Need help in finding out which version of Silent Hunter will work best on my laptop.

[Kodika]

I am new to gaming, but I am interested in playing the submarine simulation game Silent Hunter. From reading several forums I notice that gamers experience problems when playing the game using the Vista operating system (which is what I have on my laptop).

I have tested my system requirements on "Can you Run it?" and both Silent Hunter 111 and 1V meet the recommended requirements (although Silent Hunter V fails).
I have an HP G60 217-EM Notebook with an AMD Turion Duel-Core RM 72 processor and a GeForce 8200 M G video card. I have 256 MB of dedicated video memory and a total available graphics memory of 1407MB. I have 2.8GB of Ram (system memory 2,814 and graphics memory of 1,395)

I would like some advice as to which version of Silent Hunter will play best on my system, bearing in mind my pc's capability and operating system. From reading various forums, it seems that Silent Hunter 111 was designed for the Windows XP operating system. Does that mean Silent Hunter 1V is more compatible with Vista? I would prefer to play SH 3 as it it is set in the Atlantic, rather than the Pacific, but I have read that the graphics are much better with the new SH 4. Another consideration, being a novice, is which game would I find easier to learn and play? Also, I see that there is a gold version of SH 1V which includes the expansion pack "U Boat Missions." If I do decide to go with SH 4 does the Gold version have less bugs than the original game? If I buy the Gold edition, will I be troubled with Starforce, or was that something only included with the original edition?

Any help that anyone can give will be much appreciated.

[Sailor Steve]

WELCOME ABOARD!:sunny:

I am new to gaming, but I am interested in playing the submarine simulation game Silent Hunter. From reading several forums I notice that gamers experience problems when playing the game using the Vista operating system (which is what I have on my laptop).
I still use XP, but it is my understanding that both SH3 and SH4 run fine with Vista. You just have to put them outside of the Program Files folder.

SH3 and SH4 will run with the specs you listed, but you might want 4 GB of RAM to run either of them at its peak.

As to which one is preferable? SH4 actually runs a little better than SH3 on most systems. The resolved some of the earlier problems.

Which is easier to learn? Both are similar, as 4 is developed from 3. SH4 uses a security system called Securerom. I never had any trouble with either Starforce or Securerom, but a lot of people did so I was just lucky. Newer versions of SH3 do not have Starforce. SH4 Gold has several improvements over regular SH4. Having the u-boats added in is gravy.

While SH4 does have better graphics, it suffers from neglect. Many cool graphics mods have been made for SH3 and have never been ported into SH4, so that's a negative. There are awesom mods for SH4 both in the Pacific and Atlantic, but the coolest stuff has never been done. On the other hand SH4 has some gameplay improvements that go a long way to offsetting that.

SH3 does have one more asset that hasn't been done for SH4 yet. It's called SH3 Commander and it heightens the immersion by fleshing out your captain's career and the crew names and skills, plus it gives a name, cargo and crew report for every ship you sink.

SH4 has a supermod called Operation Monsun, which gives a full-blown Atlantic U-boat campaign.

Both are currently very cheap, so making a choice isn't too difficult. You can actually afford both if you like. For SH4 definitely get the Gold version.

Oh, and SH3 is hardly the "original edition". I still play SH1 from time to time.

[MKalafatas]

There may be copy protection issues with SH3. I was running it on XP, got a new computer with Vista, and could not install on new box due to copy protection issues, even though I had the disk and manual.

I'm not sure what the problem was... "StarFire copy protection", or something.

[Hylander_1314]

Yep! What Sailor Steve said!

Although, I think download version of SH3 has no Starfarse which is why I bought it to begin with.

Definitely for Sh4, get the latest version, 1.5. Even if you don't use the U-Boat expansion part of it, it is worth it for improvements offered.

The only things you might want to look into, is like Sailor Staeve said, more ram. 4 Gigs is great if you can get it.

The other ting, is your graphics which is an onboard shared video setup, that works with the cpu which might give you some lag, but you can play with the video settings, and should try them on lowest settings and go up from there.

Although I'm not good at notebook setups, as I have a desktop rig myself.

[Kodika]

Many thanks Sailor Steve for responding so speedily and with so much detail to my query. It is much appreciated.

I will probably opt for SH 1V. I realise that games like SH are not designed to be played on laptops, and I notice that it says on the packaging of the disc versions of the game that laptop versions of the recommended video cards are not supported. Having said that, when I bought my pc I made sure that I chose one that had a dedicated video card, as I was told that I would need that if I wanted to play games. As I have such a card, do you think I will be okay? Do you know if other members of this forum have successfully played the game on laptops?

[Kodika]

Many thanks Mkalafatas anh Hylander 1314 for your contributions to my enquiry. I made reference to the Starforce copy protection in my original thread. Hopefully, the Gold Edition of SH 1V does not include it?

As regards my graphics card, I made sure when I bought my laptop that the video card had a separate dedicated graphics memory. - See my reply to Sailor Steve.

[Hylander_1314]

Yes, others here have it on a laptop, but I don't know what their specs are for the computer.

Checking what you have for video over at Nvidia, the only ones more powerful are the 9000 series, but the 9800 looks pretty interesting, and maybe a future upgrade for you if you're inclined to making it more powerful.

But for now, the ram would be the biggest help, to increase it to 4 gigs if you can.

[Hylander_1314]

Nope, no Star Force on SHIV at all, and dropped from SH3 later. The online download version is safe for SH3, as that is what I have. I do have my original SH3 disk version 1.0 that had it, but since the downlaod version has all the developer updates, it's the best one to get.

[HW3]

This is what I'm running SH IV on
HP G62-355DX Notebook PC
AMD Athlon II P340 Dual-Core Processor 2.20 GHz
Installed memory (RAM) 8.00GB
System type 64 bit operating system Windows 7
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250

It runs ok at medium graphics settings with this setup. The only time it tends to stutter is when ships explode with the large fireballs while I am watching them. I also use the 4GB patch.

[Kodika]

Thanks Hylander for the info' re the Nvida graphics card. I have looked into upgrading my video card but I have found out that it is not possible with my laptop. I think I will try playing the game with my present specs' and see how it runs. I will bear in mind your tip about increasing the ram.

I am reassured about what you say about Starforce. Is there any difference between the disk and download versions of the Gold edition of SH 1V?

Thanks for the details of your Notebook's specs' HW3. You seem to have a much more powerful laptop than me, but I now have more confidence that SH is likely to work with my kit. I will give it a go anyway.

[Hylander_1314]

No, Sh4 is fine. Either way, disk or download. I still have my disk in the case, and it never ceases to amaze me, that I have only reloaded SH4 maybe 10 times since I bought the game when it first came out, and the disk sits in the case, in an out of the way spot in my bookcase, and the thing has scratches on it. And my kids are adults and on their on too, and they never messed with my games to begin with.

[Kodika]

Many thanks Hylander 1314. I think I will opt for the disk version. I am sure when I start playing the sim' I will be back on this forum for help as all this is new to me! It is encouraging that there as so many people like you offering help to novices. It is much appreciated.

[HW3]

Just for info, Starforce was only on the UBI issued SH III disks. The SH III disks released in the last few years by third party software firms are Starforce free.:yep:

[Hylander_1314]

That too HW3! :sign_yeah:

[Kodika]

The information about Starforce not being included on later disc editions of SH 111 is noted. Many thanks.

[Sailor Steve]

SH 111
Have you tried SH 110?




It's III or IV, with capital 'I's, if you're using Roman Numerals. :sunny:

[Herr-Berbunch]

Even if you pick up a starforce-riddled copy of SH3, there are instructions stickied in the relevant forum to remove it - legally, with the consent of the manufacturer.

Like Steve mentioned in his first reply, they are both cheap enough now, it'd be quite daft to just get the one. :D

[Kodika]

It's III or IV, with capital 'I's, if you're using Roman Numerals. :sunny:

:oops: Ooops! Thanks for the correction Sailor Steve!

I am grateful for the info' on Starforce Herr-Berbunch. I will probably get both SH III & IV. (Note the capital 'I's.) :smug: