A note on system requirements (to those who are confused by them)

[Splott]

Google the components listed in the specs and use a compare website to see how your CPU and GPU compare to them. If they are equal in value or near that value then you can assume that you will get near enough the same performance than those listed in the specs. Two further notes; laptop GPUs, are listed with M like '8700m.' These are typically not as powerful as PC cards, as most laptops are not meant for gaming. If you ever see 'Intel HD Graphics 4000' or similar, then this is a your CPU's GPU. You have no standalone graphics card, it is built into your processor. These are again, not really designed for gaming so performance could be poor.

The minimum requirements in games should be called recommend 'minimum requirements,' mainly because developers never test old hardware to be able to know whether or not it will be suitable for playing the game. Any game will near enough run on any setup, it just depends on how you rate performance. The minimum specs cover playing on 'low' or 'medium' detail at a average framerate of 30 or whatever. A old system could still play the game but on lower settings, with maybe a lower resolution if a bit choppy. Other systems may be fine with running the game in general. Some games may block you from playing if you don't meet the requirements (EA is pesky at doing this,) if this is the case you should boycott the game or petition the developer to have the pointless restriction removed.


The big things you need to look at is if the game will even RUN on your system (nevermind being able to play).


32-bit/64-bit
If the game requires more than 4gb of RAM (or if you want to use more than 4gb) then you need a 64bit OS. No downloading software, you need to buy and reinstall windows. If the minimum requirements state 64-bit and you have 32-bit then the game won't even run. Cities Skylines runs on 64-bit only. Obviously, if the game only runs on Windows then it won't run on Mac, Linux.


Direct X version
Iif the game requires directX11 then you NEED WinVista+, if the game requires directX10 then you NEED WinVista+. Video cards with these versions will also cost more because they are newer. Winxp users are out of luck. Any other cards will support DirectX9 which most games support, but the newer versions may unlock new detail options in the settings to take advantage of the new technology. Cities Skylines supports directX11+ only, so you will need a fairly modern card in order to play the game.


Cities Skylines Requirements

Spoiler

MINIMUM:
OS: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1 (64-bit)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo, 3.0GHz / AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+, 3.2GHz
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: nVIDIA GeForce GTX 260, 512 MB / ATI Radeon HD 5670, 512 MB
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Hard Drive: 4 GB available space

RECOMMENDED:
OS: Microsoft Windows 7/8 (64-bit)
Processor: Intel Core i5-3470, 3.20GHz / AMD FX-6300, 3.5Ghz
Memory: 6 GB RAM
Graphics: nVIDIA GeForce GTX 660, 2 GB / AMD Radeon HD 7870, 2 GB
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Hard Drive: 4 GB available space

My rig as an example (yeah i know its not the best).

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit - Meets the recommended.
Processor: i5-3470 3.2ghz - My CPU is actually listed on Steam's requirement page so i know im good.
Memory: 8 GB RAM - Surpasses the recommended RAM.
Graphics: AMD Radeon 7770 1GB - Im one digit out from a 6850 (with higher meaning better preformance,) but my card is newer. I should still be good for recommended.
DirectX: Version 11 - Yup.
Hard Drive: 1TB with 225gb free - More than enough

 

[Simcity5]

I thought Skylines was 64-bit only.

 

[Hackner]

I thought Skylines was 64-bit only.

I believe he is generalizing
edit, oh no, duh, yeah, he stated CSL runs on 32 bit... well, not according to the minimu system requirements.

 

[Simcity5]

I believe he is generalizing

Cities Skylines runs on both 32-bit and 64-bit

Doesn't sound like it.

 

[medopu]

Cities Skylines supports directX9+, so aslong as you have a modern (2006ish+) video card then you should be fine.

this is wrong too. You need a very good card, which has to support dx11, as requirement for C:SL is minimum dx11, nothing older.

 

[DEY123]

this is wrong too. You need a very good card, which has to support dx11, as requirement for C:SL is minimum dx11, nothing older.

Paradox store contradicts the steam page. Hopefully this gets cleaned up for people who have older (but effective) non-dx11 cards. The Paradox store says a GTX260 is enough (but since it does not have DX11 who knows

 

[Greyhamster]

this is wrong too. You need a very good card, which has to support dx11, as requirement for C:SL is minimum dx11, nothing older.

You don't need a good card (IE the 5670 listed was a low-end gaming GPU/midrange GPU on release and most cards of 100 dollars or over will match it) you just need a newish card (from what, the past 5 years?) with at least 512 of RAM.

And yes, a 64 bit game won't run on a 32 bit system (it would if it were the other way round) and a Dx11 game needs a dx 11 compatible card unless I'm very mistaken

 

[Steve B.]

Paradox store contradicts the steam page. Hopefully this gets cleaned up for people who have older (but effective) non-dx11 cards. The Paradox store says a GTX260 is enough (but since it does not have DX11 who knows

No they've said they screwed up. DX11 is needed.

 

[Jeruntje]

Lol, I think this thread creates more confusion than it clarifises.

 

[Splott]

My bad, i was using some outdated specs from an old thread. Even though i posted the current specs in as spoilers but yeah.

Surprised by the directx11 requirement, its gonna block a lot of people from playing the game.

 

[Gaute65]

Obviously, if the game only runs on Windows then it won't run on Mac, Linux.

Cities skylines also runs on Linux and OSX as long its 64-bit.