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Half-Life: Alyx (formerly: Half Life 3 is coming??)

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,002 ✭✭✭✭mrcheez


    Cool post bro.

    Ah I think you deserve more of the credit


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,344 ✭✭✭✭Potential-Monke


    While it is disappointing that it will be VR only, it's still more Half-Life so yurt! But, it will be PC only which is a shame. Unless the PSVR2 on the PS5 has the finger tracking sensors, it will never come to console, so I most likely won't ever be able to play it, as I certainly don't have upwards of €3k to buy everything needed. I'd love to play it, but not that much... And I've no doubt it will bring VR to the forefront.

    Edit: Will it work on the Quest with the Index controllers? That would be affordable-ish.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,002 ✭✭✭✭mrcheez


    It would work on Quest with the Link cable and Touch controllers (same as it would work with Rift)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,558 ✭✭✭✭dreamers75


    Absolutely
    Those VR game rooms will make a few quid out of this I reckon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,212 ✭✭✭✭B.A._Baracus


    Absolutely
    mrcheez wrote: »
    Ah I think you deserve more of the credit

    Whatever.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,553 ✭✭✭lmimmfn


    Looks fantastic, will be sooo good in VR, can't wait

    Ignoring idiots who comment "far right" because they don't even know what it means



  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators Posts: 3,184 Mod ✭✭✭✭Dr Bob


    mewso wrote: »
    Is that Rhys Darby's voice I heard in the trailer?

    yep.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,625 ✭✭✭fergus1001


    lmimmfn wrote:
    Looks fantastic, will be sooo good in VR, can't wait


    to bad us commoners wont be able to play it cant even for half life invest 3k in equipment to play one game


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,553 ✭✭✭lmimmfn


    fergus1001 wrote: »
    to bad us commoners wont be able to play it cant even for half life invest 3k in equipment to play one game
    While I understand the argument having played HL2VR before valve busted it was an amazing experience, proper physics in VR is absolutely amazing.

    On the price point, 3k is a stupid argument, 800-900 for second hand gaming PC and 400 or less for a rift. PC gaming is cheaper overall( because its a pc and has other uses) so not getting into that argument, so that argument fails.

    Ignoring idiots who comment "far right" because they don't even know what it means



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,625 ✭✭✭fergus1001


    lmimmfn wrote:
    On the price point, 3k is a stupid argument, 800-900 for second hand gaming PC and 400 or less for a rift. PC gaming is cheaper overall( because its a pc and has other uses) so not getting into that argument, so that argument fails.


    I have a pc at this point in time i would have to upgrade to rtx2080 (800) and steam index (800) so 1600 for someone who already has a PC ! madness.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,553 ✭✭✭lmimmfn


    fergus1001 wrote: »
    I have a pc at this point in time i would have to upgrade to rtx2080 (800) and steam index (800) so 1600 for someone who already has a PC ! madness.
    Why index, why 2080? I have a nearly 3 year old oculus cv1 and 2+ year old 1080Ti and I'm fine with this
    There are a lot cheaper options.

    Ignoring idiots who comment "far right" because they don't even know what it means



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,411 ✭✭✭Icyseanfitz


    fergus1001 wrote: »
    I have a pc at this point in time i would have to upgrade to rtx2080 (800) and steam index (800) so 1600 for someone who already has a PC ! madness.

    you don't need a 2080 or Index for vr, anything over a 1070 will probably be perfect. then get a rift cv2 for 400


  • Posts: 17,378 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    fergus1001 wrote: »
    I have a pc at this point in time i would have to upgrade to rtx2080 (800) and steam index (800) so 1600 for someone who already has a PC ! madness.

    Yes, those are the minimum requirements and it only works with the marginally better and twice as expensive Index. If you want to play, you "have to" get them.

    Sucks I know. Probably best to just unsubscribe from the thread so us rich folk can talk in peace.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,344 ✭✭✭✭Potential-Monke


    Jesus, you'd swear that money just grew on trees for some people. Buying a VR headset for PC alone is too much for some people to justify, get down off your high horses there people.

    If I wanted to upgrade my PC to be able to play this, to the minimum required, I'd need to change/upgrade the following (as per the min spec, so not even recommended):

    Have: Core i5 3570k
    Have: 8GB RAM
    Have: HD Radeon 7850

    Need: Core i5 7500 (€200)
    Need: 12GB (€50 for same card, or €70 for different 16GB)
    Need: GTX 1060 (€170+)
    Need: VR Headset (as above, €400)

    So in order to make my PC ready for min spec HL:A, I need to spend ~€800. That's just too high. Not that I can't afford it, but I can't justify it for 1 game. You could say it's upgraded for other games then, but until when? Nearly every article with a Google result from 'Half Life Alyx Min spec' returns loads of results stating that up to 45% of the Steam playerbase don't have the min required. If I wanted the recommended, throw another few hundred at least onto that, and as someone said in the VR thread, if you're going to do VR on PC, do it right. Min, imo, won't be enough for a proper enjoyable experience.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,002 ✭✭✭✭mrcheez


    lmimmfn wrote: »
    Looks fantastic, will be sooo good in VR, can't wait



    Indeed, and wireless VR via Quest and Virtual Desktop will make it even better. This and Last of Us Part 2 will be instabuys for me in 2020.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,411 ✭✭✭Icyseanfitz


    Jesus, you'd swear that money just grew on trees for some people. Buying a VR headset for PC alone is too much for some people to justify, get down off your high horses there people.

    If I wanted to upgrade my PC to be able to play this, to the minimum required, I'd need to change/upgrade the following (as per the min spec, so not even recommended):

    Have: Core i5 3570k
    Have: 8GB RAM
    Have: HD Radeon 7850

    Need: Core i5 7500 (€200)
    Need: 12GB (€50 for same card, or €70 for different 16GB)
    Need: GTX 1060 (€170+)
    Need: VR Headset (as above, €400)

    So in order to make my PC ready for min spec HL:A, I need to spend ~€800. That's just too high. Not that I can't afford it, but I can't justify it for 1 game. You could say it's upgraded for other games then, but until when? Nearly every article with a Google result from 'Half Life Alyx Min spec' returns loads of results stating that up to 45% of the Steam playerbase don't have the min required. If I wanted the recommended, throw another few hundred at least onto that, and as someone said in the VR thread, if you're going to do VR on PC, do it right. Min, imo, won't be enough for a proper enjoyable experience.


    At 1080p a gtx1060 will run games very well, I mean it's half life and it's being released on pc, even if it wasn't vr you'd want a decent gaming pc anyway to run it. Your current GPU, 7850 was originally released in 2012, a gtx 1060 would be night and day compared to that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,516 ✭✭✭Homelander


    Absolutely
    Also those specs are very outdated. The i5-7500 and GTX1060 are completely obsolete, a Ryzen 2600 is $120, Intel 9400F is $150, both are completely superior to the 7500, a GTX1660 is cheaper than the 1060 was and way faster too.

    Also the 7850 was a mid-range card in 2012, at this point you would need to upgrade it to play any normal AAA games unless you are OK running at low resolution and settings/framerate, so that is not really a VR thing, your PC is just really outdated anyway. It is below the minimum specs for most big AAA games.

    There are other options, a 2nd hand 3770 is about 60 euro, a new gtx1650 is 150, another stick of ram new about 30. So around 240 quid to run most of the latest games at high or ultra settings/high framerate, and it would be capable of vr if you went down that road.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,002 ✭✭✭✭mrcheez


    also worth mentioning there will be a glut of second hand VR headsets when this launches as more people upgrade to latest Rift or Index, so could prob pick one up cheaply.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,344 ✭✭✭✭Potential-Monke


    I do appreciate I have an old pc, and I don't use it much/at all anymore, so hasn't been upgraded since initial purchase. The ease and comfort of console gaming has brought me back to it.

    And that's all well and good, and I consider myself of having a good overall knowledge of computing (I now work in networking, working towards Cisco certification, so I should have some bit of knowledge), but choosing the right parts is beyond me most times, as there's too many versions with the same names and different specs. I can't keep up with it. So add that on top of having to upgrade every few years if you want to play at mid-high (why aim to play at low?) and it's just restrictive for most people.

    I honestly think GPU and CPU naming needs an overhaul to make it easier for most people to follow. For example, if you search GTX 1060 in Amazon, you have 67 results ranging from $130 to $1799! Without thoroughly understanding, how can the average person tell which of these 2 is better:

    ZOTAC ZT-P10600G-10M GeForce GTX 1060 AMP+ Edition 9Gbps 6GB GDDR5 192-bit PCIe 3.0 Gaming Graphics Card VR Ready - $599.99
    Gigabyte GV-N1060AORUS X-6GD AORUS Xtreme GeForce GTX 1060 6G 9 Gbps Computer Graphics Card - $1,799.00

    On initial view, the one for $599.99 seems better, but only because it has more in the title. The Quest is an option, an affordable option, but is it powerful enough to have a good experience with HL:A? As mentioned in another thread, the last thing you want is a low frame rate and screen tearing in VR, so the more powerful the better. I don't know. Valve are obviously happy that they're releasing a game that only a few, in the grand scheme of things, will be able to play.

    Edit: Sorry for bringing this off topic!


  • Posts: 0 Markus Quiet Hash


    Get an RX 5700 instead


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,516 ✭✭✭Homelander


    Absolutely
    Those are old listings, just random with no logic to them. Those cards would sell for about $100 2nd hand. A GTX1660 is a much faster card and costs $180-200 brand new, something like a GTX1650 is similar and is about $140. $500 would get you the cards that are aimed at 4K or 144hz gaming like 5700xt or rtx2070 super.

    Proper PC parts sites are much easier to work out, like OCUK, SCAN, and so on. Amazon tend to have decent prices, but the organisation of their pc parts section is a total mess if you don't know what you are looking for.

    The best value in a new PC on a budget is to build a good core with decent processor and low to mid range card, and upgrade graphics card every year or two, that way you are always running at high settings for fairly small money, and a well chosen processor should last about 8 years or so.

    eg right now 600 would build you a Ryzen 3600 PC with a gtx1660, run all games on ultra settings, processor will be viable for a really long time, and in 2 years time the gtx1660 will still be worth say, 100-120 euro, while an improved replacement will cost about 200-250.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,132 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    Now we know why the Xbox One Scorpio proxect Scarlet will have so much grunt - the penny drops. Also noting that Microsoft have started playing nice with Valve by putting the Masterchief collection on Steam and Valve in turn have recompiled the Orange box for the Xbox One X. It would seem MS and Valve have been getting together behind the scenes for a while now.

    If the next Xbox can run Alyx and the Index, then that will drive Xbox sales and Valve gets higher sales of Alyx and Indexes.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,002 ✭✭✭✭mrcheez


    Just remember regarding Quest, you still need the PC capable of running a Rift. When the PC is involved either wired using Link or wireless using Virtual Desktop (awesome btw) the processing is all done by a VR capable pc.

    Only go for Quest if you want the wireless option.

    You still need the video card etc as with all other headsets.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,344 ✭✭✭✭Potential-Monke


    What? I thought that was the purpose of the Quest, standalone?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,002 ✭✭✭✭mrcheez


    What? I thought that was the purpose of the Quest, standalone?

    The Quest is standalone for "Quest apps" developed for the headset's Android OS.

    Half Life Alyx will be a Steam game. In this sense you run it via Steam, which means it runs on the PC.

    The recent "Link" update for Quest essentially just allows you to connect to a VR-capable machine and run VR content that is designed to be used with a Rift / Vive / Index. It opens up all the VR content to Quest owners that don't have a Rift etc.

    In this case, the Quest is simply a display headset.

    Note: the "Link" cable isn't a necessity and you can connect to the PC wirelessly using Virtual Desktop, but again all processing for the VR game is done by the PC and Virtual Desktop just sends all image data to the headset via your local router.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,344 ✭✭✭✭Potential-Monke


    I got ya! Thanks!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,184 ✭✭✭riclad


    I read on kotaku today, the staff at valve were afraid to make half life 3,
    its easier to make a prequel on vr,
    Making a half life 3 is tough, it would have to be fantastic ,
    it would take years to do it.it would be a very demanding project.
    Like making a new god of war game for the ps4 was.
    i think the way valve works is people can choose what to work on.
    valve does not need to make a game to make money.
    See the last of us 2, people have high standard,s now ,
    characters have to look real,with realistic 3 d animation, hdr hi res graphics .
    The article mention is modders, might be able to make a pc game from
    Alyx that just runs as a pc game, with no vr headset needed .

    https://kotaku.com/it-sucks-that-half-life-alyx-is-vr-only-but-im-still-1839987046

    Going by the trailer it looks great like i imagine hl3 but with no gordon freeman .
    At least it shows that people in valve care about half life .
    I think half life 3 would make a great game for the new consoles ,
    even if it was exclusive to sony or microsoft.
    Its like valve does not like the no 3,
    no portal 3 ,no sign of half life 3.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,002 ✭✭✭✭mrcheez


    riclad wrote: »
    i think the way valve works is people can choose what to work on.

    Yup pretty much. People can join whatever project interests them, it's not like you are instructed from above to work on a specific project (as with most workplaces).

    Must be so cool to work there :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,925 ✭✭✭nix


    The reason people are still "waiting" for half life 3 is because of have how half life 2 ended, if they had just wrapped it all up instead of leaving off where they did, there wouldn't be as much out cry.

    I did want a half life 3 to wrap it all up at a time, but its been so long now and nobody seems to want to finish it, so its probably best left undone.

    This VR game though is just gonna make it worse, why did they bother making it a half life game :confused::rolleyes::pac:


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,212 ✭✭✭✭B.A._Baracus


    Absolutely
    riclad wrote: »
    I read on kotaku today, the staff at valve were afraid to make half life 3,
    its easier to make a prequel on vr,
    Making a half life 3 is tough, it would have to be fantastic ...........
    Its like valve does not like the no 3,
    no portal 3 ,no sign of half life 3.

    Only my two cents but I think HL:Alyx, if successful, will lead on to HL3.
    Very smart move by Valve. As you say the idea of making 3 was always going to be hard and as time goes by the bar will get higher. So why not just make a prequel using something new as VR and if they sells great and people love it... well hey here is HL3. Everything you loved about HL:Alyx and more!


  • Registered Users Posts: 898 ✭✭✭one armed dwarf


    It just sounds like a type of cognitive dissonance to pretend that this game isn't in fact Half Life 3.

    Every numbered Half Life has brought with it some new boundary pushing tech or design ideas. That they're doing this VR thing but not calling it 3 just seems like an admission of nervousness to the viability of VR, or something


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,493 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    Rift S is the way I'm going

    Black Friday price fingers crossed

    Oculus Rift S PC-Powered VR Gaming Headset https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PTMKYS7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_s552DbPXA65Y3

    Reduced by £50 on Amazon this morning.


  • Posts: 0 Markus Quiet Hash


    TitianGerm wrote: »
    Oculus Rift S PC-Powered VR Gaming Headset https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PTMKYS7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_s552DbPXA65Y3

    Reduced by £50 on Amazon this morning.

    Had a 100 sterling voucher on the account too

    BOOOM done!!! HL: VR...here we go :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,493 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    Had a 100 sterling voucher on the account too

    BOOOM done!!! HL: VR...here we go :D

    That was fast :pac: I was going to buy a new phone but tempted to get this now


  • Posts: 0 Markus Quiet Hash


    TitianGerm wrote: »
    That was fast :pac: I was going to buy a new phone but tempted to get this now



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,796 ✭✭✭sweetie


    Would I be right in saying that this machine would suffice?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,493 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    sweetie wrote: »
    Would I be right in saying that this machine would suffice?

    Do you need a laptop? You'd build a much better PC for that price.


  • Posts: 0 Markus Quiet Hash


    sweetie wrote: »
    Would I be right in saying that this machine would suffice?

    The min spec for HL:VR is a GTX 1060 or an RX 580
    Also depends on what VR headset you are getting


  • Posts: 17,378 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]



    As a Rift S owner, I agree with everything he said in that video. I'd add one con: Both my straps broke pretty quickly because myself and girlfriend were swapping back and forth a lot with Beat Saber. Now everyone has just learnt to hold on to them tight.

    I got lucky as hell that my 2015 gaming laptop had the mini displayport needed for the Rift S. It was a forced $50 upgrade due to the shop in Vietnam being unable to sort out my broken CV1. For the CV1, I had to use a powered USB 3 hub, and a 4k? mini displayport to hdmi because the HDMI didn't have enough power or bandwidth or something, so was pleasantly surprised that the S just worked.

    Have to laugh a little bit at some of the talk of spec requirements for VR in general. I could do with a bit more power but my experience has been pretty damn good on a 980m, because of using Open Composite instead of SteamVR. I really wanted to buy a new PC when I went outside in Lone Echo (amazing game turned unplayable), and if Alyx gets good reviews, I will finally actually go get one. It's just a bitch that parts are so expensive here in Vietnam.


    Anyways, I think the Rift S is fantastic. No headset is perfect but what this does for the money is pretty amazing. The screen is great, and the tracking since 1.39 has been perfect. I don't want to take away from what Linus said but I think he can notice the 80hz more because he is constantly making videos about screens these days. I don't notice it and I play Beat Saber on Expert.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,212 ✭✭✭✭B.A._Baracus


    Absolutely
    sweetie wrote: »
    Would I be right in saying that this machine would suffice?

    I am not an expert on PC requirements. But I too have been looking out for things. The min requirements for the game have been revealed to be:

    OS: Windows 10.
    CPU: Intel Core i5-7500 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600.
    RAM: 12GB.
    GPU: Nvidia GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580 - 6GB VRAM.

    So the laptop wouldn't be any good. Only has 8gb of ram and the graphics card needs 6gb. Which it is currently 4gb.

    As another said a desktop would be cheaper.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,212 ✭✭✭✭B.A._Baracus


    Absolutely
    Here's an interestling link I thought I would share.

    https://www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-hardware/gpu-nvidia/nvidia-geforce-gtx-1060-6gb Price comparisons of the min-graphics card required. Which seems to be floating around the 200 pound mark.


    and index controllers cost around 299 euro https://store.steampowered.com/valveindex

    Already getting pricey.


  • Posts: 0 Markus Quiet Hash


    I'm not sure why anyone would be aiming for the min spec either if you are willing to invest in a headset and an upgrade in the first place.
    Surely it will scupper the HL:VR experience.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,796 ✭✭✭sweetie


    TitianGerm wrote: »
    Do you need a laptop? You'd build a much better PC for that price.

    Ah yeah but I already have this laptop, got it for €600 18 mths ago. I was looking at the spec for the S and thought it might be ok but forgot that the game had it's own specs.

    Also, the Rift S looks to be €399 on the european amazons so might be a bit cheaper than UK?


  • Posts: 17,378 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    sweetie wrote: »
    Would I be right in saying that this machine would suffice?

    Nope. Around the same graphics power as my 2015 gaming laptop and benchmarks say my CPU was around 8,000 whereas that one is at 6,700.

    It's good enough for a lot of VR, but not Alyx. I have no hopes for my laptop being able for it.


  • Posts: 0 Markus Quiet Hash


    sweetie wrote: »
    Ah yeah but I already have this laptop, got it for €600 18 mths ago. I was looking at the spec for the S and thought it might be ok but forgot that the game had it's own specs.

    Also, the Rift S looks to be €399 on the european amazons so might be a bit cheaper than UK?

    To note: I'd suspect your laptop won't work with the Rift S unless you have a Display Port.
    Rift S doesn't use HDMI connections.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,212 ✭✭✭✭B.A._Baracus


    Absolutely
    This is getting out of hand already with the price :pac:
    Still think it will come out of PS5 tho. That console looks like it's still suporting VR so Alyx could be a 1 to 2 year old game by the time it comes out. Maybe that's a better cheaper option.


  • Posts: 17,378 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I like the synergy between Valve and Oculus here. Oculus make quality affordable VR to keep the market alive and then Valve come out with a AAA game that could be huge for VR.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,132 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    It just sounds like a type of cognitive dissonance to pretend that this game isn't in fact Half Life 3.

    Every numbered Half Life has brought with it some new boundary pushing tech or design ideas. That they're doing this VR thing but not calling it 3 just seems like an admission of nervousness to the viability of VR, or something

    I don't think you understand timelines. There is no cognitive dissonance. If this proves to be a success, it might give Valve the confidence to finally tackle HL3.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 28,493 ✭✭✭✭TitianGerm


    This is getting out of hand already with the price :pac:
    Still think it will come out of PS5 tho. That console looks like it's still suporting VR so Alyx could be a 1 to 2 year old game by the time it comes out. Maybe that's a better cheaper option.

    It'll probably still cost the guts of €800 if not more in two years for a PS5 and PSVR2.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,751 ✭✭✭✭K.O.Kiki


    Absolutely
    Here's an interestling link I thought I would share.

    https://www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-hardware/gpu-nvidia/nvidia-geforce-gtx-1060-6gb Price comparisons of the min-graphics card required. Which seems to be floating around the 200 pound mark.


    and index controllers cost around 299 euro https://store.steampowered.com/valveindex

    Already getting pricey.

    The GTX 1060 has been replaced by the GTX 1660 (cheapest models are already £189), though you should ignore both and instead opt for GTX 1660 SUPER (from £209) on Nvidia side.

    On AMD side, you can pick up a new RX 580 8Gb for as low as £152, however if you want good temps & low noise, the only models you should consider are the ASUS STRIX (£180) & Sapphire Nitro+ (£180)

    Also don't forget that they are both old cards - RX 580 was released in 2017, GTX 1060 in 2016, and just before the mining craze.
    They're easy as chips to find on the used market now.


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