The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Thoughts on Upgrading?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Tushkoo, Jun 7, 2009.

  1. Tushkoo

    Tushkoo Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi all,

    I have recently purchased The Sims 3 and am having issues running it smoothly; I am having to put the graphics on 'Low' which I find a real shame when wanting to enjoy this long-awaited game.

    My FPS fluctuates terribly - it can be as good as 70 or 80 and then deteriorate to 30... 15.... 0. At which point I have to exit and start again.

    I am aware it is possible it is bugs within the game, but I have just completed EA's "Can I Run it?" and it told me I don't meet the specs - despite a previous site telling me I did. Very confusing!

    My system is the Dell Vostro 1500 Laptop, I have a NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT card and my processor is an Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU, T7250 @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz. I also run Vista Business 6.0.

    The specs for The Sims 3 on the box read - Windows Vista Service Pack 1, 2.4Ghz P4 processor or equivalent, 1.5Gb RAM, 128Mb Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0.

    Can anyone give me any advice on what I should update and if it will be worth the cost of updating? I mean, I would like a noticable difference in performance if I am to spend more money.

    Thanks in advance x :)
     
    Tushkoo, Jun 7, 2009
    #1
  2. Tushkoo

    Tushkoo Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Sorry I should also add that EA has admitted there is a problem with Windows Vista and Intel (R) G45/G43 Express chipsets or other Mobile graphics cards - I don't know however if mine is a "mobile graphics card" - any info on this would be great also.
     
    Tushkoo, Jun 7, 2009
    #2
  3. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

    Reputations:
    1,654
    Messages:
    5,955
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Your card is a mobile graphic card.

    You can try to see if there is any game patches and get your Vista up to date first and see.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Jun 7, 2009
    #3
  4. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    22,339
    Messages:
    36,639
    Likes Received:
    5,079
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jun 8, 2009
    #4
  5. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

    Reputations:
    3,833
    Messages:
    8,209
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Your specs are more than sufficient for the Sims 3. Also, that notice specifically refers to Intel integrated graphics, which you do not have. It's their way of saying "we only tested this on desktop graphics cards, your laptop version is not guaranteed to work".

    I agree with Chaz; the symptoms seem to suggest overheating. Excessive heat can cause your processor and graphics to force themselves to operate slower, and eventually freeze.
     
    Mastershroom, Jun 8, 2009
    #5
  6. Tushkoo

    Tushkoo Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi everyone,

    Thank you so much for your responses, relief to know that my system is up to spec as cannot afford a new one right now!

    If I may be so bold as to ask you all one more question...

    If I were to upgrade the RAM on this laptop, would it need to be 'balanced'? For example I have 2 slots for RAM which currently hold 1Gb each. Am I okay to swap one of these for a 2Gb piece of RAM, taking me up to 3Gb? Or do I need to put 2gb in each slot?

    Thanks in advance x
     
    Tushkoo, Jun 8, 2009
    #6
  7. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    22,339
    Messages:
    36,639
    Likes Received:
    5,079
    Trophy Points:
    931
    You do not need to have the same capacity stick in each slot, so you can buy a single 2GB stick for a total of 3GB (1GB + 2GB) and it will work fine.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jun 8, 2009
    #7
  8. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

    Reputations:
    3,833
    Messages:
    8,209
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Once again, Chaz beats me to my own point. :p

    You can mix and match RAM, but with prices these days, you might as well treat yourself to 4GB in a 2x2GB configuration. You can easily find 2x2GB DDR2 memory kits for $40. Plus, with a fully matched pair you can take advantage of full dual-channel mode, which doesn't work entirely with mismatched sticks.

    But to answer your original question, yes, you can have 3GB in a 1GB + 2GB setup. In fact, that's exactly what my Studio 15 came with before I ordered my 4GB kit.
     
    Mastershroom, Jun 8, 2009
    #8