Worth a try

[Capa]

I'm running 2.4ghz, 256mb RAM and a (measly) 32mb graphics card. I'm wondering if at minimal settings SHIII will run playably. I only really ask because several sources claim requirements are 256mb RAM/32mb graphics, but that was obviously bumped up later on by official sources.

I'm craving a sim like this, but for me it comes down to either this or Dangerous Waters. DW looks good, and will easily run on my system, but it looks a bit stiff for my liking. It appears to hand you your vehicles and an environment in the same way that MS Flight Sims do, in that there isn't much attention paid to atmosphere and styling. I'm less of a naval nerd, but more someone who wants to command a sub in a realistically tense situation and have to work with realistically simulated equipment.

I'm downloading the DW demo, but SHIII doesn't have one, clearly. Is it worth chancing? As a disclaimer I was able to fairly smoothly run Dawn of War, an RTS with similar requirements.

Thanks.

Edit: In a few benchmarking tools like SiSoft SANDRA I've noticed they say "Video: 32mb AGP: 32mb (total 64mb)" or similar, what is with that? Equally many diagnostics say 32mb and nothing else, so I assume that's the case. I know my card had a 64mb model, though.

[NiclDoe]

Welcome Aboard Capa! :up: I suggest get a new graphics card and download some of our neat mods like GWX, WAC, or anything that suites your needs. Enjoy your stay! Sink em ALL!!!:arrgh!:

[Brag]

Welcome aboard, Capa! :D

[Chock]

You could always try SH2, but I'm guessing your PC would run SH3, albeit not with all the graphics on full throttle. If you want to simulate as many of the on-board systems of a sub, then DW may very well be a better choice though. DW will run on just about any computer because it's not an eye-candy fest. If you like playing with analysing signals and stuff like that, DW is far more likely to float your boat, plus the 'Akula' is very groovy. Warning: DW has a steep learning curve, expect a week of frustration, as it is very 'in-depth'!

:D Chock

[Huskalar]

Welcome to Subsim, Kaleun Capa! :up:

[Capa]

Ah yes, "Hi", that's what I forgot. :smug:

I've been playing DW and it's definitely better than I'd expected. It is difficult, but I sort of expected that. It's definitely interesting having to perform a math exams' worth of analyzing and calculating just to be able to launch a weapon. I've died countless times, blown up several cruise liners and fishermen by accident, and completed a grand total of one mission successfully, but it's still great fun. :arrgh!:

I'll probably get into this and be content, but at some point I'll probably pick up SHIII if I see it at a decent price. Considering there are only two or three worthy naval sims out there having two of the best can't hurt, and if it doesn't work I'll keep it on the shelf til I upgrade.

Thanks for the replies.

[XKiller]

Worth a try? Sure, man!

I'm running heavily modified stock SH3 on 1.8ghz, 256mb RAM and GeForce3 Ti 200.
Overall smoothly running with low particles setting and if there are not to many ships around, but the loading times are evil. Be sure to cancel all programs that are not needed before loading the game (like virus-killers). I have only 14 processes running in the background when starting SH3. Try to save RAM wherever you can, f.e. try to use no high-res textures and delete the intro movies.

Good Luck

[Capa]

I got the game today and I am in love. This is without a doubt one of the best games I've ever played.

I spent about four hours clumsily doing my first patrol and finding no targets or convoys at all, but I think that's because I didn't really go out of my way to identify anything on the way to my sector, which was empty. I assumed I was meant to behave and just run along to my patrol and then the game would crudely generate a convoy or something, but it's clearly better than that. :up:

The only flaw I've bumped into is that the war ended after my first patrol and my last save was too far back to bother reloading. The game runs fine, but the tips above helped a lot (good post) and I've trimmed up a lot of the config files. There is a graphic artifact that flickers on the center horizon on deck though, but only through naked eye.

Hopefully I'll get better at manual aiming and plotting contacts/attacks. Anyone know of a good base level tutorial? The Naval Academy missions are good, but the things that confuse me are tactics, common patrol procedure and just generally how people play the game. I'm twitchy and indecisive and find myself randomly checking different things or adjusting depth but for no real reason because I don't know what a normal cruise depth is or how often I should be dropping down to listen. :know:

This whole U-boatery thing is getting to me. I'm going to go and watch Das Boot - Directors Cut.