Graphics Requirements for Games

rowech · 01-11-2009, 01:35 PM

How can I tell if my computer meets graphic requirements for various games? It used to be simply VGA or EGA I think they were...long past that now it seems!

Tasan · 01-11-2009, 01:49 PM

Its handy to know what kind of video chipset on your video card you have in your machine. Usually either Nvidia or ATI, and then a 3-4 digit number after that, like Nvidia 8800, or ATI 1950. Then, the game box will usually list the cards that are OK. Normally, the higher the number, the newer the card. Nvidia comes in (generally these days) 5000s, 6000s, 7000s, 8000s, 9000s, and then newly the 200s, with the lower 1000s being older, all the way to the 200s which are the newest. ATI comes in 1000s, 3000s, 4000s, oldest to newest.

*edit You could possibly have older ATI 9000 series cards in older machines. Those are lesser than the ATI 1000s. Confusing, I know.

Big Fo · 01-11-2009, 01:58 PM

Can you run it? lets you select one of many games and tells you if you can that game plus what parts you have in your PC.

rowech · 01-11-2009, 03:29 PM

Thanks to both...the website interests me as it's exactly what I'm looking for but I'm always worried about such sites.

DaddyTorgo · 01-11-2009, 03:40 PM

i had forgotten about that website - so useful. guess i could actually run Civ IV...

gstelmack · 01-11-2009, 03:44 PM

Heh. Site tells me I fail on Crysis Warhead because of my video card, even though I have above the listed min requirements for it.

Izulde · 01-11-2009, 04:21 PM

My laptop's video card apparently sucks.

Meets minimum requirements but fails a lot of recommended requirements because it doesn't have Video HW Transform and Lighting or Vertex Shader.

rowech · 01-11-2009, 05:15 PM

Izulde....that's what I have found out. I tried the medieval II demo which crashed upon starting which is why I asked the question in the first place. Yet, the site tells me I meet all requirements for the game.

01-11-2009, 01:49 PM	#2
Tasan College Starter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston, or there about	Its handy to know what kind of video chipset on your video card you have in your machine. Usually either Nvidia or ATI, and then a 3-4 digit number after that, like Nvidia 8800, or ATI 1950. Then, the game box will usually list the cards that are OK. Normally, the higher the number, the newer the card. Nvidia comes in (generally these days) 5000s, 6000s, 7000s, 8000s, 9000s, and then newly the 200s, with the lower 1000s being older, all the way to the 200s which are the newest. ATI comes in 1000s, 3000s, 4000s, oldest to newest. edit You could possibly have older ATI 9000 series cards in older machines. Those are lesser than the ATI 1000s. Confusing, I know. __________________ 2011 Golden Scribes winner for best Interactive Dynasty* Last edited by Tasan : 01-11-2009 at 01:51 PM.

01-11-2009, 03:44 PM	#6
gstelmack Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cary, NC	Heh. Site tells me I fail on Crysis Warhead because of my video card, even though I have above the listed min requirements for it. __________________ -- Greg -- Author of various FOF utilities

01-11-2009, 04:21 PM	#7
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	My laptop's video card apparently sucks. Meets minimum requirements but fails a lot of recommended requirements because it doesn't have Video HW Transform and Lighting or Vertex Shader. __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

01-11-2009, 01:58 PM	#3
Big Fo Pro Rookie Join Date: Jan 2005	Can you run it? lets you select one of many games and tells you if you can that game plus what parts you have in your PC.

01-11-2009, 03:29 PM	#4
rowech Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2006	Thanks to both...the website interests me as it's exactly what I'm looking for but I'm always worried about such sites.

01-11-2009, 03:40 PM	#5
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	i had forgotten about that website - so useful. guess i could actually run Civ IV...

01-11-2009, 05:15 PM	#8
rowech Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2006	Izulde....that's what I have found out. I tried the medieval II demo which crashed upon starting which is why I asked the question in the first place. Yet, the site tells me I meet all requirements for the game.

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