Requirements for Non-annoying Latency?

from GalCiv2 Forums

Hi;

I'm sitting here, virtually with my credit card in hand, and I really want to download the Beta+Final, but I am in fear of increased latency from heavier CPU usage, seeing as my MS Windows machine is probably getting very old and frail as seen from a gaming perspective, even though it meets the minimum system requirements:

Intel 600MHz
256MB RAM
Intel 82810 video card (built-in, up to 10MB memory)
* The Intel 810 has 3D support via OpenGL and DirectX (not all of DirectX 9's features are supported though!)
Running MS Windows 2000

(This is an old-ish computer I keep around solely for MS Windows and games like these -- GC1, MOO2, etc.)

I do not care if the 3D or graphics is scaled down, for all I care I could be pushing around little uniform boxes and circles, or even fixed terminal characters -- I'm a big fan of NetHack -- but what I care about is being able to play large complicated galaxies without it affecting UI interaction latency.

Would I have to take little Pauses of Impotence after each time I move (and click) the mouse pointer, waiting for it to update the fancy animated objects or minimap? Will seconds pass by in the plural every time I want to go from one screen to another (e.g. going from "overview of all planets" screen to a "view planet" screen)? (And less importantly: as more ships are built and more planets are colonized does the delay between turns increase drastically?)

I experienced some of these difficulties with latency in GC1 when playing 'huge' galaxies, esp. when I was setting ship movement destinationts -- sowness seeming to stem from updating internal data structures for ship routes (even though few ships were in existence) and depicting them on the minimap etc. (Saving was also slow enough for me to disable AutoSave.) But it wasn't bad, I'm not complaining. I like GC1. (And I didn't have any trouble with 'large' galaxies.)

All in all, I'm not looking for fly or fast graphics, I just want the latency at a reasonable level -- I don't need to be impressed, "playable" will do in heaps and buckets for me to enjoy myself.

Is there a beta demo or other (like a static unplayable demo for testing FPS and/or latency) I can download and try out before actually forking credit card digits?
10,920 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Oh bugger, my little semicolon and parenthesis was replaced with one of those images...

Anyway, I meant 'gigantic' instead of 'huge', and 'huge' instead of 'large' for GC1. Not important, but now you know.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The graphics load seems lighter than in GC1, though I have no idea how the CPU load will compare. Other than that, I really don't have much I can say. the CG2 beta is quite fast, but that's because there's so much stuff that isn't there yet (AI chief among them).
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
At least you might have a chance of playing it.
I think I am fortunate to be able to play GC1 on my box here.
PII-400
256MB RAM
ATI 4MB 3D Rage Pro
NT4.0 SP6a (the most limiting factor since it only supports directX3)

I get a GC1 Crash every so often but usually can recover from a save file and keep going

This box just will not die.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It will not be sold either. Probably couldn't give it away. Not even to the garbage can.

Heh, that's true here; they got some local ordinance that says you can't throw computers in the garbage. Like they're different from a stereo or a vcr?
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Hmm, one of the others can elaborate on this since I may be wrong, but from my understanding you may have issues with your system, fuxd. It's not so much your CPU as your built-in video card. GalCiv 2 makes full use of DirectX 9.0c, which it sounds like your card may not handle (specifically I'm worried about it not dealing with the new TrueType fonts used in-game).
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
but from my understanding you may have issues with your system, fuxd. It's not so much your CPU as your built-in video card. GalCiv 2 makes full use of DirectX 9.0c, which it sounds like your card may not handle (specifically I'm worried about it not dealing with the new TrueType fonts used in-game).

I am exactly on the same impression when seeing the following:
The Intel 810 has 3D support via OpenGL and DirectX (not all of DirectX 9's features are supported though!)

So you better need to wait.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yarlen & Peace Pheonix:
Any way I can test this or those specific features and know for sure? E.g. a freely available binary which uses it. Hm. DirectX has some info/compatibility utility, doesn't it? I'll see if I can find it. What would I be looking for?

Edit: Hm. It has full support for DirectX 8, but if GC2 requires full DX9, then I why is there any discussion of low-end computers at all? Since DX9 was released Dec 2002, how many pre-2003 computers can have full support?

And hm, I better wait for what? The public demo in a year? Sigh...

Well, my girlfriend has a better and more modern (it's able to run WIndowsXP!) computer, so maybe I should camp out at it...

and AngleWyrm:
I would gladly accept a 400MHz, especially since it's well-balanced with 256MB of RAM (I've seen package deal PCs with ratios like 1+GHz/128MB, which is, frankly, unsound). It's perfectly usable for work which doesn't requires a lot of intense computations. I use a 333MHz as my main coding station (FBSD/bb X), for example, using the 1+GHz ones only servers for tougher mathematical tasks or more CPU-intensive algorithm testing. When I work I can do without a lot of the bells and whistles of most GUI operating systems. Saves a lot of cycles.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
god all the blood ran from face when i saw those specs
i suggest that maybe u get a (as u are not looking for much in the graphics department) 64MB card that supports dx9.0c (that is if are able to) make sure its compatible with your board and cpu first though.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You may just want to consider upgrading.

The cost for a decent P4 CPU & motherboard (~$200), 512 MB RAM (~$30), and a case ($40) is less than $300. Add in a decent $100 video card, and you're set. You could also go with an AMD CPU and save some money there.

If you do some research, you'll even beat my numbers.

A good place to start looking is PriceWatch.

- Nobody
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You must have a DirectX 9.0c capable card to run the beta, others have reported problems with Intel on-board graphics controllers since those don't tend to do 3D. No DX9c = Definite problems. I'd suggest going out and getting a sub-$1k machine to game on. Pretty soon you won't be able to hope to even run strategy games on your aging rig as the requirements simply out-pace your hardware.