Mod fix instead of patch fix?

[bio_hazard]

I'm one of the many with apparent hardware issues (great laptop with substandard integrated graphics card)

Just a probably unrealistic idea here, but wondering whether one work-around would be mods that could emphasize what the non T&L cards can handle. I understand that the line between patches and mods becomes more blurry with a game like Civ, but it in my perfect little happy world maybe we could have some games to play that don't invovle pitch-black terrain and bread-only resource icons.

Now you techies- discuss amongst yourselves.

And flamers- thanks in advance for telling me not to be a stupid cheapskate and that I should have forseen this a year and a half ago when i bought my laptop.