PC Specifics (for new computer to play S2TW)

**TiberiusClaudiusMarcellus** · 11-13-2011, 05:08

I just bought S2:TW and sadly cannot run it on my PC. I was fearing it would be the case, but wanted to try it anyway.

This is good news, in a way, because it means I get to buy a new gaming computer.

What are your recommendations for a bare bones PC able to run S2:TW at minimum settings? Specifically, where I can get the parts (online, physical store, piece it together, etc), and rough cost in USD?

What are your same recommendations for being able to run it at the suggested settings?

Thanks!

**Sp4** · 11-13-2011, 17:08

I got a new PC recently just in general, not only to play S2TW. I guess if you look at the recommended specs and put something together that meets them, you should be fine.

Incase it helps, I use an i5 2400 processor, 8 gb RAM and a 560GTX and it runs with everything on highest/ultra very smoothly. Sometimes it gets hairy when I fast forward but I dunno why that is. I had it on all TW games. I have no idea about prices as I am in Europe and they are very different from what they are in the US.

**easytarget** · 11-15-2011, 02:50

Originally Posted by TiberiusClaudiusMarcellus

I just bought S2:TW and sadly cannot run it on my PC. I was fearing it would be the case, but wanted to try it anyway.

This is good news, in a way, because it means I get to buy a new gaming computer.

What are your recommendations for a bare bones PC able to run S2:TW at minimum settings? Specifically, where I can get the parts (online, physical store, piece it together, etc), and rough cost in USD?

What are your same recommendations for being able to run it at the suggested settings?

Thanks!

the reason you're not getting better response rate on this is because the heavy lifting of researching, picking our parts and building the system resides with you - you've got internet, use it.

5 seconds searching "build your own pc" produces pages of help on the subject

bottom line, here are the key components to worry about most:

i5 or i7 proc (yeah, you can go amd too, i don't)
fx card that costs at least 250 bucks (whatever currently wins the speed race, only got two choices here, the number of sites reporting on who's winning is stupidly large)
MB: asus is my choice, if you're going to o/c, this choice matters quite a bit, if not, then it probably doesn't, although my reco would be that it be SLI capable
cooling: again, if you're o/c'ing, not stock air, read up at HardOCP forums for what's currently the best, if not o/c'ing, then don't worry it

**HopAlongBunny** · 11-15-2011, 09:29

I have a pretty lean sys that runs STW2

Intel Core2 Duo E8500
2GB RAM
NVidia 9600 or Raedon 4850 (both are PCI Express I swap them:p)

Its a relic :) but it does everything I want it to do therefore I will drive it til it drops.
The parts were cheap when I put it together, likely much cheaper now (if available)

I doubt my graphics are the prettiest, but that has never concerned me; games play smoothly at default and it all looks ok to me :)

**econ21** · 11-15-2011, 16:50

I'll move this thread to the hard ware sub-forum, to see if anyone there has an opinion.

**Lemur** · 11-16-2011, 00:01

Originally Posted by TiberiusClaudiusMarcellus

What are your recommendations for a bare bones PC able to run S2:TW at minimum settings? Specifically, where I can get the parts (online, physical store, piece it together, etc), and rough cost in USD?

You have many options, but you need to clarify a few things.

Are you purchasing in the US or elsewhere?
What resolution screen do you intend to play on?
You talk about "suggested settings." What do you mean by that?

FYI, the minimum specs for TWS2 were released some time ago. Details:

Minimum Specs (Required for playing Total War: Shogun 2):

2 GHz Intel Dual Core processor / 2.6 GHz Intel Single Core processor , or AMD equivalent (with SSE2)
1GB RAM (XP), 2GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
256 MB DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics card (shader model 3)
1024×768 minimum screen resolution
20GB free hard disk space

**Furunculus** · 11-17-2011, 16:15

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-...-%28x16%29-atx
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/8gb-%...9-9-24-xmp-15v
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/amd-p...mhz-95w-retail
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-x...i-hdmi-2x-mini

£81.99 Asus M5A99X EVO, AMD 990X, S AM3+, DDR3, SATA III - 6Gb/s, RAID SATA, PCIe 2.0 (x16), ATX
£31.99 8GB (2x4GB) Corsair DDR3 Vengeance Jet Black, PC3-12800 (1600), Non-ECC, CAS 9-9-9-24, XMP, 1.50V
£64.84 AMD Phenom II X4 840, Propus Core, S AM3, 3.2GHz, 2MB Cache, HT 2000MHz, 95W, Retail
£116.68 1GB XFX HD 6870 Double D cooling, 4200MHz GDDR5, GPU 900MHz, 1120 Stream Processors, 2x DVI/ HDMI/ 2x mini DisplayPort

Inc VAT & Delivery
£364.20

**Mr. Anderson** · 11-18-2011, 19:37

I have a fairly new computer but when I try to run S2TW the screen will go black and I can't see anything but I can hear everything, like the intro trailer and the main menu music. PLEASE HELP!!! Thank you in advance

**Beskar** · 11-19-2011, 04:08

Originally Posted by Mr. Anderson

I have a fairly new computer but when I try to run S2TW the screen will go black and I can't see anything but I can hear everything, like the intro trailer and the main menu music. PLEASE HELP!!! Thank you in advance

Ask in here: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forum...?13-Apothecary

**TiberiusClaudiusMarcellus** · 11-20-2011, 03:50

Thanks guys,

I know I have the internet, but I'm computer retarded, so I don't know what to look for or what's a good price. Researching does nothing for me because I'm ignorant as to what all the technobabble means and how it relates to anything. I'm the ultimate plug-and-play user. I just want to pay money and not a lot of it at that.

I'll be purchasing in the United States, and I play on a widescreen monitor. I don't know if it has higher resolution (probably does) but I only have ever been able to play on 1024 x 768. I remember upgrading from 640 x 480! I know what the minimum requirements are, but I don't know what they cost or if its cheaper to buy from a store or the internet. So, I want you to tell me what to do. I don't want to think about it or do any work beyond writing this post, reading responses, and paying as little money as possible. I'm relying on you to not get ripped off.

As far as "suggested specs", the box has the bare bones requirements and then the "suggested" specs which I presume are to run at maxed out settings. The components are different in both lists. I'd like your responses - again in American dollars - to help a valued member of the Org. Thank you for the previous responses and those to follow.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 11-20-2011, 19:09

I suggest guides like this one; http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/guide...11-edition.ars

That one, unfortunately, is from March, which means it's out of date. However, the middle range box (Hot rod iirc) will play STWII very well. I know because my computer was based on their June 2008 guide and it can play the demo STW2 battle at higher than medium settings.

Here's another guide, from September 2011; http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...-ssd,3027.html

It has a parts list and price ($1000). This system will do more than everything you could want in STW2.

For buying parts, Newegg.com is the best place to start. Buying off the internet and assembling the computer yourself will be the most bang for your buck option.

CR