Video Card Q+A

[Michelangelo]

What card do you have exactly, as there are more than one intel card around

 

[alamo]

Judging by the results so far, you simply will have to get a real video card.

Intel just won't support T+L, since most PC buyers aren't gamers.

 

[Rise]

hi i did a system requirements check from the link on the first page of this thread and i passed the minimum requirements but failed on the recommended in the video card part i have a "NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X" whatever that is i was just wondering if it will affect the game and how. thanks

 

[alamo]

You'll probably have lag, maybe choppy movies. Go ahead and update the drivers and install DirectX9.0c.

Apparently there are a bunch of game options that can be tweaked to ease the burden.

 

[Rise]

You'll probably have lag, maybe choppy movies. Go ahead and update the drivers and install DirectX9.0c.

Apparently there are a bunch of game options that can be tweaked to ease the burden.

Was that for me would it be worth my while buying a new video card?how much are they anyway

 

[alamo]

The recommended is pretty high - Radeon 9800 / GeForce FX5200.

I bought a Radeon 9550 for $100, but I had to do something.

You should wait and see. Gfx cards should be cheaper after Xmas.

 

[Rise]

is this the kind of thing i need?
the link http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...33818/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/026-9997973-9031655

 

[Tharak]

Ok- I'm another person with these stupid Intel chips (82865). Being a computer idiot, I have a bit of a different question..

When I bought my "new" computer (Dell), about a year ago, I tried to transfer the graphics card from my old computer to my new one - however, there was no slot that would accept my old card (I think my old one fit an AGP? Sorry - really computer stupid..)- I assume they make graphics cards for different slots, but how do I know what will fit my computer??

I've got a Dell (no jokes, please ) DIM3000
Pentuim 4CPU 3.00GHz
2.99GHz, 512 RAM


Any help is appreciated!!!

 

[alamo]

Your old card would not likely pass muster anyway.

No AGP slot? You can get a PCI card, or maybe even a PCIe, depending on your slots.

You probably are still under support. You can call them and ask what kind of slots you have, or look it up on their website.

What model is it?

 

[TheDervish]

Can anyone recommend to me a cheap, decent T & L video card WITH PIXEL SHADING, preferably something with a low wattage?

Also, anyone know of a power supply model that's 300 W that will work on a 3 year old PC with a Pentium 4 processor?

 

[classical_hero]

My only Problem that i would have with this game is the Vidoe card because all the rest of the machine is well above the standard. I have an ATI Radeon 9200 SE. Would I need to get a better video card?

Rough specs. I really cannot remember the exact specs.
Athlon - +2.0gh
512MB of RAM

 

[alamo]

@classical_hero: Your card is at minimum, barely.

@TheDervish: I got a Radeon9550 for $100, but now I wish I had waited. There are numerous issues (especially with ATI). It may be that you really need a $300 card to run the game normally. Things should be clearer (and cheaper) after X-max.

 

[classical_hero]

@classical_hero: Your card is at minimum, barely.

So that would mean that It would be best for me to get a better computer then?

 

[alamo]

If you've the money, then what the heck!

Wait until after Xmas, though. More for less, and there should be more video cards out. There should be a patch or two, also.

 

[Old Dood]

Can anyone recommend to me a cheap, decent T & L video card WITH PIXEL SHADING, preferably something with a low wattage?

Also, anyone know of a power supply model that's 300 W that will work on a 3 year old PC with a Pentium 4 processor?

ATI has lower wattage cards then Nvidia. My X800XL PCIe is rated at 300w. My Dell is a 305W PSU. Actually Dell underates their PSU's. I could install a 350w card. I have had no problems what-so-ever with this card. It also will be a good card over the next few years. It is not going to fall behind the tech tree any time soon. I paid $300.00 a couple of months ago. Since ATI has released their X1800 series I can see the 800 series dropping in price fairly soon.

 

[Tharak]

Your old card would not likely pass muster anyway.

No AGP slot? You can get a PCI card, or maybe even a PCIe, depending on your slots.

You probably are still under support. You can call them and ask what kind of slots you have, or look it up on their website.

What model is it?

Model?? I thought that Dell DIMENTION DIM3000 was the model?? (Sorry - computer stupid here..)

I looked online and found this site..http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/en/SM/techov.htm#wp1043338

which seems to indicate that I don't have a PCIe slot - only PCI - so the question arises - what card should I get, and does anyone know if this is going to work??

 

[Libertarian]

Mine says "AMD Sempron, 220+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.5 GHz"

And "960 MB RAM"

Is it going to work?

 

[Rise]

Is this a good card to play it on Club 3D Geforce 6600 256Mb?

 

[Landmonitor]

which seems to indicate that I don't have a PCIe slot - only PCI - so the question arises - what card should I get, and does anyone know if this is going to work??

I have the same computer as you except with a slower processor (Celeron 2.4 GHz). This computer was originally purchased with only work in mind, and possibly Civ III. I bought Civ IV and as you probably know, the Intel 82865 integrated video doesn't cut it.

Unless you want to get a NEW COMPUTER (I didn't!), I would recommend the Radeon 9250 (the 128 meg one is fine, as I understand from the internet and from talking to people who work at the store; the 256 meg is redundant). I'm now running the game at highest graphics detail but no anti-aliasing at 1280 x 1024 resolution, and its running fine. That video card only cost 70$ (Canadian) new. I didn't have any problems with the drivers not working, although I haven't seen a wonder movie yet (didn't have any quarries or marble so I didn't bother!).

Hope this helps. I was really upset when I realized that my computer couldn't upgrade to a better video card, but that's the price I paid for not doing research.

Good Luck

 

[Tharak]

Hey thanks for the help - I'm going to head out on the search today to see if I can find the card..

I'm much less pissed at Firaxis/2K games, etc, as I am at my "computer savvy" buddy - who recommended this PoC to me...*sigh*