Is this my computer or graphics card?

[Elcapitan]

Just downloaded civ V from steam, first time I'd ever heard of legal game downloads but worked fine.

Anyway, i want to play the game on a big map, with lots of other players. problem is, it runs sloowww. I'm pretty sure it's my graphics card, but can someone just let me know before I go out and spend lots of money on one, that a graphics card IS what's making the game run slow.

Ok, my computer specs are as follows:

CPU - AMD AM3 640 Quad Core 3.0ghz 2mb Cache
Motherboard - M4A78LT-M
Memory - 8gb DDR3
Hard Drive - 1000gb Sata Hard Drive
Graphics Card - Integrated ATI Graphics

Intergrated ATI Graphics sounds like a pile of balls to me but again, just double checking.

And also, if it is the graphics card, which one should I buy? I don't really want to spend over 150 if I can.


Thanks

 

[tokala]

Anyway, i want to play the game on a big map, ...

It's the game. Try smaller maps, and hope that the next patch will increase the performance. Strategic mode might help, too.

That integrated video chip is about as good as it gets for an IGP. A discrete card will only make it look prettier, not play faster.

 

[timtofly]

What are the specks of this integrated ATI? Adding ATI's Discrete Card may boost your performance. They may be based on DirectX 10, and from the forums CivV does not do well on 10.

I would match up the recommended card from AMD that has been tested to work with your motherboard. Knowing what chipset is on your motherboard would help out also.