Ouch, Civilization V, you're really creating something special with these super-high PC system requirements, aren't you? Yes, Ranters, it might be time to break out your credit card and purchase some new hardware. Or else your already turn-based hexagonal strategy game may slow down to unplayable speeds.

What with the release date approaching faster and faster, it's hard not to get excited about Civilization V. The new hex-shaped tiles combined with the removal of stacking, horrible, horrible stacking, has made the sequel one of my most anticipated games of the year. It's still such a miracle to think how classic Civilization, with it's 8-bit blocks representing armies and cities, has evolved into such a great looking game.

Check out the official system requirements from Firaxis Games:

Minimum System Requirements

Operating System: Windows® XP SP3/ Windows® Vista SP2/ Windows® 7

Processor: Dual Core CPU

Memory: 2GB RAM

Hard Disk Space: 8 GB Free

DVD-ROM Drive: Required for disc-based installation

Video: 256 MB ATI HD2600 XT or better, 256 MB nVidia 7900 GS or better, or Core i3 or better integrated graphics

Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card

DirectX®: DirectX® version 9.0c

Recommended System Requirements

Operating System: Windows® Vista SP2/ Windows® 7

Processor: 1.8 GHz Quad Core CPU

Memory: 4 GB RAM

Hard Disk Space: 8 GB Free

DVD-ROM Drive: Required for disc-based installation

Video: 512 MB ATI 4800 series or better, 512 MB nVidia 9800 series or better

Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card

DirectX®: DirectX® version 11

Now, for comparisons sake, take a look at the official StarCraft II system requirements.

How did this happen!? While the video care requirements are fairly similar, Civilization definitely asks for more CPU power. As games with a lot of moving objects on screen, I can see how they're both intimidatingly graphically intensive.

StarCraft II is playable for me at (mostly) maximum settings, but I think Civilization V may ultimately be the game that breaks my streak. It's time to start looking at some Intel i7 processors, Rory, yes it is.

Civilization V is already racking up awards, pre-release, from important places like Amazon and from the Game Critics E3 Awards. This one is lining up to be a must buy for any fan of the series. The question is, will you be able to play it? Or will you have to fall back on main-stays Civilization 1-3? Maybe a little Civilization Networking on Facebook?

Or, I guess, you could not play Civilization at all... nah.

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