>>) I am not employed with Ensemble or Microsoft; I'm just helping out when I can :)
1) AOE requires a dedicated video card; some integrated solutions will play the game, but not well at all. If you're thinking about a memory (RAM) upgrade versus a graphics card upgrade, choose the graphics upgrade first if you are using an integrated card. 512MB of RAM is good enough for smooth gameplay... rest is heavily graphics-dependent.
2) This thread is for posting help about Video Cards and their relationship with AOEIII; I can offer suggestions and possible video troubleshooting issues.
3) If you do decide to purchase a graphics card, then refer below:
The cards are generally listed by performance, except if indicated.
Depending on your motherboard, you will have either PCI-Express, AGP or only PCI slots. PCI-E is most preferable, follwed by AGP. PCI is not desirable at all and should only be used if you have no other options. Note that PCI and PCI-E are not compatible in any way.
A * indicates Shader 3.0 support, showing support for bloom effect.
A ! denotes AGP version available,
A ^ denotes PCI-Express version available.
For PCI cards, please read below on the note of PCI cards.Low End:(800x600 medium detail, 1024-768 minimum detail) - Set shaders to "LOW" or "MEDIUM"ATI 9200/9250 128/256MB !
Nvidia FX 5200/5500 128/256MB !
ATI X300/SE 128MB ^
Nvidia 6200 128/256MB* !^ *** Note: Probably won't be able to use high shaders; option req's better card***
Nvidia 6600LE 128/256MB* ^
Nvidia 7300GS 128/256MB* ^
Low Mid range:(medium-average detail, 800x600-1024x768)ATI 9550 128/256MB !
ATI 9600/Pro/XT 128/256MB !
ATI X550/X600/X700 Pro 128/256MB !^
ATI X1300/Pro 128/256MB/512MB* !^
nVidia Geforce 6600 128/256MB* !^
Mid range:(average-high detail, 1024x768)ATI 9800 Pro/XT 128/256MB !
nVidia Geforce 6600GT/6800/6800XT 128/256MB* !^
ATI X800/X850 Pro 256MB !^
ATI X1600Pro!/XT 128/256/512MB* ^
ATI X800GT/GTO/GTO2 256MB !^
nVidia Geforce 7600GS 256MB* !^
ATI X800XL 256MB !^
High range:(high detail, up to 1280x1024, capably higher)nVidia Geforce 6800GS 256MB *!^
note: least powerful of this groupATI X1800GTO 256MB *^
nVidia Geforce 7600GT 256MB *^
nVidia Geforce 6800GT/Ultra 256MB *!^
ATI X800/X850/XT 256MB !^
nVidia Geforce 7800GS 256MB *!
Ultra-High end:(high detail, 1280x1024 or higher)ATI X1800XL/XT 256/512MB* ^
nVidia Geforce 7800GT/GTX 256/512MB* ^
Flagship High-end(high detail, 1600x1200 or higher)- currently the bestATI X1900XT/XTX 512MB* ^
nVidia Geforce 7900GT/GTX 256/512MB* ^
Older End-of-Line AGP cards that should work:ATI 7500 64MB, NOT 32MB
ATI 9000/8500 64/128MB
ATI 9700/Pro, 9500/Pro 128/256MB
nVidia Geforce FX 5600/5700/5900/5950 series.
nVidia Geforce 4 (all, inc. MX420/440/460, Ti4600/Ti4200/Ti4400)
nVidia Geforce 3 (all)
nVidia Geforce 2 MX400 64MB
Onboard Graphics-NOT RECOMMENDED (although may still work):Intel Integrated Graphics
i810G/i815G/i845G/i865G/i915G/i945G
ATI Integrated Graphics
Xpress 200M
ATI 9100 IGP
Nvidia Integrated Graphics
nVidia nForce 2
nVidia nForce 6100/6150
--------------------------------------------------------------
the old Video Card sticky (now locked, but has great info):
"All your Video Card Compatibility Questions Here!)
Cheers!
[Edited on 5/29/2006]