The framerate in both standard gameplay and cutscenes is ridiculously low, rendering the game unplayable. The mouse even lags, taking up to three seconds to register movement. Already looked at the "Common Issues" thread and attempted the solutions listed there, to no avail. Also scrolled through several pages of the forum looking for any topics which seemed to concern the same issue, but found none. All graphics settings are on the lowest or disabled option.

I am functionally computer illiterate, so I'm hoping this turns out to be somethign where I end up right-clicking something obvious, become very upset that I have made a fool of myself and wasted others' time but very happy I get to enjoy the game. ;)

For reference (in case it is relevant), listed minimum specs and my own specs:

Minimum system requirements: Windows XP/Vista/7, processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or similar AMD 1 GB RAM for Windows XP, 2 GB RAM for Windows Vista and 7, Nvidia GF 8800 512 VR or similar ATI, 16 GB HDD space

Mine: Windows Vista 64 bit, processor: Pentium Dual-Core CPU E5200 @2.5 GHz, 5.74 GB RAM, NVidia GeForce 9200 (lists "approx total memory" as 2923 MB if that's relevant)

Hoping this works out. As previously stated, I'm basically an abject moron when it comes to computers, but it looks to this moron like I meet the basic system requirements, so I'm hoping there's an easy fix. If I'm misreading, so be it.

Ah, shit, was afraid of that. Guess I'll have to wait a bit longer and get a new rig. Thanks for helping my dumb ass out, man.

Hey no problem, I hope you eventually get to enjoy this great game.

Is your computer a laptop or a desktop? Looking at nVidia's webstie they only list the 9200M (a laptop GPU) but if you are using a desktop you do have options.

The Pentum E5200 is based off a cut-down Core 2 Duo design so it isn't as anemic as the Presler based Pentiums; it should be adequate for current light gaming. Your GPU is the problem area, but if you are using a desktop and can list the make and model, you may be able to upgrade the graphics card fairly easily to allow you to play the game.

I found this page over at newegg.com which has some pics. It's a full width mATX tower with the only issue being a pretty pathetic power supply (14A on the 12v line).

The green slot in the picture of the interior of the computer is the PCIe x16 slot which is what aftermarket graphics cards use. Depending on your computer knowledge (or access to friends/relatives with computer knowledge) you could either go with a low end light gaming card that doesn't need a secondary power connector and keep the existing power supply, or choose to replace the power supply and go with a mid range gaming card that uses a secondary power connector.

E5200 is a Core 2 Duo. It's Wolfdale architecture, the successor to Conroe. It's above minimum requirements, if a little short on cache (2MB). It overclocks very well, but you're not going to get to overclock it or upgrade it on a Gateway proprietary motherboard.

The GPU, though, is a disaster for this game. The 9200 is a little 8-shader chip made for, at most, video playback. The 8800 GT 512 that's the stated minimum is a 112-shader beast. You have an open slot for a better graphics card, with plenty of clearance, and this is an easy upgrade.

The biggest problem with upgrading is that Gateway is notorious for skimping on power supplies. The pictures show a 300W FSP model that Gateway and everybody else used in low-end computers at that time; it has only 14A at +12V, which is just barely enough for a low-power graphics card. (At least it's not awful, like the 300W Bestec they used earlier.)

For that reason, I would either figure on replacing the power supply or limiting my upgrade to a graphics card of 75W TDP. There are a few decent ones that do not meet the minimum requirement but are known to play the game anyway. My favorite of these is the AMD/ATI 5670 (look for a version with 1GB DDR5).

Even if I did replace the power supply, I wouldn't go for an expensive top-of-the-line graphics card; your CPU won't be able to feed it fast enough and will become a bottleneck. Something like an AMD/ATI 5770 or nVidia GTS 450 is enough.

Thanks for lending your expertise, guys. I have a friend who knows a bit more about all this, will probably look into upgrading the graphics card with one of the recommendations. Glad I don't have to shell out for a new PC altogether.

You can try a 9600Gt or 9800GT, although the 9800 isn't anything more than a rebranded 8800GT. Another thing that would help is to dump Vista for Windows 7 as Win 7 is less resource hungry, You have a little wiggle room for a processor upgrade down the road as well ( and the 775 based stuff is pretty inexpensive these days ). Bottom line is you have good rig with some wiggle room for upgrades.