Need advice on new video card for this system

talamoth · 07-03-2009, 06:16 PM

Hi,
My daughter's computer needs a new video card to run the Sims 3. Her system passes on all the other specs. I am computer ignorant regarding hardware compatibility so need some help. I'll post the specs to her computer below. I'm hoping for some suggestions as to a "moderate" low budget video card that will go with this particular system. Not high end as we don't have a lot of money but want her to be at least able to play the game. The Sims 3 list of accepted video cards are below the system spec. THX in advance! Really appreciate it. Specs are:

Sony - model # is PCV-C12L
Mainboard : Asus PTGD2-VX
Chipset : Intel i915GL
Processor : Intel Pentium 4 530 @ 3000 MHz
Physical Memory : 1024 MB (2 x 512 DDR-SDRAM )
Video Card : Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Hard Disk : WDC (200 GB)
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 Service Pack 3
DirectX : Version 9.0c
Manufacturer : Sony Corporation
Mainboard : Asus PTGD2-VX
Bios : American Megatrends Inc.
Chipset : Intel i915GL
Physical Memory : 1024 MB DDR-SDRAM
Processor : Intel Pentium 4 530
Frequency : 3000 MHz - (current : 2992.71 MHz)

Processor Performance Information :
Throttle Mode AC : None
Throttle Mode DC : Adaptive
Current Configuration : None
Throttle : 2992 MHz

ACPI Information :
ID : ACPIAM OEMRSDT
Version : 1.00
Revision : 4.19
Power Profile : Desktop
IRQ ACPI INT : 9
APIC MP Support : Yes
ACPI Timer Support : Yes

SUPPORTED VIDEO CARDS
NVIDIA GeForce series
FX 5900, FX 5950
6200, 6500, 6600, 6800,
7200, 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950
8400, 8500, 8600, 8800
9600, 9800, GTX 260, GTX 280
ATI Radeon™ series
9500, 9600, 9800
X300, X600, X700, X800, X850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
2400, 2600, 2900
3450, 3650, 3850, 3870,
4850, 4870
Intel® Extreme Graphics
GMA X3x00 series

**manic** · 07-04-2009, 12:46 AM

The folks over at Toms hardware gave good advice. Power is the
key issue, it seems you do have a pci-e slot. You could take the
side cover off of the pc, look up top where the power supply is, read
what the label says, wattage and amps on the 12 volt line. You really
need 24 to 26amps on the 12volt rail to run a pci-e video card..
Check you power supply to see if its got a six pin pci-e connector,
that would be nice. If not you will have to use a adaptor, which I
really hate to do...Chances are the new video card will have to have
extra power. That is why you need the six pin connector, or a adapter.

07-03-2009, 06:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
talamoth Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Windows Visat	Need advice on new video card for this system Hi, My daughter's computer needs a new video card to run the Sims 3. Her system passes on all the other specs. I am computer ignorant regarding hardware compatibility so need some help. I'll post the specs to her computer below. I'm hoping for some suggestions as to a "moderate" low budget video card that will go with this particular system. Not high end as we don't have a lot of money but want her to be at least able to play the game. The Sims 3 list of accepted video cards are below the system spec. THX in advance! Really appreciate it. Specs are: Sony - model # is PCV-C12L Mainboard : Asus PTGD2-VX Chipset : Intel i915GL Processor : Intel Pentium 4 530 @ 3000 MHz Physical Memory : 1024 MB (2 x 512 DDR-SDRAM ) Video Card : Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family Hard Disk : WDC (200 GB) Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 Service Pack 3 DirectX : Version 9.0c Manufacturer : Sony Corporation Mainboard : Asus PTGD2-VX Bios : American Megatrends Inc. Chipset : Intel i915GL Physical Memory : 1024 MB DDR-SDRAM Processor : Intel Pentium 4 530 Frequency : 3000 MHz - (current : 2992.71 MHz) Processor Performance Information : Throttle Mode AC : None Throttle Mode DC : Adaptive Current Configuration : None Throttle : 2992 MHz ACPI Information : ID : ACPIAM OEMRSDT Version : 1.00 Revision : 4.19 Power Profile : Desktop IRQ ACPI INT : 9 APIC MP Support : Yes ACPI Timer Support : Yes SUPPORTED VIDEO CARDS NVIDIA GeForce series FX 5900, FX 5950 6200, 6500, 6600, 6800, 7200, 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950 8400, 8500, 8600, 8800 9600, 9800, GTX 260, GTX 280 ATI Radeon™ series 9500, 9600, 9800 X300, X600, X700, X800, X850 X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950 2400, 2600, 2900 3450, 3650, 3850, 3870, 4850, 4870 Intel® Extreme Graphics GMA X3x00 series

07-04-2009, 12:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,195 OS: xp	Re: Need advice on new video card for this system The folks over at Toms hardware gave good advice. Power is the key issue, it seems you do have a pci-e slot. You could take the side cover off of the pc, look up top where the power supply is, read what the label says, wattage and amps on the 12 volt line. You really need 24 to 26amps on the 12volt rail to run a pci-e video card.. Check you power supply to see if its got a six pin pci-e connector, that would be nice. If not you will have to use a adaptor, which I really hate to do...Chances are the new video card will have to have extra power. That is why you need the six pin connector, or a adapter. __________________ Last edited by manic; 07-04-2009 at 12:47 AM.