Video Card for my sister

[LoungeAct404]

My sister needs a new video card - right now she's using the onboard graphics that come with the Biostar 6100 motherboard.

She only wants to play Sims 2, but here's the thing - she's downloaded all kinds of models and stuff for the game and has it running at highest settings (not highest resolution but highest settings) and she's currently having to deal with really crappy FPS because of this. She refuses to turn down the graphical detail though, and would rather spend her 70$ on a video card.

So that's the situation. ~70-80$ to spend on a graphics card (this includes shipping), and it needs to be PCI-E. Can anyone help me out here?

Edit: I think I remember seeing a pretty good deal on the GeForce 7300 - anyone have any idea on whether or not the card's suitable for the job?

 

[coldpower27]

I would suggest just a tad more, if you wanna get something decent for the Sims 2, try something like a 7600 GS, I know it's a little out of your price range, but it would offer quite a comfortable experience with Sims 2.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102651 should work fine. I did find this online about Sims 2 http://sims2.servopro.com/sysreq.phtml

 

[LoungeAct404]

The system req pages are usually pretty bullshit tbh

 

[eggothewaffle]

http://dealnews.com/categories/Computer...Cards/PCI-Express-Video-Cards/398.html

This might be applicable.

 

[Modular]

Get a used 6600gt off ebay

 

[GeeFizzleDizzle]

If she's going to play with the expansion packs installed she's going to need more video power than a $70-$80 card can provide.

With the 7600GT in my sig I get stutters and slowdowns when I go to downtown areas.

 

[Noema]

Sims 2 seems to be as CPU and RAM limited as it is GPU limited.

I played with a 9600le for over a year with it. I barely saw improvements in FPS after upgrading to a 7800gs. This was at 1280x1024, max settings.

The 7300 can probably handle the game well, but if you can get a good deal on a 7600, I'd go for it just to be sure.

 

[luigionlsd]

You could probably get a used 6600 GT, especially PCIe on ebay for around $90-100... considering AGP versions go for about that price, and PCIe is far less in demand than AGP. It may almost be worth it to get one step above so you have to upgrade later, than sooner.

Edit: did some looking in the FS/FT forum and found a 6600 vanilla for $55 shipped. Depending on just how much you want to spend/save, you may want to consider it for how cheap it is. Alternately, I've seen 6600 GTs around $90. http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=45&threadid=1874521&enterthread=y

 

[LoungeAct404]

Thanks guys I really appreciate all the advice.

Anyone have any personal experience with how well Sims 2 operates on a 7300 GS or a 6600 GT (or Vanilla)?

 

[luigionlsd]

A friend of mine's got an AGP 6600 GT, and oddly enough, HIS sister plays The Sims 2 too I'll ask him later what it's like when he gets on AIM.

 

[BassBomb]

6600GT is better than a 7300 for the sims, it works pretty well on 1024x768 with AA

 

[Skott]

You dont need alot of video card horsepower. My daughter uses an old 4600Ti card to play Sims 2 at medium settings. The cheapest PCIe card should do the trick I think. Her system is:

P4 2.2GHz
512Mb RAM
GeForce 4600Ti Video Card

 

[coldpower27]

Originally posted by: Skott
You dont need alot of video card horsepower. My daughter uses an old 4600Ti card to play Sims 2 at medium settings. The cheapest PCIe card should do the trick I think. Her system is:

P4 2.2GHz
512Mb RAM
GeForce 4600Ti Video Card

The problem with that is the texturing power on that card is about the level of the Geforce 6600 Vanilla, if I am not mistaken..

Acutally though, for Sims 2 CPU power and RAM are equallty important factors to consider as well.

 

[cmrmrc]

whats your sister's computer...maybe we could figure a way on upgrading several parts and not just the video card to get improved performance...but of course, in a reasonable bugdet..

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: cmrmrc
whats your sister's computer...maybe we could figure a way on upgrading several parts and not just the video card to get improved performance...but of course, in a reasonable bugdet..

$80 to upgrade a computer? haha.

Look into a used 6600gt. That's probably your best bet for now, unless you could manage a 7600gs or similar?

The 6600gt is worth the price over the 6600 vanilla, trust me.

 

[potato28]

6600 or 6600gt used. Look on eBay or look on the FS/FT area for some really good deals. EDIT: It was on the first page:Text.

 

[luigionlsd]

Originally posted by: hans030390

Look into a used 6600gt. That's probably your best bet for now, unless you could manage a 7600gs or similar?

The 6600gt is worth the price over the 6600 vanilla, trust me.

He speaks the truth.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

what resolution does she play at ?
anyway a 7300gt is faster than a 6600gt so get that if you want to buy retail otherwise try to grab a x800gt/gto for cheap on ebay or FS/T

 

[skooma]

The people saying Sims2 is just as cpu dependant are dead on. My son used to play it with the nightlife expansion with an x300se and an x2 3800 at med/high settings.

 

[tvdang7]

use interegrated. my sister is using that for her sims 2. just gave it to her and my girl friend likelast month. both same computers with intergrated. dell 2400.

 

[tuteja1986]

A 9600XT can play Sim 2 comfortably

 

[996GT2]

Maybe a CPU upgrade (or some OCing if her board can do that)...is in order then...

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Both these cards are $100 and cost 25% more than what you are looking at - maybe someone will give a definitive answer to what's a better deal.

MSI Radeon X1600 Pro 256MB

AOpen Geforce 6600GT 128MB

I recall a thread saying a 6600GT is significantly better than a X1600 Pro. Do I recall correct or am I getting mixed up with something else?