Official System Requirements

[tokala]

Hi. I can play Civ5 with directx9 quite easily, but when I try to play it on dx10/11, its very choppy and unplayable. Could this be a settings issue? Instead of trying each setting differently (why can't we change them while in a game?!) to try and get it playable, I was hoping someone here might have a suggestion. It just looks soo much better with dx10/11!

My specs:
AMD Athlon Dual Core 5050e 2.6 ghz
Windows 7 64bit
4 gigs of ram
GeForce 9800 GT
DX11 installed

I've played Dragon Age on max settings, SC2 max settings, and even Crysis on medium-to-high settings with no problem at all. Why would civ5 be giving me problems?

Civ5 uses supposedly a custom game engine. The 8800/9800 series is very inefficient in its VRAM usage, that might be the culprit. Do you have 512 or 1024 MB, and at which resolution do you play?

CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz
Memory: 2 GB
Video Card: Intel(R) 82954G Express Chipset Family

So it appears I'm right at the minimum for RAM, (I think maxed out on the slots so not upgradable), but the video card is a killer.

I'm vaguely in the market for a laptop, however. Any thoughts on what the game experience will be like if I upgrade the existing PC vs. trying to play it on a new laptop that comes closer to the recommended CPU and RAM specs?

Both options are less than optimal for Civ5. Any video card upwards of ~$60 would enable your desktop to run with pretty nice graphics, but it will probably not much fun on anything but tiny/small maps. You probably cannot upfgrade the CPU in a meaningful way.
Laptops in general get expensive it you want to run games decently on them, they deliver only about half the performance of a desktop at a given pricepoint. There are a few "which laptop should I buy" thread floating around in this forum and in the Colosseum.

 

[SHADOW-XIII]

It seems I managed to run demo on my laptop, single core cpu ~2Ghz, 1.5GB ram, geforce 6100 Go. The lowest possible settings, dx9 mode. Graphic looks crap (fog of war is just black hex, some wheat got black square terrain underneath) but game is loading faster than Civ4 in some cases

anyone can confirm that demo runs same as full version (or faster/slower?)

 

[tokala]

It seems I managed to run demo on my laptop, single core cpu ~2Ghz, 1.5GB ram, geforce 6100 Go. The lowest possible settings, dx9 mode. Graphic looks crap (fog of war is just black hex, some wheat got black square terrain underneath) but game is loading faster than Civ4 in some cases

anyone can confirm that demo runs same as full version (or faster/slower?)

I see no noticable differences, and it displays the same version number in the menu screen

 

[Greep]

I know there are some people in these forums that know a lot more about computers than I do so I'm asking for your advice!

My rig is as follows:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2,66GHz
Memory: 6GB of RAM
Graphics card: GeForce 8600 GTS 512MB
Motherboard: ASUS P5K Deluxe
OS: Windows 7 64bit

I tried the CIV V demo and at the moment I can run it on low-ish settings and the game is playable. I'm assuming the bottleneck for me is my Graphics card right? As I don't have the money to buy a whole new computer would it be beneficial for me to upgrade my graphics card? And if so what would you guys recommend? I'm not looking for anything like top of the food chain but something that gives good performance but won't drive me bankrupt...

 

[tokala]

I'm assuming the bottleneck for me is my Graphics card right? As I don't have the money to buy a whole new computer would it be beneficial for me to upgrade my graphics card? And if so what would you guys recommend? I'm not looking for anything like top of the food chain but something that gives good performance but won't drive me bankrupt...

Sounds like the HD5670 is it for you. 512MB version should be sufficient for FullHD and below resolutions. If you prefer nVidia cards, then the GTS450.

 

[McLMan]

I know there are some people in these forums that know a lot more about computers than I do so I'm asking for your advice!

My rig is as follows:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2,66GHz
Memory: 6GB of RAM
Graphics card: GeForce 8600 GTS 512MB
Motherboard: ASUS P5K Deluxe
OS: Windows 7 64bit

I tried the CIV V demo and at the moment I can run it on low-ish settings and the game is playable. I'm assuming the bottleneck for me is my Graphics card right? As I don't have the money to buy a whole new computer would it be beneficial for me to upgrade my graphics card? And if so what would you guys recommend? I'm not looking for anything like top of the food chain but something that gives good performance but won't drive me bankrupt...

This chart from Tom's Hardware is a nice reference for seeing where your GFX card sits. Note they recommend not upgrading unless the replacement is at least 3 tiers higher than your current card. GTS 450 would be a nice improvement over what you have, if you can swing a GTS 460 for a little over $225 right now you'd probably get an additional year out of it.

 

[jimkirk]

i have a core 2 duo 2.13 ghz intel e5430 im running civ 5 but not on the highest screen resolution settings i do have a nvidia based 9800 gt win 7 home premium 32 bit

 

[Somebloke]

Hey, stupid question:

In 1996-7 (I forget precisely) I bought a new PC and with it, Civ 2. In 2006 I bought a laptop, and with it, Cvi 4.

In a week or so I'm going to buy another laptop, and with it, Civ 5.

Now moving beyond the sad fact that I'm so wrapped up in this series that I based my computer specs around whether or not it can play the latest version of civ, could anyone let me know if this:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/ASUS_...9V/version.asp

ASUS K50IJ SX249V Laptop
Processor - Intel Pentium T4400 - 2.2 GHz
RAM - 4 GB
Hard Drive - 500 GB
Operating System - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition
Optical Drive - DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM
Graphics - Intel GMA 4500M

Will play the damn game? Otherwise I'm probably going to buy this one...

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/HP_Pa...EA/version.asp

HP Pavilion dv6-3040sa Windows 7 Laptop
Processor - AMD Turion II Dual-Core - 2.3 GHz
RAM - 4 GB
Hard Drive - 500 GB
Operating System - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Optical Drive - DVD Super Multi
Graphics - ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470


or a Sony Vaio, which my girlfriend (the brand whore) is urging me to get.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/sony-v...59666-pdt.html

SONY VAIO VPCEE2M1E/WI
Processor AMD Athlon™ II Dual-Core Processor P320
- 2.1 GHZ
- 3.2 GHz HT
- 1MB L2 Cache
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM 4GB
Graphics card ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4250 Graphics
Hard drive 500GB


If any of these games will allow me to invoke a nuclear holocaust on Ghandi that would be great!

 

[civ_king]

Hey, stupid question:

In 1996-7 (I forget precisely) I bought a new PC and with it, Civ 2. In 2006 I bought a laptop, and with it, Cvi 4.

In a week or so I'm going to buy another laptop, and with it, Civ 5.

Now moving beyond the sad fact that I'm so wrapped up in this series that I based my computer specs around whether or not it can play the latest version of civ, could anyone let me know if this:

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/ASUS_...9V/version.asp

ASUS K50IJ SX249V Laptop
Processor - Intel Pentium T4400 - 2.2 GHz
RAM - 4 GB
Hard Drive - 500 GB
Operating System - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition
Optical Drive - DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM
Graphics - Intel GMA 4500M

Will play the damn game? Otherwise I'm probably going to buy this one...

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/HP_Pa...EA/version.asp

HP Pavilion dv6-3040sa Windows 7 Laptop
Processor - AMD Turion II Dual-Core - 2.3 GHz
RAM - 4 GB
Hard Drive - 500 GB
Operating System - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Optical Drive - DVD Super Multi
Graphics - ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470


or a Sony Vaio, which my girlfriend (the brand whore) is urging me to get.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/sony-v...59666-pdt.html

SONY VAIO VPCEE2M1E/WI
Processor AMD Athlon™ II Dual-Core Processor P320
- 2.1 GHZ
- 3.2 GHz HT
- 1MB L2 Cache
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM 4GB
Graphics card ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4250 Graphics
Hard drive 500GB


If any of these games will allow me to invoke a nuclear holocaust on Ghandi that would be great!

The fourth option: wait six months and get a laptop with double the GPU for the same price

 

[tokala]

Now moving beyond the sad fact that I'm so wrapped up in this series that I based my computer specs around whether or not it can play the latest version of civ, could anyone let me know if this:
...
If any of these games will allow me to invoke a nuclear holocaust on Ghandi that would be great!

You won't have much fun with either of those. Have a look at this thread for something more suited.

 

[Titus001]

Civ 4 on my pc.

Civ 5 on my pc.

I will need to save up some

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/analysis.aspx

 

[Seaswolf]

Hello All !!

I don´t know yet, but I think I´m the only one who had download Civ V Demo but could not play it yet.
I download the demo yesterday night from Steam and bought the pre-order about 5 months ago !!!!!!!
But when I click to run it, no matter if will be through Directx 9 link or Directc 10/11 link, the game crash during the opening !!!!
That means I can´t check what type of crash happens because my Windows says that found an error and the program must close and if it finds a solution will let me know after !
What a hell, no ???
I checked all the recommendation to run the game and it is ok.

My computer is:

HP Intel i3 2,93 Ghz
Video card ATI HD 4350 w/ 512 MB
4 Gb of RAM
Blue Ray disc reader w/ conventional CD/DVD recorder.
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bits
Hard disk w/ 1 Tera

I tried launch the game with internet off, without the gadgets in the windows, etc...
But nothing could make the game advance at least in the option part.

Also, I did:

- downloaded the latest driver video !
- downloaded all Windows update...
- turned off the introduction
- changed the screen resolution

I have a idea that could be the monitor that causes the crash, but I´m not sure about it.
It is a 22' LG widescreen-M228WA with HD ready. There I can see Blue Ray movies without problem or play any other game like GTA4 or even Civ 4....

Any one has any idea what is going on ?
Or what I can do to solve the problem ??

Tks for your help !!

 

[mitrosc]

Where does the ATI Mobility 4200HD fit into the equation or graphics card ratings?

Cheers,

Mike

 

[The_J]

If you look in here, you'll see that the ATi Radeon 4350 is totally under min. specs, and your card is worse .

 

[wilmer007]

can someone help me with recommended settings. i'm using the demo with dx10/11 and all minimum settings and resolution at 1366 x 768 @ 23hz. I can't see my FPS with fraps on DX10/11 but i can see them with DX9, however i did not like the look of DX9. anyways here are my specs i'm looking for optimum performance i just don't know if i'm using the right settings, dx10/11 feels fine to me with these settings but load saves take forever so i'm hoping different settings will make for laster loading of saves. here are my specs:

Windows 7 Ultimate @ 32bit with Core 2 Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHZ
3gb DDR2 Ram
Geforce 9500M GS

this is basically my laptop (which is an Acer 6920G) so sorry if it's a couple of years old.

 

[tokala]

Any one has any idea what is going on ?
Or what I can do to solve the problem ??

Are your drivers for the mainboard and video card up to date? Even if they are, you might try to uninstal and than reinstall the ATI drivers. People got it to run on way worse hardware.

Where does the ATI Mobility 4200HD fit into the equation or graphics card ratings?

Near the bottom of the barrel But it should work, according to other reports.

 

[voe]

what should I prioritise in an upgrade? Don't necessarily want the highest graphics level, quicker gameplay is more ikmprrtanty. demo runs, but is slow in processing turns (where have quick move and single units gone by the way...?)

Intel Core 2 Duo 7200, 2,0 GHz
nvidia 7600 GT
8 GB RAM

 

[Somebloke]

Thanks for all of your advice.

How does an i7 integrated graphics card stand up to muster? Barely acceptable, recommended or somewhere inbetween?

ADVENT Sienna 710
Processor Intel® Core™ i7-620M Processor
- 2.66 GHz
- 2.5 GT/s DMI
- 4 MB L3 Cache
Hard drive: 320 Gb
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM - 4GB installed DDR3 RAM
Graphics card Integrated Intel® HD Graphics
Screen type Widescreen LCD

The whole discussion is making me think that I need to get a reasonably good computer anyway.

 

[tokala]

what should I prioritise in an upgrade? Don't necessarily want the highest graphics level, quicker gameplay is more ikmprrtanty. demo runs, but is slow in processing turns (where have quick move and single units gone by the way...?)

Intel Core 2 Duo 7200, 2,0 GHz
nvidia 7600 GT
8 GB RAM

Something does not add up. An E7200 should run at 2.53Ghz. If it's a T7200, it should be in a laptop, which in turn cannot have a 7600GT
In any case the video card is the weakest link.

Thanks for all of your advice.
How does an i7 integrated graphics card stand up to muster? Barely acceptable, recommended or somewhere inbetween?

 

[Somebloke]

Something does not add up. An E7200 should run at 2.53Ghz. If it's a T7200, it should be in a laptop, which in turn cannot have a 7600GT
In any case the video card is the weakest link.

So not that much different to an i3 or i5, then?