Considering Purchasing Elite Founder (Hardware Requirements Question)

Can I Run It?

from GalCiv3 Forums

Hello GalCiv Forums,

I am considering purchasing the Elite Founder package thing-a-ma-jig. But as with every game I play I need to be absolutely sure that my little ASUS laptop will be able to run the game.

 

System Info:

  • Windows 8 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200)
  • Intel Core i3-3120M (2.5GHz)(4 CPUs)
  • 4096MB RAM (In reality I have about 3.6gb that isn't used for basic computer functions)
  • DirectX 11


Display Info:

  • Intel HD Graphics 4000 (The mid-grade integrated chip from Intel) [Can run Civ5 on medium graphics without much trouble]
  • 1760mb VRAM (Default was 512mb, but I went into the BIOS and specifically allocated the 1.7gb)
  • 1366x768 display (Typical 16:9 aspect ratio, 60hz refresh rate, 32-bit display)

For about $400, no CD-drive included but who the hell uses CDs apart from console users*, I enjoy my mid-grade gaming experiences quite a bit. Anyways after reading the FAQ in the support section and the FAQ on the main GalCiv3 site I couldn't figure out whether or not I would be able to run the Alpha-Beta-Full game with my specs. Maybe on Low-Mid graphics settings? Maybe not at all. Thank-you guys for any insight you might be able to give me.

 *Apologies to anyone who still plays the good ole games with the original retail CDs. And console users :3

support
7,514 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Looks good.

All I would do is add RAM if you can.

Also mobile vid cards are not liked by the alpha but the intel 4000 is what I have and it does the job.

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Sweet, thanks for the reply. I figure the alpha and beta won't be as graphically optimized as the full release will be, but as long as I can play with at least 20-30 fps then i'm happy. Adding RAM isn't really an option though seeing as though I have a laptop and don't really want to mess with an already unstable platform for hardware upgrades.

Anyways I think once I play GalCiv 2 (just got the Ultimate Edition off steam for $5) a bit and once I get my next paycheck i'll go ahead and get the alpha access.

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Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting HardstyleFlavor, reply 2
Adding RAM isn't really an option though seeing as though I have a laptop and don't really want to mess with an already unstable platform for hardware upgrades.

I have never had trouble adding (actually, swapping) memory in laptops. And at 4G, I think you have a bit of a restricted machine for any use. Win8 plus drivers uses over half of that.

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Lucky, reply 3


Quoting HardstyleFlavor, reply 2Adding RAM isn't really an option though seeing as though I have a laptop and don't really want to mess with an already unstable platform for hardware upgrades.

I have never had trouble adding (actually, swapping) memory in laptops. And at 4G, I think you have a bit of a restricted machine for any use. Win8 plus drivers uses over half of that.

 

I would definitely be interested in upgrading the memory capacity, but how would you do that with a machine that is as compact as a laptop? I'll probably go troll around google in a second but maybe you know of a way to add external RAM or something else?

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting HardstyleFlavor, reply 4


I would definitely be interested in upgrading the memory capacity, but how would you do that with a machine that is as compact as a laptop? I'll probably go troll around google in a second but maybe you know of a way to add external RAM or something else?

Memory cards are available for most laptops, just as they are for desktops, and at reasonable prices. (One exception I can think of is that DELL has, or had, a condition in their warranty that if you opened the case the warranty was voided. I don't know how ASUS spells out their warranty, so you need to check that first and decide if your warranty matters to you.)

It is probably better for most novices to get help at a store that has computer technician assistance available, a store like Staples is one example.

Otherwise ....

Memory in Laptops and Desktops are plugged into slots on the motherboard specifically designed for them. You need to match the memory cards to the type of memory cards supported by your machine. You also have to check to see if you can simply add cards or if you have to swap them. If your PC has two memory slots and each is slotted with a 2G memory card, then you will have to replace one or both of them. If your PC has 4 slots and only two are in use, you may be able to simply add another card or two. Be careful to check the requirements of the motherboard to make sure what combinations of cards it supports, and what slots support which sizes.

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Quoting Lucky, reply 5

Memory in Laptops and Desktops are plugged into slots on the motherboard specifically designed for them. You need to match the memory cards to the type of memory cards supported by your machine. You also have to check to see if you can simply add cards or if you have to swap them. If your PC has two memory slots and each is slotted with a 2G memory card, then you will have to replace one or both of them. If your PC has 4 slots and only two are in use, you may be able to simply add another card or two. Be careful to check the requirements of the motherboard to make sure what combinations of cards it supports, and what slots support which sizes.

RAM is soldered onto the board on a lot of netbooks/ultra portables.  OP will want to do some research on his particular model, or post it up and I'm happy to give recommendations.

Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Ops. I left out the word "many" as in "Memory in many laptops and desktops ....". Perhaps this only applies to higher end machines as well. I know it is true of the HP and Lenovo machines I have seen. And if the machine is advertised as expandable in memory, then ....

But as we both said, the research must be done.