Sorry if there's been lengthy discussion on this already, but I'm purchasing a computer recently and would like to be sure I can play Civ5 on it.
Actually, I would like to purchase a laptop. It's unfortunate that Civ5 is by far the only thing I'll actually need computing POWER for, I expect it to drive up the cost.
The semi-good news is I almost never play anything larger than the standard size map. I shouldn't need much more than the minimum requirements.
I'm pretty sure they haven't announced anything re: minimum requirements yet, but I'm wondering if I could get some good estimates on what I'd need to look for in purchasing a laptop, or desktop if I must.
Laptops are always more expensive for the power, for Desktops, AMD is almost always the best deal
Depend on your budget.
The efficient minimum rig consist at least:
1.Your OS having Vista or Windows 7 -64bit of any version. I have Vista Home Premium Edition Service Pack 2.
2. CPU has to have Quad core. AMD and Intel has different architecture so each has different GHZ even if both of them are, for example has 2.3 ghz or whatever.
3. Video Card has to have at least 512 MB. Whether it be NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS or greater; 512 MB ATI Radeon HD 3850 or greater. I have the Geforce 9800+ with SLI ready in case I want to add another same card. If considering doing that, make sure your powersupply and motherboard is SLI ready. I found out the hard way and had to get these.
4. RAM has to be 4GB for Vista and Windows 7. I think Windows XP SP3 need only 2GB.
with Vista and Windows 7, 6 or 8GB RAM is good (depending if it is dual or triple channel)
I will also buy PC for civ5, and after weeks of reading about PC, I say:
Core i5 750 + HD 5770 is the best as pricewise...
especially if you buy for, say, 5 years and have your PC on idle for long times...
if you are going to keep the rig until Civ VI than a AMD is good because extreme upgradeable
Really all just speculation though, right?
I hope a quad core is not a requirement. I'd rather have a game that runs smoothly and quickly than a game that heavily relies on the graphics card, too. Don't need a trireme vs. battleship animation to be all that impressive or more detailed expressions on Gandhi's face when he's infuriated.
not a requirement, but more cores=better until you hit 12 for Civ V (can use up to 8 cores and 4 cores runs everything else)
I would think that civ5 works with a single core but dual core is prob recomended. But it will be able to use quad core so that is better
not going to be a fun time on a single core (designed for two-eight)
Smartest thing would be to wait for the actual system requirements. So you can be sure you get a sufficiently fast computer. Plus pc/component prices would probably have dropped a bit by then.
get it the week before release (should get better deals then)
if Laptop than
TOSHIBA Satellite A505-S6035
.....Intel Core i7 720QM(1.60GHz)
.....16" screen
.....4GB Memory DDR3 1066
.....500GB HDD 5400rpm
.....NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
@$899.99
if Desktop than (some assembly required)
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T BE @3.2GHz (overclockers dream with a good cooling system BC multiplier unlocked)
GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
G.SKILL Ripjaws DDR3 1600 2x2GB
CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series CWCH50-1
Total $680
but you still need (all probably salvageable, but SSD good for Boot Drive and Civ)
Case
PSU
HDD/SSD
Optical Drive
