graphics card help

[civfan063]

Hello all, First time posting in this site. My background is in audio, but when it comes to video/graphics I don't know very much at all. I'm a long time Civ fan, who recently upgraded to Civ4, but it doesn't seem to be running as smoothly as I'd like.

The opening sequence doesn't play smoothly, and the game defaults to the lowest graphic settings.

I have an HP with a Pentium 4 2.8 GHz Hyper-Threading processor.
My Graphics card is an NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X.
I have 512 MB RAM

If the solution is a new graphics card, any suggestions? Keep in mind, I would just be looking for something to run Civ4 to its full potential.

Thanks in advance.

 

[superslug]

It's going to depend largely on how much you're looking to spend. And to be honest, you'd be best off updgrading your RAM and your video card. Luckily, there's great bargains on both right now. For a video card, I'd look at the Nvidia 6600 or 6800's. Both are great bang for the buck right now. As far as RAM goes, you'd need to find out how many open slots you have, but going up to a full gig or even two would do wonders.

 

[Mistoffeles]

As a minimum I would recommend getting a pair of 512MB RAM sticks (all memory works in pairs these days, so your current 512MB has to be a pair of 256MB sticks)) that are supported by your motherboard (www.crucial.com can recommend some based on your motherboard information). Put the new memory where the old stuff is, and move the old ones into the empty slots, so you will have 1.5GB total. That should suffice for at least a year or two, or you can bite the bullet and grab a pair of 1GB modules for 2GB total (or 2.5GB if you reuse your pair or 256s).

For a video card, go to www.pricewatch.com and find yourself a nice, inexpensive 256MB card. A 6800 XT can be had for $112, or a 7600 GT for $170 (US$).

 

[Zanmato]

I would up your RAM to 1Gb then look at getting a GeForce series 6 card, those two that SuperSlug suggests are excellent mid-range cards for the money.

 

[superslug]

(all memory works in pairs these days, so your current 512MB has to be a pair of 256MB sticks))

Most memory may be enabled to work in dual-channel pairs these days, but it doesn't always come in pairs in retail systems. RAM chips do work individually, and a lot of 256/512 value systems only come with one chip.

Pricewatch is a great site, but if you want the best, go NewEgg.

 

[Mistoffeles]

Most memory may be enabled to work in dual-channel pairs these days, but it doesn't always come in pairs in retail systems. RAM chips do work individually, and a lot of 256/512 value systems only come with one chip.

Pricewatch is a great site, but if you want the best, go NewEgg.

Ok, taking my gaming-coloured glasses off, yes there are computers that can run 1 chip, but then you are getting roughly half the performance of of real computer (real computer = something that is not handicapped by unnecessary bottlenecks to save the manufacturer a buck or two).

NewEgg is ok, but is is far from "the best" vendor of computer parts and systems (unless you're a NewEgg fanboy), and besides NewEgg advertises on PriceWatch too, so by going only to NewEgg you are limiting your choices. Other excellent options include TigerDirect, NCIX (usually better if you are in Canada or the Pacific Northwest region of the US) and Monarch Computers (generally better if you are in Ohio or Michigan, but still good no matter where in the SU or Canada you are located).