Crusader Kings II on integrated graphics (GMA 5700MHD)

[nikssims]

Hello,

I have purchased a new laptop for studies, Thinkpad T410. Excellent for doing daily tasks but I wondered if in free time this laptop could run paradox games such as Crusader Kings 2.

The processor is i5-540M which I believe is sufficient to run the game, but the part I fear about is integrated graphics. It comes with GMA 5700MHD. Has anybody tried to run it on similar setup? Information is scarce on the internet about this graphics so that is why I must ask the question here.

Full specification if this is needed.

Spoiler

• Screen: 14.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800)
• Processor: Intel Core i5-540M (2.53GHz, 3MB Cache)
• Memory: 4GB DDR3 RAM (2GB + 2GB)
• Storage: 320GB Seagate 7400.4 HDD (7200rpm)
• Wireless: Intel 6250 802.11AGN, Bluetooth
• Graphics: Intel GMA HD Integrated Graphics

 

[clockworkBabbag]

Graphics are not the bottleneck for performance in a Paradox game. As long as the processor and memory meet recommended requirements, you should be able to run it. I can run Paradox games on my laptop with integrated graphics.

Keep in mind with laptops you're probably going to want to consider some sort of way to keep it cool - Paradox games will make the processor run pretty hot, and laptops always have an issue with cooling.

 

[RagingJaws]

I was able to run CKII with a much weaker processor. It sort of sucked but it was doable.

You should be fine. Just get one of those fan thingies to put under your laptop or keep it elevated, so there is airflow under it.

 

[nikssims]

Alright, thank you both!

 

[Naufragus]

If you do get performance issues, you can turn off some graphics settings in the file but not in options. like you can set clouds to No

 

[Dr Gonzo]

If you do get performance issues, you can turn off some graphics settings in the file but not in options. like you can set clouds to No

This game has clouds?

 

[AndrewT]

CloudS aves, yes ...

 

[nikssims]

This game has clouds?

I believe there are clouds above the map so they can reflect in the water.

By the way I tried running CK2 on one of the old laptops I have. It has integrated graphics Intel GMA4500MHD. It did not run well at all. I even disabled most of the things on the map such as cities, clouds, trees etc. I hope 5700MHD is better than the 4500MHD. Once again no information about this on the internet. :/

 

[Rognvaldr19]

I have integrated graphics on my "work" (wink wink, nudge nudge, #youcantkidakidder) laptop, and it plays really well with no need to lower the graphics.

 

[melkor88]

Hello,

I have purchased a new laptop for studies, Thinkpad T410. Excellent for doing daily tasks but I wondered if in free time this laptop could run paradox games such as Crusader Kings 2.

The processor is i5-540M which I believe is sufficient to run the game, but the part I fear about is integrated graphics. It comes with GMA 5700MHD. Has anybody tried to run it on similar setup? Information is scarce on the internet about this graphics so that is why I must ask the question here.

Full specification if this is needed.
[/spoiler]

It will work fine, if you want to be sure there is a demo still on Steam I think to try. (but only try it to see if it works, as the demo is so out of date it is worthless for anything else)

 

[chrnno]

By the way I tried running CK2 on one of the old laptops I have. It has integrated graphics Intel GMA4500MHD. It did not run well at all. I even disabled most of the things on the map such as cities, clouds, trees etc. I hope 5700MHD is better than the 4500MHD. Once again no information about this on the internet. :/

From what I found the 5700 is indeed significantly better(2-3 times apparently) but still falls way short. Processor is good enough that you will probably be able to play but make sure to turn off all graphics option and go to a smaller resolution since in this case the GPU will be the bottleneck.

 

[Teodosio7]

The screen resolution is going to kill you. Too small.

 

[Sfan]

Well honestly you should try the demo first. If you have any lag with it, even a small one, you should consider not buying the game because lag increases significantly the more time passes.
On my small laptop with lower performances I run CK2 ok during the first 20 years of the game, it starts getting bad during the next 30 years and after that it's just unplayable with 3-4 seconds per day. I really wish there would be a way to disable the map expansion into India as an option when you disable Rajas of India because most of us don't even look at it and it makes old computers and low performances laptops lag significantly.

 

[CplKatie]

You will see the greatest benefits editing the settings.txt file in your my documents/paradox/ck2 folder. It won't create till you launch the game once. Late game will be bad but nobody ever plays late game really.

 

[Wagonlitz]

No idea if it also happens in CKII, but be aware that when EU4 launched there were people with integrated graphics who found out that while the game would run there were serious graphics glitches. (Primarily black shadow continents.)

 

[CplKatie]

No idea if it also happens in CKII, but be aware that when EU4 launched there were people with integrated graphics who found out that while the game would run there were serious graphics glitches. (Primarily black shadow continents.)

It really is apples to oranges with ck2 compared to the later games with the same engine for performance tweaks. In Ck2 you can literally turn off the water texture completely whereas all the later ones either don't allow it at all, have a switch for it in the settings that does nothing, or replaces it with just as bad of a texture drain. Ck2 is by far the best for low end machines.

 

[nikssims]

Hello again,

I just wanted to update you on the situation. I received the laptop and unfortunately the GMA5700MHD is unable to run the game at all. Not even with modified settings.txt file and with mods that make the map textureless and flat.

I hope this helps someone who might be also wondering about running the game on this gpu.

 

[CplKatie]

Hello again,

I just wanted to update you on the situation. I received the laptop and unfortunately the GMA5700MHD is unable to run the game at all. Not even with modified settings.txt file and with mods that make the map textureless and flat.

I hope this helps someone who might be also wondering about running the game on this gpu.

That does not make any sense whats your hang up is it not launching at all or crashing? It runs perfectly fine on a 9 year old integrated card with textures mod installed. Something very fishy. Check your adapters system settings it might not be set for gaming.

 

[nikssims]

That does not make any sense whats your hang up is it not launching at all or crashing? It runs perfectly fine on a 9 year old integrated card with textures mod installed. Something very fishy. Check your adapters system settings it might not be set for gaming.

I managed to load the game up, it just shutters so badly it is unplayable. This does not occur only in Crusader Kings but in other games too.

I hope you are not mistaking Intel HD series with Intel GMA series of integrated graphics. They differ in performance a lot.

Here is a link for comparison between these series http://www.game-debate.com/gpu/inde...-hd-graphics-520-mobile-vs-intel-gma-5700m-hd

They differ in performance by 700% while both are integrated graphics.

All drivers are up to date and set to performance mode. No overclocking. The card is simply unable to run the game.