Dedicated Video RAM (is this right?)

[NSM]

OK, I don't know much about computers (only a decent bit).

I currently own Civ 5 and want to get the Complete Edition. However, according to the Can I run it website, I don't meet the requirements for G&K and BNW, only vanilla.

And it's because of the section under Video Card titled "Dedicated Video RAM" (which on this site doesn't appear for vanilla, it's only on G&K and BNW)

I only have 64 MB, and I guess I need 256.

So I just want to know how I can fix this (if possible. There's no way I can tear apart my computer or anything).

Any help is appreciated!

 

[NSM]

So is this article correct?

http://www.pvladov.com/2013/10/increase-intel-hd-graphics-dedicated-video-memory.html

I have 8 GB of ram, but I'll probably just go up to the recommended 512. But it doesn't really guide you through it all that much. Do I push F2 or F10 or what?

 

[NSM]

Also, here's my computer's details, if that helps anyone haha

Processor:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2100 CPU @ 3.10GHz
Manufacturer Intel
Speed 3.1 GHz
Number of Cores 4

Video Card:
Intel(R) HD Graphics
Manufacturer Intel
Chipset Intel(R) HD Graphics
Dedicated Memory 64 MB
Total Memory 1.7 GB

Memory:
8.1 GB

Operating System:
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition Service Pack 1 (build 7601), 64-bit
Service Pack 1
Size 64 Bit
Edition Home Premium

Display Maximum Resolution:
1920 x 1080

Drive 1
Size 920.3 GB
Free 829.5 GB

Drive 2
Size 11.1 GB
Free 1.4 GB

 

[Quintillus]

According to Brave New World's Steam page, you need:

256 MB ATI HD2600 XT or better, 256 MB nVidia 7900 GS or better, or Core i3 or better integrated graphics

As I read it, that implies that if you have an nVIDIA 7900 GS, for example, it needs to be a 256 MB version, not a 128 MB version for example. On dedicated graphics cards, the amount of memory it comes with is what you've got (with a few rare exceptions where you can add additional memory to it after purchase). Integrated graphics, while weaker in general, tend to be more flexible in how much memory they can use, which is likely why BNW's page didn't specify an amount of memory for the i3 graphics. It's not uncommon to see computers advertised with something like "Intel HD graphics with 1792 MB of memory!", even though that's much more memory than Intel graphics can make good use of.

So based on that (as well as the fact that you appear to already be playing Civ5), I would suspect you will be okay. BNW also has a demo, so it couldn't hurt to try that (G&K also has a demo).

Nevertheless, your graphics won't be silky-smooth (and I'd be surprised if they were for vanilla Civ5, either). Since you have a desktop, you could upgrade to a dedicated graphics card if the graphics performance is poor. Even with a relatively low-end dedicated card, the difference should be major (several times as powerful).

I can't comment on the accuracy of the linked article, as I've never had Intel graphics on one of my home computers.

 

[illram]

If all you have is onboard video with that i3-2100, no you will not get playable framerates with Civ 5. The i3-2100 has HD2000 onboard graphics which according to benchmarks will net you an unplayable 14 or so FPS with everything turned down at 1024x768.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/...core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/11

Get a $70 card and you can play perfectly fine at low frame rates though. E.g. a 730 or an R7 240. $100 will get you something that can actually make it look pretty, like an R 250X or a 7770.

 

[NSM]

I really don't care how it looks, just as long as it runs smoothly.

But if I get the demo and it works fine, will I be good to go and buy it? (I mean they're practically the same game right? )

 

[NSM]

So I played the G&K demo and it ran fine, so I assume I can get the game and there shouldn't be any problems.

I'm going to try the BNW demo now though just to be sure.

 

[timtofly]

You will be able to play on small maps with a limited amount of Civs and city-states. You may not get to see your units gliding across the screen, but you can still move them to where they need to go. You may see late game slow downs and crashes.

 

[Quintillus]

I really don't care how it looks, just as long as it runs smoothly.

But if I get the demo and it works fine, will I be good to go and buy it? (I mean they're practically the same game right? )

The thing is, different people have different definitions of smoothly. Knowing that the HD 2000 graphics you have are 35-40% slower than the graphics on my 2007 laptop, which I'd consider "acceptable" but no better for Civ5 (based on the few times I've played it), I probably would not personally consider the HD 2000 to provide smooth graphics for Civ5. But if that's what you're used to, it may be acceptable to you even if it wasn't to illram or me.

As another example, back in late 2005, the computer that I was playing Civ4 on got about 20 FPS (frames per second) on Civ4, with standard-or-smaller maps. At the time, that was okay. But once I got my laptop in 2007, and got 60 FPS instead of 20, 20 seemed pretty low. So a lot of it is what you're used to. It also depends somewhat on the type of game. 20 FPS is playable in a strategy game like Civ, and 14 FPS might even be playable if you aren't used to higher FPS (and thus smoother graphics). But trying to play a racing game or a shooter at 14 FPS would be a disaster, because reaction time is much more critical in those games.

I think timtofly is right that, as long as you don't push the map sizes, you'll likely be satisfied with the graphics in the full games if you are in the demos. IIRC the Civ5 demos are on Small maps.