What system to buy for civ4?

[seady]

I'm looking to buy a new system on a budget, and i was hoping to get some advice as to what was the sweet spot currently for the CPU, graphics card and so on? What gives decent performance for price, will play civ4 huge maps and enable the bells and whistles?

I've been trying to get up to speed on the PC market now but it's not easy and i've got someone in a hurry asking for an answer.

I can't afford the top of the market but i'm hoping the middle is in reach; i used to find something there was the best value but the point is always moving.

Is a pentium 3.4 GhZ Dualcore ok? Should i get AMD? Any recommended mainboards?

Do i need 2 gig of ram?

What sort of graphics cards do people recommend? What about sound card, should i get one or just use the one most mainboards come with?

I've got a 21 inch CRT, and I've been looking at the LCDs. Are they good for gaming, or do they leave trails during movement like a friend of mine reckons? Should i stick with my old monitor?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. I am in over my head.

 

[Chieftess]

That's a good system, although it runs fine on 1 Gig (which is what I have - similar specs as listed above). I also have an LCD flatpanel monitor. The only issue I have with my monitor is that has a gradient effect - normal for LCD type monitors.

 

[Artosoft]

That's a good start.

Next is to go for vga card. I prefer ATI card. It is looks like many people have a problem running NVIDIA card with Civ4. Something like ATI x1950xtx will keep you more than a year or two for upgrading vga card again.

1 gig is enough, but if you can afford, buy 2 gigs. LCD these days is already good. My LCD have 2 years old technology and have 25mS speed, but I can't see the mouse trail. Today, you can buy something like 15mS (or even 5mS). Go for LCD. It will save you electricity too.

Regards,
Arto.

 

[Doomed_UK]

Civ dont use dual core, therefore go for a good priced single core, say the AMD 3800.
At least a gig of RAM.
Decent LCD monitors are fine for gaming now - I know that it is a bit pricey but look at the viewsonic VX922 - Don't get sucked in by people talking about response times - its the latency time that matters (how long until the image STOPS showing), this is what causes the trails etc that put people off LCD for gaming.

Oh, and don't be taken in by people saying 'with dual core its better because basckground tasks don't slow it down' - I went from a single core AMD3500 to a dual core conroe E6600 and have noticed no real improvement - I think more RAM may of helped better!

 

[Artosoft]

Oh, and don't be taken in by people saying 'with dual core its better because basckground tasks don't slow it down' - I went from a single core AMD3500 to a dual core conroe E6600 and have noticed no real improvement - I think more RAM may of helped better!

Dual core might help you if you run Civ4 and skype at the same time.

Regards,
Arto.