Hardware Requirements?

[Pleiotropy]

I have not been able to find anywhere any definitive comments on the projected CivIII hardware requirements. It seems as though the additional graphics would be the limiting factor, and since those seem to be roughly set, Firaxis should be able to give a general idea of systems which would at least run CivIII comfortably (although it's understandable that folks might be reluctant to give a final minimum cutoff with the game still in development, lest it turn out to require slightly more).

I'd guess perhaps a PII 300Mh, 64Mb, 4Mb graphics system would have absolutely no problem. Perhaps a PII 233Mh, 32Mb would be close to the minimum? Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable responses.

 

[BlueMonday]

I don't have any difinitive answers, but from the parts of the game I've seen in preveiws, critiques, vids, etc I'd say a PII 266MHz minimum -PII 450 recomended. I'm sure you'll need a decent video card (not a top of line) and at least 32 Mb RAM.

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[Dreadnaught]

I agree about the RAM, for a big game like that you'll probably want 64MBz. Also what about hard-drive space, you think 1 GB is enough?? (just playin!)

Video Card? hmm good question..let's see hope nothing that isn't already on your computer when you buy it, cause if it is I don't go it.

Is a, Graphic something or other, the same thing as a video card?

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[BlueMonday]

Originally posted by Dreadnaught:

Is a, Graphic something or other, the same thing as a video card?

*I'm not sure of how good you are with computers so I'll keep this as simple as I can.

HUH? A graphic thingy whatchamacallit? Do mean a graphics port or accelorator on your motherboard? If so then, no. A video (or graphics) card is an internal card that fits into one of the PCI slots inside your computer -a "computer add on". If you have a computer made in the last few years, it is likely that you have a video/graphics card that came with the comp (unless your dealer decided to screw you). If you don't have a video card, you're using a port on the motherboard for your monitor and it can barely do half of what a video card can do.

If you have a win 9x operating system go start menu > control panel > system > device manager > display adapters. Whatever comes up is the component you're using for your video. For example, I have a Nvidia TNT2 video card and it says just that.

If it's conveniant you can do a manual check. Look at the back of your computer and find out where your monitor is plugged in. If it is attached at that bottom half (in a tower case) or on the left half (on a desktop case) in an opening about five inches wide and a half inch thick then you're using a video/graphics card. If it is attached in the area with all sorts of other colorful ports (printer cable port, keyboard cable port, mouse cable port) then you're using the motherboard for your video needs.

If you're using the motherboard for graphics, I must recommend that you get a video card. You can get a decent one at a very reasonable price and they're not that hard to install yourself either. Or you can just go to your local service dude and have him install one for you.

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[CornMaster]

Originally posted by BlueMonday:
Stuff BlueMonday said....A video (or graphics) card is an internal card that fits into one of the PCI slots inside your computer -a "computer add on".......More stuff he typed.

An excellent description for a beginner computer user.

But (and here comes the techie in me) video cards commonly come either onboard (on the motherboard, which Blue was right when he said, that it sucks.) or they come as an AGP card. (AGP = Advanced Graphics Port) It's like a PCI slot but offset and a different color (green, or black, while PCI are white or light gray) AGP is WAY better than both PCI and Onboard cards....Anyway...

Just getting a little nitpickey on you there.

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[bvd]

PI 166 MHZ
500 (at most) MB (hard-drive space) remaining
No 3D Accelerator
No Virtual Memory allocated
16x CD ROM
48.0 MB RAM

Do you think I could POSSIBLY run the game on my decrepit COMPAQ Presario? It's only five years old, and I'm already beginning to think that the manufacturers intentionally shortened its lifespan.

[This message has been edited by bvd (edited June 17, 2001).]

 

[BlueMonday]

bvd, your computer has a snowball's chance in hell of running civ 3. With all the brand new graphics, multitasking, and animations I have serious doubts about your ability to run civ 3.

Generally, five years is the maximum lifespan for a home PC unless you have a very upgradeable one. Perhaps it's time to start saving up to buy a new one (or you could build your own).

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[This message has been edited by BlueMonday (edited June 17, 2001).]

 

[bvd]

Exactly what I dreaded upon fully installing my own copy of Call to Power (I), which was two years ago. I took over two hours (over two days) to clear over 600 megs of hard-drive space (I didn't bother with their virtual memory threat). But, to my incredulity, it ran - quite well, actually, but it crashed one in ten times when saving (incidentally, it was even worse with their "patch"). Call to Power II (friend's copy) even ran.

I would confide my life to that machine. Especially the monitor; it's over twelve years old.

 

[Matrix]

It's true that hardware requirements doesn't have borders as hard as they were in the past. Dune 2000 ever ran on my 486. It went slow, but it worked.

I think Civ3 will run, bvd, but very slowly. It is Sid Meier's actual plan to keep the <u>minimal</u> hardware requirements to a minimum, but make other neat stuff available for people who do have a big computer (like me

).

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[GenghisK]

arf arf arf arf...
< the Mac God laughing at PC users <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/wink.gif" border=0>>
I'm never asking such philosophical questions. Because Civ 3 will run on any imac <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/tongue.gif" border=0>
aah, it's funny hearing people talking about "geforce 3 ultra ++", "46.459GO Hd", "421 MB ram sddrambusultradma" <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/smile.gif" border=0>

Anyway, I'll be surprised not to see Civ3 running on a P2-233. After all the 3d effects shouldn't be transcendent. And I focus more on the gameplay than on the technical capabilities of the 3d engine. BTW, 3D engine + Civ 3 = oxymoron <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/biggrin.gif" border=0>

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[This message has been edited by GenghisK (edited June 20, 2001).]