12 years ago

Laptop Graphics Card Information Zone [CALLING LAPTOP SIMMERS FOR A SURVEY + LAPTOP HELP HERE]

Hey guys! I see too many threads about people needing help choosing the perfect laptop to play Sims 3. The key is finding a nice graphics card that fits your budget. Majority of the people seem to redirect the OPs to THIS. Well, that only gives you an idea for Desktop graphics card, which are much more powerful than the laptop versions. Also, I find it very inaccurate as my old laptop with Intel HD Graphics was perfectly playable, just not with all high settings, yet the article states it'll most likely be unplayable. There are of course other factors to consider, such as the processor, but this thread solely focuses on graphics card. I believe if you find the right graphics card for you, everything else should fall into place with specs. After all, we can't all afford to get the best graphics card in the market.
This thread will only be helpful if many laptop simmers participate. I'll have a set of questions for you to answer and request you to post a screenshot of your game settings unless you want to type it all out. I truly hope people purchasing new laptops find this useful and can refer back to this thread. If there's five of you with the same graphics card, please don't miss out on doing this, the more variety answers, the better. I'll have everyone's responses organized in the order of the graphic cards strength. I hope for this to give simmers an idea of what to expect out of their game when buying a new laptop with certain graphics cards. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU

1. What is you graphics card (and amount of memory, if integrated, please mention)?
2. What expansion packs do you have installed?
3. What stuff packs do you have installed?
4. What mods do you have installed?
5. How much store & custom content do you have installed (please right-click Mods folder, Properties, and look at the total size)?
6. What is the FPS (please type in "fps on" in the game cheat console to find an average number on the top right corner)?
7. Please post a screenshot of your game settings (use print screen key during gameplay then paste into Paint).
8. In game screen shots are welcome!

MY EXAMPLE

1. Nvidia Geforce GT 650M (2GB)
2. World Adventures, Ambitions, Late Night, Generations, Pets, Showtime, Supernatural, Seasons, University Life
3. High-End Loft
4. NRaas: Master Controller, Cheats, Integration, Decensor, ErrorTrap, NoCD, Overwatch, Portrait Panel
5. 1.33GB store content & 1.12GB custom content
6. 39-78
7.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What is FPS?
Frames Per Second - It determines the performance of games, with a higher rate producing smoother graphics. A low rate will appear laggy/chuggy/slow/choppy and can make a game unplayable as in-game actions take far too long to complete with far too few frames. Since the human eye can see about 30 FPS, it is pretty much the minimum for satisfactory gameplay, and 40+ FPS is smooth. Basically higher FPS means you're graphics are good, and the lower it is, you're lagging. That's why when it hits 0 FPS, you crash.

Can you help me choose a laptop?
I will most definitely try my best! First review the laptop checklist. Then I'll just need you to leave a link to the laptop you're looking at, your budget range, and the games you expect to play on it! ALSO, your country! Or else I'll assume you're American. You'll also find helpful simmers lurking in my thread so feel free to get our input! You won't go ignored and can be positive to receive a reply.

decrain
11 years ago
here is a detailed guide how to install nvidia driver (it's for vista/win 7 - but it works exactly the same on 8.1): http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2900 . There is a picture where you can tick the "clean install" box.
You need to check those two pictures:
http://nvcc.s3.amazonaws.com/aid_2900/screen10.jpg

http://nvcc.s3.amazonaws.com/aid_2900/screen11.jpg

try those drivers: http://www.geforce.co.uk/drivers/results/73882
or those drivers: http://www.geforce.co.uk/drivers/results/74722
decrain
11 years ago
Smoothie122 wrote:
So after a lot of searching (a BIG thanks to Decrain for helping me with my skeptical questions :wink: ) I finally settled on a keeper! It is the ASUS Republic of Gamers G750JW-DH71 17.3" Notebook Computer (Black). I purchased it on this site http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1030984&gclid=CjkKEQjw-uubBRDs6rqExIXy7ZsBEiQACq4Fqe5WluHgz7PqSBTDa9NMk0emyJVds0qq-gWq4kphOQ3w_wcB&Q=&is=REG&A=details . I am really excited about all the great specs and have read reviews that it has VERY top notch cooling, which is a must have if I want this computer to last a long time. It is also pretty affordable for what some other models go for! Will post review of sims gameplay when I have time, as for the next couple weeks I'll be very busy! Super excited! :lol: :D

WOW! The specs look great and the casing is amazing! Congratulations! Remember to install ALL windows updates (it can run over two - three boot cycles until all of them are installed), update all drivers and your anti-virus before you start installing Sims. And also remember to setup Nvidia Control Panel for Sims :)
IDK_Tia
11 years ago
This thread is the most magnificent thread in the history of threads. :mrgreen: I cannot explain how much time I have spent trawling this recently. That being said, I'm rapidly realising that for the quality I would like from my laptop, I am going to have to spend a lot more than I was advised (by my gamer friends but who don't play the Sims). I don't want to be having to buy again in like 2 years because this is nearly as much as I spent on my car and frankly I don't earn enough to be wasting £800 on a laptop that doesn't work.

So here I am, another befuddled simmer in need of advice if you would be so good. I am in the UK and have an absolute maximum of £800 (but in reality would rather be nearer £600 but that's because I'm a cheapskate). I've been looking around and I think the best specs I can find for the price is this one:

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/CB-A66B9-324GH-Cube-Chameleon-Cz10_1558042.html

BUT I am kind of concerned that I can't find much about the brand. I do know that the chassis is a Clevo of some sort and because of that, someone somewhere (sorry I've been at this for months) mentioned something about illogical hardware layout so there may be overheating issues. What do you guys think? Any advice? Any alternatives you know of?

So summary:
Up to £800
15.6 screen (although I have also been looking at 14")
EPs: Ambitions, Generations, Late night, Seasons, Pets, Island Paradise, and University
SPs: Master Suite and Town Life
In terms of CC, I have very little that isn't Store content but I do have quite a bit of that. I also have the main NRaas stuff like story progression, error trap and overwatch.

I don't mind loading times, and tbh I prefer small/tiny worlds but my game has been more lag than play for about 2 years now with intermittent crashes so anything would be an improvement. Just please no more lag!!

I would be super willing to hear opinions of this one or of any alternatives. Thanks in advance for any replies! (P.S. Sorry for the really long whiny message :oops: )
viexonsims
11 years ago
gemgun29 wrote:
@summermistx3:

Here's the laptop I bought recently from Dell which should arrive around later this month:

Specs:

4th Gen. Core i7 Haswell Dual Core Processor (2.0 GHz to 3.1 GHz)

8 GB RAM DDR3

NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics card w/ 2 GB GDDR5 video RAM

1 TB HDD - 5400 RPM

DVD Tray Loading Drive/Burner

It's running Windows 8.1

Do you guys think this would be capable of running Sims 4 (and also Sims 3)?

I heard Maxis is going to make Sims 4 play bettter on lower end machines...

I am also going to get a USB powered notebook cooler big enough to fit my new laptop to help it from overheating.

Sims 4 (and possibly Sims 3) are the only games I will play on PC.

BTW, not that it matters, but my new laptop is also a Touchscreen. (Yay!)

The resolution is Full HD 1920 x 1080p.

I got the laptop, a Notebook Sleeve, Logitech wireless mouse, MS Office 365, CyberMedia DVD Player software, 1 yr. Accidental Damage insurance, McAffee Live Safe (1 yr.) and Adobe Acrobat Standard 11 all for under $1,500.

Aside from a faster processor, I think I got a pretty good deal. What do you all think?

Also, the i7 Haswell Dual-Core processor is supposed to put out a lot less heat and consume less power than the "normal" quad-core i7's out there.

One last question @summermistx3 (or anyone who can help): When my new laptop finally arrives, how do I switch from Intel graphics to the Nvidia graphics?

Thanks! 8)

Sounds very similar to my laptop (expect I have a quadcore processor) so I can give first hand advice. Yes, it will run the Sims 3 quite nicely with all expansion and stuff packs and will run TS4 very nice aswell.
I think that you should still invest in a cooling pad just to be on the safe side, it never really hurts.
Now to switch the graphics you go to the nVidia website and download 'nVidia experience' and install it. Open 'nVidia control panel' and under 'manage 3d settings' go to the 'program settings' and click add and then browse. You will find The Sims in C:/Program Files (x86)/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/Game/Bin/TSW.exe and select 'high performance NVIDIA processor' from the drop down menu. And that's it!
PeopleMatterMor
11 years ago
"twinklekz;12373266" wrote:
I had a quick search and doesn't seem to be any custom msi sites in Canada! I'll keep looking. If I order from the states I have to pay tax on it when it enters Canada so could end up way too expensive! On ncix.com they have MSI GE70 with 8GB ram and GeForce GTX 850m for $1199.99 and another option of 12GB ram with the GTX 860m for $1349.99. I am wondering if there is much difference between these 2 when it comes to the Sims! I wouldn't mind saving a bit of money if the slightly cheaper one handles it just as well!

for msi custom here's this option they may ship to CA https://www.powernotebooks.com/Custom-Laptops-by-MSI-cat-185.html

for the two new options can you share links so i can see other info like processor, thanks
in-her-zone
11 years ago
The 17.3 inch has better specs, but it depends if you want a smaller laptop for carrying around a lot.
EDIT: Just realized they are just 0.67 lbs apart.
chesterbigbird
11 years ago
"twinklekz;12456719" wrote:
Just wondering if I should get the 15.6 or 17.3? They have slightly different specs. I've never had a 17.3 before!

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_577_1198&item_id=069031
http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=1199&item_id=069032

Get the 17.3.. things are just too small with 15.6 on the 1920x1080 resolution. I'm finding that out the hard way lol. *squints to see the screen*
in-her-zone
11 years ago
@hizz Again, I would recommend this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314594
Same RAM, better CPU and GPU.
chesterbigbird
11 years ago
it will run smoothly.. but might need to lower a few settings.. fps stands for *frames per second.* Ideally it should be set at 60 fps for smooth performance, if you have a graphics card that has a hard time running the game at maxed out settings the fps will drop causing performance issues. that should be solved by lowering the settings.
That card should run at medium/high for best performance.
As ts4 goes.. it's going to be a guess lol, we will have to see how well the game is optimized, it might even play better than ts3 (I'm hoping so.)
chesterbigbird
11 years ago
"February11;12493108" wrote:
This is my latest purchase. It's been playing well although I had one memory crash, and it set itself on low settings and a couple of high settings. Since then I've eased the low to medium and a couple more to high and all seems well. How would you rate this for Sims3 and 4?
(Can't believe it's now $100 less than I paid this time last week!!!)
http://www.dell.com/au/p/inspiron-15-3542-laptop/pd?oc=dx510404au&model_id=inspiron-15-3542-

It's an ok laptop, the graphics card should be able to handle medium and a few high.
It's a mid level card.. probably will not max the game but should get the job done.
Lol@ $100 cheaper, crap like that always happens to us Aussies :)