Graphics

For once, you can definitely spend too much on a video card. Upgrading to the top of the GPU food chain seems pointless because Command & Conquer 3 has an exceedingly low frame rate cap, and most GPUs render the game with ease. The game is still playable with bottom feeder cards like the Radeon X300 SE or the GeForce 6200 TC, but you’ll lose all the graphical wonder in the process.

We couldn’t get the GeForce 8800 series cards to fall from the 30 frame per second cap even with all the settings at their very maximum. Most other GPUs slipped only when we tested them at extreme resolutions with all the settings maxed out, which makes them very playable if you’re willing to drop the resolution or tone down the antialiasing.

Video Card Tests

(Longer bars indicate better performance)

2048x1536, Very High Quality, 2xAA

GeForce 8800 GTX

GeForce 8800 GTS

Radeon X1950 XTX

GeForce 7900 GTX

Radeon X1900 XTX

Radeon X1900 XT 256MB

GeForce 7900 GT

Radeon X1950 Pro

1600x1200, High Quality

Radeon X1650 XT

GeForce 7600 GT

Radeon X800

Radeon X1300 XT

GeForce 6800 GS

GeForce 6600 GT

1024x768, Medium Quality

GeForce 6200 TC

Radeon X300 SE

System Setup: Intel Core 2 X6800, Intel 975XBX2, 2GB Corsair XMS Memory (1GB x 2), 160GB Seagate 7200.7 SATA Hard Disk Drive, Windows XP Professional SP2. Graphics Cards: GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB, GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB, GeForce 7900 GTX 512MB, GeForce 7900 GT 256MB, GeForce 7600 GT 256MB, GeForce 6800 GS 128MB, GeForce 6600GT 128MB, GeForce 6200 TC 128MB, Radeon X1950 XTX 512MB, Radeon X1900 XTX 512MB, Radeon X1900 XT 256MB, Radeon X1950 Pro 256MB, Radeon X1650 XT 256MB, Radeon X1300 XT 256MB, Radeon X800 256MB, Radeon X300 SE 128MB. Graphics Drivers: Nvidia ForceWare 97.92, Nvidia ForceWare 93.71, ATI Catalyst 7.2.

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Da_Lench_Mob_1
Posted Jul 2, 2008 8:19 pm GMT

intel quad core 4 gigs
x2 nvdia 8800GT's
Vista

I have 0 problems
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Dreamer1476
Posted Jul 2, 2008 8:06 pm GMT

I have a 32-bit Operating System, Dual core 1 gig of ram, AMD Turion 64 X 2 Tech 1.9 Ghz running Windows Vista Home and after playing the game for about 20 min it slows down ALOT. What can I do to fix this problem.
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selfdestruct-10
Posted Jun 25, 2008 10:02 pm GMT

Please check if my system can handle the game:
Pentium 4 3.0ghz
4*512mb DDR2 kingmax RAM
Asus geforce 7300gs 256mb
I appreciate every comment.
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vortex_gw
Posted Jun 15, 2008 12:27 am GMT

I have Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3GHz/6Mb cache L2; Nvidia 8800GT 512MB 256bit; 2 GB RAM DDR2 and OS Windows XP SP2 32bit. The game runs pretty smoothly up to 4 players(Oh at Ultra High Settings 4xAA). But when there are more than 4 players and ton of units on the map => Slow Motion baby X_X

P.S.- alfi290292, my brother has AMD x2 4400+ 2.1GHz/1Mb cache L2; Nvidia 8500GT 256MB; 2GB RAM and he runs the game at HIGH SETTINGS with Shadows at Ultra High otherwise they SUCK. But I think even with 3 players or more and ton of units => Slow MOTION. He doesn't care though ^_^
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escape98sk8
Posted May 25, 2008 4:17 pm GMT

I have a Nvidia GeForce 6200 256 MB and a Intel Pentium 4 procesor, and 512 of Ram. I can play this game on medium quality with around 20-25 fps. After reading this feature, the only thing i need is upgrade to 1GB of Ram and I can reach the 30 fps. I hope thats correct, this game is awesome
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alfi290292
Posted May 21, 2008 7:14 pm GMT

need help, can i run this game in high quality with these specs:

Intel Dual Core 2.2 ghz
2 gb DDR2 ram
nVidia 8600GT 256mb
i really hope i can play this game in high quality with 8600GT, someone please answer.
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mfenix130
Posted May 21, 2008 3:20 am GMT

command and conquer 3 kane's edition crashes after sometime to desktop and gives an error message that cnc3.dat has caused an error and it will now close.2 options given below are send error report, don't send.
i play it on medium settings at 1024*768 resolution and it works great for the time it runs, no lags at all.
the specs are
core 2 duo 2.2 ghz
intel 945 motherboard
2gb ddr2 ram
nvidia geforce 7300 gs 256mb graphics card
160 gb hard drive.
even after i send error report nothing happens.i'm using version 1 of the game.
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rtssam
Posted May 20, 2008 9:17 am GMT

darn im runnin on a 128mb geforce 7300 le and it laggs badly on defualts so i have to put shadows and such off
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mochaloca
Posted May 13, 2008 4:36 am GMT

Nope you arnt the only one never-named. Im runin it with 1 gig of DDR and a radeon 9250
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freeshep
Posted May 11, 2008 5:03 am GMT

mmm wonder if it'll work on my x3100 graphic powered laptop - i love c&c games and dawn of war runs at high quality
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jared3164
Posted Apr 7, 2008 4:17 pm GMT

This game can run on very modest systems. I run it at 800x600 res all settings on low. And i get an average of 26 Fps. If you have anything more than this you can run this game.

Pentium 4 2.6 Ghz HT. 1.5 GB DDR400 RAM
Geforce fx5200 (crap card)
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Moussi11
Posted Apr 5, 2008 3:16 pm GMT

@snake356

It probably would work, but on all low 800 x600. If I were you, I'd get a 7600 GT (pretty cheap, seem go for 60 $) or if you wanna go mid-high end then get a Radeon 3850 (150-180 $).

6200 is pretty much useless these days.
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snake356
Posted Apr 5, 2008 10:49 am GMT

im geting geforce 6200 could someone tell me if it will work it helful to me
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raza_rizvi_002
Posted Mar 27, 2008 9:46 am GMT

man wen i had a fx5500 i ran this game on low at about 20 fps man, with 7300 gt im pretty sure u can..

how can i play online ??? how do i get an ONLINE ID???
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rudeboy4000
Posted Mar 26, 2008 6:52 am GMT

can my 7300 gt run this game?
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raza_rizvi_002
Posted Mar 26, 2008 1:48 am GMT

wow i run it on full everything even AA, and i get no less than 30 fps, btw how can i get resolution to 2048x1536.

i hav

8800 gts 320 mb
q6600
2x2 gb 667mhz kingston
asus p5k-e
windows xp 32-bit
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bigjoeh
Posted Mar 25, 2008 7:17 am GMT

JamezMan -

I am playing the game on a system 99% identical to yours - same CPU & GPU, with 3 GB RAM, and I run the game with EVERY setting completely maxed (including AA) at 1680x1050 without so much as a hiccup. All I can suggest is make sure all of your hardware drivers are up-to-date, and make sure you've installed the 1.9 patch.

Also, make sure your system is properly maintained. Software like Diskeeper, RegCleaner and Driver Cleaner Pro can make a big difference. FYI, I've found TweakGuides.com to be a great resource for getting the most out of your PC in general - Vista or XP - with guides for a few specific games.
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pretender_idol
Posted Mar 18, 2008 1:18 pm GMT

can i play it on a geforce 8500 gt?
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JamezMan
Posted Feb 22, 2008 6:35 pm GMT

Hey lads, I'm experiencing some lagging issues with this game when I put all the settings to high, one or two to ultra and the resolution 1280 X 1024. I have a Core 2 Quad Processor 2.4Ghz E 6600, 2 GB dual channel RAM and a GeForce 8800 GT 512 mb and I want to be able to push the settings to as far as they would go. Do you know what could be wrong? Cheers.

Luke.
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viper101222
Posted Feb 22, 2008 1:06 pm GMT

i have a celeron d and 512 ram and it wont even install it keeps saying error reading the cd rom mp cab corrupt anyone know what i should do?
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Nunamaker
Posted Jan 22, 2008 9:56 pm GMT

Well, i got a x2 5600+, 2 GB ram, 8600GTS, and i can run it smoothly 1280x1024 with all things on high and antialiasing on a lil bit.
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PuffstaJones
Posted Jan 16, 2008 8:17 pm GMT

I run it with 2GB RAM, dual core 2.8 GHz and my disgusting GeForce 7300 LE. It slows on medium so I play on low settings and now my keyboard has vomit on it.
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Schools_out
Posted Jan 14, 2008 8:42 am GMT

I play this game on my pentium 4, 3.4GHz, 2Gb of RAM and my GeForce 8800 GTS 640Mb, and I still can't max it out. I need a dual core processor for it to work smoothly. I tried it at my cousins, he has 2.2GHz dual core and I can max it out.
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xdeer
Posted Jan 12, 2008 9:52 pm GMT

i run with -pentium 4 (2.60ghz)
-1 gb ram
-ati radeon 9550 (256mb)

and still suck,when i try to maxed it,the game become to damn slow so i lower the game settings to play it....(sigh)
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xdeer
Posted Jan 12, 2008 9:51 pm GMT

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
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xdeer
Posted Jan 12, 2008 9:49 pm GMT

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
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Phoenix-wiki
Posted Jan 12, 2008 4:14 pm GMT

I run it with 512 RAM, pentium 4 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 graphics card (128mb) and it works really great
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_Alpha_Omega_
Posted Jan 7, 2008 2:12 am GMT

Is it will run in my computer?
I'm using AMD Athlon 2100+, 1 GB of RAM, ATi Radeon 9800Pro, Windows XP Pro (SP1), DX 9.0.
Coz I'm planning to buy this game...
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yogi252
Posted Dec 30, 2007 3:04 pm GMT

Mmmm...this game runs good on medium settings. Graphics are good. I can do it with my ATI Xpress 1200 at 320 mb. If I choose the ultra high standarts, well, I can appreciate the graphics, but the game is very slow, of course. More RAM or a new CPU.
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garbe
Posted Dec 28, 2007 6:52 pm GMT

it doesn't even work on my computer... =(
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DeadPhoenix86
Posted Dec 28, 2007 1:27 pm GMT

this game runs perfect here on mids settings and shadow on and 1024x768 resolution xD
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micknator
Posted Dec 27, 2007 4:23 am GMT

I have a 8600GT and it does the job to have mooth play combined with high settings.
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jerfaceisugli
Posted Dec 25, 2007 12:15 pm GMT

i hope an 8600 gt will max dis puppy out
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jerfaceisugli
Posted Dec 25, 2007 12:13 pm GMT

Wow, u cant even see the rocks on very low quality. feel bad for any sucker who got to play it on that
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jerfaceisugli
Posted Dec 25, 2007 12:10 pm GMT

I used to be running this on 128 mb graphics card, pentium core (not dual core), on a dell laptop and it ran maxed out.
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rokkuman09
Posted Dec 23, 2007 11:55 am GMT

grootlaar, you should be able to run it at it's highest settings, but how much RAM do you have, I couldn't understand what you were saying. Also you should look into getting a new processor, Pentium 4s aren't very good for gaming and even the cheapest of Core 2 Duos (about $130) will be many times faster than your P4. Currently, your system will bottleneck at your processor in many games.
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grootelaar
Posted Dec 23, 2007 1:55 am GMT

why those gamespot dosn't take a very low pic and when you place the courser over it a very high pic
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grootelaar
Posted Dec 23, 2007 1:53 am GMT

how will a geforce 8800 GT with pentium 4 2.0 Ghz 515,5 MR RAM
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KoM-EgeN
Posted Dec 21, 2007 8:57 pm GMT

I need a new POwer supply to run this. Other than that i have a budget gaming system (slightly obslete):Intel P4 HT, Kingston 1Gb DDR, ati x1950 pro & 250 watts psu T_T

i think if i get a new psu my pc can last for another year i guess
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KoM-EgeN
Posted Dec 21, 2007 8:54 pm GMT

I need a new POwer supply to run this. Other than that i have a budget gaming system (slightly obslete):Intel P4 HT, Kingston 1Gb DDR, ati x1950 pro & 250 watts psu T_T
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yogi252
Posted Dec 16, 2007 3:43 pm GMT

ATI Xpress 1200 at 320 mb works fine?
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mnesca
Posted Nov 27, 2007 10:08 am GMT

Q6600 4gb ram 8800gt with 24" monitor, runs perfect at 1600*1200
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AresP17
Posted Nov 21, 2007 2:02 pm GMT

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
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AresP17
Posted Nov 21, 2007 2:00 pm GMT

could someone tell me a good place to buy a 1g ram and a really good graphics card and if you know the price please tell me, but it has to be less than $500
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AresP17
Posted Nov 21, 2007 1:42 pm GMT

i just installed it and i works well on 1152 resolution at medium only though
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Nomad0404
Posted Nov 21, 2007 8:31 am GMT

Kezuya - wait and get an ATI A3850 should be about Â£115 when they come out - if you can stretch for it though go for a 8800 GT, you can get the BFG overclocked version on Amazon for Â£160.

AresP17 - I can't see why not but don't go silly on the resolution and check your medium and high settings - the shaders may get you!

Jocarl1215 - You have a nice system but it's clear that it'll run max on a system of far less spec than that so you aren't proving anything.

Pretend_idol - Possibly but it'll look poor and the resolution won't go so high. You might get away with 1024x768 with medium settings but I suspect not.

Davcal - depending on your graphics port if you have PCI-E and a low budget I'd wait for the ATI A3850s.

Phil
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AresP17
Posted Nov 20, 2007 7:25 pm GMT

hey i have a celeron d 3.2gh cpu 512 ram ati x1900 and 250 hard drive would it work well on my computer
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Jocarl1215
Posted Nov 12, 2007 3:57 am GMT

Intel 945G, Intel Pentium Dual-Core @ 1.60 Ghz and i have Asrock motherboard (Conroe1333-D667) Geforce 8800 GTX 2GB of RAm Works at MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE
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T0x1kFury
Posted Oct 8, 2007 8:24 pm GMT

The frame rate cap was a move made by EA so that the game is more playable online, as it increases the synchronization between machines of very different abilities (say a low end system that can play med setting at 30 FPS, and a high end system that could play very high settings at like 40 or 50)

by capping it reduces lagg and also increases game performance (don't ask how, I don't know much about the tech behind the cap, just hte reasonings)
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rut3
Posted Oct 8, 2007 9:15 am GMT

Why is there a frame rate cap? What's the point?
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