Will the sims 3 run well on this PC?

[willmurray]

PMy sims 3 game has been running slow for a very long time now, I've checked my system specs and compared them with the sims 3 system requirements. Everything is fine exepct my processor, the minimum is 2.4GHz and I have a 2.2GHz.
What I need to know is:
~Is it worth to money updating to 2.4GHz or more?
~How much do you think it would cost?
~Also how, if I do buy one do I install and get it working properly.

I don't have that much money to spend on this though you guys, I'm maybe thinking on the lines of £250-£300. Does that sound about right for what I want to update to?
Also I'm not really a "computer whiz", I know quite a bit about them but I'm not great. So please try and use simple words, pretty much act like your trying to explain this to a 7 year old.
All my other system specs look ok, infact they look quite good. I have plenty of room for custom content.

Here are the system requirements against mine:


System requirements:.............................................My laptops specs:

At least 6.1GB of hard drive space............................I have 170GB of free space on my
with at least 1GB of additional..................................laptop, which is more than enough
space for custom content and..................................
saved games.
___________________________________________________________________________

A 128MB video card, with support............................I have 1.3GB of video card, I also
for pixel shader 2.0................................................have pre installed version 4.0 of
..........................................................................pixel shader.
___________________________________________________________________________

1.5Gb of Ram installed.............................................I have 4.5GB of free RAM space
___________________________________________________________________________

Microsoft Windows Vista service................................I have Microsoft Windows home
pack one...............................................................premium edition, 64-bit.
___________________________________________________________________________

2.4GHz P4 processor or........................................I have 2.2GHz processor, this is the
equivalent..........................................................one I think I may have to update,
........................................................................but is it worth the money?
___________________________________________________________________________

So as you can see my specs are ok, it's just the processor letting me down. But again is it worth updating it?

Here are some more of my system specs, these are the ones foudn under properties:
Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
Model: HP G56 Notebook PC
Rating: 3.3
Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R)
CPU 900 @
2.20GHz 2.19GHz
Imstalled memory: 3.00GB
System type: 64-bit Operating System

I may have just told you everything all over again, but I suppose more information can never hurt. Does anything else need updating or changing? I think that it's just my processor.
Man this took me ages to write out.
If there's anymore information that you need to tell me stuff just tell me.
Some stuff I'd like to know:
~How expensive is the type of processor I need?
~Do I need to update other things to update a processor?
~Do I need a certain processor to fit my laptop?
~How to I install a new processor?

Now remember please easy steps, I am an ameteur. So please help because I really want to get back to simming because I love this game so much, I can't even have one peice of CC in my game at the moment and it still lags a lot.
Thank you if you can help, ang sorry if I have made any spelling mistakes as I am writting this in quite a rush.
Thanks again!

[HystericalParoxysm]

That's a laptop, so upgradeability is pretty limited most of the time. And by the looks of it, you probably have an Integrated Intel 4-series graphics card. Essentially... even if you -can- upgrade the processor (which is a big if), you're still going to be limited by your incredibly weak graphics - technically supported for TS3, but not supported in later EPs, and very, very weak (I don't know why the hell they supported it in the first place, besides just wanting to be able to sell more copies of the game to people whose computers were not really capable of running it - they did the same thing with TS2 and there were loads of people with issues with that too). I'd say that's a lot bigger problem than the processor, and is not going to be upgradeable.

Save up for a new PC - not another laptop, but an actual PC. You'd be paying a LOT for a gaming-capable laptop, but an actual gaming-capable PC would be quite a bit less, and would be upgradeable for years to come.

[willmurray]

Thanks HP, I'm starting to save anyway if you have any suggestions on some good PC's it would be very welcome!

[willmurray]

Ok then as I stated above , I am saving for a new PC. I'd like some advice on what new computer I should buy. It needs to have all the sims 3 system requirements on it and extra, the price range I'm thinking is about £400 - £500 although I'm not sure I can go over that highest amount. It also needs to be from a store that actually has stores on the high street that you can go into, please don't ask why it complicated. Thanks if you can help!

[ajaxsirius]

Ummm what's a high street? I genuinely don't know.

In general it's near impossible to recommend any PC bought from a store since we don't know what they carry. Not all "computer" stores carry the same kind of stock. For example, you have "computer" stores that sell HP's and Dell's. Those are NOT gaming PCs and are not intended to be upgradeable. And even if they are advertised as gaming PCs, there's usually something wrong with it. They have to cut corners to make it sell, or its overpriced for people have money to blow and don't know any better. If you absolutely must buy from a physical store, your best bet is to find a specialized computer boutique that carries high-end components.

Also you won't be able to go very far if with 500 GBP unless you already have a screen, mouse, keyboard and speakers (if you use that) lying around at home. You'll also save money if you can salvage a hard drive from an older computer. HDD prices are rather high right now and it might be better to use an old one temporarily and replace with a new in a year or so.

It'll be even better if you can just wait till you have about 650-750 GBP

I'd say, go out, visit all the computer store within range and grab a bunch of fliers. And then we'll see if we can find anything decent.

[willmurray]

Stunning home computing awaits you thanks to the Advent DT1411 Desktop PC, equipped with Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64 bit operating software and the revolutionary 2nd generation Intel® Quad Core Processor i5-2320!

Spectacular speed

With an incredible 8GB of RAM, you will be sure to notice the awesome power that the Advent DT1411 Desktop PC possesses, as it breezes through tasks effortlessly for superb performance.

The Intel® Quad Core Processor i5-2320 means that the DT1411 features stylish second generation technology that allows for speedier interfacing and improved graphic quality.

Gratifying graphics

The Advent DT1411 Desktop PC also comes with the graphics to match the speed, thanks to an inbuilt 2GB dedicated AMD RadeonTM HD 6670 Graphics Card for fantastic effects to compliment your games, videos and visuals on your computer!

Complete Connectivity

Connectivity is at the heart of the DT1411 Desktop PC as it boasts 8 USB ports for data transferring, as well as the option of plugging in your peripherals. The included USB WiFi dongle is ideal for wireless Internet and a media-card reader is great for transferring your files and photos.

The DT1411 also comes equipped with highly-desired HDMI connectivity allowing you to enjoy HD devices, providing brilliant visuals.

A VGA port is also provided so you can easily connect your desktop to a monitor.

Set up straight away

Also included is a wireless keyboard and mouse, superb for flexibility when it comes to your home computing, and which allow you to get going with this powerful machine without delay.

For a blisteringly quick, impressive specification computer, look no further than the Advent DT1411 Desktop PC.

General Information Processor Intel® Quad Core Processor i5-2320
- 3 Ghz
- 6MB cache memory
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM 8GB (4GB + 4GB), DDR3, 1333Mhz, Maximum expandable memory 8GB (4GB + 4GB)
Graphics card AMD HD6670
2GB DDR3
Hard drive 1.5 TB, 7200rpm (variable), SATA
Optical disk drive Yes

16x DVD, 48x CDR, 24x RW
24x DVD -/+R, 8x DL-/+R, 8x +RW, 6x -RW, 12x -RAM
Memory card reader Yes
USB 8
Modem/Ethernet 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
WiFi Ralink 802.11 bgn USB Dongle
Audio interface 3.5mm,Optical, SPDIF
Expansion card slot 2x PCI-E x1
Keyboard & Mouse Wireless multimedia keyboard, wireless mouse
Accessories included Wireless multimedia Keyboard, Wireless Mouse, Wifi USB Dongle

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Will this run it well?
Without lags?
With quite a lot od custom content?

It's priced at £699.00 pounds or should I go higher.
Although I don't think I'll be able to afford it!
Oh well!

[ajaxsirius]

The video card is weak. It'll probably run TS3 at low - medium settings at 1920x1080.

[willmurray]

I have found a few computers that fit into my price range, and I'd like to know if any of them would run the sims 3 well. On high settings.

I'll post them below!

[willmurray]

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Lenovo H420

Lenovo H420 Intel Core i3 PC with 20" AOC monitor

Lenovo H420 Desktop PC

Enjoy a combination of style and practicality when you buy the impressive Lenovo H420 Desktop PC!

Power and performance

This sleek and stylish desktop us powered by the 2nd generation 3.3GHz Intel® i3-2120 processor so there's ample processing power for everyday tasks. It also includes the Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system for an intuitive computing experience.

The combination of 4GB of RAM and a huge 500GB hard drive provides plenty of storage space for your photos, music, videos and documents and the speed to keep you free to work!

Computing convenience

The H420 features all the handy and easy-to-use technology you need for everyday PC use. The DVD-writer is great for watching your favourite films or for creating your own DVDs. There's also a 6-in-1 media card reader for quick and easy uploading. The desktop is even equipped with 6 USB connections so you can connect a whole array of USB devices!

A keyboard and mouse are included so you can get you started straight away!

Step into the powerful world of 2nd generation computing with the Lenovo H420 Desktop PC!

AOC 2036Sa 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor

The AOC 2036Sa 20" LCD Monitor offers excellent performance at an exceptionally attractive price! This modern computer display features a smooth, gleaming black design that will look great in any home.

Screen with style!

Featuring a 20-inch LCD panel with a high resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels, the AOC 2036Sa monitor delivers a superbly detailed picture. An ideal choice for watching movies in their native widescreen ratio, editing digital photos, or displaying multiple documents simultaneously, this is a real all-round performer.

The AOC 2036Sa 20" LCD Monitor is also notable for its impressive 60,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. That means blacks are black and colours are richly nuanced. This screen connects via the ubiquitous VGA port, making it compatible with the great majority of laptop and desktop computers on the market.

The sleek AOC 2036Sa 20" LCD Monitor will bring some serious style to your home computer system!

_______________________________________________________________________________
Celeron, Celeron Inside, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, vPro Inside, Xeon, and Xeon Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

General Information Processor Intel i3-2120 (3.3GHz,3MB cache)
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM 4GB, DDR3, 1333MHz
Graphics card Intel HD 2000
Hard drive 500GB, 7200rpm, SATA2
Optical disk drive DVD-RW
Memory card reader 6-in-1
USB 6
Modem/Ethernet 10/100 Ethernet
Video interface VGA
Keyboard & Mouse Keyboard: PS/2
Mouse: USB
Software included Lenovo Rescue system, MS Office Starter 2010, McAfee
Size Length x width x depth: 293 x 100 x 400mm
Weight 8kg
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[willmurray]

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: HP pavilionp6-2000ukm Desktop

The HP Pavilion p6-2000ukm Desktop PC with 22" Monitor is packed with power and reliability, a perfect PC for any family home!

A perfect performance

The HP Pavilion PC has a 2nd generation Intel® CoreTM i3-2120 processor and 4GB of RAM for a solid performance. The PC also has the latest Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system for a reliable and smooth operation.

There are plenty of features on the new Windows® 7 that will suit all the family and keep your computer in great form. The fast and dependable HP desktop PC even offers HP total care service for support and advice so there is nothing that can go wrong that won't be taken care of.

Entertaining you

The p6-2000ukm has great features for your digital entertainment. There is a massive 1TB hard drive that will store all your multi-media files and the family's too!

The graphics performance and support for multi-channel high definition audio 5.1 stereo sound boosts the intensity and realism of your favourite games and movies giving you crisp, sharp visuals.

The impressive computer has a built-in DVD writer so you create your own discs and play them back, and includes HP LinkUp software that lets you access, view and interact with the content on your notebook computer.

The p6-2000ukm also boasts 6 USB 2.0 ports and a 6-in-1 memory card reader so you can upload your multi-media files with ease.

The full PC package

The sleek black PC package includes a modern 22" LED backlit monitor so you can view your computer content in style. The attractive looking p6-2000ukm Desktop PC comes with a mouse and keyboard and plenty of software to get you going! There is even Microsoft® Office Starter software which includes a reduced-functionality Word and Excel.

The HP Pavilion p6-2000ukm Desktop PC with 22" Monitor is an ideal family computer with a stylish exterior and fast and reliable interior.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Celeron, Celeron Inside, Core Inside, Intel, Intel Logo, Intel Atom, Intel Atom Inside, Intel Core, Intel Inside, Intel Inside Logo, Intel vPro, Itanium, Itanium Inside, Pentium, Pentium Inside, vPro Inside, Xeon, and Xeon Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

General Information Processor Intel® Core™ i3-2120 (3.3 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache)
Operating System Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM 4 GB
Graphics card Graphics Media Accelerator HD
Screen type LED backlit
Screen resolution 1920 x 1080
Screen size 22"
Screen features LED backlighting
Hard drive 1 TB
Optical disk drive DVD writer SATA DVD RAM and Double Layer
Memory card reader 6-in-1 memory card reader
USB 6 USB 2.0 ports
FireWire No
Bluetooth No
Video interface 1 VGA; 1 DVI-D with HDCP
Audio interface 1 audio line in, 1 audio line out, 1 analog audio in, 2 analog audio out
Webcam No
Keyboard & Mouse USB keyboard and mouse
Software included Microsoft® Office Starter: reduced-functionality Word and Excel® only, with advertising. No PowerPoint® or Outlook®. Buy Office 2010 to use the full featured software.
Windows Live Essentials; HP Link Up; Cyberlink Power2Go; HP
Music; HP Games Console; Norton Online Backup (30-day trial);
EasyBits Magic Desktop; Microsoft Internet Explorer; Adobe
Reader; Adobe Flash Player; Skype
Size 368 x 165 x 389 mm(only PC)
Weight 8 kg (only PC)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[whiterider]

Graphics card Intel HD 2000 Anywhere you see Intel as the only thing listed for "graphics", that's a big fat no, unless it's a cheap machine and you plan to immediately upgrade it with new PSU and graphics card.

[willmurray]

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ADVENT DT1410

Speedy home computing awaits you thanks to the Advent DT1410 Desktop PC, equipped with Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64 bit operating software and the revolutionary 2nd generation Intel® Quad Core Processor i5-2320!

Speedy actions

With a rapid 6GB of RAM, you will be sure to notice the fast power of the Advent DT1410 Desktop PC, as it breezes through tasks effortlessly for superb performance.

The Intel® Quad Core Processor i5-2320 means that the DT1410 features stylish second generation technology that allows for faster interfacing and improved graphic quality.

Connectivity options

Connectivity is at the heart of the DT1410 Desktop PC with the included USB WiFi dongle, ideal for wireless Internet and staying connected without the hassle of wires!

The DT1410 boasts 8 USB ports which are ideal for data transferring, as well as the option of plugging in your peripherals. A media-card reader is great for transferring your files and photos.

Connect your desktop to a monitor via the VGA port.

Get started!

The included wireless keyboard and mouse offer superb flexibility when it comes to your home computing and allow you to waste no time in enjoying this powerful PC.

For a speedy, well-rounded computer, look no further than the Advent DT1410 Desktop PC.

General Information Processor Intel® Quad Core Processor i5-2320
- 3 Ghz
- 6MB cache memory
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM 6GB (4GB + 2GB), DDR3, 1333Mhz, Maximum expandable memory 8GB
Graphics card Intel HD2000
Hard drive 1.5 TB, 7200rpm (variable), SATA
Optical disk drive Yes

16x DVD, 48x CDR, 24x RW
24x DVD -/+R, 8x DL-/+R, 8x +RW, 6x -RW, 12x -RAM
Memory card reader Yes
USB 8
Modem/Ethernet 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
WiFi Ralink 802.11 bgn USB Dongle
Audio interface 3.5mm
Expansion card slot 2x PCI-E x1
Keyboard & Mouse Wireless multimedia keyboard, wireless mouse
Accessories included Wireless multimedia Keyboard, Wireless Mouse, Wifi USB Dongle
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[willmurray]

Ok thanks, does anybody please have some suggestions?????????
Please????

[HystericalParoxysm]

No to both of those, because of the graphics cards... or more specifically, the lack thereof - neither have a dedicated graphics card and so they're not suited to much gaming besides stuff like Farmville.

When you're looking at this stuff, skip past the whole "great features! power! shiny!" descriptions. They're marketing bullshit and they mean nothing. Just pay attention to the short list of specs - specifically, the processor, RAM, and graphics. Hard drive size, number of USB ports, etc., are a consideration too, but not near as important as the main bits.

Those are things that you can look at yourself once you learn how to find them on the list, and compare to the recommended specs we have in the stickies so you can immediately rule out PCs like the ones you just posted about without having to ask. :)

[willmurray]

How about this will it run it?
The graphics card doesn't say Intel!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: ADVENT DT1411

Stunning home computing awaits you thanks to the Advent DT1411 Desktop PC, equipped with Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64 bit operating software and the revolutionary 2nd generation Intel® Quad Core Processor i5-2320!

Spectacular speed

With an incredible 8GB of RAM, you will be sure to notice the awesome power that the Advent DT1411 Desktop PC possesses, as it breezes through tasks effortlessly for superb performance.

The Intel® Quad Core Processor i5-2320 means that the DT1411 features stylish second generation technology that allows for speedier interfacing and improved graphic quality.

Gratifying graphics

The Advent DT1411 Desktop PC also comes with the graphics to match the speed, thanks to an inbuilt 2GB dedicated AMD RadeonTM HD 6670 Graphics Card for fantastic effects to compliment your games, videos and visuals on your computer!

Complete Connectivity

Connectivity is at the heart of the DT1411 Desktop PC as it boasts 8 USB ports for data transferring, as well as the option of plugging in your peripherals. The included USB WiFi dongle is ideal for wireless Internet and a media-card reader is great for transferring your files and photos.

The DT1411 also comes equipped with highly-desired HDMI connectivity allowing you to enjoy HD devices, providing brilliant visuals.

A VGA port is also provided so you can easily connect your desktop to a monitor.

Set up straight away

Also included is a wireless keyboard and mouse, superb for flexibility when it comes to your home computing, and which allow you to get going with this powerful machine without delay.

For a blisteringly quick, impressive specification computer, look no further than the Advent DT1411 Desktop PC.

General Information Processor Intel® Quad Core Processor i5-2320
- 3 Ghz
- 6MB cache memory
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
RAM 8GB (4GB + 4GB), DDR3, 1333Mhz, Maximum expandable memory 8GB (4GB + 4GB)
Graphics card AMD HD6670
2GB DDR3
Hard drive 1.5 TB, 7200rpm (variable), SATA
Optical disk drive Yes

16x DVD, 48x CDR, 24x RW
24x DVD -/+R, 8x DL-/+R, 8x +RW, 6x -RW, 12x -RAM
Memory card reader Yes
USB 8
Modem/Ethernet 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
WiFi Ralink 802.11 bgn USB Dongle
Audio interface 3.5mm,Optical, SPDIF
Expansion card slot 2x PCI-E x1
Keyboard & Mouse Wireless multimedia keyboard, wireless mouse
Accessories included Wireless multimedia Keyboard, Wireless Mouse, Wifi USB Dongle

[HystericalParoxysm]

That's the best of the ones you've found, though I've never even heard of that brand, so I would be -really- hesitant about it.

[willmurray]

Glad it's the best one I've found, I've used the brand before and my cousin swears by it.
Will it run the Sims 3 on high settings with a lot of CC?
Thanks again HP!!
I owe you one!

[HystericalParoxysm]

Nothing runs TS3 amazingly well on high settings with a lot of CC. The best you can hope for is decently well on high settings with a reasonable amount of CC... because TS3 is just a -shitty- game, performance-wise. And nobody knows how much the later EPs will add to the performance considerations.

[willmurray]

Thanks, although it's not a lot of CC. Maybe about, something like.... 100mb. Does that sound about right?
But would it run the game ok...keep in mind that I only use 2 expansions and 2 stuff packs.
Also the only game I'd run the the sims 3 and others to do with it.
So would it be ok?

[willmurray]

Thanks again HP!