How much would a new graphics card cost?
Are they easy to add to the computer or is it complicated?
Answers:
For it to run well I would suggest something near this:
2.0 GHz processor
512 MB- 1 GB RAM
You can get a nice graphics card for about $100.00- 300.00.
Here are four steps in installing:
1) Before you install your new card, you'll need to uninstall your current graphics card's drivers to avoid any potential conflicts. Right-click My Computer and select Properties. Under the Hardware tab, find the button to open the Device Manager. Your graphics card should be listed under the Display Adapter heading. Double-click the name of your graphics card to open a properties window for your current card. Under the Driver tab, click the Uninstall button.
2) Turn off your PC and unplug it from the wall. Open the case and locate the AGP slot--it's the brown-plastic slot typically found above the white-plastic PCI slots. Make sure you first ground yourself by first touching a metal part of your PC case or by wearing an antistatic wrist strap. (Grounding yourself will prevent you from getting shocked and from unintentionally damaging your PC's components.) If you are replacing a graphics card, you'll need to remove a small screw attached to the back plate prior to taking out the card.
3) It wouldn't hurt to page through your new card's instruction manual at this point. Then, take your new graphics card out of its foil wrapper and slide it into your motherboard's AGP slot. Press down firmly with even force until it is securely in place (your system won't boot up unless the card is in all the way). Screw it into the back plate and close up your case.
4) Turn on your PC. Windows XP should automatically recognize the new hardware and walk you through the installation wizard. If Windows doesn't detect the card, click Settings from the Start menu. Open the Control Panel and click Add Hardware. From there, a wizard will help you install the new drivers from the CD that came bundled with your new card. It's a good idea to check the graphic card vendor's Web site for more up-to-date drivers, just in case the vendor has released drivers since manufacturing your card. Once you've downloaded the drivers, simply restart your PC.
Good luck and have fun play TS2!
you must find out what slot your pc has.
Find model number on front of pc. . IE Dell Dimension 4000
then google that with the word Specifications after it
find the page or go to the website of who makes the computer to find the specs if google didnt find it
Determine if it has PCI-E or AGP as the slot in your computer
(you can also see which it has if BROWN slot then AGP
IF WHITE or BLACK slot then PCI-E)<< I am talking about the slot closest to the top of the pc. the ones below that one are PCI only not video PCI-E style. dont get confused with that color slot
go to a retail store and get one (expensive)
get one from newegg.com (cheaper)
Graphics cards are easy to install and set up. Once you fit the card you need to install the driver which will come on a CD that comes with the card.
However you have to get one that is comptable with your mother board. There are several types of connectors.
AGP is the most common.
Get one with its own ONBoard RAM.
They cost anywhere from $80.00 to $2000.00.
The high end ones have 1gm ram on board and use two slots and are for photo editing and high end games.
Yeah they are easy to install and no it wont cost you too much if you just want to play the Sims. Get one with around 256 dedicated video RAM (about 100 bucks) and plug it in. No problem to install, just make sure you go online for the newest drivers. Dont waste money on a lower end one that wont give you what you are seeking.
Easy if you look at a motherboard layout. It depends if your computer supports AGP or PCI-E. Most likely it'd be AGP if it can't run Sims 2.
Sims 2 is easy to run with outdated cards, it just seems like your computer has a very poor video card.
Get a ATI 9550 Radeon, runs nicely for only 50$. You can probably run the halflife engine( counterstrike and stuff) nicely with it too. Bump it up with another 50 for a 100$ video card and it'd be a waste with that computer.
well buy this one:
Qleadtek PX7200 GS 128MB
PCI-E or AGP it depends on your mainboard.
it costs 40$
A few months ago, I bought a EVGA GeForce FX 5500 graphics card. It was $60, and $40 after the rebate. I was building my XPMCE computer (Just for watching/recording tv, etc.) It can handle some intense stuff, like Counter Strike: Source well. I did notice a little bit of a speed boost when I installed the graphics card. Installation directions are provided with the graphics card, so you'll have no trouble putting it in. Just be careful, take your time, remove the power cord from your computer, and it should take about 15 minutes. I've worked with the internals of computers for years, I'm fairly experienced, and I can tell you that installing a graphics card is a very simple task, compared to say installing a new motherboard. I don't know much about The Sims 2, but I don't think it's that graphics-intense. Overall, getting a graphics card is good for performance, as well as graphics, because it takes a little bit off the RAM (if you are using internal motherboard graphics). I know you say you have enough RAM, but buying more RAM may be more efficient in your case, if your internal graphics can support The Sims 2.
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