[jen147]

I am buying 2 new computers. One for myself and one for my 14 yr old. I want to play Sims 2 & 3 on mine (yes I know about the compat problem with Sims 2 & Win 7)... my 14 yr old wants to play Minecraft. Here is the PC that I think I've narrowed it down to:

http://www.walmart.c...TopOneGiantItem

Acer AX1420G-U5832 Desktop PC:

Key Features and Benefits:

•AMD Athlon II X4 Quad-Core 645 processor
3.1GHz, 2MB Cache

•4GB DDR3 SDRAM system memory (expandable to 8GB)
Gives you the power to handle most power-hungry applications and tons of multimedia work

•1TB SATA hard drive
Store 666,000 photos, 285,000 songs or 526 hours of HD video and more

•16x SuperMulti DVD Burner
Watch movies, and read and write CDs and DVDs in multiple formats

•10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Connect to a broadband modem or wired broadband router with wired Ethernet

•Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE Graphics
Additional Features:

•5-in-1 memory card reader
•6 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x VGA port, 2 x PS/2 ports, 1 x headphone jack, 1 x microphone jack, 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet port, 3 x audio ports
•2 x PCI Express (x1) slots, 1 x PCI Express (x16) slots, 1 x 5.25" bay, 1 x 3.5" bay
*******************************************************************************************

Since I know the above mentioned video card is crap... I found one the Sims site says will run Sims 3:

http://www.walmart.c...s-Card/15172696

XFX Radeon HD 5670 PCI Express 1GB DDR5 Graphics Card:
•Memory: 1GB GDDR5
•ATI Eyefinity technology with support for up to 3 displays
•ATI Stream technology
•Designed for DirectCompute 11 and OpenCL
•Accelerated Video Transcoding (AVT)
•Compliant with DirectX 11 and earlier revisions
•Supports Open GL 3.2
•ATI CrossFireX multi-GPU support
•ATI Avivo HD video and display technology
•ATI PowerPlay technology
•PCI Express 2.1 support
**************************************************************************


I'm hoping I can get away with just one video card upgrade... will my 14 yr old's need an upgrade just to play Minecraft? Please keep in mind that my budget is stretched as it is... 2 PC's, 2 Monitors, at least 1 Video Card, possibly more RAM.

So can you help me??? Please say that video card can go into that Acer that it's got the right PCI slots???? And please say I don't also need to buy more RAM (it's expandable to 8 gigs) or an extra cooling fan or anything else to make it work...

Ok... if you have to tell me that then go ahead. I know the Sims is a big power hog, so I definitely want to play it comfortably and not have a lot of lag or freezing up. I'm playing Sims 2 on my dinosaur XP from 2005 right now and there's a lot of lag, it can take forever when it switches from day to night and vice/versa.

Thanks for any help!!!

[Advertisements]

Hi jen147
One of the most important pieces of information that should be made available to potential purchasers of a new computer is the quality and output of the PSU that is fitted, sadly this information is mostly omitted for no other reason than low power no name brands are used to keep build costs down, hence the reason why most of these systems have an integrated video chip, less power required.
To find the PSU information for your PC I had to go to the Q&A Exchange at the about this product area and unfortunately before you can upgrade your video card you must first upgrade the 220W PSU that is fitted, see the attached link;
http://www.walmart.c...em#Q&A Exchange also as the system has W7 64 bit you would get the maximum benefit of having 8GB of Ram, that said you can do that upgrade in the future.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news and whatever you decide I hope it works out for you and let us know if we can assist with anything further.

[phillpower2]

Hi jen147
One of the most important pieces of information that should be made available to potential purchasers of a new computer is the quality and output of the PSU that is fitted, sadly this information is mostly omitted for no other reason than low power no name brands are used to keep build costs down, hence the reason why most of these systems have an integrated video chip, less power required.
To find the PSU information for your PC I had to go to the Q&A Exchange at the about this product area and unfortunately before you can upgrade your video card you must first upgrade the 220W PSU that is fitted, see the attached link;
http://www.walmart.c...em#Q&A Exchange also as the system has W7 64 bit you would get the maximum benefit of having 8GB of Ram, that said you can do that upgrade in the future.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news and whatever you decide I hope it works out for you and let us know if we can assist with anything further.

[jen147]

Thanks so much for your reply. I started reading some of the posts in this forum and that started me digging into the power supply too. So I discovered what you've pointed out. That the power supply is only 220. That seems awfully low. So I looked at higher priced computers... and it seems even if I went $150 higher the power supply was only going up to 350. And if I researched right (have no clue if I did) the video card that I was thinking about getting (the one the Sims site said would work) needs 500 watts. So... could I go ahead and get this PC (the ACER) and just suck it up and upgrade a few things... today I've been looking at power supplies and RAM.

#1. I found this power supply... would it be enough? :

http://www.walmart.c...ED-Fan/16318464

#2. Would I need the upgrade in RAM to run Sims 3?

#3. And would the 630 watt power supply in the link above cover that upgrade to GB RAM?

#4. Will this ACER even be able to handle all these upgrades?

#5. Would I also need extra fans for cooling.

#6. If I wanted to just go ahead with the GB RAM now, how do I buy that? In one GB piece or 2 GB? It's been a while since I looked at the expansion slot specs on that Acer and I might not understand it if I did.

#7. So there is the right PCI slot for the Radeon 5670?

#8. Can I get away with leaving the second ACER I was buying for my 14 yr old alone since all he wants to play is Minecraft Beta ... it's my understanding from looking online that it can run on just about anything???

Sorry for all the questions... but Thanks so much for the time you are taking helping me.

[phillpower2]

No worries feel free to ask as many questions as you need that is why we are here.
1:I am glad that you asked about the raidmax psu before purchasing it, avoid the make at all costs see the psu guide @
http://www.10stripe....d/psu/brand.php for future guidance.
2:NO
3:Doesn`t apply.
4:Yes
5:No.
6:Forget this at this time.
7:Yes.
8:Yes.
These questions may not matter if we can find you a more acceptable purchase, is there a reason why you must purchase from Walmart or would the PC at the attached link be acceptable, play what you want now and upgrade later if required http://www.tigerdire...6287&CatId=4928 not sure what the system video requirements are for the Sims 2&3 but this should have plenty, let us know your thoughts on the above PC.

EDIT: Just remembered this deal that RonShaffer61 provided a link to http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1137379&sku=B69-0425&SRCCODE=WEM2790BY&cm_mmc=email-_-Main-_-WEM2790-_-tigeremail2790

Edited by phillpower2, 28 August 2011 - 12:41 PM.

[jen147]

Well, yes there is a reason why I'm concentrating on walmart... it's my payment method... I'll be using my walmart credit card. It has a zero balance right now and I've got a promotion for no interest for 18 months, and I intended to have it all paid off in 6 months. So I kind of need to stick with that.

I looked over the list of power supplies from the link you provided... and noticed a couple brands that I'd seen at walmart... would this one work?

http://www.walmart.c....3-PSU/12017714 (at 500 watts it would work for the video card but would it be ok for the rest of the PC especially if I add that RAM?)

or this one?

http://www.walmart.c...y-700W/15988273

or this?

http://www.walmart.c...Supply/16677015 (again only 500 watts)

or this?

http://www.walmart.c...Supply/16677017 (this one may be my pick if the 500's won't work... it's not at close to $100 as the 700w Cooler Master, but will 600 even work... I guess I just don't know what I need... maybe we should start there.)

As far as Sims 3 goes... it's been hard for me to get a solid answer... the system requirements on the site look like the bare minimum... but most say there's no way it'll work. I think the video card min was 512mb and other comments have said that is for the base game, no expansion packs and even then you'll have a lot of lag. I'm new to Sims myself... but fast became an addict. Here's where I'm getting most of my best info on Sims: http://simswiki.info...m_Requirements. I wanted to ask questions on the Sims forum because if anyone would know they would... but you can't post on the forums w/o the registration code to you game... and I haven't bought the game yet so no code yet. I've just been playing Sims 2 here at home on the dinosaur.

[phillpower2]

This one http://www.walmart.c...Supply/16677015 your new card requires a PSU with a minimum output of 400W so that is covered + the Corsair has an 80% efficiency rating, more cost effective and the good, clean stable power will ensure smoother game play.
Sims 3 system requirements http://gb.thesims3.c...e/ep1/systemreq you will be well covered with your proposed upgrades.
I do recommend that you upgrade to 8GB of Ram when you are able to so post back if you require assistance with that when the time comes and to help you with fitting the new components yourself check out the tutorial courtesy of Troy and Artellos respectively http://www.geekstogo...r-own-computer/
Enjoy your new PC and have fun with the Sims

[jen147]

And that Corsair 500 would still be enough when I get ready to do the 8GB RAM?

Thanks so much for all your help!!

[phillpower2]

Yes the Corsair is above adequate for what you need and adding additional Ram will have a minimal impact it uses so little power (most as little as 1.5V per stick).
You are welcome

[jen147]

Well that's a relief now that it's all settled.

More questions about setup... maybe this is not the right forum to ask these questions but since we've already got a dialog going here... let me know if I need to repost this somewhere else.

#1. How do I get internet to the computer that's going in my 14 yr old's bedroom? Our set up in the living room is DSL from our telephone company, little black modem box sitting behind the computer and a wireless router (Netgear N150) we got for our Wii.

#2. Is PC Decrapifier a good program to get rid of all the bloatware these new computers are going to come with? If not that one, then can you recommend a good free app?

#3. I've always used freeware as far as firewall/virus/spyware protection. Right now I've got Comodo for FW and Avast for virus protection. I was thinking about just going with Comodo's all in one and dropping Avast. What's your thoughts? Then again I might keep the comodo/avast combo, I do like and am used to Avast.

[Macboatmaster]

Phillpower2 is offline at the moment, so I will step in to help you.

1. Here is the link to your Netgear N150 wireless router.
http://www.netgear.c...ng/WNR1000.aspx
I really need to know what the modem is, but basically you connect the netgear to the modem by cable and then connect the computer to the router wirelessly.
The router transmits the wireless signal and you receive that on the computer either from the built in wireless card or from a usb wirless adaptor. Then each transmits and receives.
This may help

http://www.microsoft...elesssetup.aspx


2. I do not know the program, but I can safely say NO. My advice is to run with them for a few weeks. Then come back here with a list of what you do not want, or alternatively we can provide a utility that will allow us to see what is on the computer, not by remote desktop or anything like that, as we cannot use that, due to the risks involved. We can then guide you through the procedure of uninstalling what you do not want.
My advice is not to uninstall or delete immediately. Get to know the system first.

3. Comodo firewall and Avast are well regarded programs. Some people find Comdo Firewall a little intrusive at times, but it provides good protection.
Have a look at this thread.
http://www.geekstogo...yware-software/

Edited by Macboatmaster, 29 August 2011 - 03:46 PM.

[jen147]

Thanks for your reply,

#1. The modem is what my telephone company provided. It's called: ZyXEL Prestige 600 Series. So I know how to connect the modem & router to the computer here in the livingroom... what my question was how to get internet to the computer that will be going in the bedroom. That may be what you are answering and I'm just not understanding you well... so is what you are saying, that the new computer going in the bedroom will either have a built in wireless card or I'll have to get something called a USB wireless adapter for it? Can you look at the computer that I'm ordering and tell me if it comes with the built in card: http://www.walmart.c...TopOneGiantItem or a more detailed spec list: http://i.walmart.com...09980294238.pdf Or if I'll need to get something else... I just didn't know if I was going to have to call the telephone company and get them to come in and put in a 2nd modem and all that.

Is the wireless reliable though... I mean it's sufficiant for what little we use it for the Wii or my Son's 3DS... but how is it when someone is online from a computer? Is the speed determined by the wireless router or what our telephone companies DSL puts out?

#2. Those trial apps are just so obnoxious to me. I have no interest in MS Office or AOL or Norton or McAfee... etc.. and I'd heard it referred to as bloatware and/or crapware before so I googled it and that's how I found the PC Decrapifier. Their site is here: http://pcdecrapifier.com/ and they are also on download.com here: http://download.cnet...-10636481.html. But I understand your caution... I just already know I don't want/need most of that stuff.

#3. I appreciate your comments on Avast and Comodo... so you'd keep the combo or just switch to Comodo's firewall & anti-virus all in one?

[Macboatmaster]

1. I have had a look at the program - Decrapifier. I do not recommend it. It appears to have little support if any and the only contact is a site contact you complete.
There also seems to be little evidence of any long standing. In fact it appears rather new.
My strong advice would be to use the normal procedure for uninstall.
As I said we can guide you through this.


2. I would not change AVAST for Comodo. That however is my personal opinion. More guidance is on the link I sent you.

3. The speed in general terms is dependant more on the broadband service than the wireless aspect. I am reasonably certain you will not have any problem in that respect.

I will post again when I have had a look at the modem.
The instructions for the router are on the link I sent.

Re the computer -
Communications
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
You will need a wireless card fitting inside to one of the spare slots, or a wireless usb adaptor.
The computer being a desktop does not come with wireless, that is the usual setup.
There are other ways to achieve the wirless connection but this is the easiest and the most reliable.

Edited by Macboatmaster, 29 August 2011 - 04:43 PM.

[Macboatmaster]

Re the DSL modem
See this link
http://www.zyxel.com..._solution.shtml

You may find that it already has a wireless capacity, unlikely but check on the front panel if wireless lan or similar is shown.



What is the exact model please, as against just this
ZyXEL Prestige 600 Series
This may well be the user guide.
ftp://ftp.zyxel.com/...P-660H-D1_3.pdf

Depending on your residence and the difficulty of connecting by ethernet cable, you would find it a lot easier to do, as of course being a desktop, your daughter is unlikely to be moving the computer around.
For a long run, you will ideally need a high quality cable.
Here is a link to give you some idea
http://www.cabling4l....php?cat_id=158
You can buy just the cable and then connect your own RJ45 jacks to each end, this of course will make it easier to run if necessary.

OR of course to go back to the original post you can connect the router to the modem by cable and the router to the computer via wireless, with the aforementioned card or usb adaptor.

Edited by Macboatmaster, 29 August 2011 - 05:27 PM.

[jen147]

1. I have had a look at the program - Decrapifier. I do not recommend it. It appears to have little support if any and the only contact is a site contact you complete.
There also seems to be little evidence of any long standing. In fact it appears rather new.
My strong advice would be to use the normal procedure for uninstall.
As I said we can guide you through this.


2. I would not change AVAST for Comodo. That however is my personal opinion. More guidance is on the link I sent you.

Ok, I gotcha... what forum would be best to post in when I'm ready to do all those uninstalls? Just come back here to this post? or another forum?


I noticed Comodo is not on your list of recommended free firewalls. And it seems like Avast has fallen to the bottom of the list for AV programs... any particular reason?

[jen147]

Re the DSL modem
See this link
http://www.zyxel.com..._solution.shtml

You may find that it already has a wireless capacity, unlikely but check on the front panel if wireless lan or similar is shown.



What is the exact model please, as against just this
ZyXEL Prestige 600 Series
This may well be the user guide.
ftp://ftp.zyxel.com/...P-660H-D1_3.pdf

Depending on your residence and the difficulty of connecting by ethernet cable, you would find it a lot easier to do, as of course being a desktop, your daughter is unlikely to be moving the computer around.
For a long run, you will ideally need a high quality cable.
Here is a link to give you some idea
http://www.cabling4l....php?cat_id=158
You can buy just the cable and then connect your own RJ45 jacks to each end, this of course will make it easier to run if necessary.

OR of course to go back to the original post you can connect the router to the modem by cable and the router to the computer via wireless, with the aforementioned card or usb adaptor.

The model # for my modem: ADSL 2+ Access Modem Prestige 660M-61 Model # 401336. I don't think it has wireless capacity... I think I remember the telephone comp saying it was one of their older models... seems like they said if we started having trouble with it they'd come out and put in a new one.

I don't know about the ethernet cable, that is way above my understanding. We are getting into a territory that I know nothing about.