What video card?

bertietheblue

Knub and AceRider

I downloaded the program from this site as suggested: http://majorgeeks.com/download181.html

(The program is PC Tools Registry Mechanic yeah?)

Anyway, of the 6 folders, below is the info from the System Information folder. Is this what you meant?

Bertie

PS: sorry if I'm on-off with responding but I'm busy working at same time. Thanks all!

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name JENNY
System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
System Model Dimension 2400
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~2790 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A05, 02/12/2003
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name JENNY\Owner
Time Zone GMT Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 118.82 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 1.22 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

AceRider

No that's some how the wrong program.. It should be called Aida32

This;
http://files6.majorgeeks.com/files/5eabe0860bc644bc655dcb4c69f5a3c2/systeminfo/aida32pe_393.zip
Is the direct download link (clicking will begin the download)

Once you have the program in the main window click on Motheboard, in the new window again click on Motherboard.
Then tell us what the 'Motherbaord ID' is and the 'Motherbaord Name'

We can then tell you if you have PCI, PCI-e or AGP graphic ports.

Psychofly

It's PCI. Look up the Dell Dimension model listed - there's no PCI-E mentioned. By the looks of the image results for it it can take a full size card.

bertietheblue

[Once you have the program in the main window click on Motheboard, in the new window again click on Motherboard.
Then tell us what the 'Motherbaord ID' is and the 'Motherbaord Name'

We can then tell you if you have PCI, PCI-e or AGP graphic ports.[/QUOTE]

Motherboard ID is DMI
Motherboard name is Dell Dimension 2400

Anything else?

Psychofly

Check this webpage. This is the Dell information page about your PC and motherboard capability. You'll see from this that it says PCI. This means that after upgrading your memory (which you said you're already doing), you'll need to upgrade to one of the newer PCI graphics cards that are around and you should be good to go. Some options can be found here. Admittedly there's not much choice their. More choice here on eBay. Really you're looking around £40 for a card that will suit, remember it won't be an amazing card but it will exceed the requirements for the Sims 3 if you go for and 8400, 9400 or 9500. Basically the more you spend the more performance you'll get from it.

Knub

bertietheblue wrote: »

[Once you have the program in the main window click on Motheboard, in the new window again click on Motherboard.
Then tell us what the 'Motherbaord ID' is and the 'Motherbaord Name'

We can then tell you if you have PCI, PCI-e or AGP graphic ports.

To be honest I searched your PC build model and also motherboard and I have seen a picture of it. Very basic by todays standards and I would expect it from a mass manufacturer like Dell.

This basically means that you only have the option of a PCI card (not PCI-E).

This interface is really old now especially in terms of graphics card technology. Most cards will have used AGP or PCI-E for at least 3-5 years at a guess.

The only half decent looking PCI card I can find from a quick search is this:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ZOT-52256P

It's name is this: Zotac GeForce 5200 256MB TV-Out/DVI PCI - Retail. It's around £40 which is all I would spend to see if this game works...if not your PC is so outdated just get a new one

Honestly don't know if it will do the job for Sims3...depends what sort of job. But it is a DAMN sight better than your current "INTEL ONBOARD" graphics card.

Edit:- Checked the requirements for SIMS3:

Graphics: GeForce FX 5900 / Radeon 9500
Graphics Ram: 128 MB

The above card is a 5200 with 256 MB on it. So it should pretty much do the job, the performance may be not 100% but a game like the SIMS isn't known for its greed for system resources.

The RAM Upgrade you have got should help things out a little too!

bertietheblue

Thanks Psychofly, you've been really helpful. So the answer to the £500+ question is that I don't need a new computer? That's great if it is becuase my Dell has been fantastic in the 4-5 years I've had it - not one blue screen of death!

AceRider

No you dont need a new comp, just a graphic and ram upgrade

You can get step by step instructions on how to upgrade these yourself, or if your not so confidident go to your local computer repair shop and they can quote how much it will be.

Please - PLEASE do not go to PC world, so many people have gone there for upgrades and been screwed over by them.

Psychofly

Knub wrote: »

The only half decent looking PCI card I can find from a quick search is this:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?ZOT-52256P

It's name is this: Zotac GeForce 5200 256MB TV-Out/DVI PCI - Retail. It's around £40 which is all I would spend to see if this game works...if not your PC is so outdated just get a new one

Graphics: GeForce FX 5900 / Radeon 9500
Graphics Ram: 128 MB

This doesn't meet the 5900 requirement and you could end up in the same situation you are now but £40 poorer. The 5200 was a much much lower spec card than the 5900 was. The Nvidia 8400 I'm pretty sure has Shader Model 4.0 and is pretty much the same price. The Nvidia 9400 is even newer. I would go for one of the 9x00 series if possible and make sure it definitely says PCI. If you're not sure before you click the buy button then post a link here and we'll have a look.

Knub

AceRider wrote: »

Please - PLEASE do not go to PC world, so many people have gone there for upgrades and been screwed over by them.

Fixed

Agree - seems that you don't need a whole PC upgrade for £500 when you can spend £40 on the graphics card I have posted and a small amount on the RAM upgrade you have already.

Installing RAM is the easiest hardware related task in PC Building/Fixing there is.

Installing GRAPHICS CARD is the second easiest hardware related task there is.Anyone who has opened the back of a computer up before, will know how to do it.

Hell, paying someone (NOT PC WORLD) ~£20-£30 to do it would be a damn sight cheaper than buying a new PC! ....If you aren't confident.

There are many guides on the net on how to install Graphics Cards, etc.

Psychofly wrote: »

This doesn't meet the 5900 requirement and you could end up in the same situation you are now but £40 poorer. The 5200 was a much much lower spec card than the 5900 was. The Nvidia 8400 I'm pretty sure has Shader Model 4.0 and is pretty much the same price. The Nvidia 9400 is even newer. I would go for one of the 9x00 series if possible and make sure it definitely says PCI. If you're not sure before you click the buy button then post a link here and we'll have a look.

Problem being both the cards you mentioned are PCI-E. (Unless there is another version I am missing, I doubt a manufacturer would have a PCI and a PCI-E card). To confirm, the OP ONLY HAS PCI SLOTS AVAILABLE.

The specs of the game were also "recommended" not the minimum in terms of model/graphics memory.