Wanted: Computer Recommendations for Civ IV

[Aeson]

RAM is pretty inexpensive right now, DDR being about half the cost as it was 8 months ago, so don't skimp there. Especially if you like playing really big maps. 1GB at least.

[Aeson]

As for a video card, something in the $100-$150 price range should be fine.

X600PRO, X700, 6600 (~$100-120)
9800PRO, X700PRO (~$120-140)
6600GT, X800GT (~$130-150)

I have a 6600GT and a 1280x1024 native resolution LCD. It's smooth with every game I've tried it on, but not a lot of leeway on the frame rates.

I would go with something higher end than one of the GTs if I was buying now, as I wouldn't be buying just for CIV, but also for other games that will come out in the next 2-3 years until my next upgrade. Specifically for CIV though... shouldn't need more.

[snoopy369]

I'd definitely recommend an x800 if you can afford it. I'm probably going to go with same when I buy my new mobo/Amd64 (as i'm getting a mobo with only an PCI-E slot) ... or an x550 seems to be also at a pretty decent price category.

[Shogun Gunner]

I'm very happy with my Athlon64 system I bought earlier this year. Plenty of RAM, great video card... I think I'm set.

Test Program from GeoModder's Thread

[Ninot]

How do you compare on the "Required" tab?

[Shogun Gunner]

same results that the minimum tab shows.

[snoopy369]

2.2 OCed to 3.4? Good lord, you have your computer in a pool or something?

[Shogun Gunner]

No need for a foot warmer in the winter

[alva]

It's a 2.2 (new school) that is as fast as an 3.4 old school.

All marketing mate, all marketing.

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by alva
It's a 2.2 (new school) that is as fast as an 3.4 old school.

All marketing mate, all marketing.

I'm aware that Athlon 3400 means it thinks it's equivalent to a 3.4mhz pentium. However, I presumed that the website actually identifies OC... after testing the same thing on my computer, though, it doesn't ... lousy website

[wgabrie]

Hmm... Lots of AMD Athlon people here. For the record I went with the Sempron. :P

As far as Video Cards go, Tom's Hardware Guide did a roundup this Summer of Graphics cards.

AGP: http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...705/index.html

PCI: http://graphics.tomshardware.com/gra...524/index.html

I have heard that 256MB cards are overkill because most games don't use them yet. 128MB is your best bet for nowish. For the record I went for the GeForce 6800 128MB 256-bit.

[ohdude]

I just built a new machine based on reviews I read at ArsTechnica. I bought everything from newegg...

MSI K8N Neo 4f mobo ~$85
AMD 3000+ ~$145
2gb ram (4x512) ~$165
Deskstar 160gb HD ~$90
Asus GeForce 6600 128 mb ~$105
Antec 3800B with 400Watt Power Supply ~$100

All paid for by the fish at Party Poker

Anyway it was ~ 720 shipping included

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by snoopy369
I'm aware that Athlon 3400 means it thinks it's equivalent to a 3.4mhz pentium.

A 3.4MHz Pentium?

Isn't that a bit slow?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by ohdude
MSI K8N Neo 4f mobo ~$85

Hm, I have nagging problems with this mobo.

I recommend Asus mobos because they are in fact rock solid.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well I have a verrrry old laptop (ie, three years ).

I have:

1.7 Ghz Pentium 4 (not 3 as I said in another thread)
512 MB RAM
32 MB V-Ram (GeForce4 Go)

With these specs I was able to RUN the AOE III demo, whose minimum requirements include a 64 MB V-Ram card. And it ran pretty damned smoothly (and not everything was turned to the absolutely lowest setting... and it was in 1024*768).

I can't see CivIV requiring more than AoE III (based on screenshots), so if I could run the AoE III demo, people with even crappy settings should be able to run Civ IV.