A computer gaming support question:

[rockymountaindem]

I would like to purchase Silent Hunter III for my PC. However, the specs state that the minimum requirements are:

System: 1.4 GHz CPU or equivalent
RAM:512 MB RAM
Video Memory: 64 MB VRAM

and the recommended requirements are:

System: 2 GHz CPU or equivalent
RAM: 1024 MB RAM
Video Memory: 128 MB VRAM

Now, I have a 2 gig processor, and a 256 MB video card. However, I only have 256 MB of RAM, so I think that will be a problem. My question is; will my excess processor speed and a whole lot of extra video RAM compensate for my lack of regular RAM? How are the two different? Is getting this a waste of my time. I'd think about upgrading but my PC can only hold 384 megs of RAM maximum, and my parents don't want to get a new computer now. So, would it be possible for me to run Silent Hunter III with only 256 megs of RAM (but with all the extra stuff I have) or would that be $40 down the drain?

[RoyGBiv]

1. Down the drain ...

Without getting technical about it, the RAM is needed to perform calculations necessary for the program's operation. If that program cannot build an array of data (or however it goes it) in the space available, it won't function.

Now, you do have virtual RAM, theoretically as large as the free space on your hard drive, so the program would probably work to an extent if the game doesn't do a check of system memory at start and shut down if it doesn't detect enough. (Some do that.) But, the hit to performance will be dramatic, possibly to the point where the game is unplayable. Your processor and graphics card do not figure into that calculation because the bottle-neck is the speed of the drive and the rate at which it transfers data, which does not even begin to approach the speed of normal memory.

Understand, though, that I offer this as generic advice. I'm not aware of this particular game performs or uses various resources. I do know that firing up a game like DOOM 3 without the minimum specs will allow you to run it, but not in a way that is very playable, much less enjoyable. Memory is a big deal with these newer games.

All that said, I'm a bit confused and curious. You have a motherboard that supports a 2GHz processor and accepts a graphics card with 256MB of memory, but it will only hold 384MB of RAM? Do you mean it only has three RAM slots, and two are filled with 128MB sticks already, only allowing one more stick? It's been a long time since I've seen a motherboard that didn't accept at least a GIG of memory if it is properly configured, and the fact you have a 2GHz processor and presumably a 4X or 8X AGP slot would suggest an at least somewhat recent motherboard.

I could be totally off base, but I think you should check this. Your fix may be as simple as spending $50 or so for a 512MB stick of memory (or 2 x 256MB) and ditching the smaller ones.

[bemildred]

2. It is not correct that it will only hold 384M maximum.

Put a half gig or gig memory module in there (of the right sort)
and that's how much memory you will have.

[rockymountaindem]

3. How much does that cost?

On edit:

Ok, so it should cost about $120. The reason I had a problem was because I put in an HP model instead of a Dell model (which I have) on the hardware website. So that's the answer. I can have up to 1024 megs if I want.

[tkmorris]

4. There ya go then

And you should definately get that RAM too, as much as it'll hold, because otherwise that video card is wasted money. Kind of like attaching $500 worth of speakers to an AM radio.