I currently have a 10ish year old Compaq. I've already lost 1 memory slot and 1 memory stick. It has other issues, but with lack of funds I make do. However, that is all about to change as my dad is goin to help me build/ upgrade my computer in the comin week(s).

We are goin to use salvageable parts from my Compaq, one of his other computers, and the hand-me-downs from him upgradin his.

One of the issues I've had recently is that my comp with freeze, take a long time to buffer, or just plain refuse to play some videos or show pictures. I thought the issue might be due to the memory since it had basically been cut in half. Then I wondered if it might have to do with my video card. The card itself is a NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT (info pulled from device manager). I think it's about the same age as the computer, I can't recall if it's slightly older or slightly newer, but it's still aged.

I am hoping that my VC card is not part of any issue and be fine in the upgraded comp. However, should I need to replace it, what is a good, inexpensive one that will work well with Sims 2?

While I am lookin forward to havin a nice upgraded machine, I am sooooo not lookin forward to the re-installation of everything.

Please, what ever you do, do not upgrade that computer you will be sorry within 2 years.

You can build a computer for Sim 2 very cheaply.

This would be a great card for Sims 2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16814125823

Why not upgrade? I don't think my dad would upgrade if he thought it was not a good idea. I am gettin a new motherboard. Dad is thinkin of also gettin a new power supply. I already have a fairly new HD (replaced last year). Memory is my dads hand-me-down DDR3 when he upgraded. My cd/dvd works fine and we have a few different cases that should work just fine.

I'm sure that is a good price, but ouch. If that's the best inexpensive one (and I need to replace old one) I am gonna have to do without for a while then. :/

If you are getting a new motherboard then its not a 10 year old computer.

If the motherboard will fit in that case then the case is the only thing I would keep.

I did not say it was the best inexpensive one but it is one that will last you longer but you will be surprise how much better your game runs on it over your 9400 GT.

If you really want to go cheap then here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16814130607 this card will play Sims 2.

I was just curious as to why you said not to upgrade.

This is what I have. However, I think I got it closer to Dec/ Jan when they had a good sale at Best Buy.

Dad won't go for buyin a new one and since he's the one buyin I have to go along with his decision... Beggars can't be choosers :D. If I need a new video card I'm goin to have to figure out how to get it as that is somethin he won't pay for which is why I was askin about inexpensive. If I had the money I would so build a new one myself. I wouldn't buy one as most all new computers come with Win 10 now and I don't want 10. I didn't even want 7, but in order for it to be internet safe I had to since MS stopped supporting Vista. My older games don't work with 7 so I know they won't work with 10. I have some games that stopped workin even with Vista .

Anyways, thanks for the input as that's what I was inquirin about

Got my upgreades Only original parts left on the old ccompaq is the dvd player. HD was replaced with a 1T 'bout 6ish months ago when old one went out. Last night put in a new motherboard, new and more memory, and a new power supply.
Oh, and dad said that the new MB should have a better video than my old card, so we didn't out that in. I'll have to wait and see whether it'll work with Sims 2 or if I'm gonna need to put old one back in or see 'bout gettin a new one. I generally like new, who doesn't, but since we are talkin older game here that doesn't like new, older might just be better in this case We'll see

The only sorta downside is that now I hafta go and reinstall Sims 2 ... with the disks. LOL

Don't forget to patch!

@marka93 is that the best card for sims 2 do you think? I was thinking it looks rather cheap. I still haven't upgraded my card, too scared too. Mine is a very old NVIDIA GeForce 9800GTX+
As you can see from my game pictures its still working great so I am loath to fix something that isn't yet broken.

What patch?

All the patches. You need to patch every ep and sp. Don't tell me you have been playing unpatched yikes.

http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?tit...elp:TS2_Patches if you are unsure, it doesn't hurt anything if you put a wrong patch on, it simply doesn't work.

I thought you meant there was a patch I needed. I have all the disks, except Holiday, and with each install it checks to see if it's updated and it always says yes. I've never had to go and get a patch which is what confused me.

No, each disk unless it's a combo pack needs its own patch. Yes it says its up to date, but its not. That's as trust worthy as that nice little trash bin they give you for sims. The Seasons patch is especially vital as the Ottomus and Critter family if played unpatched will corrupt your hood.

I'm still confused as to why I'd need to patch after each EP. I can see patchin after AL or M&G as they are my last, but the patches were incorporated into each new EP when it was released. So in effect it's doin double the work by patchin after each one .. no? You patch then install next EP which has the patch in it.

Because the patches were not combined into the EP, they are separate and stand alone fixes. It's true that a few things get fixed as the next ep goes on, but most things require the patch-this is why EA made the patches. MTS just hosts them because the official site is gone.

It's up to you, but I put on each patch after the EP or SP. Takes all day, so I am glad in all these years I have only had to do it 3 times. The best place to keep the patches is on your computer because it's downloading them that takes up the time, they go on fairly quickly.

I thought the patches were for people who don't have all the games and as such miss out on the patches with the next EP.

(Not tryin to agrue with you 'bout it. Just discussin it .. :D)

Nope, they are for all of us on separate disks and yes there are heaps. I have every patch on, one for each EP and SP. At least its not so many as sims 3 and 4.

Maybe someone more techy than myself will come along and explain it better, I just know that putting on another EP is not the same as a patch and that disk users need them, especially Seasons.

http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?tit...ching_Your_Game

What MB did you dad buy for you?

You need to patch the base game and each EP plus the 1 SP that has a patch.

Start with BG and work your way through the EP in order of release is best way to do it.

Patch the SP when it lines up with the EP's.

When EA made each EP they included some of the patched stuff that is in the stand alone patch but not all and this is why you need to install the stand alone patch for each EP and the one SP plus which ever base game you have.
Now some but not all of the EP's will have up to date patch but no one noes which one so to be on the safe side try the patch anyway and the patch will tell you if your patched.

@joandsarah77 The 9800GTX+ was top of the line in its day and plays Sims 2 great and as long as it still working for you great but it is a very old card and I would be saving up money to upgrade when it starts going out on you.

The GTX+ first came out in 2008 and its now 2017, my 9800 GTX went out on my because I was playing newer games with it but still it lasted me 6 years.

I am using a 970 GTX card at this time but I do have a 980 GTX setting on my workbench just behind me just waiting for me to put it in.
The GTX 970 has bottlenecks that I did not know about at the time I bought it and it plays Sims 2 great but other newer games struggles on it.

Check out specials on Newegg. You can get some amazing deals, but you'd have to act fast. Do the research, of course.

I have a GTX 950 that runs Sims 2, 3 and 4 fairly well. (Knocks wood. Hard.) I did extensively research and ask around about it (including asking my techie), and the consensus is that it's a good workhorse card for Sims games. But marka93 brings up a good point .... what other games are you playing? My card is fine for Sims, but for demanding video games such as Witcher 3 ... not even close.

MB MSI
Chip A6HM-E33 V2 FM2+ mATX
CPU AMD A6 7400k FM2+

I loaded all games last night. Today I opened the game. Only issue was the black box for which I was able to go into the in-game settings and set to medium and that went away. So no need to worry 'bout a graphics card :D

Thanks for your help though

Now I need to figure out what to do with this $40 Best Buy gift card I have ... lol.

What card do you recommend? I know it's old, surprised that it still works so well. I won't change it until it shows that it needs to.

My neighbourhood always freezes for awhile when I click the house bin but I wasn't sure if that as the card, all the cc or just the lack of space I have on C drive (game is installed on D drive though)

@joandsarah77 It all depends on how much you want to spend on a new card.

How old it your computer?

It was 'bout 10ish years. But the only think left of the old comp now is the dvd drive and the case. The rest as all been upgraded/ updated/ new.

He meant me CaliBrat. I don't know, it's been upgraded over time. 7 years maybe. That card was fairly new out when we first set it up; but its had a new power source, a D drive, more RAM and a new mother board since then. It's dual core if that helps with age.

I would rather not spend over $300 if it can be helped.

If Sims 2 is all you play then any one of the GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB would do you great http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...787%20601201888
Just do your research on them to see which one you would like to go with.

Now if you have newer games then GeForce GTX 1060 6GB would work but you must do your research on them and the game to see if there up to specs. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...888%20600358543

Sims 2 is my main game, I also play some Skyrim. Thanks I'll save that info.