Need help on deciding graphics card.

[MioS.]

I know this isn't really a big problem for certain people but for me it's a big problem that I'm dealing with and I can't quite figure out what to do or choose. Okay so I have a Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit with a ATI Radeon 3000 Graphics card, 2 GB ram, and a AMD Athlon(tm) II 170u Processor, ~2.0GHz. The thing is I want a new Graphic card that is compatible with all Sims 2 expansion packs. I have been researching but I'm not such a tech person.....I'm also looking for a new ram for my computer. I need a good start off i don't want my computer to die of my obsession of playing the sims 2. My parents are at least are willing to pay 500 dollars or maybe more maximum money is 600. She is more willing at the price of 400-500. I need at least a decent graphics card that is campatible with seasons, free time, night life, OFB, and obviously the base game. :/ It seems like i'm asking a lot but i have to admit i'm pretty stupid when it comes to these things. Any idea?

Here are my Computer Specs
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System Information
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Time of this report: 5/30/2012, 00:01:07
Machine name: CHI-CHI-HP
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120330-1504)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: CQ5700Y
BIOS: BIOS Date: 09/07/10 08:03:15 Ver: 6.05
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II 170u Processor, ~2.0GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 1792MB RAM
Page File: 1660MB used, 1922MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode
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Display Devices
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Card name: ATI Radeon 3000 Graphics
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x9616)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9616&SUBSYS_2AB7103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 890 MB
Dedicated Memory: 251 MB
Shared Memory: 639 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Compaq S1922 Series Wide LCD Monitor
Monitor Model: Compaq S1922
Monitor Id: HWP290B
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (59.790Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.0024 (English)
Driver Version: 8.733.0.0
DDI Version: 10
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 5/11/2010 10:19:40, 584704 bytes

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Sound Devices
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Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0662&SUBSYS_103C2AB7&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6196 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 9/7/2010 07:27:34, 2484072 bytes

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Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
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Drive: C:
Free Space: 291.0 GB
Total Space: 464.7 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD5000AAKS-60Z1A0 ATA Device

Drive: D:
Free Space: 1.5 GB
Total Space: 12.1 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD5000AAKS-60Z1A0 ATA Device

Drive: Q:
Model: n/a

[ajaxsirius]

According to this website: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02623676&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=5049573#N77

Your computer cannot accept a new video card. You're stuck with what you have.

However, I'm thinking with 500 USD you might be able to get a brand new computer that can play the sims 2 at your maximum resolution as long as you use the same screen, keyboard, mouse etc. Note: If you factor in the cost of having to buy a new Win7 license you won't be able to make it with 500USD. Did you get Retail Win7 with the computer you have? Although I have not yet tried to put one together for that purpose and with that budget. For 700-800 USD you can get one that plays The Sims3 well...

Edit: You can check if your Windows is OEM or Retail by going to "System" in the control panel and looking at your Product Key. DO NOT POST YOUR PRODUCT KEY.

Instructions: http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/211083-determining-whether-oem-retail-via-mgadiag.html#post1768024

[whiterider]

Whereabouts are you seeing that info, sirius? The only reason I can think of why a desktop would be non-upgradeable would be if it's slimline or has no PCI-E slots, and neither seems to be true of that model.

[ajaxsirius]

On the webpage I linked click the motherboard name (H-Apricot-RS780L-uATX (Apricot)) and it shows a picture of the motherboard. There's two PCI-E x1 but no x16 slots.

Edit: Well! After checking newegg apparently there are still video cards for PCI-E x1 out there. I didn't think there were, sorry. Although the benchmarks I find for the cards are not good...

Here's the list of cards they have available: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600007854&IsNodeId=1&name=PCI%20Express%20x1

The best seems to be the AMD 6450 and at $110 it's within budget and only draws ~31W so should be okay regardless of what PSU the OP has.

I just want to point out that according to http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:System_Requirements/MTS2_Recommendations, the AMD 5450 has a couple of maybes for later expansions. So I'm guessing that even if the 6450 can run the later expansions, you'll probably have to reduce graphics across the board.

[MioS.]

According to this website: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02623676&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=5049573#N77

Your computer cannot accept a new video card. You're stuck with what you have.

However, I'm thinking with 500 USD you might be able to get a brand new computer that can play the sims 2 at your maximum resolution as long as you use the same screen, keyboard, mouse etc. Note: If you factor in the cost of having to buy a new Win7 license you won't be able to make it with 500USD. Did you get Retail Win7 with the computer you have? Although I have not yet tried to put one together for that purpose and with that budget. For 700-800 USD you can get one that plays The Sims3 well...

Edit: You can check if your Windows is OEM or Retail by going to "System" in the control panel and looking at your Product Key. DO NOT POST YOUR PRODUCT KEY.

Instructions: http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/211083-determining-whether-oem-retail-via-mgadiag.html#post1768024

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Thanks for the information, it's kind of a bummer, but yeah my parent's will allow that defintely. My parents will buy a brand new computer that is at least through 500-700 USD. And no my computer isn't Win7 retail it's a OEM. Thanks for the help anyways, I really do appreciate it.

[MioS.]

On the webpage I linked click the motherboard name (H-Apricot-RS780L-uATX (Apricot)) and it shows a picture of the motherboard. There's two PCI-E x1 but no x16 slots.

Edit: Well! After checking newegg apparently there are still video cards for PCI-E x1 out there. I didn't think there were, sorry. Although the benchmarks I find for the cards are not good...

Here's the list of cards they have available: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600007854&IsNodeId=1&name=PCI%20Express%20x1

The best seems to be the AMD 6450 and at $110 it's within budget and only draws ~31W so should be okay regardless of what PSU the OP has.

I just want to point out that according to http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:System_Requirements/MTS2_Recommendations, the AMD 5450 has a couple of maybes for later expansions. So I'm guessing that even if the 6450 can run the later expansions, you'll probably have to reduce graphics across the board.

I'll go check those out, i might as well just get the AMD 6450 and place my settings my graphics on low, or just get a new computer. Thank you :)