Please, please, please tell me

[Abby]

I've ordered Sims2 and its in the post as we speak and i'm all excited , I'm also getting a new computer and was wondering if anyone could tell me whether these specs will be compatible with sims 2

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor (2.8GHz, 1MB cache, 533MHz FSB)

512MB Dual Channel DDR333 (2x256MB) memory

80GB IDE (7,200rpm) Hard Drive

Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2

I really don't understand all the talk with video cards etc and it has me all confused

I understand that there have been hundreds of messages asking similiar questions but i would really, really appreciate any help!!!

[ManagerJosh]

Video card is capable of playing The Sims 2 though would be nicer to play with a more powerful video card.

I'd also suggest using DDR400 memory instead of DDR333

[astaregod]

you have the integrated intel extreme graphics chipset which I believe is non-T&L but you also have the 2.8GHz processor which will take care of T&L. your computer is above the minimum requirements to run the game, so yes, it will be compatible.

however, if you are not satisfied with the graphics performance of the sims 2, check to see if you have an available AGP slot on your motherboard. if you do, you can buy a separate graphics card with dedicated memory and that will definitely improve graphics performance, but again, it depends on how your computer handles it and how you rate the importance on graphics performance

edit: managerjosh, i think DDR400 memory will only work with motherboards that have a FSB speed of 800MHz or higher. the one she has is 533MHz and the fastest memory that will support is DDR333. correct me if i'm wrong

also, abby: if you're getting the special DVD edition, make sure you have a dvd-rom or dvd+/-RW drive (can also be a dvd-rom/cd-rw or dvd+/-rw/cd-rw combo drive). if you ordered the CD version, you don't have to worry about this

[Abby]

Thanking you both ever so much your help is much appreciated.
Just one more thing, if i was to get a better video card like a: 128MB GeForce FX5200 8x AGP card with dual monitor support, which is t&L (not sure???don't even know what this is ) does that mean i will have to have 800MHz??? does that make any sense because I haven't a clue am sooooooooooooooo confused

once again THANK U

[astaregod]

T&L is transform & lighting, and if it's on the card's GPU (graphics processing unit) your CPU (central processing unit) won't have to worry about handling it (which is why you can get a slower processor if you have T&L). T&L doesn't have anything to do with front-side bus speed, which is different than processor speed. FSB speed just determines how fast data is sent between components of your computer.

the GeForce FX 5200 is T&L capable (I have the 256MB version) but you don't have to have 800MHz whether it's FSB speed or processor speed

[Abby]

Thanks that actually made some sense to me!! think will get the 128MB GeForce FX5200 video card and now all I have to do is wait for the friggin game!!

Fingers crossed this cold of mine gets worse so that when the game arrives I'll have to take a few days off work

[astaregod]

hey, before you buy it, make sure you have an available AGP slot. if you can give me the brand and model number of your motherboard i can probably find out if it supports the card you are about to purchase (although with the specs you gave, it looks like it's most likely). also if you have little experience installing cards in a computer it'll be best if you take it to a computer professional or a trusted friend to install the card for you. other than that, it's a simple push into the slot...

hope it works out for you!

[Abby]

Thanks for the offer , but i'm buyin the PC from Dell and the video card is an optional upgrade so they'll put it all in for me, I would never attempt to put anything like that into the computer what with my reputation for crashing computers and besides I can only just about connect my Minidisc - and this comming from a gal who did an IT course

[astaregod]

heheh... well dell should know if it'll work if it has an option for the video card upgrade. cool