Not sure if this should be posted here or general discussion.
I have seen many posts lately with people having FPS issues with the game.
I want to try and help alleviate some of the "recommended hardware" issues that are everywhere.
first we start off with the requirements:
Planet Coaster Alpha Minimum System Requirements
OS: Windows 7 64-bit.
CPU: Intel Core i5-2300 2.8GHz or AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz.
RAM: 8 GB System Memory.
GPU RAM: 2 GB Graphics Memory.
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 or AMD Radeon HD 7850
Let me start by saying that the requirements are the MINIMUM requirements. That means the game will be playable but you will run into Framerate issues if you decide to open up a large custom park packed with scenery.
The Main focus of this will be the CPU and GPU because those are the ones that lead to the most confusion.
CPU: Core I5-2300 or AMD FX-4300 3.8 is the minimum. Seems simple right? Unfortunately there is 100s of processors on the market and it can get confusing as to what is really better then those two.
HERE is a list of processors and their performance index. I have the i5-2300 highlighted in red to show it and anything above it on the index will meet the recommended CPU requirement. I will urge anyone, if you can, try to get a 8core (AMD) or a 4 core + hyper threading (intel) CPU. This game is CPU intensive and the more peeps in the park the more CPU it wants to use. I am sure Frontier will bring more optimizations to the game that will help, but I still feel it will be CPU intensive in the end.
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 or AMD Radeon HD 7850 minimum.. This is where things get really confusing, and it has nothing to do with Frontier.
AMD and Nvidia both do something that is called 're-badging". This is a term used by reviewers that explains what the card manufacture has done. Many times you will see two video cards on a shelf as an example, You see a GTX 670 for $159$ and a GTX 950 for $199. What card do you buy? (both are above minimum specs for PC, this is just an example)
Most would choose the $199 GTX950 vs the GTX670. It is a higher number and much newer card. Costs more too, so it has to be better right?... Unfortunately this is not the case. The GTX950 is almost identical to the GTX670. It just costs more and offers the same performance. They simply took the older card and rebadged it to a newer number.
The GPU Frontier has listed is found HERE. Same as the CPU index, It is highlighted in red to show where it is in the list. Anything above it should run the game at a minimum.
Research all computer hardware before you buy it. There is plenty of websites out there that benchmark everything so you can be informed. Computer hardware is very expensive, knowing what you need and getting the most out of your money is a win/win for everyone involved.
I will add, if your video card is an intergraded one (normally found on laptop computers) it will most likely not run PC very well if at all. They are great for web surfing and watching videos/movies but are not intended to run GPU intensive games like PC.
If you are in the market for a new video card my recommendation would be to wait until the 29th of this month. AMD is prepared to launch 3 new video cards and they are priced VERY well for the performance. The cards are AMD RX460 ($79-99) AMD RX 470 ($149-179) and the RX 480 ($199-239) The 470 and 480 will be able to run PC @ 1080p on high without issues. There is not much information on the 460 yet...
I personally am buying a RX 480 on the 29th. A $199 card that beats $400 cards is a great deal!
I hope this helps someone, and please ask any questions and I will try to help!
I have seen many posts lately with people having FPS issues with the game.
I want to try and help alleviate some of the "recommended hardware" issues that are everywhere.
first we start off with the requirements:
Planet Coaster Alpha Minimum System Requirements
OS: Windows 7 64-bit.
CPU: Intel Core i5-2300 2.8GHz or AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz.
RAM: 8 GB System Memory.
GPU RAM: 2 GB Graphics Memory.
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 or AMD Radeon HD 7850
Let me start by saying that the requirements are the MINIMUM requirements. That means the game will be playable but you will run into Framerate issues if you decide to open up a large custom park packed with scenery.
The Main focus of this will be the CPU and GPU because those are the ones that lead to the most confusion.
CPU: Core I5-2300 or AMD FX-4300 3.8 is the minimum. Seems simple right? Unfortunately there is 100s of processors on the market and it can get confusing as to what is really better then those two.
HERE is a list of processors and their performance index. I have the i5-2300 highlighted in red to show it and anything above it on the index will meet the recommended CPU requirement. I will urge anyone, if you can, try to get a 8core (AMD) or a 4 core + hyper threading (intel) CPU. This game is CPU intensive and the more peeps in the park the more CPU it wants to use. I am sure Frontier will bring more optimizations to the game that will help, but I still feel it will be CPU intensive in the end.
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 or AMD Radeon HD 7850 minimum.. This is where things get really confusing, and it has nothing to do with Frontier.
AMD and Nvidia both do something that is called 're-badging". This is a term used by reviewers that explains what the card manufacture has done. Many times you will see two video cards on a shelf as an example, You see a GTX 670 for $159$ and a GTX 950 for $199. What card do you buy? (both are above minimum specs for PC, this is just an example)
Most would choose the $199 GTX950 vs the GTX670. It is a higher number and much newer card. Costs more too, so it has to be better right?... Unfortunately this is not the case. The GTX950 is almost identical to the GTX670. It just costs more and offers the same performance. They simply took the older card and rebadged it to a newer number.
The GPU Frontier has listed is found HERE. Same as the CPU index, It is highlighted in red to show where it is in the list. Anything above it should run the game at a minimum.
Research all computer hardware before you buy it. There is plenty of websites out there that benchmark everything so you can be informed. Computer hardware is very expensive, knowing what you need and getting the most out of your money is a win/win for everyone involved.
I will add, if your video card is an intergraded one (normally found on laptop computers) it will most likely not run PC very well if at all. They are great for web surfing and watching videos/movies but are not intended to run GPU intensive games like PC.
If you are in the market for a new video card my recommendation would be to wait until the 29th of this month. AMD is prepared to launch 3 new video cards and they are priced VERY well for the performance. The cards are AMD RX460 ($79-99) AMD RX 470 ($149-179) and the RX 480 ($199-239) The 470 and 480 will be able to run PC @ 1080p on high without issues. There is not much information on the 460 yet...
I personally am buying a RX 480 on the 29th. A $199 card that beats $400 cards is a great deal!
I hope this helps someone, and please ask any questions and I will try to help!
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(I think they did it to cut down on the creation process and have a big stock on launch day