Need some input on my computer specs.

[jinshen_ka]

Hello everyone,

I have purchased in 2008 what was at the time a great PC for playing the sims 3 with all options maxed out. However, with expansions packs and my PCs getting old, I'm starting to get some lag and objects popping up late when going from one place of the town to another. So I have given up on the max graphics settings, reduced the details a little and I play comfortably this way.

However I'm a bit sad not to enjoy the best graphics for the game, so I'd like to upgrade my PC to get things at least better. I've been thinking of changing the graphics card to a 1GB one but I'm not sure it will be enough or if that's the best thing to do right now.

If you have any advice for me, that would be really nice !!

That's my computer :
- DELL XPS 420
- Q6600 Quad Core Processor 2.40GHz, 1066Mhz FSB, 8MB cache
- Geforce 9800 GT 512 MB
- 3 GB RAM (2x1024, 2x512)
-> if you need more info, feel free to ask.

I also have a question about the RAM, I use Windows 7 32bit, I've heard that this OS can use only 3.x GB of RAM. I would be tempted to buy some more RAM but not if my Windows can't use it ??

Thanks in advance !

[HystericalParoxysm]

A better graphics card, more RAM, and a 64-bit OS that can use all that RAM would definitely be good. Graphics card model tends to matter more than 512 vs 1 GB etc. type stuff though - see many existing threads for info on getting a new graphics card.

[jinshen_ka]

Thanks for your quick reply. I have never considered switching to 64-bit, but I just looked and I have this version on my Windows7 CD, so that's definitely worth trying. That way I can upgrade the RAM which is the cheapest option.
And I'll search for a better graphics card, too if that's not enough !

Thanks !

[ajaxsirius]

I've been reading tech websites and I think I read somewhere that RAM prices have plateaued. They're not going to get much cheaper than they are now, it's a good time to buy. Just be sure to get the kind that will work well with your motherboard.

For GPU I'd avoid the AMD Radeon 7XXX series for now (even though I hear they're quite efficient, just a bit early. I'd wait to hear from people who have actually used them), you can get some good prices on the current 6XXX series and the previous 5XXX series are still good if you can find them. Also you have to make sure your old PSU can keep up if you get a new video card.

[jinshen_ka]

Well, that's good news ! I have looked the prices for the RAM and it's much cheaper than I expected indeed. I will go to a computer parts shop and ask the guy if what I buy is the right thing for my computer. I can put the RAM & graphics card in the computer myself but I don't know much more than that about the technical stuff.

About graphic cards I have a budget of around 150€, I searched on the internet and it seems I can get a Radeon 6850 for that price, it has good reviews. About whether my PSU can keep up I have absolutely no clue, I'll have to ask about it in the shop.

Thanks again !