SIMS 3 - What Hardware?

[Billman]

Hi,

I want to get a laptop for my wife for web browsing and to play the upcoming Sims 3. I know Sims 3 isn't as power hungry as some games, but it's probably the hardest thing the laptop will have to run. Therefore, I'd like to get a laptop based on supporting this game. I want to be able to run Sims 3 at high settings. Not necessarily everything maxed out, but at settings much closer to high than to medium.

Unlike Sims 2, Sims 3 will run the whole neighborhood at the same time so I'm guessing this will be a CPU/sys mem intensive game rather than a GPU stressing game. I'm only guessing, so correct me if I'm wrong. The graphics from Sims 2 to Sims 3 show little improvement. As for Sims 2, my wife also complained about custom content slowing things down. Does anyone know what will help that in Sims 3? More system memory? Here are the minimums according to EA. (I'll be running Vista, 32 or 64)


FOR WINDOWS VISTA
* Windows Vista (Service Pack 1)
* 2.4 GHz P4 processor or equivalent
* 1.5 GB RAM
* 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0

Anyway, can anyone tell me what hardware will run this game smoothly at high settings? CPU/Sys Mem/Graphics card? I'll be using a laptop, but if you only know desktop components, please post and I'll try to translate it to the laptop equivalent.

Help is appreciated!

Bill

 

[angry hampster]

Core 2 Duo processor, 3GB RAM, 9800M or higher graphics card should make it happen nicely. However, we won't know for sure until it's released.

 

[Billman]

Thanks Hampster,

I know we are guessing here...

First, a total newbie question...
When EA lists min sys requirements (my OP) the cpu is 2.4Ghz. That's certainly a single core processor, right?

So you think ANY Core 2 Duo processor will drive it on high settings? Even something under 2.0ghz?

One of the laptops I'm looking at sports the Radeon HD3650. How would this compare with the 9800M? The HD 3650 only has 128-bit mem bus.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/A...on-HD-3650.8839.0.html

I'll probably have a choice between 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista Home Premium. (I'm happy with XP on my desktop, but that doesn't seem to be a common option with new laptops). How will 32 or 64 bit effect the running of Sims 3? How much usable system memory can I actually add to a 32-bit?

Thanks for your help!
Bill

 

[Sureshot324]

The requirements say 2.4ghz pentium 4 processor, so yes, any C2D or Athlon X2 will easily be enough. Keep in mind that the more powerful the video card, the worse the battery life of the laptop, even when you're not playing games.

 

[Billman]

I appreciate the help, but I've googled and checked different online forums and the hardware suggestions I've heard are all over the board. Perhaps someone here could offer me the justification for the recommendations given. What is it about the game that makes it draw on the CPU or GPU? Nothing fast action, but a lot going on.

No comment on 64 or 32?

Sureshot:
Good point about the battery. I hadn't thought of that.

Thanks

 

[Barfo]

Is the game going to be released soon? because if not you're better off waiting until you know the requirements and hardware prices will come down.

 

[Billman]

Game is out June 2. I agree with your post, but I really need the laptop before then, so sooner or later I'm just gonna have to guess. I haven't found anything from EA other than minimum system requirements, which seems strange only 2 months out.

There no reason to believe this game will come in a 64-bit vista version. I have zero experience with 64-bit. Are there any rules-of-thumb when it comes to running 32-bit games on 64-bit systems?

Bill

 

[Lonyo]

Make sure to get 3GB RAM and pretty much any Core 2 will be fine.
I doubt it will be hugely demanding graphically, I think they have some specs for even integrated Intel graphics, so you should be fine with a reasonable discrete chip. I would expect even the HD3650 would be fine.
It also depends on the resolution of your laptop screen. A laptop with 1280x800 will need less graphical power than a 1920x1200 laptop.

 

[Maximilian]

64 bit systems will run 32 bit games just fine. I remember when the sims 2 came out it ran poorly on my rig at the time, ATI 9800 pro and 1 GB of ram with A64 3200+, good stuff for 2004. I dunno what to expect from this new one though, should be fine as long as the settings arent cranked up high.

 

[Scooby Doo]

Personally I'd wait to see how it turns out and once custom content becomes available, if at all possible.

 

[Billman]

Lonyo,

I'm looking at a Dell right now:
CPU: 2.4Ghz P8600 core 2 duo
Sys Mem: 3GB
Graphics: HD 3650

I get 64-Bit Vista, I'll boost it up to 4GB sys mem.

The laptop I have in mind is 1440X900. I've heard laptops have a fixed pixel size, but you can still change the resolution. So, I should be able to select a less demanding resolution and get better game performance, right?

Is the 2.4 Ghz overkill?

Thanks

 

[Billman]

Scooby Doo,

Yah, that's what Barfo said. I'd like to wait, but I need the laptop sooner.

I wonder if EA has a forum where I could ask about system requirements. If it's really two months away from release they really should be able to tell us what it will take to run on med/high settings.

Wasn't this game due out in February only to have it postponed just two weeks before the old release date? You'd think these companies would work more with their customers.

 

[soccerballtux]

They (admins/mods) wouldn't tell you anything helpful, they'll tell you what it takes to get you to buy the game.
That Dell sounds pretty good, but Dells run really hot as of late. My friend's proc idles at 75-85C. I hate to think what it loads at.

 

[TidusZ]

Sim games run strangely. For example, Simcity 4 runs kinda poorly on the rig in sig, zooming in and out has noticeable load times. I have a feeling its not the hardware....

 

[Scooby Doo]

Sims 2 is very cpu and ram dependant. I can't imagine 3 being any better.

What really worries me is the custom content. From the sounds of it their really tighting up on what can be done. And if they only allow custom content from thesimsresource, then *Bleep it* I'm staying with sims 2. Especially with this latest disaster of leaked personal user info and stealing other's CC. :|

 

[Billman]

Well, my prediction is that the game will NOT run a smoothly as hoped. Frankly, I thought the load times between screens in Sim 2 were outrageously slow. Glad they are getting rid of that, but that really means the engine will have to be tweaked. Frankly, I'm disgusted by these game companies, especially the marketing. They had to have known back in December that they wouldn't meet the Feburuary deadline but they didn't pull the rug until a couple weeks before. Hell, I'm still bitter over Half Life 2 which did the same thing. And then there's GTAIV for the PC. I bought that thing a couple days after release. Unplayable with mainstream drivers. Okay, well, I don't mean to rant, but I do think that the consumer gets jerked around a lot. Considering the money that goes into creating these games I just don't see any excuse for it.

Anyway, thanks for your help everyone. I'm asking for information that just isn't out there yet. I'll have to take a guess. It might not run on high settings, but that's not REALLY the point. You see, I have a desktop PC that I upgrade every 3-4 years. Right now it's got a 2.4Ghz c2d, 2 gb mem, and a 7900 GTO. I just have to make sure the laptop can keep up enough with the desktop so that wifey will go away and play on her laptop. If it performs much better on my desktop, then my PC time will be badly violated. Ah, the politics of marriage.

Thanks all.

 

[swanysto]

I think this thing should pretty much handle the game as you would like it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1218012519873

P8400
9800MS
4gb
64bit Vista

What more do you need?

 

[giuliano1987]

Excelente informacion, esperemos que el juego sea muy bueno, todo mundo esta esperando el lanzamiento de este juego...

 

[Billman]

swanysto,

Well, I need a few more things than that, not the least of which is a 17" screen.

That said, like angry hampster said above, you are suggesting the 9800MS, but he thought ANY core2duo would work. I'll ask you what I asked him... do you think the Radeon HD3650 would be a good substitute for the 9800?

Thanks

 

[Billman]

giuliano translated...

Excellent information, we hope that the game is very good, all world this waiting for the launching of this game?


er... thanks.

 

[McLovin]

Originally posted by: Billman
swanysto,

Well, I need a few more things than that, not the least of which is a 17" screen.

That said, like angry hampster said above, you are suggesting the 9800MS, but he thought ANY core2duo would work. I'll ask you what I asked him... do you think the Radeon HD3650 would be a good substitute for the 9800?

Thanks

No, the HD3650 would not be considered as a good replacement for 9800MS. You need to try and get the highest combination of Core 2 Duo CPU/Video Card you can afford. If it comes down to the choice of video card, and this is strictly my opinion, I'd get a little slower core 2 in order to get the 9800.