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Lourens · Nov 10, 2010, 01:38 PM // 13:38

Hello I got a question,

Here it goes

What kind of computer would I be needing if I would program a game like Super Mario Galaxy?

Im just asking this out of curiousity , im studying informatics and im using a netbook but it is a little slow. (Asus 1201N)

Elder III · Nov 10, 2010, 01:51 PM // 13:51

Well a netbook is slow with anything and everything..... if by programming, you just mean coding or scripting in various computer languages, then most desktops or mid range laptops ought to work fine for you, but can you be a little more specific as to what programming you are doing?

Cool Name · Nov 10, 2010, 02:03 PM // 14:03

To program a game you should just need a good enough system to run the IDE you're working in... but I assume you mean running and compiling it too? If so, it's not surprising your netbook is slow. Netbooks are designed to be lightweight, portable and have long battery life. For this reason they are not very powerful, so if you are going to be running mid to high spec games you will be best off with a desktop or a gaming laptop.

Lourens · Nov 10, 2010, 02:42 PM // 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pthoms T

To program a game you should just need a good enough system to run the IDE you're working in... but I assume you mean running and compiling it too? If so, it's not surprising your netbook is slow. Netbooks are designed to be lightweight, portable and have long battery life. For this reason they are not very powerful, so if you are going to be running mid to high spec games you will be best off with a desktop or a gaming laptop.

The Specs of My netbook are as follows : 2gig ddr2 ram, 1,6ghz dual core , nvidea 9400m

And I will be programming in stuff like Eclipse,Nedbeans im planning to make my own version of Super Mario Bros

Cool Name · Nov 10, 2010, 03:15 PM // 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lourens

The Specs of My netbook are as follows : 2gig ddr2 ram, 1,6ghz dual core , nvidea 9400m

And I will be programming in stuff like Eclipse,Nedbeans im planning to make my own version of Super Mario Bros

And in what language? Sounds like it might be Java, but whatever it is are you meaning Super Mario Bros, as in the simple side scroller, or mario galaxy the wii game? Making something the quality of a wii game will take you a long time, and you should really not try doing something in 3D until you are much more experienced. If you are just making a small side scroller, like this then I'd say you should be able to do it on your netbook. Though when running an IDE and the game it might slow down, I don't think if it warrants buying a new computer just for this one thing.

Roen · Nov 10, 2010, 04:17 PM // 16:17

My son is attending college in a video game development degree program. The laptop he got for graduation is here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834214030

Something along those lines should be sufficient.

Karate Jesus · Nov 10, 2010, 04:27 PM // 16:27

Really, it depends on what coding language you're using and if you're using any programs.

If you're using a program, look at the requirements for it and aim about 33% above the basic requirements.

Cool Name · Nov 10, 2010, 04:49 PM // 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karate Jesus

Really, it depends on what coding language you're using and if you're using any programs.

If you're using a program, look at the requirements for it and aim about 33% above the basic requirements.

But he also needs to make sure whatever he's planning on making can be run on his computer, otherwise it'd be difficult to test. Although I don't think should be aiming for anything that complex.

Lord Sojar · Nov 12, 2010, 05:01 PM // 17:01

Quite simply, coding a game isn't intensive for a PC at all. Compiling huge amounts of code can take a while, so a robust CPU and a good chunk of RAM is nice to have, but not a requirement.

Now, if you plan on building custom textures and models for a game... that changes things. You'll want an nVidia Quadro card for that, without a doubt. That's the only game design element that requires a GPU, and it requires a very specific one too if you plan on doing professional work. But... if this is just a hobby, and midrange to high end GPU should be sufficient.