Running on an older PC

from GalCiv2 Forums
So, here's the deal: I have an older PC, and I'm wondering if I can run GalCiv2 at all. I'm entirely willing to forego every available graphic option (including skipping the combat viewer) in the interest of playing the game. I don't really care too much about it looking good, but I don't want it to hamper the game play (at least, not much).

Specs:
AMD Duron 600 MHz
256 MB RAM
GeForce 4 MX 440

So, what do you think? Any chance, or should I just give it up and wait until I can afford a new computer? Might I get by with a RAM upgrade? RAM and Video card? Upgrading the processor pretty much means a new mobo, which means a new computer, and $$$.

Thanks for your input.
10,237 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
You should prolly go with another at least 256mb of RAM, 512 if you can afford it. As far as I know, it's not really that expensive, with 512 being around $50 or something? Just don't eat for a month, or eat pidgeons. Fashion a bow and arrow out of what furniture you have sitting around and go hunting.

For the card, you might want to go for at least a 128mb one, which I've seen for $30, so you might only need to give up food for a single week or two weeks, depending on how big you are.

It pays off to be really small when you're into computers.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I could be wrong, but that 600MHz processer might be the biggest problem. I would not be surprised if turns took longer than they should. The game would probably work, but you'd want to stay away from large galaxies, limit the number of opponents and play against lower difficulty levels of AI.
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
It would probably run but slowly. I'd wait and play the demo on it.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Mmm, looks pretty similar to my server (666Mhz Celeron, 256mb RAM, GeForce2). I know I was at least able to *start* the game on that machine way back when the beta first began. I'll see if I can't archive the current build and give it a spin over there.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Alright, thanks a lot for your help. I guess I'll wait for the demo, and take a look then.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
I can confirm that the game does indeed run on the following hardware:

Celeron 666Mhz
256mb PC133 RAM
GeForce2 32mb

It's pretty sluggish, but it's playable. With FSAA off (It defaults to on...), background details at the minimum, and the strategic view always on, I got 8-17 FPS on the galactic map.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
UPGRADE! You guys shouldn't even have computers in the MHZ terriority anymore. It's 2006, upgrrade .
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
That's an old machine I keep around as a testing webserver. I rarely use it for anything else but when I need to test something on 'another' machine (regardless how junky it may be )