chair in Redmond, WA
Nerd Strangler said:
So is a mansion objectively better than a house in your opinion?
Click to expand...

What kind of answer or argument is that?

You are asking what makes a pc better. You get the answer. Then you say something like this. Why even ask in the first place if you can't handle it.

I'd rather want a full functional house than a home with broken roof and crack addicts in the basement.

What was your point again?
 
Ellery

Ellery

Member
Nerd Strangler said:
How the heck is your PC more powerful? I bought a 3950x, specifically hoping it could keep up with next gen consoles but im not even sure.
Click to expand...

Next Gen consoles are using are using Zen2 technology aswell just like your 3950X, but your 3950X has much more cores/thread and higher clockspeeds so obviously it is much much faster than the unit inside next gen consoles.

And if you indeed bought a 3950X in hoping to keep up with next gen consoles then I regret to inform you that you wasted a lot of money, because that CPU is designed for workloads and even cheaper CPUs in the Zen2 AMD lineup will easily be able to keep up with next gen consoles. But the good news is that it can more than keep up with next gen consoles CPU.
 
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