thinkin' 'boutit

[A Canadian Cat]

My previous machine which I used when I stared playing CM was not a high end machine when it was new and certainly was getting long in the tooth:

Windows Vista Home Premium SP2 (64 bit)
HP model a6500f
AMD Phenom 9150e Quad-Core Processor 1.8GHz
4 Gb RAM
with and upgraded video card: Radeon HD 6770 with 1Gb memory

With that machine I had no trouble with the CM1x titles and happily played the CM2x titles. I had to play on a middle ground quality setting (I forget exactly) and for some maps with a lot of trees, buildings or forces (e.g. Monty's Butchers) I had to turn the graphics down even more. But like I said I played happily. Oh and it took 2 minutes to load a really big turn like the above Monty's Butchers.

I have a new machine:

Window 7 64bit
Intel i5 3.7GHz
Nvida GTX760 with 2Gb
16Gb of ram
and an SSD drive

I play with the graphic settings on the max quality now. Not everything about that new machine is related to playing CM. For example 16Gb of memory is way more than what is needed. The game played on a 64bit OS can only access 4Gb so an 8Gb machine would be totally fine. But for running Photoshop 16Gb is going to be helpful for me. The SSD drive is not really doing much for CM in my case because it only has the .exe an not the game files or the mods and loading turn files is the slow thing for CM (some larger games can have turn files that are over 100Mb). It has been pointed out to me that since CM is CPU bound and only uses one core at a time you are actually better off getting an i5 CPU with a higher clock speed over an i7 with a slower one. But again that is specific to CM other apps you might be using may benefit from the additional cores in the i7 even at a lower clock speed.

[Weasel]

I have an AMD Athlon II quad with an Asus HD6850 and it played the game no problem, but I found on high graphic settings that it took a LOOOONNGGG time to load the turn, minutes. I am currently playing a single game on my laptop, Intel i7 with Nvidia 860m video card with no problems and it loads faster than my desktop.

[raz_atoth]

This are my specs:
CPU: Intel I5 3559 - 3.3Ghz
RAM: 8GB
GPU: AMD Radeon 7850 - 2GB of DDR5

The game is stored on a SSD. I have no issues whatsoever running the game with this specs, but what i noticed is the turns load 5-10 faster if i keep the graphic settings on Balanced rather than on Best.

[Jobu88]

I would recommend CMBB / CMAK over the newer CMBN etc every day of the week and twice on Sunday. CMBB/CMAK graphics are not as nice and they are dead games with no further support from the company, but they are still much more enjoyable in my opinion. They are the perfect bridge between a game and a simulation. There is more than enough realism to satisfy armor enthusiasts, there is a great variety of vehicles and infantry, a simple map-making tool and scenario builder, and there are numerous mods on the internet for virtually every unit in the game as well as map mods. Their orders menus are simple and easy to understand and work perfectly. CMBN and CMRT have been nothing but heartburn for me and I have stopped playing them altogether. Visually they are brilliant, but the game engine and the clunky orders menu are too much hassle. I have also pulled out what little hair I have remaining over the incomprehensible spotting system in the game. Time after time my stationary un-buttoned tank hiding behind a hedge is blown up by an enemy who was advancing, saw me first, and fired, all without me ever seeing him. Too many similar examples to list. No bueno.

[Stejones82]

Have dragged the old peds on this. I probably have enough projects and work kicks up again soon. So probably will not be investing in CM anytime soon. I do thank all for the advice and information!

[jawsconan]

Hi,

I used to play CM1 a lot by the past. And i loved it. Of course, i bought all CMBN packs and bundles. I played it, i stopped play it, i played it again and i definitely can't love it. None CMBN games i played gave to myself so much enjoyment as a CM1 game. I think in a "strategic" and "realistic" way.

I agree with Jobu88 and Weasel for all reasons they give. Furthermore, many other problems occur.

- Terrain painted on the map does not give concealment and protection as it really should do : as an exemple, woods do not protect soldiers and when they're in it, even a buttoned tank can spot them easily -> not realistic
- Playing with infantry is not so fun as it is in CM1 because of it's strong lethality.
- Buildings don't protect infantry as they should do. One tank's shot is enough to kill or wound 6 or 7 soldiers hidden in a building made with bricks ! where is the pleasure to play with this decimated squad then ?
- Time is also a problem. A single game can take hours to complete between setup phase, loading sequence, micromanagement of all units. For big games, it becomes a chore to play. Nothing of that with CM1

As a conclusion, i think CMBN is a beautifull modern game, with great graphics, optimized for a new and a larger public than CM1 series. A public which don't care if real strategy, accuracy and realism are not the essential point.
A public which likes great graphics, great explosions and seeing bullets and shell's trajectories.

My 2 cents.

[Westland]

Greatest shame in CMx2 are the Victory Conditions.
1.Those ugly green victory markers.
2.Enemy losses do not matter.
3.A single soldier on the victory marker is sufficient for win or draw.No matter how many troops you have lost.

[Weasel]

As an update. I have a single CMBN game going which I can't wait to end. I am going to drag out my CM1 and install it, and delete CM2.

[OWL]

CMBB & CMAK by far the best and still enjoy every game I play!
Greets Owl

[jawsconan]

the perfect game whose i dream : a mix between CMB1 and CMB2 with their own main assets :

- CMB1 general engine (duration of a game, selection of units, no micromanagement)
- CMB1 rules for use of terrain's benefits
- CMB2 for graphics : without contest, they're better
- CMB1 general rules (game, fights calculation, movement everywhere on the map)
- CMB1 rules for fights issues -> in CMB2, only one rule with tanks : one shot, one kill ! and a special mention for AT gun : one shot, and it is out of combat in the next 20 seconds...an efficient AT gun is a hidden one during all the game.
- CMB2 : the player feels immersed into a battle "atmosphere" because of realistic effects (sounds, graphics, movement of soldiers) better than with CMB1
- CMB1 for realistic aspect : as an example, tank's turrets rotate with a "normal" speed and not like a needle of compass attracted by a magnet (aka an enemy unit) at a supersonic speed like in CMB2.
- CMB1 for conditions and calculation of victory, ridiculous with CMB2
- CMB2 for possibility of overview, movement of camera, zooms...

If one day such a game was released, i think i would reduce my work duration and my duration of sleep.