So my lovely husband bought me the Sims Online for Xmas. He knows I enjoy the regular game so he figured playing online could be fun.
I am excited, it sounds good to me.
However the game requires at least 500 mzh CPU. I only have 400mhz, so it says on a little pop-up window. I am not a computer savvy girl, the basics are good for me, internet, email, a few games, SDMB and I am happy.
I have a couple of questions regarding the CPU.
I went surfing the web to try to learn more and I am even more confused now. So, it says my Pc (3 years old), has 400 mhz. When I go see new computers, on Dell, or Gateway, they talk about 1.2 Ghz or 322 mhz and things like that (just an example). It just doesn’t make sense to me… What is up with 322? A brand new computer would not even support my little game??
And I am guessing 1 Ghz = 1000 Mhz, am I right?
And last and not least, can I upgrade my pc? Basically I would need a new video card at least 8 mg, and a new (or upgraded) CPU. Is it worth it compared to buying a new PC?
There are different frequencies used on different parts of the computer. For example, if a computer is advertised as “2.0 GHz with 300MHz bus”, that means the CPU core runs at 2.0 GHz (2000 MHz) and the CPU communicates with memory and other components at 400 MHz. Your current PC has a 400 MHz CPU, and the bus speed is most likely 66 MHz, possibly 100 MHz.
Sometimes you can just replace the CPU for a faster one, but if your motherboard doesn’t support a faster CPU you may have to replace that as well. And your new motherboard may not use the same type of memory so you’ll have to buy that, etc, etc. Sometimes you’re better off buying a new computer. But first tell us what model and CPU your computer is.
arrghh, I am at work right now, so can’t get this type of info yet.
Thank you for clarifying some of my questions here. I don’t understand how they don’t give both speeds like you stated above : “2.0 GHz with 300MHz bus”, it would have made it easier for me to understand there were two different things here!
I know my CPU is a Celeron, but that’s pretty much it.
I’ll have to check further on this.
So do you think it could be worth changing the CPU if the mother board CAN support it? I am guessing this is way too out of hands to change the mother board, so if it becomes needed I would need to look for a new PC… Yikes…
Does the pop up window prevent you from installing or playing the game? With DSL there are similar requirements which is a crock since it works fine with computers that don’t meet the “requirements”. Perhaps you can manually install the game instead of using the install utility if the auto install refuses to install it on your system. Check any “README” files for instructions on how to manually install.
Tapioca, I know! I am still thinking about all this, but I think to store won’t take it back…
rsa, I just have a pop-up right away putting in the first CD, saying my CPU is only 400 and the game requires 500, then it says, the game might be slow or unplayable, I haven’t tried further…
The game will run on your 400 Mz, but kind of choppy and slow. You can upgrade your video card to 8mb but I suggest 16 MB to make up for the slow CPU speed. If you have about 128MB + or 256 MB+ memory, with 1 GB HD freespace, I think you should do fine. Just lower the graphics in the menu. 100 Mhz cpu processing speed wont make a difference if your comp meets the other recquirements. Just make sure you have a good video card though.
Oh, that sounds great Kriss. Maybe I’ll try that. I am having a friend look into my PC as well, so maybe he’ll be able to do this for me. I certainly can’t do it. I actually upgraded the memory (very proud of myself…), so I have 64 + 128, and could easily go to 256, that might be worth it as well.
Your CPU may be able to be upgraded, but at best, you’re stil going to be looking for parts off of Ebay, because no modern CPU will work on your motherboard.
If your computer is name brand, you probably won’t be able to find info on the motherboard re what chips can run in it.
If its a white-box-clone, check inside to see if you can find a model number printed on the motherboard, and then stick that number into Google to see if you can fine a manual.
And then there is the other “dangerous” option. That is too much heat. You can overclock your 400 to 450 Mhz which is not bad but in a year dont expect that cpu to run. It will be damaged in a year even if you keep it cool. Its just delaying the plan on buying another computer
Ok Carine, listen up please. First of all you have two choices: 1)Buy a new computer, preferably a laptop thats around 1700 dollars that has the parameters to run this game. 2)Go to Regedit on your computer and go to this installing wizard and take off the syntax that reads: wizpophlp.inst therefore allowing you to run the game and play online.
It depends on your cpu
Do you have a ?
AMD K6-2 or Celeron (not that great)
Or
Pentium 2 or AMD K6-3 (better)
Any K6 chip that is running at 400 should be able to be replaced by the top of the line k6-2 500, or even the k6-3 500 but they are hard to find. Not too sure about the intel chips.
IIRC the AMD chips can be overclocked very easily in the BIOS and should do 450 easy. The Intel chips (Pentium and Celeron) are clock locked and there is very little for you can do (there are work arounds but I don’t think you want to go there).
Also before you start the game, shut down everything excpet systray and explore by pressing ctrl, alt, del then ending every other task beofore you play the game (assuming you can install it)
Yes, it’s worth buying a new PC… Get a Dell, I got one. At the time they were about $350-400 for a 2.4ghz Let me tell you that comes with about 3 gigs of preloaded software, 6 months of MSN & 6 months of AOL (they make you choose but give you both). use the msn, then cancel then use AOL
Its a bit more at the moment, but this is cool: (techbargains.com) from dell.com
Dimension 4550 Desktop P4-2Ghz 128MB DDR/Free upgrade to 120GB HD, CD-ROM, Free 40x CDRW, HK Speakers XP Home, MS Works $719 - $100 rebate = $619.
ohhh I am so confused!! I dont’ want to crazy upgrading everything… I can’t possibly understand all this.
K2dave, I have the “not that great” CPU… Celeron.
Fauxpas, I don’t want a laptop, I’d rather have a desktop. And I’d like to go lower than 1700.
handy those prices for sure look great. I was leaning towards Dell if I’d buy a new PC.
Right now, the finances are quite tight, my husband got laid off and month and a half ago, so… I might suck it up a little longer.
I for sure learned a bunch from all of your answers, thank you very much guys!
Try www.powerleap.com .
They sell an upgrade CPU and adapter that will fit your machine for about $160U.S. that will upgrade your PII Celeron 400MHZ to PIII 1400MHZ. Won’t be as fast as a new motherboard and 1400MHZ processer but better than what you have now.
Peace
LIONsob
Like to go lower than 1700? Whatever you do, don’t set any performance numbers. Set a price maximum, andbuy to hit that. If you set a performance number, it’ll be obsolete in 2 months. :-/
An upgrade CPU isn’t a bad idea, but it would require that you get your hands dirty (in a computer sense).
Don’t go the upgrade option. You’ll just be throwing money down the drain. Also, you get more bang for the buck buying a desktop rather than a laptop.
PC Week recently had a great article on ~$500 computers. They don’t include the monitors, but I’m sure you have one! Nevertheless, they are quite powerful and include a suite of software that was impressive for the price. The Dell model was particularly impressive.
The trouble with plugging in new components in an old computer is that so many things change (and rather quickly) in pc hardware development and they are all related to each other…
A new CPU may require more power which your existing PSU doesn’t supply. It probably runs a higher front-side-bus than your motherboard supports. If you buy a new motherboard, these days they (mostly) only utilize double-data rate memory modules which are not compatible with your existing memory. And so the cycle goes.
And as the previous poster mentions, I hope you realize you have to pay $10 a month subscription to play the Sims Online.
dietrologia, very well said. I am leaning that way.
I have been discussing this at work with a couple of co-workers and I believe buying a new reasonnable desktop is the way to go.
I was just browsing the web, Gateway and Dell have good deals for what I need.
I can’t get my hands too dirty, like XPav put it ! , because I wouldn’t know how to. And being the novice that I am, I believe the warranties and tech support when you get a new PC is worth it.
Thanks for the tip on the Dell website, handy, I will check those deals out.
A lot of interesting, and potentially expensiver than necessary answers here.
I’d like to ask, before continuing, what kind of computer do you have? Some computers are less upgrade friendly than others, such as most Hewlett Packards/Compaqs and, probably, most eMachines. Other computers, your white boxes and, probably, Dells and Gateways will likely be easier.
Now for my set of questionable advice.
Upgrading is, of course, a much cheaper way to go. Not as good in the long run, and if your financial situation were better, I’d recommend getting a new PC too, but given the choice between doing nothing (and not playing Sims Online) and spending a few bucks and upgrading, I’d choose the latter. (Of course I’m addicted to video games, but that’s besides the point.)
And as far as that goes, I’d recommend getting a new Celeron processor, as a 1.1 GHz (or 1100 MHz, almost 3x as fast as your current proc) goes for $41 at googlegear, with free shipping. I’m about 95% certain that you wouldn’t have to change any other components (RAM, power supply, etc.) to upgrade to this, but I’m sure someone will be along shortly to prove me wrong if that’s the case.
I’m almost certain this won’t work. The CPU she has is based on the P2 while the celeron is based on the P3 or 4. The slot should be different, actually I think one is a slot and one is a socket.
I’d say your best option would be to:
1: manualy install the game and try it out.
2: Get a new computer, set a price that you won’t go over and stick to it. Anything you get will be at least 3x as fast as you have now.
3: the upgrade processor could work but really is not the best option. It may give you enough to play the game however. Don’t expect anywhere near the 1700 mhz. I would wag that it could give you as low as 500 Mhz to maybe 800 Mhz. Not that it won’t be running at 1700 Mhz, just it will not be running efficently.
Here’s another interesting computer tidbit (not important to the OP), the P3 should be faster then a P4 at the same clock speed. The advantage the P4 has is it is designed to be able to be run much higher clock speed to more then make up for it.
