my dxdiag... what now?

[drunk7daysaweek]

Hello,

I'm posting my system specs, hopefully someone can tell me what I need to upgrade to get civ iv up and running (currently the black terrain problem )

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/15/2006, 17:06:29
       Machine name: enterprise
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.030422-1633)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
       System Model: KM266-8235
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2200+, ~1.8GHz
             Memory: 480MB RAM
          Page File: 224MB used, 514MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0904 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: S3 Graphics ProSavageDDR
     Manufacturer: S3 Graphics, Inc.
        Chip type: S3 ProSavage DDR
         DAC type: S3 SDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_5333&DEV_8D04&SUBSYS_39081462&REV_00
   Display Memory: 32.0 MB
     Current Mode: 800 x 600 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: s3gnb.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.0012 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 5/26/2003 13:57:42, 397056 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: s3gnbm.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 5/26/2003 13:57:50, 166912 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B75DD3-CE44-11CF-DE77-0219A1C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x5333
        Device ID: 0x8D04
        SubSys ID: 0x39081462
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_D 
 Deinterlace Caps: n/a
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

 

[robaughjr]

Your graphics card is way underspec, probably nothing you can do without upgrading.

 

[auldian]

RAM is another thing to look at. After the graphics card you may want to max it if you can. I got a big improvement going from 1gb to 1.5gb.
Here are the supported Minimum Requirements.
Let us know what you do and how it works

 

[drunk7daysaweek]

what graphics card should I get? I dont want to spend too much $$$, coz civ is the only pc game i play

 

[grahamiam]

just my 2 cents Also, a warning. I tried to google your chipset but couldn't find much. If you have your MB manual, you should verify this stuff in there. You can also post the MB name and I'll try to google it (or just give me a link )

I believe my wife has a similar motherboard. However, it seems MSI doesn't have much info on the web for the KM266-8235 chipset, but I believe that it uses PC2700 DDR memory (2.5V) or 100/133 MHz SDRAM. Make sure you only use only 1 type of memory, do not mix (read the MB manual!) I just bought my wife 1gig of PC2700 DDR (2.5V) from newegg.com for about $65. No need for fancy "duel channel" ram either, as this MB will not support it. PC2700 will be easier to find than SDRAM (and might be cheaper, not sure).

For the video card (which is likely the cause of your black terrain problem, but not 100% sure), I believe that you are currently using on-board version but you also have a 4X AGP slot. If that AGP slot is there, try to limit yourself to a 6600 (~US$100) or even down to an 9600XT AGP video card (~US$80). I have used a 9600 card without issue for CIV, but on a different motherboard, so your results may vary. Just make sure you use the latest drivers, not the ones that come in the box on a CD.

Finally, you may want to download SP2 for XP.

Good luck!