Best Specs

[Simalex 0]

Can someone tell me what specs I should get on a new PC for running SC4 without any probs? I am going to by a comp just for this purpose as I am tired of it crashing. Also, would it be better to get XP or Vista? Thanks.

[JakeMD 107]

It would be better to get XP, since SimCity 4 has a lot of compatibility issues with Vista. Sorry I can't help you with the rest, but someone (like Tungston ) should be along soon and let you know some general specs. Have fun with your new computer!

[Randomtaskk 1]

I have no idea what the min specs would be, but this is what I have, primarily for shooters, but simcity runs a treat on it too :

Vista Ultimate x64

Core i7 940

12GB DDR3 1600Mhz Ram

2 GTX 260 OCX Maxcore 896MB GFX cards

Thats the main components ^^

[tungston 19]

There are no SC4 compatibility issues with Vista.

Memory is the most important thing with SC4, I recommend at least 2GB, especially with Vista. A video card with at least 128MB of memory will make the game run better.

Just about any computer you can buy now will run SC4 reasonably well.

[Jezus53 18]

Originally posted by: Randomtaskk I have no idea what the min specs would be, but this is what I have, primarily for shooters, but simcity runs a treat on it too :

Vista Ultimate x64

Core i7 940

12GB DDR3 1600Mhz Ram

2 GTX 260 OCX Maxcore 896MB GFX cards

Thats the main components ^^

quote>

Sweet baby Jesus! 12 GB of DDR3? How much did that cost ya?

[Randomtaskk 1]

Originally posted by: Jezus53

Originally posted by: Randomtaskk I have no idea what the min specs would be, but this is what I have, primarily for shooters, but simcity runs a treat on it too :

Vista Ultimate x64

Core i7 940

12GB DDR3 1600Mhz Ram

2 GTX 260 OCX Maxcore 896MB GFX cards

Thats the main components ^^

quote>

Sweet baby Jesus! 12 GB of DDR3? How much did that cost ya?quote>

More than I care to think about. ROFL.

[Randomtaskk 1]

Originally posted by: tungston There are no SC4 compatibility issues with Vista.

Memory is the most important thing with SC4, I recommend at least 2GB, especially with Vista. A video card with at least 128MB of memory will make the game run better.

Just about any computer you can buy now will run SC4 reasonably well.quote>

CPU is more important imo, with my old PC NAM would seriously slow the game down, due to a lack of CPU power, RAM and GFX had no problem at all..

[djrules5454 5]

Originally posted by: Randomtaskk

Originally posted by: tungston There are no SC4 compatibility issues with Vista.

Memory is the most important thing with SC4, I recommend at least 2GB, especially with Vista. A video card with at least 128MB of memory will make the game run better.

Just about any computer you can buy now will run SC4 reasonably well.quote>

CPU is more important imo, with my old PC NAM would seriously slow the game down, due to a lack of CPU power, RAM and GFX had no problem at all..quote>

However, more RAM reduces loading times if you have a ton of custom content (I went from 1GB to 2GB; used to take ten minutes to start up the game, and five to load large cities, and it is at least twice as quick now because it has more space to store game files on the RAM).

[Randomtaskk 1]

Originally posted by: djrules5454_simtropolisedition

Originally posted by: Randomtaskk

Originally posted by: tungston There are no SC4 compatibility issues with Vista.

Memory is the most important thing with SC4, I recommend at least 2GB, especially with Vista. A video card with at least 128MB of memory will make the game run better.

Just about any computer you can buy now will run SC4 reasonably well.quote>

CPU is more important imo, with my old PC NAM would seriously slow the game down, due to a lack of CPU power, RAM and GFX had no problem at all..quote>

However, more RAM reduces loading times if you have a ton of custom content (I went from 1GB to 2GB; used to take ten minutes to start up the game, and five to load large cities, and it is at least twice as quick now because it has more space to store game files on the RAM).quote>

Maybe its just because I've never had less than 4GB, so never noticed. The key is getting the balance right.

Simalex it would help if we knew what kind of budget do you have for your new PC?

[Simalex 0]

So is Vista 64 better than using Vista 32?

[sim-Al2 4]

I don't think it makes a big difference, because 64 just emulates a 32-bit enviorment anyway.

[Randomtaskk 1]

It depends on whether your CPU and the programme your using are 64bit enabled. If they both are then yes, it is better. Typically with games they are only 32bit though so it makes no great difference.

[tungston 19]

Originally posted by: Simalex So is Vista 64 better than using Vista 32?quote>

It depends on what applications you have that you want to continue to use.  Some older programs are not compatable with a 64 bit OS, and/or Vista.  You can check that at the Microsoft web site.

If you can afford it, I recommend you go with the new Intel i7 processor, and DDR3 memory. 

[Cassius 0]

An Nvidia card would help. Ive had SC4 running on 3 different systems in my time, all ATI cards, all forced to use software rendering had a radeon 9700, X800XT, and now a X1950

[tungston 19]

My eperience with ATI cards has been having to use software rendering with XP, and being able to use hardware rendering with Vista. I think DirectX 10 might have something to do with it.

[Randomtaskk 1]

Dont have any experience with ATI so cant really comment, all I know is Ive never had a problem with nVidia ever so I just stick with them XD