*How to Ask for Advice about Choosing a New GPU*

[lschram]

I am trying to play Sims 3 Pets on my 4 yr old computer. It is a Dell SPS 410 updated to Windows 7 32 bit. I have 4 gb RAM (of course it can't use more than 3). It has a Nvidia 7900 GS graphics card. As soon as I get past the loading screen it crashes. It says it is a DEP problem and I have done and DEP exception to no avail. I am hoping if I upgrade my graphics card it will help. Any recommendations??
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.111025-1505)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell DXP061
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 2.3.1
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6400 @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.1GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 2126MB used, 4012MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
System DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7900 GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0292&SUBSYS_037010DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1527 MB
Dedicated Memory: 248 MB
Shared Memory: 1278 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Dell E207WFP
Monitor Model: DELL E207WFP
Monitor Id: DELD011
Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.883Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.9036 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.9036

I am

 

[HostileDonut]

What PSU? Also, does it blue-screen? Maybe it is bad RAM.

 

[HostileDonut]

Also, a 32-bit system can run 4gb RAM. Turn on PAE. (Physical Address Extension)

 

[Sunius]

It's not graphics card issue. My sister plays it on 8600 GT at same resolution perfectly fine (not sure about settings, though), but 7900 GS is more powerful than 8600 GT..

 

[lschram]

It's not a blue screen. It turns black and I get message that Windows has closed this program... My PSU is 375. I have set DEP, re-installed twice (I thought I would try all of the fixes others have tried-didn't work), reduced game settings, everything I could think of. And the game played beautifully until I tried the latest expansion pack so I'm pretty sure my RAM is fine.

 

[HostileDonut]

Okay, what PSU exactly? The 7900GS requires 22A on the 12v rails. Maybe you don't have 22.

 

[Sunius]

I'm 100% sure it's not PSU issue because it worked for 4 years.. and when PSUs go bad, they just stop working, instead of only not working somewhere.

 

[HostileDonut]

I'm 100% sure it's not PSU issue because it worked for 4 years.. and when PSUs go bad, they just stop working, instead of only not working somewhere.

No, PSUs can slowly degrade is power. Also, what I am saying is, it may not have the power to run the system at maximum performance where the GPU and CPU are both being stressed.

 

[lschram]

It is a model L375-00. I'm pretty basic as far as computer parts go but I looked it up on the internet and it says it has two 18A +12V rails. Not sure what that means. I have not had any other problems, only with this last expansion pack (sorry to repeat myself). I sometimes am online playing games for an hour or two with no problem. And I have never had a blue screen or crashing of any sort.

 

[HostileDonut]

Yeah, that PSU is good enough then. If you could play well until the expansion came out, it has to be something with the new software form the expansion. Re-install it.