Insimenator.org

my graphics card keeps messin up on me, its an nvidia MX4000. it will either reset the computer when i play on my sims for more than about half an hour, or it will just mess up the graphic. have included a piccy in another thread that i made not long ago bout this same problem. Anyone any idea how i can get it to work properly?

Thanks
Char
xxx

That card is not up to the task of running Seasons. The chance of the game working properly with that card is remote. It's amazing that your game runs at all.

i also have a Verto GF FX5200 128 MB graphics card, would that work any better or would that not run it? When i ran the 'seasons diagnostic' it told me that my graphics card was fine.

Char
xxx

Sorry to butt in, but how do you run the seasons diagnostic?
I want to see my computer compatibility.

i saw it in the general discussion area, will find a link for you now. you weren't butting in!!

Char
xxx

EDIT: I can't seem to find it, but i'm sure it was on here somewhere.

EDIT: Found it! http://www.insimenator.org/showthread.php?t=38432

nvidea's are notorious for crashing games, even newer cards. After a few crashes on my new computer I googled the error message and came across the phrase on the manufacturer's website, wherein TONS of people playing all sorts of games were getting that same error message and the manufacturer basically saying.."we don't know how to fix it"...

Typical of big companies really! wish they would just check the damn products work before sending them out!!

Char
xxx

Thanks. I'm gonna try it. I don't even know what kind of graphic card I have :doh:

Just to give everyone an idea of what a resource sucking pig that seasons is, I have 2 7600 GS 512 MB cards running in SLI mode for a total of 1 GB video RAM and I still have to wait and look at the blue screen when I re-enter the game after I alt+tab out. Now I will admit, my hoods are a bit extreme. The Woohoo U. sub-hood uses about 1 GB ram just sitting there in neighborhood view while the other "less developed" sub-hoods use ~650 MB.

Therefore IMHO, using less than a 7 series nVidia card with 256 MB vid ram is going to be problematic at best. Game manufacturers are notoriously optimistic in their estimations of what will work with their games. Sure it will run but just try and add something and/or do something with a minimum or even the "recommended" spec system.

just looking on ebay, would a 128mb ATI radeon 9200 be suitable for running the sims 2 seasons? I don't really have that many families since it always went so slow! Also becasue my motherboard is so old and crappy, i don''t think it has a PCI-E slot on it, so all the new graphics cards i can't get because most of the are PCI-E. i think my motherboard only has an AGP slot.

Char
xxx

XFX makes a 512 MB 7600 GS for AGP, it goes for about $150 US. I would really not recommend getting anything less than 256 MB, 512 MB would be preferable or you may find that you just threw good money after bad.

i don't really have £75 to sepnd on a graphics card, think will have to make do with a 256mb graphic card until i get more money. Would a radeon 9800 SE 256mb card be suitable?

Char
xxx

It will certainly be better than what you have now. Considering the fact you are on an AGP board and have pretty much reached the end of its upgradability the cheaper card may be the best answer until you can afford to get a newer system.

Thanks for your advice, it is much appreciated!! Going to go and buy one of ebay now! supposed to be trying to curb my ebay addiction!!! lol

Char
xxx

Charlie,

I have found that the Radeon cards are MUCH better at handling the Sims 2 games than nVidia's cards are, regardless of the chipsets.

I installed an ATI Radeon 9250 (PCI) with 256mb in my wife's computer, and she hasn't had a single graphics problem since (running all EP's and SP's including Seasons). That was purchased for about $50 (USD).

I installed a Radeon X550 with 256mb (PCI-Express) in my computer after Pets, Glamour Life, and Family Fun Stuff kept giving me the "blue screen of death" during game play. I have not had a problem since.

I would issue some caution on purchasing a graphics card from ebay. While the prices may be lower, there is virtually no recourse for you should the card be flawed or damaged, as most items are sold in "as-is" condition, and I was burned on a RAM purchase before that way. It's best to purchase the card new from a retailer, and then if something goes wrong or the card doesn't do all that you want it to, you have the option of returning or exchanging it.

Good luck.

Thank you, now I know my vid card sucks, lol. I'll look into a new vid card (and if I can even install one on this comp) tomorrow.

I couldn't disagree with you more. I had an X700 256 MB and found it to be the biggest POS I ever had the misfortune of paying good money for. I had to suffer with it for 3 months until I got my current setup. Never again ATI.

I have a 256 ATI radon.  It works beautifully compared to the Nvidia I had. I guess it could depend on the processor you have although that comment is off the top of my head because I'm not technically inclined.  I am going to upgrade to a 512 when I get the extra money.

i have the ATI Radeon 9200 and it works wonderfully on sims.

Okay! I'm confused now. Which on is best for The Sims, ATI Radeon or Nvidia????

ATI Radeon, i think. my experiences of Nvidia now is a bit shitty really, got two and the one i put in yesterday just rebooted the computer and i wasn't even on my sims!

Char
xxx

Hmmmmm.

Now I'm beginning to wonder if the graphics cards are more successful in relationship to certain motherboards and processors and displays rather than there being any -one- "better" graphics card arrangement over another.

Since I've installed the Radeon X550, I've been running my in-game graphics "maxed" and still not had a snag in the game, and this computer came with nVidia onboard. I tried two separate nVidia cards before the Radeon, and they made EVERYTHING on this computer actually worse.

I received a lot of warnings about trying to installed the Radeon and having problems with installation, but this one installed fine and quickly and I haven't had a problem since. I'm guessing that the video adapters are more 'system specific' than I might have previously believed.

Can a graphics card be incompatible with your system or is it if you have the right slot to fit it into that it should just work?

Char
xxx

Supposedly, if you want to upgrade your graphics card, you're -supposed- to use the same type as what is onboard (i.e. my computer came with nVidia, so I -should- upgrade to a 'better' nVidia card). However, such is not always the case, as I had more problems with nVidia cards than I did with a Radeon.

In a perfect world, as long as the card is a correct match for the slot (i.e. PCI, AGP, PCI-Express, etc), it -should- work. The world is not perfect, and neither are computers or graphics cards, and sometimes the 'recommended' solution is not always the best one. Considering the troubles you've had previously with nVidia cards, perhaps a Radeon card would be a better move for you and you may end up perfectly happy with one, as my wife and I are.

Ultimately, the differences between graphics cards is as much a matter of personal preference as it is anything else, with respect given to system compatibility. Naturally, there is no point in purchasing an AGP-slot card if you don't have an AGP slot to put it in, and so on and so on.

I've had it with Nvidia cards, they are crap in my opinion, had 2 and both mess up! have bought myself an Radeon 9800 SE 256mb card, i paid 35 quid for it so it better work! When it arrives will report if actually works or messes up my system even more. Don't know what it originally came with, prob some crappy card since my computer is probably bout 8 years old!!!

Char
xxx

Oh my, you didn't tell us that before. Ah well, good luck with it.

We got it when XP first came out so... must be actually bout 7 years old, but still, keep asking my dad to buy us a new one but he won't becasue he just paid for us to go to Florida for 2 weeks!

Char
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I live in FL, trust me, you would have been better off with a new computer.

Hmmm ........ yeah ........ that could be part of the problem, doll. If the system itself (i.e. the mainboard, processor, and RAM) is not fast enough, it may not support newer graphics cards. The graphics card should have a "Minimum System Requirements" detailed on it somewhere, and I would advise that you make sure your computer meets up with those requirements before you install the card to prevent even further frustrations and disappointments.

I think it is a matter of personal choice.  The Nvidia did not work for me and the ATI Radon did.  You may want to go somewhere that has someone knowledgable about computers, video cards etc, be sure to take the specs on your computer.  I installed the video card myself so I didn't have to pay labor.  It wasn't that difficult.  I just followed the instructions. I upgraded my RAM also on mine because I didn't have enough.

I agree. I'm on the flip side of this. I had a GeForce 4 MX 440 on my old computer and it ran the game no problems. With my new computer, I have an onboard ATI (newer chipset than before) and so far, it sucks. I get flashing blue trees all the time. I don't have to sit on a blue screen when I alt+tab, but that's because of the processor and possibly RAM too. I just ordered a Nvidia GeForce 7300LE 256MB and I did tons of research on that card and compared with others in my price range. For my money's worth, it's a good deal.

I definately prefer Nvidia.

Bought a card off ebay, only to find, the graphics card needs a power adapter... i never even knew graphics cards needed power adapters!!!! Have got on to fella who i bought it off and waiting for a reply now, i have no idea to check if this will work, but the computer seems to be responding to it as it alway tells me i haven't got the power adapter installed!

Char
xxx

I have the nvidia fx 5500 and it runs my game fine, well more then fine until I got seasons. Now with seasons I still dont get the blue screen of death but the graphics arent as good and my game is slow. Im looking to upgrade but because everyone else has different opinions about what the best graphics card is I dont know which one to go for.

Woohoo, i now have my new graphics card fully installed!! Am now off to try my sims!!

Char
xxx

I found a Geforce 5200 here, but I don't know if it is good dfor Seasons. What can you tell me,people? I also found the Geforce 6200. I can't find any others, I mean more modern ones...