Will this PC handle M2TW? - Any M2TW Computer enquiries here please!

[Jan III]

Currently I have a bad laptop that runs RTW ok and always wanted to get a decent desktop for gaming, but always put it off. Now, in order to play M2TW I will have to get a new PC as the demo did not even come close to runing on my laptop. I found a Dell that is just at the cusp of my price range and am wondering if it will handle M2TW, not to the max, but just play it good. I remember something about certain prosessors won't work if they don't have SS2 or SSE or something like that. It is a Dell Inspiron with:
-AMD Sempron 3400+
-1gb dual channel DDR2 SDRAM
-256mb ATI Radeon X1300 pro
If there is another component you need info on let me know, thanks.

Threads about computer suitability for M2TW have been merged. Please keep in one thread. Thank you - imb39

[Aristocrat]

It'll run it, but don't get your hopes to high, I'd be looking at medium settings and medium to large unit size with those specs.
And I assume that SSE/SS2 stuff is about shader model versions on the video card, yours (to my knowlede) supports version 3 so should be fine (for medium settings).

However...if you are happy to provide a maximum budget all of us here will happily tell you how to spend your money most effectively.

[Jan III]

Those settings would be good enough for me, if you saw RTW on my laptop now, you would understand. I have about $650, and not much more, so any online purchases would have to include shipping costs in that figure.

[Jan III]

For 20$ more I can get an AMD Athlon 64 3200+, would that play M2TW, and would it be better than the AMD Sempron 3400+. Thanks

[Shaun]

Probably yes.

[PrPete]

You may want to consider a self build pc. It works out much cheaper plus you get to choose all your componants. I'm no expert though.

Pete

[Spart]

Yep, just choose the best parts and let some store put it together. (Don't know how often they give such service in.. where you live.)

[PyrrhusIV]

Hmm....$650 to build a rig capable of playing M2TW :hmmm: . Yes, this definetly can be done, Lee1026 is the expert. I'm busy right now, but if someone hasnt told you the best way to spend your money by the time I get back, i'll give you links to assemble a system that performs great for $650.

[AlfonsoVIII]

Honestly, since you are customizing a laptop, your at the mercy of the video card installed plus the heat of the unit. I have a HP laptop that barely played RTW and the heatsink fan was constantly going. I have to ask why do you want a laptop, or why do you have to have a laptop.

[Ritterlichvon86]

I am about to buy a new computer - and as a great total war fan I need the system to run MTW2 at maximum details and 1024x768 with AA4 or 6. I use a huge TV flat screen as monitor, hence this is the biggest resolution I'd need. Later I might switch to a dedicated computer screen - so 1280x960 would seem interesting too.

Processor: Dual Core E6600
Motherboard: Asus P5W DH Deluxe
GPU: XFX Geforce 7950 GT 570 Extreme
Mem: 2GB DDR2 800mhz
HD from my prev system: WD740 Raptor 10k rpm 80GB (accompanied by a 250GB Seagate HD)

Cash I'd spend was €1100,- for these parts, excluding a possible new HD. :hmmm:

Will this system run MTW2 fluently and is it balanced, or is there some bottleneck inbetween?

Thank you in advance,
Sire Paul

[Arakorn]

Yep, but rather get a 7900GTO, or a Ati X1900 something. Just read my Finnish computer mag review with the new Ati Gpu's and from Nvidia there was 7950GT and 7900GTO, and they said that you really should go with the GTO, there's no reason why, except if it's bought much they may put the price higher...

[Ritterlichvon86]

The reason for me to buy this GPU is that it features 1GB of memory. I might be wrong but thought this would increase performance because of the many high quality textures demanding it.

[Arakorn]

Nope, the memory of a GPu means nothing.

[Ritterlichvon86]

I was wrong anyway. Mixed up 2 GPUs, the one I wanted to buy had 512 =)

Okay thanks for the advise, really appreciated.

[Germanicus75]

Nope, the memory of a GPu means nothing.

I thought if you were playing at high resolutions, the extra memory is useful and used by the system?

[Shaun]

Well the 7950GX2 is actually beaten by cheaper cards like the 7900GTO at lower resolutions, so if the max you can go is 1024x768 then there aint no point in getting the 7950GX2, the 7900GTO will do just fine, so will the 7950GT although its too expensive compared to the GTX's and GTO's. You might also want to try ATi's X1950XTX or the X1900XT.

[Aristocrat]

If GPU memory meant nothing we would all still be using cards with 2mb of memory...
It's just that GPU memory doesn't affect performance overly much above 256mb right now.

[Arakorn]

If GPU memory meant nothing we would all still be using cards with 2mb of memory...
It's just that GPU memory doesn't affect performance overly much above 256mb right now.

You don't have to take everything literally, right? :wink:

Sometimes it's easier to understand if you go "too far"

[UnderdawgIV]

You forget putting down a PSU.

For guidance on purchasing a PSU, refer to the following guide: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1000883

Also, I would rather go with a 7900GTO or X1900XT 256MB if gaming at resolutions of 1600x1200 and below. The 7950GX2 is really only for 1600x1200 and above.

[The Gnomes]

Are you sure that you want to pour this much money into a machine so close to DirectX 10?

Note: No bottleneck that I can see