Will GC3 work on XP?
GalCiv3 Forums
Apologies if this information is available elsewhere but does anyone know if GC3 will be playable on XP?
There has been speculation that it might run on XP64, but the FAQ says you need Win7 or Win8.
A:It will require a 64-bit version of Windows 7 or 8 along with a DirectX 10 or 11 compatible video card. There will be no 32-bit version. Most PC gamers in 2013 have this kind of hardware, and it allows us to create the best game possible for the majority of our customers.
Thanks! 
I guess I'll just have to go to Win 7 after all. Do you happen to know the easiest way to get that?
If you're not already on it, make sure you actually have 64 bit and DX10 capable hardware. If you don't, the upgrade won't help you as the game still won't work.
Digisoft has a downloadable version of Win7 Pro 64 for about $70.00.
Tiger Direct is more expensive at $135.00 + shipping, but they include the media if that sort of thing matters to you. I trust Tiger Direct and use them all the time for myself and the company.
As far as hardware, if my memory serves me correctly, I have an Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E4400 which I *think* is an Allendale if that means anything to anyone, and again as far as I can tell is a 64bit architecture. I also have a relatively new video card, an ATI Radeon HD5770 that supports DirectX® 11. So as long as all this is true it seems that I should be good to go.
I'm not sure there's a cost benefit of doing so but what about going with Windows 7 Home Premium instead of Windows 7 Pro? From the Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions "Windows 7 Professional is targeted towards enthusiasts and small-business users. It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to participate in a Windows Server domain. Additional features include operating as a Remote Desktop server, location aware printing, backup to a network location, Encrypting File System, Presentation Mode, Software Restriction Policies (but not the extra management features of AppLocker) and Windows XP Mode" all of which I think I can live without.
If there's not much cost difference then I'd certainly go with Pro over Home Premium but if there is a big cost difference is there anything important I'm missing by going with Home Premium?
I have Windows 7 Ultimate and I can't really say that I would be missing out on much if I were to use Pro instead. I'm not really sure that I would even be missing much if I were to go Premium, or even a Home version instead (I should really stop to figure out what I can do with Ultimate). I used XP mode for a bit, but its becoming less relevant as time goes along (plus I'm looking into other virtual machine programs now, many of which might be better than XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC). I was kinda expecting that would get some tools that I would otherwise have to pay for, but the Ultimate box I have lists being able to work in multiple languages as a selling point over previous versions.
So go with whatever version makes you happy. Except the cheap ones (like starter version).
Edit: After thinking about it (and doing some searching on the internet), you should strongly consider going with Pro. It has a number of features you might need to use (saving you trouble upgrading later if you change your mind), and being able to use XP mode did make the transition to Windows 7 easier for me. If you didn't already know, XP mode is a virtual machine, one that is configured by Microsoft. It is a licensed version of Windows XP pro. So if you have some old XP programs that don't work on Windows 7 for some reason, you could use XP mode instead of finding your old XP machine and checking to see if it works. If XP mode isn't enough, I could explain how to setup a virtual machine using Windows Vista or 7. A warning though, it is likely you will need another copy of internet security for XP mode.
For those making the final XP to Win 7 switch, don't be tempted by Windows 7 starter - its 32 bit only, that would be jumping out the frying pan into the fire.
For 95% of people, Home Premium is the most 95% of people need. Don't equate the Pro benefits of XP to an equivalent benefit level in Win 7 Pro, different beasts.
Win 7 Home Premium does the job nicely, unless you are a (Genuine - not wannabe) developer, or a Genuinely deeply entrenched enthusiast....
The mind set should be you are only dragged kicking and screaming into Win 7 Pro - stay with Home Premium unless there is a real positive reason why not. The "I'll go Pro just in case" mindset is a waste of dosh.
Win 7 Pro is fine, don't get me wrong, but its a waste of money for 95% of people.
Dang .... apologies double post .... meant to include the wiki link, its a good overview for anyone making the final jump from XP. Scroll down as well, some good summary tables for a good high-fly overview. The usual barrage of picky exceptions are well documented in the Notes to the article, but 99.9% of mere mortals will be fine following the Wiki overview as orientation.
The Pro version of Windows 7 (or 8.1) is intended for business use. The main benefit you get is the ability to join a domain. Most consumers will be perfectly happy with Windows 7 home premium or Windows 8.1 standard. Do consider Windows 8.1. It's much improved over Windows 8, especially if you add the Stardock Start8/ModernMix bundle ($7.99). I have Windows 7 ultimate on my desktop, Windows 8.1 on my laptop and prefer 8.1. It's faster, works exactly the same (with the Stardock bundle mentioned above) and you have the bonus of using the modern apps if you want to. Windows 7 and 8 are the same price so there is no cost saving with the older version.
64-bit Xp will not be supported as it requires DX10/11 and XP does not support DX10/11
This is on top fo the fact that XP support will die in April
And even dis-regarding the fact that 64-bit XP was a TERRIBLE TERRIBLE product
Speaking of system requirements, has anyone noticed the recent rash of driver updates for the GeForce GT200, GT300, GT400, GT500, GT600, and GT700 series of NVidia drivers? I think I have received at least 3 new updates in the last 2 months.
Each update seems to fix at least one problem I had with GC2, only to have a new problem show up (except for the last one so far --Driver Version: 9.18.13.3165 Driver Date/Size: 10/23/2013 02:30:23 ).
SD guys, please pay close attention to the problems NVidia is having with their drivers.
Thanks.
Has anyone seen any information on CPU, graphics card and memory requirements? Probably a premature question, but who knows.
Nothing definitive but you can infer some information here
Q: What are the requirements to run Galactic Civilizations III?
A:It will require a 64-bit version of Windows 7 or 8 along with a DirectX 10 or 11 compatible video card. There will be no 32-bit version. Most PC gamers in 2013 have this kind of hardware, and it allows us to create the best game possible for the majority of our customers.
So you're looking at Vista or above (to meet the DX10/11 requirements) and a 64 bit OS, since there will be no 32-bit version.
That's all the official information that is available right now.
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Everything below is pure conjecture. Take it all with a metric ton of salt. I'm more or less "making stuff up" now so take it for what that is.
In terms of 'broad' inference:
1) MORE MEMORY is better since we're talking about 64 bit
2) Faster CPU and MORE cores is better. We can assume that given this 'high' requirement that the game will assume you have a multi-core system and act accordingly. More cores means more AI churning power.
3) Graphics wise, not much. Other than DX10/11 requirement. But you can probably assume that it's going to be something like Civ5 in terms of graphical requirments
@ Mumblefratz - Just a personal opinion, but with Start8, Win 8.1 is as good or better than Win 7, especially on older architecture like the Core2. It's leaner and gives some resources back to the application rather than having the OS suck so much up. You'll be able to tell the difference in speed right away. My gaming machine is a Core2 quad and it's lickity split with Win 8.1.
The biggest complaint has been the new UI and I'm front and center in that group. Start8 gives the Start Button and menus back the Win 8/8.1.
If the cost is the same, I'd go with Win 8.1 and Start8.
If you have a friend with Win8, you could ask about installing the free trial of Start8 and run it through its paces. Your friend would likely benefit as well. Otherwise, if you have a workstation farm at work, you might be able to find one with Win8 and run the trial on it.
Microsoft offers an evaluation of Windows 8.1 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx It's the enterprise edition but will give you everything you need to evaluate the product. I highly recommend one of the Seagate hybrid drives (they now have desktop models) The Windows 8.1/hybrid drive drive combination boots my laptop (Celeron processor) to the desktop in 20 seconds.
Did I miss anything obvious?
Actually, if you look closely at the Q&A that you clipped into your response, it really is saying "Windows 7 or 8), hence excluding Vista.
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