Can my computer run Spore?

Guffrey

The only computer we have is my wife's laptop. I figured there was no way we could run Spore, until out of curiousty I downloaded the Creature Creator. Runs like a charm. My wife has now fallen in love, so we're looking at the game. I went to the "can my computer run x game" website. They said no to Spore, on basis of CPU and CPU Speed. They also said no to Creature Creator, due to Graphics card. This of course confuses me. So here are the specs:

Genuine Intel CPU- 1.6 GHz
CPU Speed- 1.6 GHz
RAM- 1014
Video Card- Some integrated model, 128 mb, 3D acceleration, ver. 2.0 pixel shader.

Now, I would assume it can't run it, simply because it is a laptop not built for gaming. But the specs seem close enough. Any help?

ASimPerson

See if they put a demo or if the Creator is still free and give it a whirl. If it works, the main game should work.

The only area where you appear completely deficient is the CPU, but the integrated video chipsets in laptops usually kind of suck.

Guffrey

See, the integrated video is what bothers me too. But the Creator works perfectly. Well, I take it back, when I change color schemes theres a slight delay as it seems to change different layers. But not choppy at all, and no slow down.

Guffrey

As a sidenote, the website I used says this laptop falls incredibly short for Age of Empires III, yet it runs it perfectly.

GR_Zombie

Is it CanYouRunIt? Because it'll fail you if your graphics card isn't the recommended make/model, even if it meets the requirements.

Guffrey

It is Can You Run It. I'm thinking its a safer bet to just not try it. I know I can run some games I technically shouldn't be able to, but might as well not take the risk with fifty bucks.

Captain Vash

just FYI that slow down on texture change is there in the main version of the game as well.

Even on my semi-powerful gaming computer.

YourFatAuntSusan

Also, it's possible your laptop has "speedstep" or some equivalent. It essentially clocks down the processor when the PC is idle (browsing is idle) to save battery life. It could be failing due to only showing as an 800 mhz processor, like my Pentium M 1.8 ghz does.

Guffrey

Never thought about that. Part of me wants to go ahead and risk it, the other says its not worth it. Her laptop has suprised me in the past, Im thinking it just might work.

Sir Carcass

Keep in mind that there's a lot more going on in the full game than in the creator. That said, it's still possible you could run it on low settings, but I don't know for sure.

Guffrey

Thats a good point. Anyone else have any advice, anyone who has the game have an opinion?

Captain Vash

At the risk of upsetting the moderators...
Pirate the game to see if it will run and if it does go out and buy it?

Not that I advocate piracy, but if it's purely as a "test run", and you do end up buying the game, then this would be piracy advancing the cause of the producer, which is ironic and amazing if you ask me.

Toxin01

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/bonus/t/analysis2.tmpl?PHPSESSID=4a9353bcc8cf6e3254f2b23f2904bbf4


Bookmark this.

Guffrey

Last link isnt running, but if it It is Can You Run It, I've tried it. I may have forgotten to mention it. It says I fail, but just based on processor speed. Here is the diagnostic.

CPU
Minimum: 2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent [If built-in graphics chipsets then 2.6 GHz Pentium D CPU, or 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, or equivalent.]
You Have: 2 processors running - Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2050 @ 1.60GHz FAIL: Sorry, your CPU does not meet this minimum requirement. It may be time to purchase a more powerful computer to make your life easier. Click the 'We Recommend' button to discover how you can.
CPU Speed
Minimum: 2 GHz
You Have: 1.60 GHz FAIL: Sorry, your CPU Speed does not meet this minimum requirement. It may be time to purchase a more powerful computer to make your life easier. Click the 'We Recommend' button to discover how you can.
System RAM
Minimum: 512 MB RAM (768 MB for Vista or built-in graphics)
You Have: 1014 MB PASS
Operating System
Minimum: Windows XP/Vista
You Have: Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Build Service Pack 22600) PASS
Video Card
Minimum: 128 MB Video Card, with support for Pixel Shader 2.0 (NVIDIA GeForce FX 5900 [GeForce 6200 for Vista]+ / ATI Radeon 9500+ / Intel 950+)
You Have: Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family (Intel(R) Calistoga Graphics Controller) PASS
Video Card Features - Minimum attributes of your Video Card Video RAM: Required - 128 MB , You have - 224 MB
Video Card 3D Acceleration: Required - Yes , You have - Yes
Pixel Shader Ver.: Required - 2.0 , You have - 2.0


Video Card Driver Version (DirectX)
Your driver version number is: 6.14.10.4446 FYI: Your video card driver version is provided for your information, but it is not part of this analysis. But proper video card driver versions are important to the proper operation of your product.
Sound Card
Minimum: Yes
You Have: SigmaTel Audio PASS
Sound Card Driver Version
Your driver version number is: 5.10 FYI: Your sound card driver version is provided for your information, but it is not part of this analysis. But proper sound card driver versions are important to the proper operation of your product.
Free Disk Space
Minimum: 6 GB
You Have: 17.1 GB PASS

ben0207

how do you have 1014 mb of ram that is not possible

Guffrey

The laptop has 2 gig's installed. I am not sure why it only detected 1014. I heard something about how some laptops don't use all their power when they are "idle", such as browsing. Could that be the reason why?

Rook

Guffrey wrote: »

The laptop has 2 gig's installed. I am not sure why it only detected 1014. I heard something about how some laptops don't use all their power when they are "idle", such as browsing. Could that be the reason why?

More likely is that the integrated card is using it up as shared memory. You should probably limit how much it can access