System Requirements for HoI3

[blue emu]

I wonder why the engine demands 2.0 shaders...?

My best guess: The idea is to unload ALL of the graphics processing off onto the GPU, to leave the CPU free for other tasks (such as AI). This requires using standardized calls to the GPU, and PxS 2.0 is part of the industry standard for modern game-development tools.

 

[dertechie]

Yeah, I remember shaders now that I read about them... but my question is still: why would HOI 3 need em? I guess to make the zoom look more realistic? IDK... 2.0 seems pretty advanced for its needs (even though 2.0 is pretty old.)

I suspect it needs them because DX 9 supports them, and that's the API they used for the graphics for the program.

HOI2 doesn't fly on Erich's rig because of his 8600 GT, it flies because he's running it on a good C2D. As far as HOI2 is concerned, the GPU is just a fancy output port to the monitor. Shifting rendering to the GPU frees up a large chunk of CPU resources. DX9 just happened to be the best way to do that. It's not like they're asking us to invest in BlueGene/L here. You can pick up a card that supports the reqs for 50 bucks on Newegg (assuming you don't have a laptop, then you're screwed).

Edit: Emu'd. I need to stop checking sources mid-post.

 

[unmerged(115810)]

can anyone refresh my memory how to check your system, ie whether or not I will be able to run HOI3 without upgrading?

I used to know how to do that and for some reason can't remember right now.

THX

 

[jdrou]

can anyone refresh my memory how to check your system, ie whether or not I will be able to run HOI3 without upgrading?

I used to know how to do that and for some reason can't remember right now.

THX

Run the 'DXDIAG' command and see what it says about your CPU and GPU.

 

[unmerged(115810)]

Run the 'DXDIAG' command and see what it says about your CPU and GPU.

thanks I figured it out and found what I needed, so I went and bough a gig of ram to make sure I have enough for the new game. :lol:

 

[Poh]

looking at two laptops only thing i dont know much about is gfx so here goes

one got hd4570 512mb
the other 130m 1gb

im learning more towards the hd4570 computer as its 20-25% cheaper, better looking and a dell the same as my last laptop. However i know the 130m is about 30% faster. I also read that a 8600m should be able to run HoI3 so i expect a hd4570 can too? and do any have any experience with that graphiccard?

 

[Jazumir]

just googled the hd4570 - it´s way more than just sufficient for HoI3 it seems.

 

[unmerged(42723)]

Didn't follow this regularly, and now that it is so huge I rather want to avoid reading it compeltely.

Can I just assume that a machine which is running EU:Rome well will run HOIII at least reasonably or will the large number of provinces etc kill my hardware?

 

[Baneslave]

BeBro: I would assume that yes. Even more, if you have enough RAM and dualcore or better.

 

[MonkeyHybrid]

Yeah, I remember shaders now that I read about them... but my question is still: why would HOI 3 need em? I guess to make the zoom look more realistic? IDK... 2.0 seems pretty advanced for its needs (even though 2.0 is pretty old.)

I believe it's a lot more efficient than shaders prior to 2.0 too. Calling it 'pretty old' seems rather an understatement to me, when Pixel Shader 3.0 is pretty much standard now, and is out of date itself.

 

[varietygamer]

All new pc games will default into directx10 pixel shader 4.0 mode if you are running vista/windows 7. That is the standard.

Paradox is a few generations behind but that is inconsequential considering the nature of their game, which doesn't require highly technical graphics.

 

[brisduv]

Didn't follow this regularly, and now that it is so huge I rather want to avoid reading it compeltely.

Can I just assume that a machine which is running EU:Rome well will run HOIII at least reasonably or will the large number of provinces etc kill my hardware?

I just d/l Rome demo to see how it goes on my old system. I have the video requirements but my ram is only 1GB and my cpu many years old. Trying to decide whether to buy who new system or just upgrade memory and hope for the best

 

[unmerged(143159)]

There's a lot of calculations to be done in HoI3. I don't think that the game will run fine on an old CPU, no matter how much memory you have. I'd recommend getting a cheap modern CPU + moterboard + 2GB RAM. AMD 7850 BE should run this game very good, and it's very cheap. If your GPU has and AGP interface, it would be a good idea to get a motherboard with and integrated ATI HD3300 GPu, which should be able to run the game decently.
If you're planning to play this game for a long time, it would be a worthwile upgrade, and I think HoI3 deserves it.

 

[unmerged(105989)]

Sorry if I sound like a computer idiot - but, well, I am. I managed to get my system specs. Will this run HOI 3?

Time of this report: 6/21/2009, 22:19:38
Machine name: MINE
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.090302-1506)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell DXP061
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 2.4.2
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6400 @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.1GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1118MB used, 3208MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7900 GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0292&SUBSYS_037010DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1015 MB
Dedicated Memory: 248 MB
Shared Memory: 766 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Dell E197FP

 

[brisduv]

I agree I need a new system, thanks for the input. I loaded up the Rome demo and it took a LONG time to load up. I have been researching the various AMD capable motherboards and processors, I always try to buy about 1 year behind the latest for best value. The question is build my own which I've done often, have someone else build it, or get a complete main brand system on sale. Like many here finances drive the decision, anyways I hope I can be playing next month with the rest of you.

 

[Nikolai]

ecan: Seems like it should run just fine.|

 

[unmerged(105989)]

Cool, good to hear. Otherwise no joy in mudville for me. I'm just about due for an upgraded machine anyways, but other things have priority at the moment (little things like selling my house, buying my wife a new car, etc. ) I'll probably hold off a little bit to buy the new system until January when Windows 7 is more mature anyways, and I have the available cash.

 

[unmerged(143159)]

I agree I need a new system, thanks for the input. I loaded up the Rome demo and it took a LONG time to load up. I have been researching the various AMD capable motherboards and processors, I always try to buy about 1 year behind the latest for best value. The question is build my own which I've done often, have someone else build it, or get a complete main brand system on sale. Like many here finances drive the decision, anyways I hope I can be playing next month with the rest of you.

Could you tell me the specs of your current PC and the budget for the upgrade? Also, do you plan on running any GPU-intensive game ( generally shooters ) ?

 

[brisduv]

I really have no budget for it, thus avoiding it. I just bought some ram to upgrade my HP Compaq Turion64X2 laptop, only $30 for 1GB (max I can go). It has an Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 integrated video and does support DirectX 9 and shader model 3.0. I think the RAM will be the limiting factor, if the demo runs on it I will probably preorder the real deal and creap on through WW2 until I can upgrade my desktop an ancient but Athlon XP 2500+, which I has a DX 9.0 video card but only 1 GB ram.

I am so tempted to go to local PC store (FRY's) and buy a complete system for under $400 but really its a luxury I cannot afford until my income meets my expenses.

 

[unmerged(143159)]

I really have no budget for it, thus avoiding it. I just bought some ram to upgrade my HP Compaq Turion64X2 laptop, only $30 for 1GB (max I can go). It has an Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 integrated video and does support DirectX 9 and shader model 3.0. I think the RAM will be the limiting factor, if the demo runs on it I will probably preorder the real deal and creap on through WW2 until I can upgrade my desktop an ancient but Athlon XP 2500+, which I has a DX 9.0 video card but only 1 GB ram.

I am so tempted to go to local PC store (FRY's) and buy a complete system for under $400 but really its a luxury I cannot afford until my income meets my expenses.

Buying more memory can't help, because the stuff in the memory needs to be processed by that old AMD 2500+ you've got. In your case, the bottleneck will be the CPU. Here's the 7850BE compared to other, more pricy processors. I'd say it's pretty good. You can get that for 80$, plus 2 GB DDR2 for 20$ ( get Zeppelin, they're cheap and good for people who don't overclock ) and 80$ for ASRock A780GXH/128M which has an integrated GPU which should run HoI3 fine on lower res ( perhaps 1024X768, a bit higher if you're lucky ). So that's a platform which can run HoI3 at a very good speed for 180$.
Also, a little piece of advice: don't buy already configured computers; build your own, or ask someone to help you. Pre- configured systems are often overpriced and don't perfectly suit your needs.