hp compaq nc6000

[cb4]

Hi, hoping to buy a computer and play civ4 on it, the cheapest I could find is HP Compaq NC6000. Spec is here: http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/laptops/hp-compaq-business-notebook-nc6000-review-39187523/specs/

Would it work? If not, what do I need more of?

May or may not be obvious that I know little about computers, but please, feed me knowledge.

 

[tokala]

I don't think a 9600 with 32 MB 64bit video memory will be good enough for Civ4
Even if it will work somehow, you will have to resort to minmum-ish settings, and the more graphics-intensive mods will probably be out of reach for you.
Processor is fine, but you should get 1, better 2GB of main memory.

I hope you are aware that those are "refurbished", i.e. used laptops.

More hopefully useful information can be found in this thread.

 

[cb4]

cheers, so 1-2GB RAM and are you saying 64MB video-RAM? yep i'd noticed it's refurbished but thanks. does it make much difference though?

cheers for your help

 

[tokala]

In the case of that HP it probably means that the laptop was already in regular use for several years, it has obsolete hardware and worn down battery, display and harddrive and is more likely to break than a new one

The official requirements specify 64MB as the minimum.
But in addition to the amount of VRAM, its speed and the speed of the video processor is important.

I'm able to run Fall from Heaven 2 smoothly on medium settings on a 128MB mobility X1300. That video card is comparable in performance to a full-fledged mobility 9600, the probem is that HP has only a 64 bit memory interface, which makes it slower than the "real thing"

Older generations of video cards are also more likely to give driver trouble, as the support for them has ceased.

To be on the save side for Civ4, you should look for something with a video card from "class 3" of that notebookcheck overview.

 

[cb4]

OK thanks, I appreciate it