AOE3 Forums

Well, ever since playing the demo, I've been itching to buy the retail version, but I need all the system requirements for optimal preformace. I have all the system requirements, except for the video card.

And here's the problem; I'm not very computer-esque. I have a vague idea what a BIOS or a motherboard is. My parents recently bought a new computer, an HP Media Center PC. I do use windows XP, and I have some cash for a new card, because the one that came with the PC is most likely out of a cracker-jack box.

The problems I have in the demo are lag mostly, and complete screen-rate failure on water battles. Even some medium sized land battles are tough on the frame rates. So, I'm looking for a video card that will atleast preform well on medium graphic settings. Especially on water.

So yeah, just try not to get frustrated if you ask me what my motherboard or BIOS is or whatever. You're most probablly going to have to explain it to me. So yeah, just explain to me what I need to tell you, and I'll try my best. Thanks.

Hello

I actually registered looking for exactly the same answer, but i searched and came up with nothing except this. He's basically asking the same question i want to ask, except im using a laptop, the HP Pavilion ZE5730US, and i wanted to see if there was anyway i could uprgrade it to have the best graphics available. The game itself has gorgeous graphics, man, those ships look so real ! But anyway, all the help is appreciated, from another AoE player who spawns back to the first AoE and the now defunct MSN Zone. LOL i bet i couple of you remember that.

answering the first question:

it all depends on your budget and the rest of your comp.

i think that: a 8600gt(the one i use) is enough if you're low on money, but(going from cheaper to more expensive) here are some other good choices if you have more $$$:

HD3850, 9600gt, 8800gt, HD3870X2

IMO dual card setups aren't worth it.

BTW, any of those will run AOE3 on max, if the rest of your comp is decent

 

answering the second question:

I'm sorry, but no laptop can be upgraded more than adding some more RAM or a bigger HD

 

thanks for the fast reply!

Ok so i have a desktop pc too, so im gonna see how the specs on that one is, if they are decent, then i will be investing on one of the cards that you just mentioned.

 As far as the laptop, below is the specs, does anyone mind telling me, with these specs, how will the game run ? will it run at all? I apoligize for the ignorance, your input is throughly appreciated

 http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00212199&lc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=420315&dlc=en

it doesn't give much detail about the video card, so i can't be sure, but IF it runs, will be on lower settings.

the processor is fine,

256 Mb RAM is few for AOE, it can run, but i recomend at least 512Mb

the video card, i'm not sure, but if it runs with 64Mb shared and on AGP 4x, it isn't new stuff

Can the RAM be upped to 512 ?

sure, you can upgrade the RAM, if you look at the specs, you'll see it has 2 slots for RAM, and it already comes with 256mb on one of them, all you need is to buy another 256Mb and put it on the other slot, but i don't know how much does 256Mb cost

Kirug:

Well, ever since playing the demo, I've been itching to buy the retail version, but I need all the system requirements for optimal preformace. I have all the system requirements, except for the video card.

And here's the problem; I'm not very computer-esque. I have a vague idea what a BIOS or a motherboard is. My parents recently bought a new computer, an HP Media Center PC. I do use windows XP, and I have some cash for a new card, because the one that came with the PC is most likely out of a cracker-jack box.

The problems I have in the demo are lag mostly, and complete screen-rate failure on water battles. Even some medium sized land battles are tough on the frame rates. So, I'm looking for a video card that will atleast preform well on medium graphic settings. Especially on water.

So yeah, just try not to get frustrated if you ask me what my motherboard or BIOS is or whatever. You're most probablly going to have to explain it to me. So yeah, just explain to me what I need to tell you, and I'll try my best. Thanks.

if you could post the model number of your pc i could recommend some cards

 

for example "HP Media Center PC M7680"

Mafia_Insurance:

thanks for the fast reply!

Ok so i have a desktop pc too, so im gonna see how the specs on that one is, if they are decent, then i will be investing on one of the cards that you just mentioned.

 As far as the laptop, below is the specs, does anyone mind telling me, with these specs, how will the game run ? will it run at all? I apoligize for the ignorance, your input is throughly appreciated

 http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00212199&lc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=420315&dlc=en

with an extra 256mb ram that laptop should run somewhat at minimum settings, even though its old it has an actual video card which should in theory work

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231037

i couldn't find any 256mb sticks, however adding an extra 512mb ram would help more and is very cheap, the ram in that link should work fine with your laptop and its current ram

Thanks, but my laptop died.

Im in the market now for a laptop that can run this game at full settings but not be too pricey. I know most laptops now have much better basic components than when this game originally came out, so im looking for an affordable laptop that can run this game at full video settings, as well as being reliable for multitasking and school work. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Mafia_Insurance:

Thanks, but my laptop died.

Im in the market now for a laptop that can run this game at full settings but not be too pricey. I know most laptops now have much better basic components than when this game originally came out, so im looking for an affordable laptop that can run this game at full video settings, as well as being reliable for multitasking and school work. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

What's your price range?