Advise on new video card please
Anach:
As another poster said, you are wasting your money if you get a whopping big video card if your CPU isn't up to the task, as it will bottleneck the performance of the GPU. Similar goes for not having enough RAM. Your current PSU should run at least 2 high end ATI cards without hassle, but SLI/Xfire wont help you in Sims 3 anyway as it's not supported.
As for what to get. I'd get an ATI 5850, as they are a good price and performance is great. I haven't bought an Nvidia for a few years, purely because I found ATI to be cheaper, quieter, produce less heat and crash less often. However, you really need a quad core at least just to make sure it isn't bottle-necked. For example, I found my 5870 was bottle-necked on my old Quad Core, and works much better with an i7 behind it. If you have a dual core system, then I wouldn't bother spending big on a video card unless you are intending to upgrade the CPU later. Anymore than a 3xxx series ATI and you are wasting money.
Also get your RAM upgraded if you haven't already. If your OS is 64bit, then get yourself a min of around 6-8gig, which will really help the Sims. If you are on 32bit, then max it out to 4gig RAM.
GnatGoSplat:
I used to have an old Nvidia 9800GT 512MB and it was great with TS3 at 1920x1200 resolution. I have since upgraded to a GTS 250 1GB, and don't notice any difference at all with TS3 over the old 9800GT. It did make a world of difference with GTA IV, so that tells me there's a point where TS3 just doesn't take advantage of increased GPU speed or video memory. The GT240 seems to be the modern replacement for the 9800GT and I've seen those around $20-50 (if you're in the US). I would say something like that should be more than adequate.
Narmy:
Quote from: Anach on 2010 December 01, 15:10:49
If you have a dual core system, then I wouldn't bother spending big on a video card unless you are intending to upgrade the CPU later. Anymore than a 3xxx series ATI and you are wasting money.
I dunno about the 3xxx series, they're not that great. They do make low-med end 4xxx and 5xxx cards, which probably perform better, cost less, and are easier to find.
Quote from: Anach on 2010 December 01, 15:10:49
Also get your RAM upgraded if you haven't already. If your OS is 64bit, then get yourself a min of around 6-8gig, which will really help the Sims. If you are on 32bit, then max it out to 4gig RAM.
The Sims 3 is a 32-bit program, so even with 8GB of RAM it can only address I think 2GB maximum, even if you have a 64-bit OS.
Jeebus:
Quote from: Narmy on 2010 December 01, 23:29:31
Quote from: Anach on 2010 December 01, 15:10:49
Also get your RAM upgraded if you haven't already. If your OS is 64bit, then get yourself a min of around 6-8gig, which will really help the Sims. If you are on 32bit, then max it out to 4gig RAM.
The Sims 3 is a 32-bit program, so even with 8GB of RAM it can only address I think 2GB maximum, even if you have a 64-bit OS.
With the LN patch, EA made the Sims 3 large address aware, so it can now access a full 4GB. Still 32-bit, obviously.
Madame Mim:
It's definately looking more like I should stay with my now single card (only one of them seems to have died). And go back to focusing my attention on a more general upgrade. I've only got a dual core.
Good to hear about the large address change.
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