Can my PC handle Civilization V?

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wusaga

New Member
Hi all: I would like to get Civilization V for my PC, but want to see if my computer can handle it. Any suggestions if I do have to upgrade? Thanks!

My CPU:
3.4 GHZ Intel Pentium D Dual Core Processor
1GB RAM
80 GB Hard Drive (have two external drives with 500gb of space)
DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
Radeon X1300 Graphics Card

Minimum Requirements: Operating System: Windows XP SP3/ Windows Vista SP2/ Windows 7, Processor: Dual Core CPU
Minimum Requirements: Memory: 2GB RAM, Hard Disk Space: 8 GB Free, DVD-ROM Drive: Required for disc-based installation
Minimum Requirements: Video: 256 MB ATI HD2600 XT or better, 256 MB nVidia 7900 GS or better
Minimum Requirements: or Core i3 or better integrated graphics, Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card
Minimum Requirements: DirectX: DirectX version 9.0c
 
I doubt it'll run anywhere near playable level. The graphics card is really holding things back (though the CPU and ram is pretty down there too).

If you're on a tight budget I would get a new graphics card and another gig of ram. Does your motherboard support pci-express x16?
 
Get a new PSU, upgrade the motherboard to LGA1156, get 4GB of DDR3, Core i3/i5, and a HD 5770 GPU, or if you have the money, GTX 460. Budget?
 
Civ V can scale down quite a bit actually. Give it a shot on your hardware. It won't be pretty, but it is worth a shot before you spend a bunch of money on new hardware.
 
re:

I'm trying to spend between $200-$250. I think i'm going to start with memory and graphics card, and see how that goes. As far as the motherboard goes, how hard is it to replace that? I've replaced memory and drives before, but never the motherboard. Also, should I look to best buy to purchase these items, or is there somewhere online (maybe even ebay) to get them?
 
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Don't go to Best Buy for parts. Their markups are crazy on some stuff. Newegg and Tiger direct are my favorite

replacing the motherboard at this point would be pointless IMO unless you wanted to build a new rig completely. Can you tell us the model of your computer so we can find your motherboard? We just need to know what we are working with.

Generally if you are using a OEM computer and you want to replace the gpu you will also need to replace the power supply. If you get a new gpu, psu and ram that might be a nice upgrade for Civ V.
 
HP - COMPAQ DC7700 DESKTOP PC Dual Core 3.4GHZ/80GB/1GB

Does that help? I am working on expanding my computer knowledge, so forgive my ignorance. If not, when I get home I can get more specifics for you guys.
 
I'm getting a lot of hits for a business desktop

Does it look like this?
HP%20Compaq%20dc7600.jpg
 
here are the specs

HP Compaq Business Desktop dc7700 Specifications
Part # RG575AW#ABA

Manufacturer HP Compaq
Manufacturer Part # RG575AW#ABA
Type Personal computer
Product Form Factor Convertible mini tower
Color Silver, carbonite
Processor Type Intel Pentium D 945 / 3.4 GHz ( Dual-Core )
64-bit Computing Yes
Installed Qty 1
Max Supported Qty 1
Processor Main Features Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology, Intel Execute Disable Bit, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
Cache Memory Type L2 cache
Installed Size 4 MB
Cache Per Processor 4 MB ( 2 x 2 MB )
Mainboard Chipset Type Intel Q965 Express
Data Bus Speed 800 MHz
RAM Installed Size 1 GB / 3 GB (max)
Technology DDR II SDRAM - non-ECC
Memory Speed 533 MHz
Memory Specification Compliance PC2-5300
Form Factor DIMM 240-pin
Features Two DDR channels
Storage Controller Type 1 x Serial ATA - integrated
Controller Interface Type Serial ATA-300
Channel Qty 1
Storage Controller (2nd) Type 1 x IDE - integrated
Controller Interface Type ATA-100
Storage Hard Drive 1 x 80 GB - standard - Serial ATA-150 - 7200 rpm
Optical Storage Type DVD-ROM
Monitor Monitor Type None

Graphics Controller Type Integrated
Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA 950
Video Memory Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0
Max Allocated RAM Size 128 MB
Max Resolution (external) 2048 x 1536 / 32-bit color
Audio Output Type Sound card - integrated
Sound Output Mode Stereo
Audio Adapter Intel HD Audio
Max Sample Rate 192 kHz
Input Device Type Mouse, keyboard
Networking Networking Network adapter - PCI Express x1 - integrated
Data Link Protocol Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
Remote Management Protocol DMI 2.0
Features Remote Wakeup, Wake on LAN (WoL), Remote Shut Down, ACPI support
Compliant Standards IEEE 802.2, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.3ab, IEEE 802.1p
Expansion / Connectivity Expansion Bays Total (Free) 3 ( 2 ) x front accessible - 5.25" x 1/2H
1 ( 1 ) x front accessible - 3.5" x 1/3H
2 ( 1 ) x internal - 3.5" x 1/3H
Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 2 ) x PCI - full-height
1 ( 1 ) x PCI Express x16 - full-height
1 ( 1 ) x PCI Express x1 - full-height
1 ( 0 ) x processor - LGA775 Socket
4 memory - DIMM 240-pin
Interfaces 8 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A ( 2 in front )
1 x serial - RS-232 - 9 pin D-Sub (DB-9)
1 x parallel - IEEE 1284 (EPP/ECP) - 25 pin D-Sub (DB-25)
1 x keyboard - generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style)
1 x mouse - generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style)
1 x display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
1 x audio - line-in - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
1 x audio - line-out - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
2 x microphone - input - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ( 1 in front )
1 x headphones - output - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ( 1 in front )
1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45
Miscellaneous Features Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately), power-on password, parallel port I/O control, serial port I/O control, USB port control, Power Factor Correction (PFC)
Compliant Standards ACPI, EPA Energy Star, Blue Angel
Power Device Type Power supply
Voltage Required AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Power Provided 365 Watt
Operating System Mircosoft Windows XP Professional
Software Included Microsoft Internet Explorer, Adobe Acrobat Reader, HP Local Recovery provided by Altiris
 
I very much beg to differ on the "you will be fine to play it". Specs in my sig, on medium settings @ 1280x1024, DX9, after ~100 turns, medium map, only 1 enemy, with everything going on it takes so long to process turns, get lag with certain things that go on. It is bareable becaus it is only lag for a couple of seconds, or waiting ~15-20 seconds between turns, but the spec difference between my system and yours is pretty damn big, so I dread to think what sort of performance you would be getting
 
re:

Thanks, I am going to get the HD 5770 GPU and 4GB of DDR3. If that doesn’t help, I’ll just sell the game and hope it comes out on the xbox 360. Probably not worth putting too much money into the system just to play CIV.
 
Technology DDR II SDRAM - non-ECC
Memory Speed 533 MHz
Memory Specification Compliance PC2-5300

DDR3 will not work with your system
 
wusaga said:
Thanks, I am going to get the HD 5770 GPU and 4GB of DDR3. If that doesn’t help, I’ll just sell the game and hope it comes out on the xbox 360. Probably not worth putting too much money into the system just to play CIV.
Click to expand...

Civ won't be coming out on xbox or any other console

As for upgrading, you can't just stick anything in there and it will work. As was said your board doesn't support DDR3 memory, your power supply won't power a 5770, your CPU will work, however be prepared to wait quite a few minutes between turns.

It would honestly be better to get a full new system, your current one wasn't designed to be a gaming system. If you really want to upgrade, you will have to get:

New power supply,
New case (standard sized power supplies won't fit in your case)
New motherboard
New CPU
New memory
New Video card

basically all you would be able to keep is your hard drive and optical drive, so essentially, you would be building a whole new system
 
re:

I will grab this DDR: CORSAIR 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2

As far as a new graphics card, what can my computer handle if I get the above DDR (without having to get a new PSU)?

The only game I currently play on my cpu is CIV 3. 99% of my gaming is on the xbox 360. Playing CIV 3 on my computer works fine, but I’ve never played on a high performance cpu so I guess ignorance is bliss lol.
 
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