Improving Preformance

[cheeseycase]

lol i know how you feel! I had to TRY to enjoy sims 2 when i only had my old computer, when i finally understood to get a video card, i found out something which would shock everyone forever! My motherboard does not support AGP OR EVEN PCI EXPRESS! Only a cursed PCI! And they dont make those anymore! I was practically crying... That was because i just bought HL2 and was unable to play...  yeah im a HL fan too.

Later my sister bought a computer BUT... it was just for her work, i then installed sims 2 into her com and found out her com specs which was a miserable 128MB of RAM and 2.8 processing power with no graphic card could'nt run sims 2...

I felt like banging my head on the wall. But now i am able to enjoy all my games with my "home made" computer lol.

And just to think all this for a game???...

[Zylstra]

OK, now that I know I can install any PCI video card from Nvidia (Geforce card) or ATI (Radeon card) in my computer, I need some help.
Which card should I get?
I will post some requirements.
I am looking for something under $70.00 that will run the game well.

Minimum System Requirements for The Sims 2
 
 

If you have a T&L capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM then you need at least:
800 MHz processor or better
256 MB RAM if Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98 or Windows 2000
At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space
If you have a non-T&L capable video card (an Intel Extreme Graphics or a Radeon 7000/VE Series) then you need at least:
2.0 GHz processor or better
256 MB RAM if Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98, or Windows 2000
At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space
Get the most current driver for your video card. The manufacturers usually have the video drivers on their sites for you to download. Visit the nVidia site, the ATI site or the support site for your computer's manufacturer for the latest drivers for those video cards.

Supported video cards (and the more video memory the better):

ATI RadeonTM series (7000 or better)
Radeon 7000/VE series (non-T&L; requires 2.0 GHz processor)
7200, 7500
8500, All-In-Wonder 8500
9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800
X300, X600, X800


NvidiaŽ QuadroTM series
Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4


NvidiaŽ Geforce series (GeForce2 and better)
GeForce2
GeForce3, 3 Ti
GeForce4, 4Ti, MX 420, 440
GeForce FX 5200, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
GeForce 6600, 6800


IntelŽ Extreme Graphics (non-T&L; requires 2.0 GHz processor)
82845, 82865, 82915

 
From the following: http://thesims2.ea.com/help/detail.php?help_id=21

[cheeseycase]

hmm im not sure about this but i would recommand you that at least try to get a video card which allows you to,

1) Play at high graphics
2) Without much game lag
3) And maybe a video card that can last long? In that sense is able to play certain games of today. ( Point 3 may cost the video card to cost more than $70. )

This is in my opinion but since your in a budget you should get a expert to decide, im only advising on the part of gameplay.

[Zylstra]

I'll ask people on the www.thesims2.com forum.
cheeseycase, are you on the Sims 2 or Sims 1 forum?
Im zylstra555 on TS2
and zylstra5 on TS1

[Flame]

PCI Express: http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=332176&pfp=BROWSE

Standard PCI: http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50723460&pfp=BROWSE or http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50543098&pfp=BROWSE ...

Flame

[Zylstra]

WOAH! Something a LITTLE bit cheaper.
Thanks anyways
I think I will ask my Uncle or my Brother or my Cousins half-brother if they have any extra stuff.

[cheeseycase]

Hmm but you do have to spend abit to enjoy more, how about investing in a good video card? So that in the near future you are able to enjoy more games besides the sims. Because other games would require a high video card than what the sims require.

[Fed]

Reducing the 60 or so Processes running in the background should help too.

[Zylstra]

The only problem is that I do not know which processes can be terminated.
Some of them are needed to run Windows XP, so they cannot be shut down.