The Sims 3 Minimum Requirements/Is this computer good enough to run The Sims 3? - Page 129

mel_02_05 · 05-07-2009, 01:43 AM

hi guys

I know a lot of people have already asked similar questions but I'm so confused... I'm a bit rubbish with all this spec stuff

I'm buying a new laptop for Uni in Sept and primarily it needs to be pretty light with a decent battery life... but I'd love to play the sims 3 on it too!

My absolute maximum budget is around £600

I know I'm pushing my luck a bit but if anyone could suggest anything suitable that'd be amazing

Rohannnn · 05-07-2009, 11:23 AM

It's difficult to get a thin and light laptop with a good enough graphics card to run the game on higher settings.

Not considering size, probably the best deal in your budget is Acer Aspire 6930 at argos, which should run the game on high settings no problem. Because it's an "entertainment laptop" though, it has a 16-inch screen and weighs 3.4kg, which is about 1kg more than an average 15.4-inch screen laptop.

If that's too big/heavy, you could get something like the Dell Studio 15, the £499 model with HD4570 video card. But it won't run the game as well, probably medium settings.

I didn't consider battery life because all manufacturers tend to say 2.5 to 3 hours unless you buy a business laptop specifically designed to last longer. Those times are realistic for most laptops if you keep the screen brightness turned down, the wireless internet completely off and do basic things like word processing. Internet browsing with WiFi on might cut the time by about 30%.

mel_02_05 · 05-07-2009, 01:14 PM

Thanks so much for the quick reply...

Any chance the Sims 3 would work on this?

SPECIFICATIONS: 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB Asus-JM S41 SSD, Intel GMA 945 graphics, 802.11bg + draft-n WLAN, Bluetooth, 10/100 Ethernet, 10in 1,024 x 600 TFT, 0.3mp webcam, 4-in-1 card reader, 3 x USB, VGA, Windows XP Home, 262 x 182 x 26mm, 1.1kg, 2yr C&R warranty

I know it probably won't but its worth a try I guess!

I don't mind playing the game on low settings, I'm not looking for it to look brilliant, just playable!

EAUK_Aurora · 05-07-2009, 01:32 PM

I'm afraid not. The processor will not be up to the job and other aspects would only play at very low settings probably too.

jakey252 · 07-07-2009, 06:45 PM

Is this graphics card good enough to run it?

Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100

jakey252 · 07-07-2009, 07:18 PM

forget that graphics card... would this run it

AMD Athlon 64 LE-1660 - Socket AM2 Processor (2.8GHz, 512KB Cache)
Midi-Tower ATX Chassis + 300W PSU + CardReader- Silver
ASUS M2N68-AM SE Mainboard, AM2+ with integrated Graphics - MATX
4GB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM - (2x 2GB)
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive with 16MB Buffer
Samsung 22x Dual Layer DVD Writer Super Format +R/-R/RW/RAM
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7050i GPU - Integrated Graphics (SMA)
5.1 High Definition onboard sound card - 6 Channel Cinema sound
52-in-1 Multi-format Memory Card Reader (ATX)

It's a desktop...

Rohannnn · 07-07-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakey252

forget that graphics card... would this run it

AMD Athlon 64 LE-1660 - Socket AM2 Processor (2.8GHz, 512KB Cache)
Midi-Tower ATX Chassis + 300W PSU + CardReader- Silver
ASUS M2N68-AM SE Mainboard, AM2+ with integrated Graphics - MATX
4GB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM - (2x 2GB)
500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive with 16MB Buffer
Samsung 22x Dual Layer DVD Writer Super Format +R/-R/RW/RAM
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7050i GPU - Integrated Graphics (SMA)
5.1 High Definition onboard sound card - 6 Channel Cinema sound
52-in-1 Multi-format Memory Card Reader (ATX)

It's a desktop...

Yes it will, lowest settings only though as that's the slowest nVidia card you can get.

If you want medium to high settings you need at least geforce 7600 or higher, 8500 or higher, 9400 or higher, GT100 or higher. Or ATI HD3650 or 4550, or 4650 or higher.

If all of those are out of your budget I would still try and get something like geforce 8400 or 9300, so you don't have to run it with everything on lowest.

Moleverine · 08-07-2009, 01:52 AM

I am SO confused! Aparently i failed the can you run it test because of my cpu speed (2.16 pentium dual core T3400) but my friend with only a 1.6ghz is able to run the sims 3 fine. I want to buy the sims 3 but i dont want to spend $100 if its not going to work.
Are the specs put out by EA even accurate because drom what ive read alot of people are running TS3 without even meeting the minimum specs and failing the 'can you run it' test.

Heres the info about my laptop:

Toshiba Satellite L310 Notebook
250gb Hard drive
3gb RAM
Intel Pentium Dual Core CPU @ 2.16ghz
32-bit opperating system

Can anyone please help?

EAUK_Aurora · 08-07-2009, 08:19 AM

All that you posted there looks good

What graphics card does your laptop have?

Moleverine · 08-07-2009, 08:44 AM

Its a Mobile Intel(R) series 4 Express chipset family aparently! Or so windows vista tells me. . . i have no idea what that means!

Rohannnn · 08-07-2009, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moleverine

Its a Mobile Intel(R) series 4 Express chipset family aparently! Or so windows vista tells me. . . i have no idea what that means!

That's fine, the game should work

Moleverine · 08-07-2009, 01:39 PM

Awesome Thank you so much

NicolaJane · 08-07-2009, 03:26 PM

I'm thinking of buying a new laptop for my birthday, preferably a dell model. Would a 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 graphics card do the job better than my current mobile intel 965 chipset family 358mb?

Rohannnn · 08-07-2009, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicolaJane

I'm thinking of buying a new laptop for my birthday, preferably a dell model. Would a 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 graphics card do the job better than my current mobile intel 965 chipset family 358mb?

Yeah it should do, you can probably use at least medium settings with the 4570.

TopazAmby · 08-07-2009, 07:17 PM

I have a I have a NVIDIA Geforce FX 5500 graphics card .. is it good or not

and is there any recent drivers for it. because I cant find any

x

Simslover08 · 08-07-2009, 07:19 PM

Will this computer run it? Will I be able to run on Medium Settings

Dell Inspiron 1545
Intel Dual Core @ 2GHZ
3GB RAM
160G Harddrive
ATI Radeon 4330HD

Can I run it?

Rohannnn · 08-07-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopazAmby

I have a I have a NVIDIA Geforce FX 5500 graphics card .. is it good or not

and is there any recent drivers for it. because I cant find any

x

It's old so slow by modern standards. It will probably still run the game though.
I think nVidia stopped updating the drivers for FX-series a while ago, so if you can't find any drivers on their site, there probably are no newer ones available.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simslover08

Will this computer run it? Will I be able to run on Medium Settings

Dell Inspiron 1545
Intel Dual Core @ 2GHZ
3GB RAM
160G Harddrive
ATI Radeon 4330HD

Can I run it?

I think you'd have to use low settings to get it to run smoothly, 4330 isn't a fast card.

Simslover08 · 09-07-2009, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rohannnn

It's old so slow by modern standards. It will probably still run the game though.
I think nVidia stopped updating the drivers for FX-series a while ago, so if you can't find any drivers on their site, there probably are no newer ones available.

I think you'd have to use low settings to get it to run smoothly, 4330 isn't a fast card.

Isn't it faster than the Intel GMA 4500? If those should run just fine, shouldn't mine?

Rohannnn · 09-07-2009, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simslover08

Isn't it faster than the Intel GMA 4500? If those should run just fine, shouldn't mine?

There isn't very much info available as it's a new card. It should definitely be a little bit faster than the GMA4500, but that's not really saying much, as the GMA4500 has to use lowest settings to run the game smoothly.

If the 4330 is about the same speed as ATI's older HD3450 card (seems likely from what I read), then according to this guide it will work fine on low settings, but probably struggle on anything higher. That site's recommended settings wouldn't run smoothly, for example. You probably wouldn't have to put everything on absolute lowest, but I think most settings would have to be kept fairly low.

TopazAmby · 09-07-2009, 09:35 AM

would a:
GenuineIntel(R) CPU
MobileIntel(R) 4 seris Express chipset family

run it well or at all x)
im not sure which one is the graphics..

Rohannnn · 09-07-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopazAmby

would a:
GenuineIntel(R) CPU
MobileIntel(R) 4 seris Express chipset family

run it well or at all x)
im not sure which one is the graphics..

4-series is the same as GMA4500, which will run the game OK but on lowest settings only

TopazAmby · 09-07-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rohannnn

4-series is the same as GMA4500, which will run the game OK but on lowest settings only

oww thanks

x

Which one is better
MobileIntel(R) 4 seris Express chipset family
or
GeForce FX 5500

Rohannnn · 09-07-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopazAmby

oww thanks

x

Which one is better
MobileIntel(R) 4 seris Express chipset family
or
GeForce FX 5500

It's very difficult to get good comparisons between old cards (the FX5500 is about 5 years old, at least) and new cards. I did a lot of searching and I think the Intel 4-series is slightly faster. In TS3, both will have to use low settings though, they're both really slow by today's standards.

TopazAmby · 09-07-2009, 12:06 PM

Thankyou very much fr your help

Do you need the disk to play all the time or can you just download the files from the disk ?

Rohannnn · 09-07-2009, 12:24 PM

The game checks for the disc every time you load it up.
There are ways around it, but we're not allowed to discuss them on this forum.

05-07-2009, 01:32 PM	#3204 (permalink)
EAUK_Aurora Community Representative Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Gender: Female Posts: 55,693 Blog Entries: 259	I'm afraid not. The processor will not be up to the job and other aspects would only play at very low settings probably too. __________________ Aurora Community Representative Electronic Arts View past Signature Showcase entries Currently playing The Sims 3 and Brutal Legend Looking forward to The Sims 3 World Adventures

08-07-2009, 01:52 AM	#3208 (permalink)
Moleverine Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Help! I am SO confused! Aparently i failed the can you run it test because of my cpu speed (2.16 pentium dual core T3400) but my friend with only a 1.6ghz is able to run the sims 3 fine. I want to buy the sims 3 but i dont want to spend $100 if its not going to work. Are the specs put out by EA even accurate because drom what ive read alot of people are running TS3 without even meeting the minimum specs and failing the 'can you run it' test. Heres the info about my laptop: Toshiba Satellite L310 Notebook 250gb Hard drive 3gb RAM Intel Pentium Dual Core CPU @ 2.16ghz 32-bit opperating system Can anyone please help?

08-07-2009, 08:19 AM	#3209 (permalink)
EAUK_Aurora Community Representative Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Gender: Female Posts: 55,693 Blog Entries: 259	All that you posted there looks good What graphics card does your laptop have? __________________ Aurora Community Representative Electronic Arts View past Signature Showcase entries Currently playing The Sims 3 and Brutal Legend Looking forward to The Sims 3 World Adventures

08-07-2009, 03:26 PM	#3213 (permalink)
NicolaJane Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: England, UK Age: 20 Gender: Female Posts: 587	I'm thinking of buying a new laptop for my birthday, preferably a dell model. Would a 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 graphics card do the job better than my current mobile intel 965 chipset family 358mb? __________________

08-07-2009, 07:17 PM	#3215 (permalink)
TopazAmby Forum Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Glued to my Laptop...<3 Age: 14 Gender: Female Posts: 1,417	I have a I have a NVIDIA Geforce FX 5500 graphics card .. is it good or not and is there any recent drivers for it. because I cant find any x __________________

05-07-2009, 01:43 AM	#3201 (permalink)
mel_02_05 Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	hi guys I know a lot of people have already asked similar questions but I'm so confused... I'm a bit rubbish with all this spec stuff I'm buying a new laptop for Uni in Sept and primarily it needs to be pretty light with a decent battery life... but I'd love to play the sims 3 on it too! My absolute maximum budget is around £600 I know I'm pushing my luck a bit but if anyone could suggest anything suitable that'd be amazing

05-07-2009, 11:23 AM	#3202 (permalink)
Rohannnn Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Surrey UK Posts: 4,021	It's difficult to get a thin and light laptop with a good enough graphics card to run the game on higher settings. Not considering size, probably the best deal in your budget is Acer Aspire 6930 at argos, which should run the game on high settings no problem. Because it's an "entertainment laptop" though, it has a 16-inch screen and weighs 3.4kg, which is about 1kg more than an average 15.4-inch screen laptop. If that's too big/heavy, you could get something like the Dell Studio 15, the £499 model with HD4570 video card. But it won't run the game as well, probably medium settings. I didn't consider battery life because all manufacturers tend to say 2.5 to 3 hours unless you buy a business laptop specifically designed to last longer. Those times are realistic for most laptops if you keep the screen brightness turned down, the wireless internet completely off and do basic things like word processing. Internet browsing with WiFi on might cut the time by about 30%.

05-07-2009, 01:14 PM	#3203 (permalink)
mel_02_05 Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	Thanks so much for the quick reply... Any chance the Sims 3 would work on this? SPECIFICATIONS: 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB Asus-JM S41 SSD, Intel GMA 945 graphics, 802.11bg + draft-n WLAN, Bluetooth, 10/100 Ethernet, 10in 1,024 x 600 TFT, 0.3mp webcam, 4-in-1 card reader, 3 x USB, VGA, Windows XP Home, 262 x 182 x 26mm, 1.1kg, 2yr C&R warranty I know it probably won't but its worth a try I guess! I don't mind playing the game on low settings, I'm not looking for it to look brilliant, just playable!

07-07-2009, 06:45 PM	#3205 (permalink)
jakey252 Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 12	Is this graphics card good enough to run it? Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100

07-07-2009, 07:18 PM	#3206 (permalink)
jakey252 Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 12	forget that graphics card... would this run it AMD Athlon 64 LE-1660 - Socket AM2 Processor (2.8GHz, 512KB Cache) Midi-Tower ATX Chassis + 300W PSU + CardReader- Silver ASUS M2N68-AM SE Mainboard, AM2+ with integrated Graphics - MATX 4GB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM - (2x 2GB) 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive with 16MB Buffer Samsung 22x Dual Layer DVD Writer Super Format +R/-R/RW/RAM 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7050i GPU - Integrated Graphics (SMA) 5.1 High Definition onboard sound card - 6 Channel Cinema sound 52-in-1 Multi-format Memory Card Reader (ATX) It's a desktop...

08-07-2009, 08:44 AM	#3210 (permalink)
Moleverine Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Its a Mobile Intel(R) series 4 Express chipset family aparently! Or so windows vista tells me. . . i have no idea what that means!

08-07-2009, 01:39 PM	#3212 (permalink)
Moleverine Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Awesome Thank you so much

08-07-2009, 07:19 PM	#3216 (permalink)
Simslover08 Rookie Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Will this computer run it? Will I be able to run on Medium Settings Dell Inspiron 1545 Intel Dual Core @ 2GHZ 3GB RAM 160G Harddrive ATI Radeon 4330HD Can I run it?

09-07-2009, 09:35 AM	#3220 (permalink)
TopazAmby Forum Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Glued to my Laptop...<3 Age: 14 Gender: Female Posts: 1,417	would a: GenuineIntel(R) CPU MobileIntel(R) 4 seris Express chipset family run it well or at all x) im not sure which one is the graphics.. __________________ Last edited by TopazAmby; 09-07-2009 at 09:51 AM..

09-07-2009, 12:06 PM	#3224 (permalink)
TopazAmby Forum Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Glued to my Laptop...<3 Age: 14 Gender: Female Posts: 1,417	Thankyou very much fr your help Do you need the disk to play all the time or can you just download the files from the disk ? __________________ Last edited by TopazAmby; 09-07-2009 at 12:10 PM..

09-07-2009, 12:24 PM	#3225 (permalink)
Rohannnn Forum Junkie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Surrey UK Posts: 4,021	The game checks for the disc every time you load it up. There are ways around it, but we're not allowed to discuss them on this forum.