Sim 3 Computer

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btadler

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Jul 30, 2009
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So I just built a gaming computer for myself and my wife has taken over to play her Sims 3 leaving me to play browser games and PS3. Wondering a build and cost to build a computer that would literally be used for Sims 3 plus all expansions and could run the game at max settings. Not a real graphics intense game but very processor heavy. Build will need to include everything from rig to monitor about 17" (she hate large monitors). Thanks for helping me reclaim my computer.

Price: you tell me

Usually buy from amazon or newegg which ever is cheaper. Sadly do not live near microcenter
 
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sm625

sm625

Diamond Member
May 6, 2011
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Speaking from experience, all you need is a core 2 duo or athlon X2, either one clocked over 3.2GHz. And a radeon 4700 series or faster. You can obtain such a ssytem on ebay for about $120, minus the gpu. Then go buy a radeon 7750 from newegg. It is a bit overkill but it is quiet and low power.
 
Termie

Termie

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Aug 17, 2005
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That ebay computer will never actually sell for that much. The current bids are way below cost.

For playing Sim3 (and assuming that no more modern games would be played), a Core i3-3220 paired up with a GTX650 or HD7750 would be ideal. The HD7770 is only about $10 more, however, and it's about 20-25% faster, so I'd go with that.

See this sample build for ideas: http://www.techbuyersguru.com/page17.php
 
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btadler

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Jul 30, 2009
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Is there a way to get that under $300. I have a copy of win 7 that I have on my new pc I am assuming I could use that on this one too.
 
Termie

Termie

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Aug 17, 2005
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btadler said:
Is there a way to get that under $300. I have a copy of win 7 that I have on my new pc I am assuming I could use that on this one too.
Click to expand...

No, you can't use the same Windows license on two different computers. You'll need to buy a separate copy of Windows.

Newegg has Windows 7 on sale for $87 right now with code EMCXTXR32, but that's about the best you're going to do. Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986

You can also knock about $100 off of the motherboard and CPU by going for the lowest-end parts:

H61 motherboard for $45: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135343
G540 CPU for $50: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116408

These discounts would bring the system I linked down to $359 with an OS, but without a video card. You're going to need a video card to play the game, like this HD6570 DDR3 for $45AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102994

So you're looking at $404 total with an OS and a video card. $300 just isn't going to be enough. And honestly, I'm a bit uneasy suggesting that Celeron G540 for gaming purposes - I'd much rather see you with this Pentium G860 for $70: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116405

It will be about 25% faster and only costs $20 more - that's money well spent for these purposes. That means $425 for a complete system that I'd be comfortable recommending.
 
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sm625

sm625

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May 6, 2011
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Yeah lol that computer isnt going to sell for $80. But you should keep your eye on this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thin...0608694665?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item53f5f40189

It will probably sell for $120 including shipping once all the bids are in. I'm not saying this one is the best deal, and I'm not saying it will even accept a low profile radeon HD7750. You have to do your own due diligence. But I think its a great place to start. There simply is no better way to procure a $200 system with this kind of gaming potential.
 
frozentundra123456

frozentundra123456

Lifer
Aug 11, 2008
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btadler said:
So I just built a gaming computer for myself and my wife has taken over to play her Sims 3 leaving me to play browser games and PS3. Wondering a build and cost to build a computer that would literally be used for Sims 3 plus all expansions and could run the game at max settings. Not a real graphics intense game but very processor heavy. Build will need to include everything from rig to monitor about 17" (she hate large monitors). Thanks for helping me reclaim my computer.

Price: you tell me

Usually buy from amazon or newegg which ever is cheaper. Sadly do not live near microcenter
Click to expand...

How about a pre-built from Dell outlet? You can get an i3 for less than 400.00, add a HD7750, and you are good to go. Pricier than a used model from E-Bay, but probably less likely to have problems. Maybe if you watch carefully, you could get a 20% off sale or coupon code even.

You can get a 17 inch monitor for less than 100 dollars at a big box store, although are you really sure she wants a monitor this small?
 
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btadler

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Jul 30, 2009
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problem with that is I hate dell. But maybe a prebuilt will be a better option for this.
 
frozentundra123456

frozentundra123456

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Aug 11, 2008
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btadler said:
problem with that is I hate dell. But maybe a prebuilt will be a better option for this.
Click to expand...

Do you hate Dell because you have had a bad experience with their computers or just on general principles? Not trying to be antagonistic, just legitimately curious.

I have had several dells at my jobs and just bought one for my home, and have not had a problem so far with any of them. Granted they are not as flexible as a build it yourself system, but for a cheap system when you dont have a windows license, they can make sense.
 
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btadler

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Jul 30, 2009
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A little of both. Haven't used one in years but when I did they just seemed to crap out on me really prematurely. Have a few friends that have had problems with them too. And according the the Microsoft help forum you can use a windows 7 license on up to three computers. In that case I have windows 7 still since I have only used it on one PC.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...computer/98446282-a524-4ec0-a45d-3ebefb3ed799

Will most likely end up using Termie's build. Add a 19" Monitor for $80 off Amazon and call it a day.
 
Termie

Termie

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Aug 17, 2005
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btadler said:
A little of both. Haven't used one in years but when I did they just seemed to crap out on me really prematurely. Have a few friends that have had problems with them too. And according the the Microsoft help forum you can use a windows 7 license on up to three computers. In that case I have windows 7 still since I have only used it on one PC.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...computer/98446282-a524-4ec0-a45d-3ebefb3ed799

Will most likely end up using Termie's build. Add a 19" Monitor for $80 off Amazon and call it a day.
Click to expand...

I think that's incorrect. I think you'll need to buy a new license.
 
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btadler

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Jul 30, 2009
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either way I guess I can look into it further or just get a new copy with that discount code you provided.

Edit: You are correct. Looked further into it. You can get a family pack that allows up to three computers.
 
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btadler

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Jul 30, 2009
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Okay so after doing some research and checking other threads I came up with this build. Let me know if you think it will be adequate.

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157315 $45

CPU: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER $69

Ram: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-10...ds=Crucial+Ram $29

Optical: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151256 $19

GPU: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...6?tag=at055-20 $90 or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102994 $55

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687 $25

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026 $45

HD : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER $57

OS: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER $91

Monitor: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER $90

Total Price w/ 7750 - $549 AR
w/ 6570 - $514 AR

Thanks for your responses.
 
Danno21

Danno21

Member
Aug 15, 2012
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I built pretty much the exact same system for my sister two months ago for Sims 3 and school work. Same processor, same motherboard, WD Blue, and same PSU. I got her a GTX 650 though since it came with Assassin's Creed 3.

I would for sure get the 7750 over the 6570 though because this generation is much better and a 6570 is bottom of the barrel. The system I built my sister runs Sims 3 rather well at 1650x1050. She was playing it on a 2011 Macbook Pro that costed around $2k and the $450 (had Windows key) system I built her beats the hell out of it for the game.
 
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btadler

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Jul 30, 2009
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haha yea my wife was running it on her macbook pro too. I will def. go with the 7750 then. Thanks.
 
M

mfenn

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Jan 17, 2010
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btadler said:
Okay so after doing some research and checking other threads I came up with this build. Let me know if you think it will be adequate.

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157315 $45

CPU: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER $69

Ram: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-10...ds=Crucial+Ram $29

Optical: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151256 $19

GPU: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...6?tag=at055-20 $90 or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102994 $55

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687 $25

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026 $45

HD : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER $57

OS: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER $91

Monitor: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER $90

Total Price w/ 7750 - $549 AR
w/ 6570 - $514 AR

Thanks for your responses.
Click to expand...

That all looks fine, but I would definitely get the 7750. If you were to get the 6570, that's almost like not having a discrete GPU at all. Not quite, but close.
 
S

Sleepingforest

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Nov 18, 2012
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This is your wife we're talking about. She probably deserves that extra $35--if not because she's wonderful and you married her, then because it'll keep her from complaining.
 
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