Will I be able to play CIV5?

Martynblackburn · Jun 23, 2012

I've seen a CIV5 game on Amazon and I'm thinking about buying it, but I'm not sure that my PC will play it. Here are my specs:

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Packard Bell BV
1024MB Ram
Directx 11
Radeon x1600 series
Intel Core 2 CPU

I can play CIV3 and Age of Empires: Age of Kings.

Andulias · Jun 23, 2012

You can play two 2D games, hardly means much. Quite frankly, if you can run it, it's going to be on the lowest settings possible, and I am not that certain that the x1600 is enough even for that

Check this site out: http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/intro.aspx

Martynblackburn · Jun 23, 2012

Andulias said:
You can play two 2D games, hardly means much. Quite frankly, if you can run it, it's going to be on the lowest settings possible, and I am not that certain that the x1600 is enough even for that

Check this site out: http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/intro.aspx

I ran that diagnostic using Firefox instead of IE, and it has a full pass for CIV5 expect that the OS Win7 is incompatible with the game. Now what do I do? I'm hardly going to revert back to Vista for the sake of a game.

Andulias · Jun 23, 2012

That's some silly mistake, if you are green on everything else, fire it up. Anything that works on Vista works on 7 as well, they are essentially the same OS, just a lot more optimised and user-friendly

Oh, there is a demo on Steam. Try it and see how it works.

Martynblackburn · Jun 23, 2012

Andulias said:
That's some silly mistake, if you are green on everything else, fire it up. Anything that works on Vista works on 7 as well, they are essentially the same OS, just a lot more optimised and user-friendly

Oh, there is a demo on Steam. Try it and see how it works.

I'll give the Steam demo a go and I'll let you know. Thanks for that. BRB.

The_J · Jun 23, 2012

No, shouldn't run. The X1600 series is not anymore supported, doesn't get new drivers, and is missing some technological features (...er...) to make the game run in a proper way.
...okay...maybe, with graphical glitches.

Martynblackburn · Jun 23, 2012

The_J said:
No, shouldn't run. The X1600 series is not anymore supported, doesn't get new drivers, and is missing some technological features (...er...) to make the game run in a proper way.
...okay...maybe, with graphical glitches.

You're right. I think. I played the CIV5 demo and something was not quite right with it. The screen would black out for about 3 seconds whenever I clicked on something; but only sometimes. There was a short delay with movement; but only sometimes. Oddly, when I had the game, playing CIV4 (although it was only a copy) was impossible to do. Big Radeon driver adapter failures with CIV4. I do think I need a new display card. What would you suggest budget wise?

The_J · Jun 23, 2012

Moderator Action: Moved to tech support.
(forgot that after the last response)

Budget wise...er...something in the range of 70 - 100/$ should do it.
I'm not hardware safe enough to give a good recommendation here, but we have some people here who will hopefully drop by and can give a good hint in these regards

.

Martynblackburn · Jun 23, 2012

The_J said:
Moderator Action: Moved to tech support.
(forgot that after the last response)

Budget wise...er...something in the range of 70 - 100/$ should do it.
I'm not hardware safe enough to give a good recommendation here, but we have some people here who will hopefully drop by and can give a good hint in these regards .

Thanks. I'm in the UK by the way so it will be £s. It's expensive over here.

timtofly · Jun 24, 2012

Anything above an Nvidea GT 430. When I mean above, I do not mean newer. I mean the same specs or cards based off of it's design. There are some newer cards that are lower in strength that do great for some games, but not CivV.

If you stick with Radeon, You will have to wait for an ATI guy. The card should support DirectX11, but make sure when you get the card, that your computer will handle it. Even cards have system requirements.

VimesUK · Jun 24, 2012

OP- you note that you have a Packard Bell BV which means little in terms of knowing its expansion capabilities. Not knowing what slots it has, PSU and output etc and also what DIMM slots and types would all help in giving a more informed answer.
1GB of memory is really really bad and I can not understand why anyone would build a PC with Windows 7 x64 Ultimate and just 1GB of RAM...!?
I will guess that means 2x512mb sticks and again this is a guess it could be DDR2 memory, rather than the more common DDR3..?

Intel Core 2 CPU - could mean anything and again you need to be specific.

Putting a new GPU can help but remember that the minimum memory requirement is 2GB. Whilst the game could be played with 2GB of memory it would be wise to aim for 4GB. I tend to think that 2GB should at least be the free memory and not what the machine is built with.

A very big sweeping statement is that Packard Bell machines can be a little unfriendly when it comes to upgrades and sometimes do not allow as much expansion as you would think. Also upgrades can have a domino effect where to improve one component a whole sub set of additional hardware could be needed to ensure that it will either fit and work or something else isn't your bottleneck.
Some machines would simply cost too much to improve for it to be worth while.

Go to the web and type in your exact model and at least provide some links for people to give a more informed choice when advising you. Ensure that the links contain specific information about what you have inside your case. Also detail your budget and then realise you can always buy good second hand parts which will offer better value for money if your budget is tight.

Good luck but sometimes it isn't just a matter of thinking you can change a card and have advice when you detail so little information for that advice to have any real value. I have seen people post a similar request and then, when asked for more detail, it has turned out that they have got a laptop.

Martynblackburn · Jun 24, 2012

Xink said:
OP- you note that you have a Packard Bell BV which means little in terms of knowing its expansion capabilities. Not knowing what slots it has, PSU and output etc and also what DIMM slots and types would all help in giving a more informed answer.
1GB of memory is really really bad and I can not understand why anyone would build a PC with Windows 7 x64 Ultimate and just 1GB of RAM...!?
I will guess that means 2x512mb sticks and again this is a guess it could be DDR2 memory, rather than the more common DDR3..?

Intel Core 2 CPU - could mean anything and again you need to be specific.

Putting a new GPU can help but remember that the minimum memory requirement is 2GB. Whilst the game could be played with 2GB of memory it would be wise to aim for 4GB. I tend to think that 2GB should at least be the free memory and not what the machine is built with.

A very big sweeping statement is that Packard Bell machines can be a little unfriendly when it comes to upgrades and sometimes do not allow as much expansion as you would think. Also upgrades can have a domino effect where to improve one component a whole sub set of additional hardware could be needed to ensure that it will either fit and work or something else isn't your bottleneck.
Some machines would simply cost too much to improve for it to be worth while.

Go to the web and type in your exact model and at least provide some links for people to give a more informed choice when advising you. Ensure that the links contain specific information about what you have inside your case. Also detail your budget and then realise you can always buy good second hand parts which will offer better value for money if your budget is tight.

Good luck but sometimes it isn't just a matter of thinking you can change a card and have advice when you detail so little information for that advice to have any real value. I have seen people post a similar request and then, when asked for more detail, it has turned out that they have got a laptop.

Apparently, my PC has two slots with 512MB in them: 2x512MB. How would I be able to upragde this because someone told me some time ago that my PC would not be able to take 2G or more. I don't know what DDR it is though.

I used a programe a while back which diagnosed things in depth a lot more. Let me know what you can find:

Spoiler :

Martynblackburn · Jun 24, 2012

timtofly said:
Anything above an Nvidea GT 430. When I mean above, I do not mean newer. I mean the same specs or cards based off of it's design. There are some newer cards that are lower in strength that do great for some games, but not CivV.

If you stick with Radeon, You will have to wait for an ATI guy. The card should support DirectX11, but make sure when you get the card, that your computer will handle it. Even cards have system requirements.

Thanks. I'll bear that in mind. What's an ATI guy?

VimesUK · Jun 24, 2012

From your DXDiag...

Time of this report: 1/14/2011, 05:30:22 <<<<< I guess that your clock in the BIOS is wrong.

System Manufacturer: PACKARD BELL BV
System Model: IMEDIA 2579

The above provides a make and model number...

PACKARD BELL BV IMEDIA 2579 <<< this helps for you to find the exact model and its upgrade potential. Albeit that number might just reflect the motherboard.

Driver Date/Size: 7/14/2009 <<<< GPU driver way out of date.

Date and Size: 7/14/2009 <<<< Audio driver out of date.

1680 x 1050 <<<< Due to monitor (Xerox 22") and resolution this means you will struggle in certain games with your PC's spec.

Card name: Radeon X1600 Series (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) with 255mb Dedicated memory <<<<<< Are you sure that this isn't an onboard GPU rather than a separate card..?

Apparently, my PC has two slots with 512MB in them: 2x512MB. How would I be able to upragde this because someone told me some time ago that my PC would not be able to take 2G or more. I don't know what DDR it is though

I would guess, as your board seems to be a socket 775, that it would take DDR2 memory. However you also need to find out if there are any DIMM slot restrictions in what memory capacity and timings etc that it can take. If you find your specific model number you could always search Crucial's website as they do a type of memory calculator and compatibility type system which when you enter your PC and make and model it will search their options for the right memory type - that is one way to potentially find out.

With the make and model number (albeit it the information you have provided is only from the DXDiag report) you need to re read my first post and then do your own research to find out its upgrade potential.

Posting the DX Diag is one element but goes quite a bit short of what you could provide if you re read my first post.

Good luck.

The_J · Jun 24, 2012

Martynblackburn said:
How would I be able to upragde this because someone told me some time ago that my PC would not be able to take 2G or more.

-> you should take a look at the manual. There it should be mentioned what the maximum capability of the motherboard is.

Martynblackburn said:
I don't know what DDR it is though.

Just the type of RAM. There's DDR, DDR2 and DDR3. You just have to make sure that you get the same type again, else it doesn't really matter.

Martynblackburn said:
Thanks. I'll bear that in mind. What's an ATI guy?

ATI = One of the 2 big graphic card companies (besides Nvidia).
He just meant that he's not sure enough about which ATI card to buy (but knows which Nvidia to take).

Martynblackburn · Jun 24, 2012

Xink said:
From your DXDiag...

Time of this report: 1/14/2011, 05:30:22 <<<<< I guess that your clock in the BIOS is wrong.

System Manufacturer: PACKARD BELL BV
System Model: IMEDIA 2579

The above provides a make and model number...

PACKARD BELL BV IMEDIA 2579 <<< this helps for you to find the exact model and its upgrade potential. Albeit that number might just reflect the motherboard.

Driver Date/Size: 7/14/2009 <<<< GPU driver way out of date.

Date and Size: 7/14/2009 <<<< Audio driver out of date.

1680 x 1050 <<<< Due to monitor (Xerox 22") and resolution this means you will struggle in certain games with your PC's spec.

Card name: Radeon X1600 Series (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) with 255mb Dedicated memory <<<<<< Are you sure that this isn't an onboard GPU rather than a separate card..?

I would guess, as your board seems to be a socket 775, that it would take DDR2 memory. However you also need to find out if there are any DIMM slot restrictions in what memory capacity and timings etc that it can take. If you find your specific model number you could always search Crucial's website as they do a type of memory calculator and compatibility type system which when you enter your PC and make and model it will search their options for the right memory type - that is one way to potentially find out.

With the make and model number (albeit it the information you have provided is only from the DXDiag report) you need to re read my first post and then do your own research to find out its upgrade potential.

Posting the DX Diag is one element but goes quite a bit short of what you could provide if you re read my first post.

Good luck.

Okay. I used the Crucial scanner:

http://www.crucial.com/uk/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.aspx?id=443B080631D926C3

So, I'll need 2x1GBs. 1G in each slot. And what about the GPU? I cannot update it because it is now 'legacy'. What do you recommend exactly?

VimesUK · Jun 24, 2012

Martynblackburn said:
Okay. I used the Crucial scanner:

http://www.crucial.com/uk/systemscanner/viewscanbyid.aspx?id=443B080631D926C3

So, I'll need 2x1GBs. 1G in each slot. And what about the GPU? I cannot update it because it is now 'legacy'. What do you recommend exactly?

If you give Crucial a ring tomorrow they can advise you if you can have 4GB of memory in that board. However the 2x1GB sticks might well be the maximum it will support. So read the manual, contact Packard Bell or contact Crucial but find out if the PC will support 2GB sticks and this give you 4GB of memory. If not then all you can do is to upgrade that to 2GB. At least that would bring you up the minimum required.

Am I right to assume that you have 1x PCI Express slot and that slot has a separate graphics card already installed, the 1600 series as reported by the DX Diag..?

How much money do you have to spend on a GPU...?

You will need a GPU which will support your 1680x1050 and compliment your system.

I will assume a pretty low standard of PSU is fitted with not much available on the 12v rail, however with the rest of your specs you will not be looking for too advanced a GPU card as that would be pointless a that system seems quite restricted for future updates.

You could look here...

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/609?vs=613

the cards from Aria...

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...R3+PCI-Express+Graphics+Card+?productId=49852

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards+-+GPUs/Graphics+Cards+-+AMD/Radeon+HD+6670

you can shop around etc but I use them quite a lot and have found there service etc to be great.

I would favour the NVidia card.

BUT you might need a 6 pin plug to fit to the card from the PSU. This might cause another issue if your PSU does not have the connector (although a molex to 6 pin plug can be bought) it might not supply enough power on the 12v rail to power the card.

Martynblackburn · Jun 24, 2012

Xink said:
Am I right to assume that you have 1x PCI Express slot and that slot has a separate graphics card already installed, the 1600 series as reported by the DX Diag..?

How much money do you have to spend on a GPU...?

You will need a GPU which will support your 1680x1050 and compliment your system.

I will assume a pretty low standard of PSU is fitted with not much available on the 12v rail, however with the rest of your specs you will not be looking for too advanced a GPU card as that would be pointless a that system seems quite restricted for future updates.

You could look here...

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/609?vs=613

the cards from Aria...

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...R3+PCI-Express+Graphics+Card+?productId=49852

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards+-+GPUs/Graphics+Cards+-+AMD/Radeon+HD+6670

you can shop around etc but I use them quite a lot and have found there service etc to be great.

I would favour the NVidia card.

I have never looked inside this computer; I wouldn't know where to start. On a GPU I could spend £25.

Martynblackburn · Jun 24, 2012

Xink said:
BUT you might need a 6 pin plug to fit to the card from the PSU. This might cause another issue if your PSU does not have the connector (although a molex to 6 pin plug can be bought) it might not supply enough power on the 12v rail to power the card.

It's getting to sound like it would be worthwhile investing in a whole new computer.

VimesUK · Jun 24, 2012

You might just pick up a AMD Radeon HD 6450 1GB DDR3 for around that price (if you are lucky) or just look at second hand choices.

But you are going to have a problem getting Civ V to work at anything approaching an acceptable level, even with all the eye candy turned down, as you are running at 1680x1050 and Civ V is a pretty demanding game.

Having a budget of £25 is simply not going to give you what you need. Then again the GeForce GTS 450 I first noted (over £60) might bring a hole new load of issues as it does require an additional 6 pin plug.

If you get the 2GB of memory and then just a £25 new GPU you will be no further forward than you are now.

If you can have 4GB or memory in that system then great (but it would cost) if not then 2GB would simply have to be ok. That also is quite slow DDR 2 memory.
If you could afford the £60 plus card then great but that might throw up issues with your PSU.

Tough choices

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