[karl0799]

I bought The Sims 2 and it is a great game. Unfortunately, it can barely run on my computer. My parents are considering buying a computer for me (so I don't screw up theirs) and I was wondering about the video card on a computer we're looking at.


Intel® Extreme Graphics (see note below)

*
82845, 82865, 82915

NOTE: If you have a non-T&L capable video card, such as Intel Extreme Graphics or Radeon VE series, then you need at least a 2.0 GHz processor.


That's what it says for officical system requirements. (Complete requirements at TS2 System Requirements)

The computer we're looking at is a Dell. All it says is "Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2." I am confused as to what this is, and whether it will be able to run my game.

This is what is said about the graphics card in the summary for the computer.

Catalog Number / Description Product Code SKU Id
Video Card:
Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2 IV [320-2870] 6

The processor is 2.8 GHz.

Thank you!

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It looks like it will probably work ok in my opinion. I'm guessing the game will at least play smoothly with a 2.8 GHz processor. If you find out later that you can play the game well but the graphics aren't too desireable, or you just want them better, then you could save some money and buy a video card separate. I'm sure your system will have an open AGP slot, it's basically plug-and-play and maybe a short installation with video cards. Hope this helps, and good luck

[m1573rb0j4ngl35]

It looks like it will probably work ok in my opinion. I'm guessing the game will at least play smoothly with a 2.8 GHz processor. If you find out later that you can play the game well but the graphics aren't too desireable, or you just want them better, then you could save some money and buy a video card separate. I'm sure your system will have an open AGP slot, it's basically plug-and-play and maybe a short installation with video cards. Hope this helps, and good luck

[-=jonnyrotten=-]

Intel Extreme graphics is kinda like a video card, but not really. It is integrated to your motherboard, onboard. It uses 64 mb of ram that it shares with the rest of your computer, whereas a video card has it's own memory and uses none from the motherboard.

-=jonnyrotten=-

[admin]

If you do buy a PC with intgrated graphics, be sure it has an AGP expansion slot so you can upgrade the graphics chip later. It you're using this PC for playing games, you will soon be disapointed in the performance of the integrated graphics.

[Compute_ERgeek481]

please!!!!

Hi everyone. I'm kind of going through the same thing as karl.

I'm buying a new computer (Dell Dimension 3000 with 2.80 GHz) and it comes with Intel Extreme Integrated Graphics 2. I'm confused, however.
I do not want to be dissappointed when I install The Sims 2 and the graphics aren't what I expected.
I want to know if I should buy a nVidia GeForce2 MX400 64MB AGP Video Card to put into my computer to improve my gaming experience. It's the cheapest Geforce2 video card I could find.

I'm not sure if The Sims 2 will run on it. It just says on the requirements "nvidia geforce 2 or greater". Will the MX400 be the right choice?

Would the Geforce2 MX400 fit the T&L video requirement in order to play my game?


Thanks much,
Heidi

[admin]

Hi Heidi, welcome to Geeks to Go!

What most people don't realize is that a high-end modern graphics card has more transistors than your CPU! You get what you pay for. If you're buying a computer for gaming, why buy the cheapest graphic card? Spend in the $150 range an you'll get something that you can be proud of.

[karl0799]

I found out I'm not getting a new computer. Instead, we're upgrading the one we have. This computer can run the game, but just barely. It's no fun when it takes five minutes to do a simple thing. Unfortunately, I have no idea what to do. Please tell me what you need to know about my current setup, and I will try to get this information to you. I'm very busy until after Nov. 1. I'll try to respond ASAP. Thanks again.

[admin]

Run this free tool on the system you want to ugrade, and paste the results in a reply to this topic:
http://www.belarc.co...e_download.html

[karl0799]

Computer Profile Summary
Computer Name: XXXXXXX (in WORKGROUP)
Profile Date: Sunday, October 24, 2004 8:40:18 AM
Advisor Version: 6.1f
Windows Logon: Owner

Click here for Belarc's PC Management products, for large and small companies.

Operating System System Model
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) HP Pavilion 04 P7477A-ABA 751n 70000RE101MISSO
System Serial Number: MX212B0405 NA340
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.80 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P4S-LA REV 1.xx
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Award Software, Inc. 3.05 03/01/2002
Drives Memory Modules c,d
77.34 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
61.89 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST DVD-ROM GDR8160B [CD-ROM drive]
SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-224B [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

Maxtor 4D080H4 [Hard drive] (81.96 GB) -- drive 0, s/n D40YFBVE, rev DAH017K0, SMART Status: Healthy 224 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM 1' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM 2' has 256 MB
Slot 'DIMM 3' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes


c: (on drive 0) 77.34 GB 61.89 GB free
Network Drives
None detected
Users Printers
local user accounts last logon
Owner 10/24/2004 8:20:18 AM (admin)
local system accounts
Administrator never (admin)
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EPSON PictureMate on USB002
EPSON Stylus C80 Series on USB001
Microsoft Shared Fax Driver on SHRFAX:
Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller]
SiS PCI IDE Controller SiS 650 [Display adapter]
PHILIPS 109B2 [Monitor] (17.7"vis, s/n CX 71071167, January 2002)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller
SiS 7001 PCI to USB Open Host Controller MPU-401 Compatible MIDI Device
SiS 7012 Audio Driver
Standard Game Port
Communications Other Devices
Lucent Win Modem
1394 Net Adapter
SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
Network Card MAC Address: 00:E0:18:6D:EC:18
Network IP Address: 192.168.2.25 / 24 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
USB Human Interface Device
EPSON Perfection2400
HP PS2 Keyboard (2K - 3)
HID-compliant mouse
USB Printing Support
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
Virus Protection
McAfee VirusScan Version 8.0.41
Scan Engine Version 4.3.20
Last Disk Scan on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 1:50:43 AM
Realtime File Scanning On

Installed Microsoft Hotfixes [Back to Top]
Internet Explorer
no verification data SP2 (SP2)
Windows XP
SP2
no verification data KB811113[SP] on 10/3/2004 (details...)
SP3
passed verification KB834707 on 10/15/2004 (details...)
no verification data KB885884 on 10/15/2004 (details...)


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[admin]

It doesn't appear you have an AGP expansion slot. What's the model of your HP?

[karl0799]

HP Pavilion 751n

[Compute_ERgeek481]

Thank you for your help. I ended up getting a E-Geforce FX 5200 for one of my PCI slots.

When you think everything'd be great now, it's not working! I'll get it working. It is compatible w/ my computer, so I must be doing something wrong.

Thanks so much!!!!
Heidi

[Zabava]

Display: Intel® 82810 Graphics Controller [Display adapter]
Default Monitor

How do I get a better one?

is this the Geeks to Go from Okotoks?