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    GPU that can play Sims 3?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by silencejar, Nov 22, 2009.

  1. silencejar

    silencejar Notebook Guru

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    My fiance needs a new laptop that is able to play Sims 3.
    I'm assuming integrated chips probably don't have the power to play it so I'm just looking for something that hopefully is not too expensive.
    She wouldn't need to play it on high settings or anything, just something that can play it smoothly.

    Any advice would be helpful!
     
  2. Manic Penguins

    Manic Penguins [+[ ]=]

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    Anything with dedicated graphics should do it. I think I remember my old laptop with an nVidia 9200M GS handling it and that's the bottom rung for dedicated cards :)
     
  3. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    My mom's E6400 with the Intel 4500MHD can run it just fine.
     
  4. whatisamegan

    whatisamegan Notebook Consultant

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    Well why dont you look into some possible laptops in your price range and tell us what GPUs those have. :] Then we can tell if if you're on the right track. :D
     
  5. ahl395

    ahl395 Ahlball

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    Yep, a 4500MHD can play it on low settings. ;)

    For high settings, my 8600M GS can almost max it out.
     
  6. mobius1aic

    mobius1aic Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Well you can get pretty cheap laptops with dedicated graphics these days. What other things does she want, like screen size, full set keyboard, and what about your needs if you're going to be using it?
     
  7. DarkSilver

    DarkSilver MSI Afterburner

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    This Game is more to CPU Hogging instead of GPU's.
    However, GPU is still needed but not need a very powerful 1.
     
  8. silencejar

    silencejar Notebook Guru

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    Thanks for the replies all!

    A little more on what I'm looking for:

    15.4" or.. the 15.6". I'm not sure how the 15.6" ones differ really, I haven't kept up on the latest laptop info like I used to.
    I think we'd prefer just the standard keyboard, ones with a full set (numpad included) usually seem a little cramped.

    Dedicated GPU is probably the way we'll go, so she would at least be able to play at decent settings smoothly and be a little more future proof for other games she might like to try.
    Intel is more preferred over AMD, unless we can find a great deal on an AMD that would sway us over.
    And we're hoping we can find something for around $600 (less would be best, but we don't want it to melt a week after purchase :p).

    The last time I purchased a lappy I got a barebones Asus and installed the HDD and RAM myself to save a little money, so that's a possibility too.
     
  9. BrandonSi

    BrandonSi Notebook Savant

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    Dell Inspiron 15 - $649

    Here's the info, cut and paste from Dell's site.
    Code:
    Intel® Pentium® Dual Core T4300 (2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/1MB cache)
    Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
    Microsoft® Works 9
    1 Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis - Important Information
    McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
    320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
    256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD4330
    8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
    6-cell battery
    Dell Wireless 1397 802.11g Half Mini-Card
    Integrated 1.3 MP Webcam
    High Definition Audio 2.0
    Jet Black
    My Accessories
    Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
    WildTangent Games
    Also Includes
    Bright, glossy widescreen 15.6 WLED display (1366x768)
    4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
    Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0
    Integrated 10/100 Network Card
    Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Processor
    Napster Link
    1Yr LoJack for Laptops Theft Protection
    No ISP requested
     
  10. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    I second that Inspiron 15. The 4330 is a surprisingly capable graphics card, and the system as a whole is quite sturdy.