Hey guys, quick question about upgrading

[whirlwind3]

I am not quite sure if this post should go here, if it doesn't feel free to move it wherever it should be

But heres my question, last year my family bought a simple acer computer and my dad loves the civilization games, so for xmas I was going to buy Civ 5, but i realized that this computer doesn't have the minimum specs.

So I was just wondering if there is anything that I can do upgrade wise to this computer to be able to run Civ 5 for my father.

Heres my computer specs (Tell me if I need to add anything else information wise)

Manufacturer - Acer
Model - Aspire M1202
Processor - AMD Athlon(tm) Processor LE-1640 2.70 GHz
Memory (RAM) - 2.00GB
System type - 32-bit Vista
Video - ATI Radeon 2100 (i believe this is integrated)

and here are the minimum specs for civ 5

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


thanks again in advance, im just wondering basically if there are upgrades i could buy for this computer to allow my father to play Civ 5 -it would be a cool xmas present from me to him-

 

[Timop]

You would be better off buying/building him a new setup.
In order for that system to play Civ 5, a new CPU and GPU is needed, considering ACer, a PSU also.

It will be great if you can tell us a exact budget.

 

[whirlwind3]

Alright thanks Timop I appreciate it, as for a budget I have about $500 to spend. So im not sure if this would be enough to build a cheap system or not

 

[Timop]

$500 can get you a long way actually.
What is the monitor?

Heres a sample build:
Athlon X3 445 + Biostar 770 Board: $113
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.526614

HD 4850: $95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131365

Hec Case: $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121099

Mushkin 4GB DDR3 1333: $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

Corsair CX430 + Seagate 7200.12 500GB: $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524434

LG Burner: $17
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136168

Total: $415 ($370AR)

 

[whirlwind3]

The monitor we have is a Acer X163w with a 1366 x 768 resolution i believe

 

[Timop]

For that resolution, you *should* be able to play civ 5 on decent settings with just a dual-core CPU and a 4650/70.

With that build above though, you can even play Crysis on max fluently if you wanted to.

Heres a weaker build that should still satisfy your needs perfectly.

 

[whirlwind3]

Thanks again for the answers Timop, but your last answer didn't have any link to the 'weaker build'

 

[Timop]

Whoops, sorry, forgot to paste it over.

Athlon X2 260 + Biostar Mobo: $91
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138180

HD 4670: $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102855

Rosewill Case: $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147111

Mushkin 4GB DDR3 1333: $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

Corsair CX430 + Seagate 7200.12 500GB: $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.524434

Total: $347 (302AR)

 

[whirlwind3]

Thanks again for all the help there Timop, glad to see I can actually purchase a computer that will run civ 5 that wont break my wallet haha