TS2 laptop for a demanding player

[pikku.titiuu]

I'm looking for a laptop for playing The Sims 2. I have rather high expectations: I want to install all EPs and play with high graphic settings, but I'd also like to keep the price around 500€. I figured as TS2 is getting old, this might be possible...? I'm not willing to give up on any EPs or go to lower graphics, so I guess I'll pay more if I have to.

So I took a look around and considered getting this Acer Aspire (http://www.verkkokauppa.com/fi/product/56894/dgbqd/Acer-Aspire-3750ZG-13-3-Intel-B960-4-GB-320-GB-GT-520-1-GB). The specs are:

Intel Pentium B960 Dual-Core 2.2 GHz processor
4 GB DDR3memory, max. 8 GB (soDIMM)
320 GB 5400 RPM hard disk
Nvidia GeForce GT 520 1 GB
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit


Comparing to the system requirements (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=330402), I see the processor is a little weaker, is this a no-no? What about that Nvidia GeForce? I googled it but mostly find discussion about running TS3 with it (plus I don't really trust sites like Yahoo Answers when searching information ;)). I'm not planning to play anything except TS2 with this laptop.

Also, someone somewhere on MTS mentioned they would never have an Acer laptop for gaming, is there some specific reason to avoid Acer?

Thanks a lot for anyone who might have time to give their suggestions. :lovestruc

[ellacharmed]

The GT 520 is not much better than an onboard graphics chip.

High expectations of all EPs on high settings does not go with the budget. Since you have high expectations, all the 3 components - CPU, GPU, RAM - must be above and beyond the MTS recommended. If you can even find such models in stock.
Or, you're saying you're OK with old-laptops, with components from the last generation or two? Which means the drivers may soon stop being updated by the laptop manufacturers? And you can't use Desktop versions of the drivers, either.
Not tempted to play Sims 3 or SimCity in the future, ever? Then, perhaps there may be old stock of such laptops around...Are you OK with refurbished options?

All the 4 mainstream Brands - Acer, HP, Dell, Toshiba offer "level-entry" laptops and their gaming offerings are also no comparison to the "Pro" Gaming offerings from Brands like Asus, MSI. Which is why these 4 mainstream brands' laptops have lots of overheating, crashing, battery-pack recalls, laptop recalls compared to Asus/MSI/Clevo/etc.
Yes, I've left out Sony, Samsung (more of a mobile lifestyle selection, and expensive) and Lenovo (business-oriented for the good ones).

[pikku.titiuu]

Thanks for the input, Ellacharm3d. :)

I have a good desktop for TS3 and other gaming, but I'm moving abroad for a few months and wanted to bring TS2 with me. So what I'm looking for is a good laptop for TS2 gaming and that game only, and as the game is discontinued, I guess I wouldn't necessarily need a very recent laptop? Or, my simple way of thinking made me figure new laptops would be powerful/comparatibly more affordable than the strongest gaming laptops from when Sims 2 was a new game, and I could get decent TS2 performance affordably these days.

I'll take your word on the GT520 and look around for a better alternative.

Still, I'd rather not invest in a machine that barely runs the game, even if it's only for a few months worth of entertainment. When I play (=relax) I want it to be enjoyable, and I have my own income so it's not about money so much...


Or, you're saying you're OK with old-laptops, with components from the last generation or two? Which means the drivers may soon stop being updated by the laptop manufacturers? --- Are you OK with refurbished options?

In this situation I'd say I'm OK with this, we are talking about gaming for less than a year, after that I could use it for my studies only.

[Mootilda]

So what I'm looking for is a good laptop for TS2 gaming and that game only, and as the game is discontinued, I guess I wouldn't necessarily need a very recent laptop?Here's where your thinking is incorrect. You see, most of today's laptops are incapable of running the Sims 2. You need a good laptop to run the game, not an out-of-date inadequate one.

[pikku.titiuu]

Here's where your thinking is incorrect. You see, most of today's laptops are incapable of running the Sims 2. You need a good laptop to run the game, not an out-of-date inadequate one.

I'm not sure if I get this correctly: Most of today's laptops are incapable of running it, but I'm wrong thinking about I could go and buy an older one? Sorry if I'm being dumb, I suspect I am. :)
I'll have my geek husband look into this, although he doesn't know a thing about Sims games.

[Mootilda]

Older laptops will run the game even less well than newer laptops. In other words, older laptops never ran the Sims 2 and won't now. Even most laptops which are made today are completely inadequate to run the game. You need to spend more money and get a high-powered laptop to run the game well.

[pikku.titiuu]

Older laptops will run the game even less well than newer laptops. In other words, older laptops never ran the Sims 2 and won't now. Even most laptops which are made today are completely inadequate to run the game. You need to spend more money and get a high-powered laptop to run the game well.

Thanks a lot for the clarification, Mootilda!
That's too bad - I really wanted to bring my Sims with me to have some comfort simming (ha ha) while abroad, but I think I have spoiled myself with a powerful desktop and don't want to live with low graphics etc. Then again, investing on a very expensive, powerful laptop because of this doesn't seem too smart. I might have to give up on this...

Thanks for the help, both of you.

[worm178]

Here's where your thinking is incorrect. You see, most of today's laptops are incapable of running the Sims 2. You need a good laptop to run the game, not an out-of-date inadequate one.

While I agree, she doesn't need an out-of-date inadequate laptop to run The Sims 2, I don't know about most of today's laptops being incapable of running The Sims 2. I have had great experiences on several laptops with the games (just stay away from the Intel graphics).

She should also mention whether she's just playing the game, or if she's making mods or has a lot of CC as well. Maybe she's making films or Machinimas.

These things would be crucial to know.

[ellacharmed]

What's the obsession about the laptop's age?

Good hardware does not matter if it is "old". What I meant was to get a refurbished/used/second-hand "older-tech" laptop (ie a GTX 285M versus current GTX 680M) for the graphics as an example. Not how old the whole laptop is (ie its release date)!
How newly released a laptop is, is not a good indicator if it can run Sims (2 or 3) well. Because it can have crap components inside and been just released yesterday. Still wouldn't run Sims. :p

And for that, you just need to walk in the Tech shops, most of these refurbished hardware are not put up on websites. They should even cost much less than 500€. As this is a temporary machine anyway...but, warranty might be the issue for such hardware. And since you're gonna be abroad, what's the point of a return and repair? So, lots of pros and cons, and what you're willing to settle with.

[pikku.titiuu]

While I agree, she doesn't need an out-of-date inadequate laptop to run The Sims 2, I don't know about most of today's laptops being incapable of running The Sims 2. I have had great experiences on several laptops with the games (just stay away from the Intel graphics).

She should also mention whether she's just playing the game, or if she's making mods or has a lot of CC as well. Maybe she's making films or Machinimas.

These things would be crucial to know.

I have some CC, but I tend to keep my game very "maxis match" so I doubt it's very high poly etc, and the amount is quite small really. And nope not interested in filming.

I got a suggestion for this Asus laptop (http://www.jimms.fi/tuote/A55A-SX009V), (pardon the language) but it has Intel graphics. Intel HD 4000 actually. I saw the mini review of playing the Sims 3 with this... is it really not good for The Sims 2?
Another suggestion was a Lenovo which was way over my budget, I'll have to think a bit if I'm willing to spend so much on a second gaming machine.

[dvsv]

Most today laptops( Intel HD3000 or better) can run this ancient game very well if u don't find problems w/Win7 or newer drivers.
GT 520 is overkill for TS2 and maybe u can play TS3 on medium or better (here i can max everything@900p and 4xAA on a GT540m laptop).
People here overestimate TS2/3 system reqs tooo much,it's The Sims,not The Witcher 2 on ultra w/ubersampling lol!