What games to work out a new computer?

[Tacroy]

So, largely thanks to Hard Choices, I've finally opened up my wallet and finished building that computer I dreamt of building back when I didn't have any money (though, funnily enough, I don't think I bought a single thing Mr. Laird recommended).

The thing is, I'm now realizing that none of the games I normally play impress my new computer very much; since my old one was low on performance (but full of cat hair), it seems like I've been subconsciously avoiding games that can make use of the top end of the computational spectrum.

Since I'm tired of the computer sniggering at me when I play Legend of Grimrock or (god forbid) Cthulhu Saves the World, what other games should I be looking at? I know that Skyrim and The Witcher 2 are up there, but I just don't have the time to settle in for that kind of adventure right now (and also I refuse to pay full price for Skyrim on general principles). Crysis is the old benchmark standby, but is it still that hard to push its pixels around? Maybe Crysis 2? (is that even a thing? I wasn't paying attention)

What games should I get to really make use of my shiny new computer?

[agentorange]

The Witcher 2
ArmA 2
The STALKER games with some of the super graphics mods
GTA IV, again with some super graphics mods

[The JG Man]

I think playing Crysis and being able to say that yes, your PC can run it, is worth the price of admission alone. It'll most likely be able to run it high, but it does still hold up incredibly well. Anyhow, other than those mentioned previously, there's also Battlefield 3 and Shogun 2: Total War that come to mind.

Realistically though, I'd say simply being able to play a game and not needing to look at the system requirements (even if you still need to look at recommended, knowing you easily pass the minimum is satisfying in itself) and playing it comfortably on desirable settings should be enough.

[Kodeen]

I haven't played it, but supposedly Crysis 2 with the DX11 patch is fairly demanding. Also, Battlefield 3, GTA4 with the ICEenhancer mod.

[jnx]

GTA IV, again with medium graphics settings

Fixed it.

Battlefield 3 is great for some pop in, pop out playing.

[frightlever]

Dwarf Fortress.

[Wizardry]

Wasteland.

[Tritagonist]

Shogun 2: Total War that come to mind.

Yeah, Shogun 2: Total War is a great way to make you think you wasted a couple hundred euros or pounds on new hardware. That game just drags pretty much every reasonably priced system to its knees.

Most PC games of the past few years will do, or just check out some graphics card reviews to see which games are being used in benchmarking. Games like Crysis, Metro 2033, Dirt 3, Portal 2, Starcraft 2, Batman Arkham City, Shogun 2: Total War, Battlefield 3 etc. are often used.

[Bungle]

Blacklight Retribution is a free game with great graphics and all the DX11 bells and whistles. Try that one out. And for the love of god, don't play Arma 2 unless you like massive input lag. That game runs like shit.

[Mistabashi]

Witcher 2 is one of the more demanding (and pretty) games around, I'd definitely go with that recommendation.

Also, I hope your new box has fan filters to keep all the cat hair out ;)

[db1331]

Arkham City is a pretty nice looking game running maxed out in DX11. Supposedly all the bugs have finally been ironed out as well. I beat it before the patch and never had any issues in DX11 on a 6950 2GB.

[What.]

Could anyone post up a reliable guide to modding GTAIV?

After seeing those superbiff videos of this mod and than mod I spent a few hours fiddling with it but the results were absurd.

[agentorange]

Go ask Sephking in the screenshot thread.

[Vexing Vision]

Dwarf Fortress.

This - if you're looking to work out everything else in your computer BUT your graphics card, try playing on a large map of Dwarf Fortress in a dangerous area.

Starting at around 80 to 100 dwarfs, my medium-powered computer used to slow down more and more (before Witcher 2 fried it for good).