New Computer Advice Please

[catlover]

Hey I am looking to buy a new computer and wanted to make sure that my new computer would more than exceed the requirements for my Sim game and expansion and stuff packs. I am not knowledgeable about computer hardware and would like to know if these specs would meet/exceed my gaming needs. Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Gamer_Paladin_D827

Should I make any changes or add anything else?

[Nytician]

Looks good to me, almost the same as what I have on my PC right now however yours has newer 'models' of say the i5 core etc

Just two things I noticed;

GTX 610, I have the GTX 560 and it works very well but generally with nVidia the lower the two digits after your model the less likely it is to perform well.

Will Sims 3 + Expansions be the only game? Not that It matters that much but for smoother game play I'd look at getting that up a little, generally anything lower than 650 or equiv are not really for gaming more for watching the odd HD video and simple games.

Also while this may be okay I'd look seriously at getting a better PSU, generally a named brand would be good since if a PSU goes it could bring your whole system, alternatively if it doesn't have enough power in the first place you need a new one.

In my opinion you might as well go for a little higher in both those areas if you can, but like I say its Sims 3 so really your CPU is big game.

Caution though: Don't fall into the same trap I did of trying to upgrade and upgrade to get this game to run 'smoothly', even with a good PC the game jutters and runs less than smooth in some parts, but its playable and for the most part it runs great!

Hope that helped, I'm not trained in IT or anything but I've been making my own PC's since 08' so I have the basics down.

Sean.

[Axiom]

I could use the same advice actually.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/iBuyPower-Build-Your-Own-Gaming-Desktop-Bundle-Select-Case-Processor-Memory-Hard-Drive-and-more-with-Windows-8-Pro-Upgrade-Option

I was thinking about this with the Intel i5 Core Processor, 8 Gigs of RAM [I still have enough wiggle room in my budget to go up to 16], the Nvidia GT graphics card [I can go higher on that list, but only if I don't get the 16 GB of RAM] and 19 inch monitor options. My budget is 850 USD [this includes taxes]. So... would that be enough power in a desktop to run Sims 3, along with some other graphically demanding program?

[samoht04]

Moving this thread to the technical board where it will be better suited.

[Flynn Arrowstarr]

@Axiom

nVidia and ATi both have confusing model lines. Though nVidia is (in my opinion) easier to decipher for the most part. In general, Nytician is correct, the higher the last two numbers, the better the card. Also, the letters give you an idea of the strength of the card. Here's the progression:

GT (low) - GTS (med) - GTX (high)

For video memory for high-end games (and Sims 3 is a high-end game) you want 1 GB or more of GDDR5 memory. From the options listed on the site, the GTX 550 1 GB is a great option. The GTX 560 Ti is better, but I'm not certain if it's enough better to justify the extra $50 cost. Depending on your gaming and graphics needs the GTX 560 1GB should be able to handle most things without complaining.

8 GB of memory should be fine. A better graphics card is a better investment if you can only afford one or the other.

Hope this helps.

Flynn

[catlover]

So of the options listed on the site which would you choose for the things that need adjusted? Are you able to make the changes and then post a link to the update computer specs?

[Flynn Arrowstarr]

Hi, catlover.

Sorry it has taken so much time to get back to you. I'll check the options on the link and see what I can come up with.

Edit: I made only a couple of changes to the configuration. I changed the graphics card to the nVidia GTX 650 1 GB - the sale going on right now upgrades that to a 2 GB card for the same price. And I updated the power supply to a 600 watt standard supply. You need a 450 watt power supply minimum to run the GTX 650, and a 600 watt supply gives you a little extra breathing room for future upgrades. It increased the cost of the system to $864, but it should more than cover Sims 3 and everything with it.

Flynn

[catlover]

Hi, catlover.

Sorry it has taken so much time to get back to you. I'll check the options on the link and see what I can come up with.

Edit: I made only a couple of changes to the configuration. I changed the graphics card to the nVidia GTX 650 1 GB - the sale going on right now upgrades that to a 2 GB card for the same price. And I updated the power supply to a 600 watt standard supply. You need a 450 watt power supply minimum to run the GTX 650, and a 600 watt supply gives you a little extra breathing room for future upgrades. It increased the cost of the system to $864, but it should more than cover Sims 3 and everything with it.

Flynn

I am very sorry I haven't responded sooner and I was unsure between making a new thread or replying to this so if I chose wrong, please forgive me.

My son helped me build another template to consider and I wanted to know which of the 2 would be better. What I'm hoping for is the first one will meet what I need in my original post but if I have to go with the 2nd choice, it would also work within my budget.

Please keep in mind I am hoping the computer will support all the expansion packs and downloaded store content with minimal issues (it is my top concern). I have been running into a lot of game crashes, lagging, and error 12 codes even though I save often (within 1-2 sim days at the longest).

If anyone has any suggestions or improvements to either of my sample builds to make them optimal for my needs, I would appreciate it. Thank you for your time and patience with me.

Cheaper build
http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Gamer_Paladin_D827/w/159453
Expensive build
http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Intel_X79_Core_i7_Configurator/w/159451

[Flynn Arrowstarr]

Go with the cheaper build, but make the following modifications:

• Change the video card to the nVidia GTX 650 Ti 2 GB
• Change the power supply to the 650 watt supply
• Change the first hard drive to either a 500 GB, or leave it at 1 TB (your choice
• Add a 1 TB data drive

Configuring the system as above with a 1 TB data drive and a 500 GB main drive will save you a total of $208 ($1045 vs. $1243 at the current prices), give you a very capable Sims 3 system and keeps you in budget.

One thing to be aware of is any system will lag if you have a ton of in-store items. MrsFlynn and I have nearly all of the store contents and our systems (also very capable) can take quite some time to load in the catalog when going into Create a Household and Create a Style.

Hope this helps and Happy Simming.

Flynn

[catlover]

Thank you Flynn, I appreciate you taking the time to help those of us who are completely clueless when it comes to computer specs and such. You are a total asset to this Sim community site! Thanks again