Can one upgrade an older computer to USB3? Yes. Desktops only missing the USB3 part of the spec can be upgraded easily and cheaply. With laptops forget it, while possible cost and performance just don’t make sense. Newer laptop USB3 cards that fit in an expansion slot may suffice.
With desktops you can add a PCI card and get USB3 ports. Typical cost: US$15 to $30.
USB3 upgrade how-to reference.
CPU
The recommended Intel i5-4590 is the CPU. The CPU is the engine that does the major work to run a game. It controls most everything in the computer and reads the program instructions to know what to do. So, how fast it can read and do is key to performance.
the little witch gets ready for halloween
While it is possible to upgrade CPU’s, the motherboard limits which CPU’s you can use. CPU’s plug into the motherboard just as a lamp plugs into the wall. If the plug is a 3 pin and the wall is a 2-hole socket, you have a problem. The same is true of CPU’s and motherboard sockets.
The motherboard socket is just the easy to see and explain problem. Just know that the socket is representative of the motherboard’s abilities and features. Newer motherboards with newer sockets are filled with newer technology and capabilities. So, changing a socket is not a possibility. One has to change the motherboard to change sockets.
Performance:
CPU Benchmarks
From the chart we can see there are various versions of the i5 and i7 CPU’s. But, the chart doesn’t even hint at the complexity of iCore line of CPU’s. There are 5 generations of i3, i5, and i7 CPU chips. And even the generation designators get confusing.
The designations for the tech in the chips is; Haswell, Haswell Refresh, Ivy-Bridge-E, Haswell-E, Broadwell, and Skylake. Add to that locked and unlocked…
So, we need to simplify our quest for a CPU. Start with locked and unlocked. If you are an over-clocker, you go with unlocked. Otherwise, go with whichever is cheaper the day you buy. If you don’t know what an over-clocker is, then it isn’t you and it is VERY unlikely you’ll need to over-clock your CPU.
More pages, links below…
and this is why Sansar will flatline
For these requirements to flat line Sansar they would also have to flat line VR headsets. That too is unlikely.
I will take Ebbe at his word, “it could be many, many, many years before what really works for people in Second Life is something they could replicate and achieve in this next generation product.”. First of all because it will be very different. Second, if it is VR dependent many, if not most will not quickly jump into new hardware, even if there is a usable text UI.
Your post, however, is a very valuable guide to building or buying a next generation computer for SL or Sansar. After all, if you are getting a new machine it might as well be ready for Sansar — most of us will stick our toes into those waters, even if we are no where near ready to move.
While is will certainly enhance the experience, will Sansar be VR dependant? My understanding is the VR is hoped for, but not required. Even without the VR, i would thinks most of these specs will still be true, except maybe USB ports.
Sansar will be VR ‘capable’, not VR required. The VR isn’t hoped for, except in the sense they hope there are people using VR. The VR is being built in by design.