I've been plugging away on civ (1-3)for years on my old laptop. With civ4 unfortunately I found the game too much for it. Now though I've been offered another comp and Im wondering how good it'll be for civ4 (the main reason I'd take it). I know I'd hate it if I was a computer whizzkid and I read something like "sorry I know nothing about computers but.....)

Sorry, I know nothing about computers but will there be a noticable difference in running civ4 between these two set-ups?

Old comp
pentium4 1.7ghz
256mb ram

New one
Processor Type Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5250
Processor speed 1.5
Memory Size 2GB MB
Memory Type DDR II
Hard Drive Capacity 120 GB

Will the new comp make the game work and feel £300 better?

I've only got til tomorrow to decide if I want it or not so I would genuinely appreciate a bit of guidance. Thanks.

It seems to me that it should be fine. I just find "computer speed 1.5" weird. I don't know what you mean, do you mean 1.5Ghz? If so, the fact that this computer has two processors ("Duo core") means it should be faster than your old computer providing Civ IV can understand that there are 2 processors (need someone's input here?)... But I find an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor of 1.5 Ghz to be weird. I didn't think they made them below like 2Ghz or something? I think you need more input than mine! Maybe I'm just adding confusion :)

By now though, I'd buy a mega computer to make sure it can take Civ V when it comes out ;)

Ta for that. Yeah, I get what you mean about waiting for civ 5 but I've hardly had much of a go of civ 4 yet lol. I have to wait til I go to my brothers house to play it.

I havent a clue about processors and that but I guess I meant 1.5ghz. I must of missed that bit off when I typed originally.

Heres a copy and paste of the comps specs from another site.
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5250, (1.50 GHz, 667 MHz FSB, 2MB Cache), Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium, 2 GB Memory, 120 GB Hard Drive

If so, the fact that this computer has two processors ("Duo core") means it should be faster than your old computer providing Civ IV can understand that there are 2 processors (need someone's input here?)
Civ4 can't take advantage of multiple CPU cores

But I find an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor of 1.5 Ghz to be weird. I didn't think they made them below like 2Ghz or something?
Most T5*** processors run at < 2.0ghz. Lower clock frequency = lower power consumption and less heat, which are good for a laptop

1.5ghz Core 2 is faster than 1.7ghz Pentium 4

What graphics chip does your new laptop have?

The processor speed isnt all that important.
It might be abit slower at the later stages
but you should be fine.

The 2 most important things would be memory
and graphic card. Your memory should be more
then enough so its down to the graphic card.

Isnt there any spec for what graphic card is
inside that laptop ?

Civ4 can't take advantage of multiple CPU cores

Somewhat unrelated; Do you also need more than 32 bits in your operating system or is this some urban legend? I've read conflicting reports...

No. Civ4 is a 32bit application

Ok maybe I wasn't clear but I meant for computers in general. Can Windows XP 32 bits can take advantage of 4 gigs of RAM or duo cores? I saw all kinds of info on that...

RAM: No. 32bit operating systems have a RAM limit of 4 gigabytes (2^32 bytes)
Multicores: Yes

RAM: No. 32bit operating systems have a RAM limit of 4 gigabytes (2^32 bytes)

Um, so that's a yes, not a no, is it? :eek: Maybe I'm just easily confused. I mean, no it can't, or yes it can take advantage of it? Because you say no, then you say 32 bits have a ram limit of 4 gigs, which is yes to my question, hehe.

Other types of memory also count towards the limit. If you have a video card with 512mb VRAM then a 32bit Windows can use about 3.5gb RAM

Wow, this threads gone woosh over my head in just a couple of posts haha.

I've had a search and the dixons site says the graphics card is a INTEL GMA X3100.

I also saw some forum threads complaining about this model because of the graphics card. Some games wouldnt work on peoples comps and other people were saying it was the cards fault.