Graphics card for Sims 3

[hypnobiz]

Hello,
I have read the system requirements for sims 3 and in Windows supported graphics cards it says amongst others, for Nvidia Geforce, 6800, 7200. I have a 7100 installed with it being higher than the 6800 would it still not run the game? I have more than required of all other areas. Also what would I have to find out about my PC internally to know what graphics cards I can upgrade with? Thanks for your time

 

[stant1rm]

Despite the fact that the GeForce 7100 has a higher number then the 6800, it's not nearly as good a card. More then likely it isn't actually a card, but an integrated GPU on the motherboard. It will most likely not run the Sims 3. I assume this is a system you purchased. Could you post the Make/Model, and the rest of the specs so I can try and assist you more.

To give you a point of reference for how bad the 7100 is, it was a terrible, terrible card for games when it was first released. It was released in 2005.

 

[hypnobiz]

It's just a simple wee home PC I am not a a game player I just liked the sound of this Sims 3, PC is a Packard Bell Imedia S3720, Rating 220~240Vac 3.15A, 50HZ
I ran a dxdiag and these are the results

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120503-2030)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Packard Bell
System Model: imedia S3720
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8300 @ 2.50GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 2816MB RAM
Page File: 2163MB used, 3465MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode


---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 630i
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7100 / nForce 630i
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_07E1&SUBSYS_027C1025&REV_A2
Display Memory: 1401 MB
Dedicated Memory: 249 MB
Shared Memory: 1151 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: S22B350
Monitor Id: SAM08D3
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvd3dum
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.5896 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.5896
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Model: WDDM 1.0
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/10/2010 05:38:00, 12471400 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-44A1-11CF-9D64-70221CC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x07E1
SubSys ID: 0x027C1025
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Driver Strong Name: oem21.inf:NVIDIA_SetB_Devices.NTamd64.6.0:Section001:8.17.12.5896ci\ven_10de&dev_07e1
Rank Of Driver: 00E62001

 

[hypnobiz]

Ps, would i have to open up my PC to see what expaqnsion slots I have with regards to putting in a graphics card that would run the Sims game? or is it not as simple as that.

 

[stant1rm]

You should be able to squeeze a Radeon HD 7750 in there without an issue. Is the case a low profile or is a normal size?

 

[bgrt]

A very basic last-gen video card will suit you very well since you don't play many games. I'd suggest a $40 Radeon HD 6450 if your budget is under $50. A 6450 will play most pre-2006 games at highest detail and most pre-2009 games at least on low detail. If you believe you will play more modern titles in the future, you'd have to have at least a $100 budget.

 

[hypnobiz]

thanks all of you that helps a lot, I appreciate your time

 

[azathoth]

For future reference, naming schemes for cards go like this

HD7xxx -the 7 represents the series, higher = more recent technology. The three x's represent the power, the higher the better.
A 7100 is made with newer technology, but the 100 means it is the lowest of the low in terms of computational power, even a 6400 would beat it.