Okay I have a Compaq Presario SR1303WM-B I brought it in 2004. I love to play the Sims2 games so recently I added 1 gig of ram, this has really helped my game loads in a few seconds, but the video card is not up to it, should I buy a new video card(if so what kind) and power supply or should I just get a new computer? I have PCI and Agp slots, someone told me Compaq can't be upgrader I really don't know.
2007-08-15 14:35:35 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Wow everyone is so helpful, well my motication to get one is not only for the sims but for a better running computer for everything,but since I play the sims when I have the time I wanted to at least have good graphics, I hear about the x1300 radeon pro but on the sims website they said it wasnt too good
2007-08-15 15:17:26 · update #1
sorry about the spelling I was typing fast : )
2007-08-15 15:18:55 · update #2
Your compaq has an asus a7v8x-la which means that is has an available AGP8X slot so you can upgrade the video card fairly simply but your power supply may not be sufficient. From all that I can find it uses a standard ATX 12V power supply rated at 250W. Adding a higher end video card may require a "beefier" power supply. A reasonably priced 400-450W power supply should work for you. You configuration won't pull more than that.
2007-08-15 15:07:31 · answer #1 · answered by Fremen 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. You can upgrade your Compaq desktop computer's video card and you may not even need a new power supply. A 256MB Video Card will run the Sims pretty good and for just a little bit more money, a 512 MB Video card will run it great. Check the recommended power supply needs on the box. ATI are good video cards. You should be able to get a decent 512 MB card for around $150.
If playing the Sims is your only motivation for better computer, it is better to just buy the video card than a whole new pc.
2007-08-15 14:43:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won't need a new PC or an 8800GT card to play Sims 2. Really, you only need a Nvidia 6600GT with 128MbVRAM to run it and a 2Ghz CPU to play it fine at 1024 x 768. Anything above those specs is unnecessary because Sims2 is not a FPS graphics intensive game at all. I know because we have it installed and played on our Athlon. If you want the best AGP card, then an ATI Radeon x1950 Pro with 512Mb VRAM will give better performance but then at a much higher resolution. The cost of the ATI is around the $239 Aus. You won't need a new PC in fact that's only if you want an excuse to play newer games today.
2007-08-15 15:07:22 · answer #3 · answered by Ken 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IMHO the best thing would be to buy a new pc. anything out there now is better that the best of 2004.
Most retail PCs do not come with a graphics card and most are PCI Express nowdays. If you buy a new PC and want the best results in Sims 2 you will need a graphics card, go with a minimum of a Nvidia 8800GTs.
2007-08-15 14:47:03 · answer #4 · answered by val_tyr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From a guy who builds desktops for a residing, take it from me and purchase new. first of all, you may no longer basically purchase a sparkling processor and initiate rocking because of the fact your motherboard's chipset won't help them. i'm fairly specific you're working a Pentium 4 gadget and each and all the hot Intel structures run the middle 2 Duo processors. Secondly, in case you'll be doing graphical purposes, you may properly be finding right into a committed portraits card which might require a PCI convey x16 slot. probably, your older gadget nonetheless makes use of AGP ports. Thirdly, your older gadget is probable a close-by DDR2 533 on the RAM, if it incredibly is working DDR2, in any respect. greater moderen structures will grant a minimum of 667mhz or 800mhz. finally, the LAN on your motherboard is probable 10/100Mbps. in case you're working a stable extreme-velocity connection, you may see an incredible make the main of engaged on a Gigabit LAN chip. buying new, you may get a working laptop or laptop it is totally acceptable to your desires for around $500-six hundred with no visual demonstrate unit. With a visual demonstrate unit tack on yet another $a hundred and fifty. Upgrading, you're able to finding a used processor, RAM, and AGP portraits card for around $a hundred-a hundred and fifty entire and you may nonetheless be working a severely worse gadget.
2016-10-15 11:55:48 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say if everything else on your computer works then upgrade the graphics card. I upgraded my graphics card to a 256 MB AGP 8x and all graphical applications work much smoother now.
What kind of graphics card do you currently have? If you don't know, then download the program at the link I listed below: you don't need to install anything and it will give you all of the information you need to know about your computer.
2007-08-15 14:45:09 · answer #6 · answered by Onay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a tower and you can add an AGP 8x/4x (1.5V) video card or a standard PCI video card.
You may have a hard time finding one, but they are still available.
Here is the link for the spec on your motherboard.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00069442&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=447312&lang=en
Motherboard specifications table
Motherboard Part / Feature Specification / Support
Motherboard Description Mb manufacturer name:
ASUS A7V8X-LA
HP/Compaq name: Kelut-GL6E
CPU Socket A
AMD Athlon XP
Core frequency up to Athlon XP 3200+
Chipset VIA KM400A
VIA VT8237
Front Side Bus (FSB) 400 / 333 / 266 MHz
Memory 2 x 184-pin DDR DIMM sockets
Support up to maximum 2 GB memory (PC manufacturer's maximum memory may differ)
Supports unbuffered PC2700/2100 non-ECC DDR SDRAM memory
Expansion Slots Three PCI slots
One AGP 8x/4x (1.5V)
Storage Two UltraDMA 100 IDE connectors
Two Serial ATA connectors
Integrated Graphics VIA UniChrome graphics
Audio Realtek AL658 six-channel AUDIO CODEC
Digital audio via an S/PDIF out interface
LAN Southbridge integrated 10/100 Mbps
VT6103 LAN PHY
Hardware Monitoring Super I/O integrated monitoring of: CPU/chassis fan, MB/CPU temperature
Rear Panel I/O Ports One Parallel
One Serial
One PS/2 Keyboard
One PS/2 Mouse
One RJ45 port
One Audio I/O
One VGA
One IEEE 1394
Four USB 2.0/1.1 (Two connectors)
Internal I/O Two USB connectors support additional four USB 2.0 ports
One IEEE 1394 connector for an additional IEEE 1394 port
CPU/chassis fan connectors
20-pin ATX power connector
Front panel connector
CD/AUX connectors
Front panel audio connector
BIOS Features 4Mb Flash ROM
Award BIOS
Enhanced ACPI
DMI 2.0
Green features
PnP features
Industry Standard PCI 2.2
USB 2.0/1.1
Manageability WOL
WOR
Wake on PS/2 mouse
Support CD Contents Device drivers
ASUS PC Probe
ASUS Screensaver
Award BIOS Flash Utility
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Trend Micro PC-cillin 2002
Form Factor Micro-ATX form factor: 9.6 inches x 9.6 inches (24.38 cm x 24.38 cm)
NOTE: Motherboard specifications are subject to change without prior notice
Good Luck.
2007-08-15 14:56:49 · answer #7 · answered by Comp-Elect 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you might upgrade video card that should get you some more time with your best friend if you can would be cheaper... could go like best buy or somewheres like and ask about it they could tell you which one would work if any...... its geting old at 3yrs even if its still running great now.... its worth a shot a gig is great not sure about what kind there are afew great ones but fitment is a question
2007-08-15 14:51:56 · answer #8 · answered by infoman89032 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am not sure if you are able to upgrade your computer but if so then its usually cheaper... i always just add to my computer as needed to keep the same power it had when i first made it.. i get all my computer parts from one site, they are great and have everything.. good luck
http://www.computergiants.com/
2007-08-15 14:44:21 · answer #9 · answered by Pure Genius 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋