Football Manager 2011 - graphics card

[MikeyT]

My son's laptop has gone bang and so he's in the amrket for a new one.

Now apart from the aimless hours he spends hooked up to the devil known as Facebook, and the odd bit of surfing on t'web, he wants to get Football Manager 2011 to play on it.

Would he need a decent graphics card to play this or would the one that is in the laptop be okay? ie 1 specialist 512/1gig card or just the one that is in there?

He's ideally got a budget of £400 for this new one - but isn't sure exactly what he will need card-wise to play this game at a decent speed. Apparently he tells me when you go to the next level it takes ages to load or summat but I would ahve thought that was more processor speed than graphic card - anyway ...

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

[Manee]

it should be fine - i cant see why it would need heavy graphics card.

2010 was laggy but they sorted 2011 graphics engine wise - check on thier website for min requirements

[3sixty]

Doesn't need much graphics wise but get a decent amount of RAM to cope with it when you got a few leagues running simultaneously

[chimster]

Sorry for riding on the back of this, but I have just bought FM 2011 and I am having a problem getting the matches themselves to run without crashing, I get a message saying it needs more virtual memory. I have been on the FM website and I checked the requirements for Processor/Memory/HD Space and it seems to be ok, but I was wondering whether if I added another GB of memory this would sort it out or whether my GEForce 6200LE graphics card isn't up to it. My system is a 6 year old HP Media Centre with 512mb Ram. Any thoughts on why it might crash, and what the solution might be?

[mathmos]

I suspect only having 512mb is your problem, but you can up the Virtual memory (this is where the hard disk is used as memory so is a lot slower than RAM).

If your using XP, go to control panel, click on System, select the Advanced tab, then there is a section saying Performance with a button marked "Settings", click that, click on the Advanced tab again, there you will find a section on Virtual memory where you can change the amount assigned by clicking on the Change button.

[chimster]

Thanks, so if I do stick another GB of memeory in first maybe that might do it, I can always adjust the virtual memory later if needs be. What about the video/graphics card, how do I know if that's ok?

[mathmos]

Again under XP, easiest way is probably Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System tools -> Click on System Information. On the left hand explorer click on components then display...should show you the memory on your graphics adapter in there.

[chimster]

Cheers will have a look tonight

[onlynik]

When I run the game at home, it normally takes up about 1.5 - 2 gig of RAM.

[chimster]

Thanks looks like I need some more RAM then, I assume thats in the Graphics/Video card, or is it the Memory card?

[Moley RUFC]

FM is all about RAM. The graphics will be fine but you need some shove to get the leagues and player databases in and to make it run faster than it takes Avram Grant to nip down for a massage

[chimster]

I currently have 512MB which is clearly inadequate. My memory is 4 banks of one how much extra would you recommend I put in?

[Moley RUFC]

chimster said:

I currently have 512MB which is clearly inadequate. My memory is 4 banks of one how much extra would you recommend I put in?

I have 4gb in mine and the game still only ranks it as 2.5 stars out of 5!!

[chimster]

st

[Moley RUFC]

chimster said:

st

Best get used to running one league with teams limited to 5-a-side only

[chimster]

They have changed it since 2008. That was fine....

[Moley RUFC]

chimster said:

They have changed it since 2008. That was fine....

I've been with it from day one with the 'real' Championship Manager and I have to say the latest one is one of the best they have done. My Luton team are climbing the pyramid. Currently in League 1 with Fabian Brandy smashing them in with FM legend Eddie Johnson assisting.

[tobster]

Moley RUFC said:

I've been with it from day one with the 'real' Championship Manager and I have to say the latest one is one of the best they have done.

Me too , top quality game. The old Champ Man box's used to have a sheepskin wearing manager on the front and now they have a slick suited Mourinho inspired boss , how times have changed.

I run 3 GB on Windows 7 and it runs slowly but then I do have about 7 full leagues running !

[chimster]

Will let you know I get on when I stick 4GB in

[Moley RUFC]

chimster said:

Will let you know I get on when I stick 4GB in

Good man!