Civilization 7’s PC Requirements Are Official – The Best PC Builds To Get

Civilization 7's PC Requirements Are Official - The Best PC Builds To Get

As a seasoned gaming enthusiast with over two decades under my belt, I’d be delighted to share my take on these two builds for Civilization 7.


As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but eagerly look forward to Sid Meier’s Civilization 7, slated for release in early 2025. With each passing day, I find myself captivated by the tantalizing tidbits of information that trickle out about this game’s stunning visuals, hardware specifications, and a diverse array of gaming experiences tailored for PC and console enthusiasts alike.

Recently, the developers at Firaxis Games have revealed their computer specifications, enabling PC gamers to construct a system capable of running the upcoming Civilization game, which promises to be the most hardware-intensive edition in the series so far, especially when playing with all settings maximized.

Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 PC Requirements Revisited

Civilization 7's PC Requirements Are Official - The Best PC Builds To Get

Though Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 initially has modest system requirements, the suggested specifications demonstrate that it performs optimally with high-performance hardware, particularly when running at demanding resolutions on a computer.

In comparison to newer releases, the games from Sid Meier’s Civilization series are typically seen as requiring a lot of processing power (CPU-intensive), rather than graphics power (GPU-intensive). This is due to the considerable calculations happening behind the scenes during gameplay intervals.

It appears that, given the hardware specifications, this situation aligns well with the observation that as ultra performance demands increase, so does the need for more powerful hardware. In other words, the advice points towards high-end processors such as a 16-core AMD or a 20-core Intel CPU to handle the task effectively.

Memory and Storage Requirements

It’s worth noting that although the game functions well with 8GB of RAM, it can go as high as 32GB when running at a more challenging resolution or graphics setting. This might suggest that high-resolution textures demand considerable memory resources.

The game needs about 20 gigabytes of storage space, though it doesn’t specify whether an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) should be used. However, it would be best to utilize the SSD for optimal performance, particularly since this game is set to launch in early 2025.

This situation raises a single query: Which gaming computer setup would be suitable for running Sid Meier’s Civilization with varying hardware settings, as suggested by the developer?

The Game Rant team has come up with three PC build options for the latest generation that cater to the hardware needs of Civilization 7 at the suggested, high (ultra), and basic (minimum) settings as follows:

The Empire-Builder’s Recommended Spec PC Build For Civilization 7

Target Preset: Recommended (FHD, 60Hz, High Graphics Preset)

This system is designed to deliver a smooth gaming experience even when graphics are set at high settings in Full HD resolution. To achieve this, it boosts its performance by enhancing both the CPU and GPU capabilities, incorporating more contemporary hardware from AMD and Nvidia than suggested in the manual, in order to meet the demands of the task effectively.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7600, equipped with a powerful 12-thread processor, serves as a formidable workhorse for managing almost any Civilization game session smoothly. Meanwhile, the Zotac version of Nvidia’s RTX 4060 represents an affordable introduction to Ada Lovelace-powered graphics cards.

The Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX provides an affordable B650 solution that is compatible with the recommended hardware setup, such as the G.Skill Neo 32GB DDR5 memory package and Samsung 990 Evo SSD storage device.

Everything here operates with a Thermaltake Toughpower GX2 Power Supply Unit, delivering dependable gold-standard power at 600W, and is contained within a mid-tower Cooler Master Masterbox 600 chassis that provides excellent air circulation, hassle-free upgrades, and ample room for future enhancements.

If you’re seeking increased power on the graphics processing unit (GPU), our team at Game Rant advises considering an upgrade to the RTX 4070 SUPER GPU, which would increase the total cost by approximately $300 according to the following budget, but it provides a more balanced (though perhaps slightly excessive) choice for enhancing your Civilization 7 gaming experience in the foreseeable future.

Estimated Build Cost: Approximately $950-1000

The Visionary’s Ultra Spec PC Build For Civilization 7

Target Preset: Recommended (4K/UHD, 60Hz, High Graphics Preset)

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled about this setup! It utilizes one of the swiftest gaming-focused CPUs available today, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Combined with an RTX 4070 Ti SUPER, it forms a PC that’s expected to outperform in numerous games well into 2025, even at resolutions below 4K.

The construction plan opts for flexibility on the financial aspect, prioritizing a stronger CPU and GPU duo compared to Firaxis Games’ suggested configuration. This is done with an eye towards being more adaptable to potential future upgrades, as the hardware demands for this game may alter over time (indeed, they already have shown signs of adjustment since the initial hardware specifications were released).

This setup utilizes the ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E Wi-Fi motherboard, which is versatile and expandable, a swift PCIe 5.0 SSD from Crucial in a 2TB capacity, and a substantial 64GB of RAM for smooth performance. It also incorporates the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti SUPER with 16GB VRAM to manage its graphics requirements effectively.

The setup resides within the appealing Hyte Y60 casing, which is fueled by a Thermaltake GF1 power supply certified Gold, capable of delivering 850W. This ample power allows it to manage an RTX 4080 SUPER effortlessly.

Estimated Build Cost: Approximately $2900-2950.

The Settler’s Minimum PC Build For Civilization 7

Target Preset: Minimum (FHD, 30Hz, Low Graphics Preset)

To cater to budget-conscious users, this build aims to stay under $500 without sacrificing gaming performance. This means it opts for certain cost-saving measures, leading to a higher-end GPU selection than the recommended GTX 1050 and doubling the minimum RAM suggested by the developer.

The build opts for a 14th generation Intel Core i3 14100F CPU paired with an entry-level B760 motherboard from Gigabyte and 16GB of fast 5600MT/s DDR5 RAM from Patriot.

To keep costs down, this configuration pairs a beginner-friendly 500GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD from Kingston, along with an RTX 3050 graphics card by MSI. On the power side, a Thermaltake Smart 600W power supply unit is utilized. To house everything neatly, an ASUS A21 Micro-ATX case is chosen.

As a budget-conscious gamer, I’ve found a way to set up my Civilization 7 gaming rig for just around $600. However, if you’re looking to save even more, consider scaling down on the graphics processing unit (GPU) and random access memory (RAM). This adjustment could help bring the cost of your Civilization 7 experience down further.

Estimated Build Cost: $600-650

FAQ

Q: How much space does Civilization 7 need?

Civilization 7 has a suggested minimum space requirement of 20GB but that might be subject to change and may increase with future patches and DLC and/or hardware requirement updates down the line.

To give you a point of comparison, the game Civilization 6 along with its primary expansion packs takes up approximately 27GB when it’s downloaded and installed through Steam at this moment.

Q: When is Civilization 7 Due to Release?

Civilization VII will hit the shelves on February 11, 2025, however, those who have purchased either the Deluxe or Founder’s Edition will be granted early access starting from February 6th, 2025, as part of a pre-launch offering.

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2024-10-08 19:04