Graphically challenged ...

[Golgamesh]

I can't finish a game. From around move 200 + there is a severe risk the game will just freeze. It usually happens when the game is shifting focus to a new location during a turn, but sometimes when I open a city screen. So it seems to be that my computer cannot cope with the graphics. I am playing on Prince, Large map.

I am using a NVIDIA GeForce 7950 GT. I have reduced quality to the lowest in the game options, but beyond that I am lost. Is there anything I should do to the settings on the Nvidia card? There seems to be a lot of things I can fiddle with but I haven't a clue what they all mean.

Or do I just have to change the card - in which case what should I be looking for?

[Zoetstofzoetje]

It's a known bug. This happens when gliding from one location to another, mostly. You can adapt by using strategic view.

[Nikolai]

Your graphics card are horribly old. That is sure to be the problem. As for a new card, any card on the market now should do the trick. ATi's cards are the best right now, especially for Civ5(there have been some nVidia issues). As the 6000 generation has come on the market now, you can get the 5000 generation for a good price. In Norway a Radeon 5670 goes for 800 NOK, ca 140 USD. Which means you probably can get it for around 100 USD in the US. I don't know where you live though. But the midrange 5000 series should be in the sweetspot price range now.

[Proteus_MST]

If he wants to spend only a little bit more money, he could also buy an ATi HD 5770

[Provost Harrison]

Your graphics card are horribly old.

Yeah, and it is a goddamn turn-based strategy...it seems ridiculous that it should require cutting edge graphics technology.

[Nikolai]

Graphics is not everything a graphics card can be used for you know. And besides, the game have to sell. It needs to look nice for that. Good graphics are also functional things as UI. Granted, Civ5 lacks a good UI, but generally that's another point in favour of better graphics technology, as it gives more possibilities.