Computer for all The Sims 3 content

"Faerie197;c-15732781" wrote:
ITF runs just fine for me. And with a laptop, I'm not even sure if it IS possible to have a graphics card/chip other then the one already built into it. But again, I'm not a techie. I don't know the ins and outs of graphics cards/integrated chips. Nor can I tell just by looking at a model number if a card/chipset is at, below, or above the requirements.

What @phoebebebe13 means is that yes, you can purchase a laptop with a stronger graphics card but no, you cannot upgrade the one it comes with except in very unusual (and expensive) configurations which you would not have on that one. Usually the only things that can be done with laptops are hard drive replacements and the addition of RAM; some can't even have their RAM increased though.

The AMD product lines and numbers are indeed very confusing. The R4 doesn't really count as a dedicated graphics card, it is integrated in much the same way as Intel graphics chips are (the AMDs from that time do perform better overall, but only a bit). We don't really get into dedicated graphics cards in those series until we get to the R7s and higher. The more current ones for sale are the R9s and RXs.

Maybe this page helps?
http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_System_Requirements

Off-topic question about gaming laptops: when they aren't used for playing (only internet, MS Office etc.) how loud are they and what's their battery life? Just asking because a few weeks ago I (totally accidentaly) stumbled upon an article about some new super laptop which can only handle 3-4 hours tops (not saying I even thought of buying that one).
The reason I'm asking is because the universities (or at least some of them) where I'd like to apply next year wants a laptop to be brought to every class. And obviously, if they are really loud, I'd rather keep my current one too and take that with myself. (I'm pretty sure it's damaged to I won't sell it)

"dorcsyful;c-15734102" wrote:
Off-topic question about gaming laptops: when they aren't used for playing (only internet, MS Office etc.) how loud are they and what's their battery life? Just asking because a few weeks ago I (totally accidentaly) stumbled upon an article about some new super laptop which can only handle 3-4 hours tops (not saying I even thought of buying that one).
The reason I'm asking is because the universities (or at least some of them) where I'd like to apply next year wants a laptop to be brought to every class. And obviously, if they are really loud, I'd rather keep my current one too and take that with myself. (I'm pretty sure it's damaged to I won't sell it)

True gaming laptops will be thicker for better cooling and also heavier than the average laptop.I have an Asus ROG gaming laptop. it's 8 pounds. It is very quiet even while gaming. Yes gaming laptops do not have a long battery life. About 3-4 hours. You are supposed to game plugged in and not use the battery. The battery can not handle gaming and is only good for light computer tasks.

If you want to game and need a laptop for school, I suggest getting a cheap laptop with a long battery life for school. Have a desktop at home to game on. I use my gaming laptop like a desktop. I don't lug it around. I also have a desktop. Desktop is always better for gaming

Mine is rather quiet. It's not really a gaming laptop, although it does okay for that. As for battery life, depends on settings. If I know I'll be using battery power, I only load the most important things for what I'm doing. So anti-virus, and whatever program I'm using (usually Hero Lab) with wireless turned off. I also turn down contrast quite a bit when on battery power and have the screen set to shut off if inactive for more then five minutes.

Mind you, playing a video game is FAR more power intensive then word processing programs or browsing the internet. WHen not plugged in my laptop can go for up to six hours before running out of power when I use it for running my character in Pathfinder Society tabletop rpg sessions. But only for about half that if I'm playing video games.

"phoebebebe13;c-15734192" wrote:

"dorcsyful;c-15734102" wrote:
Off-topic question about gaming laptops: when they aren't used for playing (only internet, MS Office etc.) how loud are they and what's their battery life? Just asking because a few weeks ago I (totally accidentaly) stumbled upon an article about some new super laptop which can only handle 3-4 hours tops (not saying I even thought of buying that one).
The reason I'm asking is because the universities (or at least some of them) where I'd like to apply next year wants a laptop to be brought to every class. And obviously, if they are really loud, I'd rather keep my current one too and take that with myself. (I'm pretty sure it's damaged to I won't sell it)

True gaming laptops will be thicker for better cooling and also heavier than the average laptop.I have an Asus ROG gaming laptop. it's 8 pounds. It is very quiet even while gaming. Yes gaming laptops do not have a long battery life. About 3-4 hours. You are supposed to game plugged in and not use the battery. The battery can not handle gaming and is only good for light computer tasks.

If you want to game and need a laptop for school, I suggest getting a cheap laptop with a long battery life for school. Have a desktop at home to game on. I use my gaming laptop like a desktop. I don't lug it around. I also have a desktop. Desktop is always better for gaming

As for the weight, my schoolbag weights a rough 15 pounds on an average day. If I can can carry that every single day, I'm pretty sure 4 pounds won't be a problem. ;) I wish I could have a desktop but that is not an option not now and certainly not once I'm at university. Maybe after that.
Anyways, right now, my laptop can last an entire day without charging. So unless I someone magically invents cheap gaming laptop with super long battery life, I'll have to take this with myself too. I wish laptop had something similar to smart phones' powerbanks.

"dorcsyful;c-15734348" wrote:

"phoebebebe13;c-15734192" wrote:

"dorcsyful;c-15734102" wrote:
Off-topic question about gaming laptops: when they aren't used for playing (only internet, MS Office etc.) how loud are they and what's their battery life? Just asking because a few weeks ago I (totally accidentaly) stumbled upon an article about some new super laptop which can only handle 3-4 hours tops (not saying I even thought of buying that one).
The reason I'm asking is because the universities (or at least some of them) where I'd like to apply next year wants a laptop to be brought to every class. And obviously, if they are really loud, I'd rather keep my current one too and take that with myself. (I'm pretty sure it's damaged to I won't sell it)

True gaming laptops will be thicker for better cooling and also heavier than the average laptop.I have an Asus ROG gaming laptop. it's 8 pounds. It is very quiet even while gaming. Yes gaming laptops do not have a long battery life. About 3-4 hours. You are supposed to game plugged in and not use the battery. The battery can not handle gaming and is only good for light computer tasks.

If you want to game and need a laptop for school, I suggest getting a cheap laptop with a long battery life for school. Have a desktop at home to game on. I use my gaming laptop like a desktop. I don't lug it around. I also have a desktop. Desktop is always better for gaming

As for the weight, my schoolbag weights a rough 15 pounds on an average day. If I can can carry that every single day, I'm pretty sure 4 pounds won't be a problem. ;) I wish I could have a desktop but that is not an option not now and certainly not once I'm at university. Maybe after that.
Anyways, right now, my laptop can last an entire day without charging. So unless I someone magically invents cheap gaming laptop with super long battery life, I'll have to take this with myself too. I wish laptop had something similar to smart phones' powerbanks.

My laptop is 8 pounds not 4 pounds. It's also 17" so it makes it more awkward to carry. Personally I would not advise taking a gaming lap[top to school. It could get stolen. They are more expensive and the battery life is not great.

"phoebebebe13;c-15734395" wrote:

My laptop is 8 pounds not 4 pounds. It's also 17" so it makes it more awkward to carry. Personally I would not advise taking a gaming laptop to school. It could get stolen. They are more expensive and the battery life is not great.

Sorry, I know it's 8 pounds but I'm Hungarian and we count in kilos (so it's 4 kgs). But you're right. Still, I wanted to give it to my dad, he uses a "designed for xp but vista-compatible" laptop and can't buy a new one. It actually doesn't look as ancient as it is. :D

"dorcsyful;c-15734406" wrote:

"phoebebebe13;c-15734395" wrote:

My laptop is 8 pounds not 4 pounds. It's also 17" so it makes it more awkward to carry. Personally I would not advise taking a gaming laptop to school. It could get stolen. They are more expensive and the battery life is not great.

Sorry, I know it's 8 pounds but I'm Hungarian and we count in kilos (so it's 4 kgs). But you're right. Still, I wanted to give it to my dad, he uses a "designed for xp but vista-compatible" laptop and can't buy a new one. It actually doesn't look as ancient as it is. :D

Lol on the Kgs. I think we are the only country that does not use metric. Having a gaming laptop is useful if you don't have a lot of space and your not taking it everywhere. If you use it more like a desktop, its fine. XP , I just finally got rid of my XP computer. It was 12 years old and had to go :p

I much preferred XP to Vista. And the only reason I moved on to Windows 8 was because my old XP desktop died. Got a laptop (crappy one though) that runs on XP still. I feel that is a great operating system. Too bad XP is no longer supported, thus it's security keeps getting worse.

Hi there! So I have a similar question. I'm 20 and a full-time college student with a tight budget but I need a new computer to play sims. I only play - or played I guess - the sims 3 (with almost all expansion backs, no stuff packs, and very limited CC and store content) on my HP pavillion dv6 (just to give you an idea of how awful it was). I used that laptop for over five years and it has finally accumulated enough heat damage that it's forever dead and now I have no way to play sims.

I have a budget of 500ish dollars and am looking to get a good desktop the kind of playing I do that will last. I'm the most average player ever and don't do much besides the basics when playing. I know next to NOTHING about computers - probably even less than that - and was wondering if you could recommend me a desktop that would be good for what I'll use it for. It doesn't have to do anything other than play the sims as I have a mac laptop I use for everything else. If someone could help I would be SO appreciative!