color depth and refresh rate

[Goresnet]

Is there a way to change these settings? I've got my desktop set to 16 million colors and 75 refresh. I know my monitor clicks to a different setting when I start the game, but I'm not sure which one changes. I run my desktop and the game at 1280 x 1024, so I know it's not changing that. I've got an old fx 5200, that's why I want to run at 16 m colors. Refresh rate, I'm not too worried about.

Long time guest, first time poster. Great site! Loved Civ since the beginning.

 

[Zydor]

The game changes to the resolution set in the menu options. It will run at that resolution whether or not its in a window or full screen.

The PC will run the desktop at the res set in Display Properties - whether ot not you are in full screen mode (behind it the card still maintains a separate res for the desktop)

To change the desktop res - right click on desktop - goto display properties - settings tab - change the res shown - and change the colour res to 16 bit

In the game ini file make sure you set the colour to 16 bit if you do the above. Its at:
C:\Documents and Settings\New User\My Documents\My Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 4\CivilizationIV.ini

To change the screen refresh rate outside the game (inside the game it will default to 60Hz no matter what you do) go back to display properties - select settings - click advanced - click monitor and set the drop down box to 60Hz

A disadvantage of the 60Hz change is that it sets the desktop for everything else after you close the game. However, with LCD panels setting it to 60Hz can many times reduce the blur you get when scrolling with a low spec card (the card has to work hard dealing with the different Vertical refresh rates in the game and the desktop)

Regards
Zy

 

[Goresnet]

Thanks Zydor - do you mean the _civ4config.ini for the 16 bit color depth? Also, I know how to change everything in windows. But thanks for letting me know that Civ 4 uses a 60Hz refresh. Thats most likely what makes my monitor change.

 

[Zydor]

the ini file may change name depending on Country of release, I am in UK.

However, open it up, if there are the settings inside - and its in the directory I posted - go for it

Regards
Zy