What current graphics cards are people using?

[jillysolo]

I’m afraid that my ten year old computer is getting ready to implode and I am thinking about having a new one built. However, all the lists of Sims 2 compatible graphic cards are several years old. Does anyone out there have any updated info on current cards that might be compatible with the game? How about the GeForce GTX570?

[ellacharmed]

I've stopped updating the TS2 SysReq page as the TS3 page applies - basically if it works on TS3, it would work on TS2. As long as you get the ones with all Green Yes, of course. I cannot vouch for those that have colorful cells. :)

As for your question, I have one of those Green rows - an MSI Hawk GTX 460 - for desktop. If you want to see picture quality, just look at my contributions on the SimsWiki (after Dec 2010 as I got my desktop that Christmas).

Still, CPU matters. As long as you don't get a dual-core with clock speed less than 2.0-2.4GHz and a minimum of 4GB RAM, you're good to go with any "Green" GPUs. The combo of these 3 good components is what goes into a pleasant Simming experience with minimum fussing with troubleshooting and whatnot. Other than the usual bugs and issues, of course, if you play mod-free.

[d_dgjdhh]

I use the GeForce GTX560. It works just fine, video is smooth on high settings, minus reflections (from mirrors/water). Of course, if you're playing 8+ people per lot, then the game will be slower, but it should be okay anyway.

Although, I use Windows XP 64-bit w/dual-core 8GB of ram, & a 120GB solid state drive. The SSD makes the information faster to retrieve, and the ram is plentiful, even when using only 1 out of the 2 cores (e.g. 4GB of ram on one core).

Back then (like a year ago?) when I was looking for a nVidia graphics card, I read that the GeForce GTX 560 Ti graphics card was best for price vs. quality in the nVidia brand. The difference between the "Ti" and the plain one? Apparently there's more shaders on the "Ti" model (384 CUDA Cores, vs. 336 on the plain one)...didn't realize I bought the plain model...and couldn't return it on time, so no money back, -_-.

[ajaxsirius]

I'm using a AMD HD 6950 and it runs The Sims 3 fine. I've already paid for an Nvidia GTX 670 which is supposed to reach me this weekend. It should work too.

[jillysolo]

Thanks so much for your input. I will take all your suggestions into consideration.

[whiterider]

The difference between the "Ti" and the plain one? I've been told that the Ti is factory overclocked, though I don't know how reliable that is. In any case, I also have the non-Ti, and it's a nice little card. Held back by my rickety old 2.3Ghz C2D though.

[ajaxsirius]

The "Ti" models are just better and more expensive. Sometimes they have more "cores" or whatever enabled, sometimes they have better architecture. In any case it has nothing to do with overclocking. Ti and non-Ti models can both come factory overclocked or not.

[d_dgjdhh]

Yeah, for example the plain one I bought was overclocked to 850Mhz, while the "Ti" model I saw being sold at the computer store I bought the plain one at is overclocked to 900Mhz (or 950Mhz?).

[ellacharmed]

Due to an out-of-stock HD 6870, conflicting user reports of suitability of HD 78xx in a Lion Hackintosh (well phone screen was really small), I'm now a (reluctant) owner of a Radeon HD 7850.

[chreai]

Can anyone tell me if a Radeon HD 7350 will run TS3 and all its expansions?? It's not listed in the wiki....

Edit: I should mention that the processor is an i5-2320 3.0 GHz, with 1TB hard drive and 8GB DDR3 SDRAM. Just wanna know if it's worth the money to buy...