Minimum Requirements

[nyc10028]

It appears I have the minimum requirements, but I wanted to know before I go out and buy Civ4 if the game will perform well on my laptop.

Here's what I've got...

Processor: 2.60 GHz
Memory (RAM): 1GB
Video Card: NVidia GE Force4 4200 Go
Windows XP Professional

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[leeberg]

Should be sufficient. I'm running it without problems on a Laptop with similar specs.

 

[jimmiedee65]

where was it you went for system details?

 

[jimmiedee65]

Oh found em:

Processor: 2.40 GHz
RAM: 256 MB
Video Card: NVidia GeForce MX 420
Windows XP Home

My RAM seems tiny compared to your 1GB. I downloaded some updates from NVidia once, but they seemed to slow my computer down. I rebooted just yesterday but i still can't play any huge maps, and large maps slow down quite a lot when everywhere's been revealed.
I play on minimal graphics quality. The game intro stutters and when i insert the disc it takes 3-5 minutes before it makes the whirring sound and the disc reads.

Do you think i just need to increase RAM to solve most of the problems or do i need updates to nvidia aswell?

 

[crunch]

More RAM is definitely inevitable to even attempt larger maps. I'd recommend to start with buying a 1GB chip of RAM and check how it works. If you're fine with min graphics and no movies (turn em off) it should be playable on larger maps as well.

 

[jimmiedee65]

oh thanks
when i turn on my comp it says i've got 64MB of something or other, don't know what it is, but it sounds low :-S will that be a problem?

 

[auldian]

The minimum system requirements supported are here. You might be able to play with less, but they're not expecting to support you if you have troubles on a lesser box.
To see most of your relevant specs run DXDIAG. To do this, go to your Start menu > Run... > enter "dxdiag" in the box (no quotes) and press enter. When that program has gathered it's data and finished, click [save all information] and save the file to review it.

 

[ibcoltscrew]

The Minimum System Requirements is just enough to start a Tiny map and play a couple of turns... the Recommended System Requirements is enough to play on small -medium maps with 8-12 Civ ... you need at least 1-1.5 Gb RAM and 128-256mb Video Card with a VERY GOOD Processor (2.6Ghz & faster).. Unless you have the Video Card, the RAM and the Processor, don't buy it.

 

[catbeef]

Oh found em:

Processor: 2.40 GHz
RAM: 256 MB
Video Card: NVidia GeForce MX 420
Windows XP Home

My RAM seems tiny compared to your 1GB. I downloaded some updates from NVidia once, but they seemed to slow my computer down. I rebooted just yesterday but i still can't play any huge maps, and large maps slow down quite a lot when everywhere's been revealed.
I play on minimal graphics quality. The game intro stutters and when i insert the disc it takes 3-5 minutes before it makes the whirring sound and the disc reads.

Do you think i just need to increase RAM to solve most of the problems or do i need updates to nvidia aswell?

I had an MX 440, the nVidia updates really dont support older cards any more, they used to completely break most games.

The Minimum System Requirements is just enough to start a Tiny map and play a couple of turns... the Recommended System Requirements is enough to play on small -medium maps with 8-12 Civ ... you need at least 1-1.5 Gb RAM and 128-256mb Video Card with a VERY GOOD Processor (2.6Ghz & faster).. Unless you have the Video Card, the RAM and the Processor, don't buy it.

I have an Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core 3800+ (which only clocks 2.01ghz) and 1gb ram and I can run the game in high detail just fine to the end of time on a huge massive map with all civs enabled.

 

[jimmiedee65]

How much would 1 gb of RAM cost? and how do i know if it would fit?

 

[auldian]

How much would 1 gb of RAM cost? and how do i know if it would fit?

I would recommend a respectable store in your area for a computer. They can often ascertain it's present configuration and usually install additional or replacement RAM for you (sometimes free with RAM purchase). They can turn it on to verify it's correctly installed whereas if you upgrade yourself and the computer no longer turns on, it can be awkward to correct.
Web sites for memory companies like www.crucial.com as well as your computer manufacturer (i.e. Dell, Toshiba, HP, etc.) may have additional information for you.

 

[jimmiedee65]

oh ok, i was thinking of a particular auction website, but i think i'll take you're advice thanks

 

[Mistoffeles]

oh ok, i was thinking of a particular auction website, but i think i'll take you're advice thanks

Unless you are a hardware god, don't buy parts off ebay, you're just asking for trouble. You will get no guarantee that the thing works, no warranty, and likely no support from the manufacturer.

A good site to look for most things is http://www.pricewatch.com, but remember, these are basically advertisements of specials, you should research the actual vendor suppling the parts carefully before purchasing. "Caveat emptor" is the watch phrase when buying online.

Memory is best purchased directly from http://www.kingston.com or http://www.corsair.com unless you can find a good price from a good online distributor such as http://www.tigerdirect.com/ or http://www.ncix.com/

 

[jimmiedee65]

lol hardware god
that's me

hehe


i'll try the website...

thanks

 

[sourboy]

Anyone clarify what the minimum req's are to run a smooth [largest map/max civs] game?

I'm guessing, 2Gh proc, 1G mem, 256M vid card?

 

[Bastard Guy]

The Minimum System Requirements is just enough to start a Tiny map and play a couple of turns... the Recommended System Requirements is enough to play on small -medium maps with 8-12 Civ ... you need at least 1-1.5 Gb RAM and 128-256mb Video Card with a VERY GOOD Processor (2.6Ghz & faster).. Unless you have the Video Card, the RAM and the Processor, don't buy it.

If I had 1.25GB of RAM, a 256MB graphics card, but a 2.0GHz processor, would I still be allright?

 

[salty mud]

If I had 1.25GB of RAM, a 256MB graphics card, but a 2.0GHz processor, would I still be allright?

Maybe. Try it from friend/rent it. Probably poor though.

Perhaps change your name. I don't think people will appriciate it.

 

[Bastard Guy]

Maybe. Try it from friend/rent it. Probably poor though.

Perhaps change your name. I don't think people will appriciate it.

Poor, as in...? What size map with how many civs would I be able to play? What if I had the graphics settings on low?