So, with the impending release of The Sims 3, I’ve been carefully scrutinizing the hardware in my computer, and have come to realize that while it was sufficient a year and a half ago when I bought it (read: “good enough”), I am quickly outgrowing the system.
Which leaves me in a slightly uncomfortable position, having bought a pre-built Dell computer. They don’t exactly make changing hardware the easiest thing sometimes. However, it’s not under warranty or anything like that, so I’m just going to trust my previous hands on experience and have at it. Worst case scenario, my computer blows up. (…. wait, that would suck. umm…)
Anyway, I’ve already added more memory, an extra hard drive and added a FireWire port, which was easy.
Now I’m looking to replace the processor (mine doesn’t even meet the system requirements), which makes me nervous. Lots of little pins and stuff… if I have to replace the motherboard I might as well just build a new computer (which, I can’t, as much as I would love to). I’m looking to get the Intel E8400 (3.0 ghz dual core that runs circles around my current 1.7 dual core). It’s”cheap” but still good.
While I was looking at that, my buddy Shawn pointed out that my video card sucks. This is lower on my priority list (despite his protests) because while yes, it’s not the greatest video card on earth, it *is* on the list of supported video cards for Sims 3, while my processor is lacking in ghz. I do, however, want a new one because mine wasn’t that good when I bought it, so now it’s really subpar. I haven’t started looking too much at those yet; any suggestions? (nothing too fancy though; I do, after all, work a mediocre job :p)
These upgrades will also make the video-editing process not suck so much, and I may actually make more frequent use of my video camera
So now, mostly I’m crossing my fingers that the IRS is good to me and brings me a decent refund when I file my taxes. W-2’s take too long. /waits impatiently.
i just have to stress that you make sure that everything you have in there now can be put onto a new motherboard, and also that the case will indeed fit the motherboard. a lot of stuff in a dell isn’t meant to be in another system. also make sure you actually have drivers for everything set up. I say this only because of the way dell has it sometimes you can’t get the drivers separately except in a whole.
good luck!
Yea, there’s that too. Luckily, I’ve systematically replaced some of the stuff in there anyway, so it’s all pretty openly compatible. I would need to get a new case though, since the one I’ve got is theirs and put together really weird. But everything I buy is pretty standard and can be put into most other motherboards.
I’m going to buy a new computer when I get my taxes back. I’ve been using this one for seven years now. The Sims 2 doesn’t even work on it let alone Sims 3. I hope the new Sims game does work on the new computer I buy because I really want to get it.
I want Sims 3! But my laptop doesn’t meet its requirements either. I will probably get a new computer or use my husband’s one to play the game.
sounds complicated… i hope it all works well!
*sticks to his iMac*
For $500.00 you can build a new system that will play the sims III, and do reasonable video editing. Have you considered going AMD? It may have a better price/performance ratio.