[Warren]

In the process of getting a new graphics card so I can run the Sims 3. However, I need some help with getting the right graphics card.
My current one is a geforce 5700le.

I have found a graphics card I want, but I don't understand about the specs.

I know it has to be AGP so it can fit in the board, but what about the other specs?

Does it matter what:

-Type of memory it has? (My pc has DDR SDRAM, so would the graphics card work if the memory was DDR2 or something else).
-Clock Speeds?

[Caboose]

Yes, it does matter. There are also other factors to consider, such as is it compatible with your system, do you have the right slot for it and is your power supply powerful enough to handle the stress. Also is your Operating System compatible or does it have correct drivers.

Give us a budget, and some system specs then we'll go away and try and find you something decent, but i'm warning you now AGP cards are never going to be that good.


Wow... Bob, i thought you died!

This post has been edited by Caboose: Jun 5 2009, 12:42 PM

[Warren]

I'll post up some basic specs:

Windows XP Professional SP3
AMD Athlon XP 2600+
2.08GHz, 1GB of Ram
Motherboard: Asus A7N8X-X (1 AGP Slot)

By the way the card I'm after is a PNY GeForce 6200, will it work?

[Bob-sama]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102814

That's about the best for the money for AGP cards. My only question is about processor and RAM. The Sims 3 is not particularly "happy" on single-core systems, so unless you have an Athlon 64 X2 (doubtful), you're still going to have a slow game.



I'm glad this question was asked, actually, as I still need to drop an Athlon X2 4200+ and GeForce 8800GT into my sister's desktop.

Considering the system, a new computer would be a much better idea than the old one. Inexpensive too, for 4GB DDR2 800, a Phenom II X3 710, decent motherboard, Radeon HD 4670, and 400W or so PSU. Then again you'd probably want a new HDD too.

This post has been edited by Bob-sama: Jun 5 2009, 12:51 PM

[Warren]

Would The Sims 3 still work if I just upgrade the graphics card, from a Nvidia Geforce 5700LE to a PNY GeForce 6200?

EDIT: System Requirements Lab says my pc is capable of running it, with the exception of the graphics card.

Will the PNY GeForce 6200 work in my system (specs below):

Processor
Graphic Processor NVIDIA GeForce 6200
GPU Clock Speed 300 MHz
RAMDAC Speed 400 MHz

Key Features
Card Interface AGP 8x
Compatibility PC

Memory
Installed Memory 256 MB
Memory Tech DDR SDRAM
Memory Data Width 64-bit
Installed Memory / Technology 256 MB (DDR SDRAM)

Technical Features
Form Factor Plug-in card
Analog Video Standards S-Video

Input / Output
Display Interface DVI x 1, VGA - 15 pin D-Sub x 1
Output Interface TV Out

System Requirements
Operating System Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows XP

This post has been edited by Warren: Jun 5 2009, 12:57 PM

[Caboose]

There's a difference between capable and usable. You will benefit from a new PC, and it will probably cost less than $300 if you're on a very tight budget. If not, then Sims 3 is going to play extremely badly, even with a new graphics card.

[Warren]

There's a difference between capable and usable. You will benefit from a new PC, and it will probably cost less than $300 if you're on a very tight budget. If not, then Sims 3 is going to play extremely badly, even with a new graphics card.

When you say extremely badly, do you mean like freezing, longer waiting times etc.?

[Bob-sama]

Not really. The thing that holds you back is your entire system. It'll work fine on most computers less than 2, maybe 3 years old, but your computer is quite a bit older than that.

Marks against your system...
1) Slow, old single-core processor
2) Only 1GB RAM
3) Needs a new graphics card
4) Old.

Athlon XP's + GeForce FX 5700s are slow on The Sims 2, and sure as hell neither will cut it for The Sims 3.

My suggested builds...

Spoiler: Click to Toggle the Spoiler.

Phenom II X3 710 + Asus M4A78 Plus, $189 - $10 MIR
Crucial Ballistix 4GB DDR2 800, $41
Sapphire Radeon HD 4670 512MB GDDR3, $70 - $10 MIR

[Close]

or (cheaper)

Spoiler: Click to Toggle the Spoiler.

Pentium E5200 + Gigabyte EP43-UD3L + OCZ 2x2GB DDR2 800 + XFX GeForce 9600 GSO 1GB GDDR3

[Close]

Either would need the following too...

Spoiler: Click to Toggle the Spoiler.

Antec NSK6580B + Antec earthwatts 430W, $110
WD Caviar SE 320GB, $50
Samsung 22x DVD Burner, $25

[Close]

And to answer your question...
A new PC will do several times better than upgrading everything. So yes, with just a new graphics card (I recommend heavily AGAINST a GeForce 6200) you'll still have slow, choppy play. I'll be getting my sister's copy in a few days so if you want to wait, I can probably do a quick comparison using my E2140 at 1.6GHz, 3.2GHz, and a few comparisons with 2GB v. 4GB v. 6GB RAM, and maybe even 32-bit v. 64-bit.

This post has been edited by Bob-sama: Jun 5 2009, 01:12 PM

[Caboose]

Yep, most likely. If you look at the chart bob posted, your CPU is way down at the bottom, and probably below it. That's less than 7 FPS, which most people class as unplayable. Double that at the very least would be usable for me.

[Warren]

I can tolerant the longer waiting times, but will my pc still work for the sims 3 - upgrading from fx5700le to PNY geforce 6200?
Will the new graphics card work in my system? (Specs of the graphics card in above post).


(Also, my pc isn't slow running the sims 2)

This post has been edited by Warren: Jun 5 2009, 01:18 PM

[Bob-sama]

Yep, most likely. If you look at the chart bob posted, your CPU is way down at the bottom, and probably below it. That's less than 7 FPS, which most people class as unplayable. Double that at the very least would be usable for me.

And that chart is on highest settings with a high-end graphics card (GeForce GTX 280 1GB). If they could put the card in your system, it'd be quite a bit slower than the 2.6GHz Athlon 64 4000+. The game is still heavily CPU dependant.

[Caboose]

Probably, depends on the PSU. Sims 3 is a lot more intensive than Sims 2.

Basically, you would be able to play but it would be bordering on intolerable, if you really want a half decent experience then you need a new PC. If so then you would really have to build it yourself, and theoretically what would be your budget so we can put together a build best suited to you. Let me put it into context:

Your PC - Worst

$300-$400 - Tollerable

$700-$800 - Will Work Smoothly On Highest Settings

[Warren]

But could somebody just say if the graphics card (PNY GeForce 6200) would work in my computer (thats the reasons I created the thread, not to get advice on building a new pc).

System:

Windows XP Professional SP3
AMD Athlon XP 2600+
2.08GHz, 1GB of Ram
Motherboard: Asus A7N8X-X (1 AGP Slot)
230GB Hard Drive

Graphics Card Specs (PNY GeForce 6200):

Spoiler: Click to Toggle the Spoiler.

Processor
Graphic Processor NVIDIA GeForce 6200
GPU Clock Speed 300 MHz
RAMDAC Speed 400 MHz

Key Features
Card Interface AGP 8x
Compatibility PC

Memory
Installed Memory 256 MB
Memory Tech DDR SDRAM
Memory Data Width 64-bit
Installed Memory / Technology 256 MB (DDR SDRAM)

Technical Features
Form Factor Plug-in card
Analog Video Standards S-Video

Input / Output
Display Interface DVI x 1, VGA - 15 pin D-Sub x 1
Output Interface TV Out

System Requirements
Operating System Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows XP

[Close]

EDIT: To make it clear, I didn't understand about Ram types, and clock speeds and I wanted to know if they would work in my computer.

This post has been edited by Warren: Jun 5 2009, 01:27 PM

[Caboose]

As i said before, it depends what PSU you have. That system must be pretty old and might not have enough power to support a more powerful graphics card.

[Warren]

As i said before, it depends what PSU you have. That system must be pretty old and might not have enough power to support a more powerful graphics card.

How do I find out what Power Supply I have?

[Caboose]

The easiest way would probably be to open the case and look for a sticker that tells you some specs, but they could be misleading. If you can find a model number then write it down and come and tell us.

UNPLUG EVERYTHING FIRST!

[Bob-sama]

A GeForce 6200 is a horrible old graphics card with wretched driver support. It'll actually be a step down from a GeForce FX 5700. Either way you won't have a decent experience at all. The 6200 is "compatible", but that in no ways means "decent". It'll /work/, but just barely.

[Warren]

The easiest way would probably be to open the case and look for a sticker that tells you some specs, but they could be misleading. If you can find a model number then write it down and come and tell us.

UNPLUG EVERYTHING FIRST!

Right, I will have a look.

A GeForce 6200 is a horrible old graphics card with wretched driver support. It'll actually be a step down from a GeForce FX 5700. Either way you won't have a decent experience at all. The 6200 is "compatible", but that in no ways means "decent". It'll /work/, but just barely.

Could you give me some names of better graphics cards that will work with my system?

(I heard the ATI 3650/3850 is pretty decent)

[Bob-sama]

Radeon HD 2600 Pro / HD 2600 XT
Radeon HD 3650 / HD 3850
Radeon HD 4550 / HD 4650 / HD 4770
GeForce 8600 GT / 8600 GTS
GeForce 9500 GT / 9600 GSO / 9600 GT

[Warren]

Didn't even have to open my computer open to find out about my PSU. Saw a number below the port where the cable plugs into. It says '230'.

What does this mean?