Sims 3 System Requirements??!!

[serendipiter]

So, as you know, the requirements for the Sims 3 was released recently, and I just kinda look at them and go "Huh?" I thought that they were supposed to be so that you can run them on "granny's computer" or whatever. And I don't know about your grandma, but my grandma's computer couldn't even get close to the minimum requirements that they have posted for Sims 3.

So, thoughts on this? (BTW, my computer can't run them either, and it's a good, newer computer.  )

[Shadoesim]

(For those who haven't seen the requirements yet):

The Sims 3 System Requirements:

THE SIMS 3 MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

FOR WINDOWS XP
* Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
* 2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent
* 1 GB RAM
* At least 6.5 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content
* 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0

FOR WINDOWS VISTA
* Windows Vista (Service Pack 1)
* 2.4 GHz P4 processor or equivalent
* 1.5 GB RAM
* At least 6.5 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content
* 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0

For computers using built-in graphics chipsets, the game requires at least:
* Intel Integrated Chipset, GMA X3000 or above.
* 2.6 GHz Pentium D CPU, or 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, or equivalent
* 0.5 GB additional RAM

SUPPORTED VIDEO CARDS
NVIDIA GeForce series
FX 5900, FX 5950
6200, 6500, 6600, 6800,
7200, 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950
8400, 8500, 8600, 8800
9600, 9800, GTX 260, GTX 280

ATI Radeon™ series
9500, 9600, 9800
X300, X600, X700, X800, X850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
2400, 2600, 2900
3450, 3650, 3850, 3870,
4850, 4870
Intel® Extreme Graphics
GMA X3x00 series

My current rig should run this pretty good. I am building a new one around the end of Feb, though.

[bekidoll1]

(For those who haven't seen the requirements yet):

The Sims 3 System Requirements:

THE SIMS 3 MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

FOR WINDOWS XP
* Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
* 2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent


FOR WINDOWS VISTA
* Windows Vista (Service Pack 1)
* 2.4 GHz P4 processor or equivalent

What is the equivalent in terms of intel core 2 duo?

also, what about nVidia GeForce 9500GT?

[Vren Lyet]

The "Intel Core 2 Duo" does have two processor cores which translates to about from one and a half up to nearly double the power the CPUs listed above produce at their speed (GHz).

So, if you have some Intel Core 2 Duo that runs at say 2.0 GHz, you actually have two processor cores running at that speed, which should be as fast as a single core CPU running at 3.5 to nearly 4 GHz - depending on what type of application(s) you are running and how well the application(s) make use of multi-core processors.

As for the video card: can't help you there, sorry.

[Ghostie]

I would think your video card is sufficient, as it's fairly recent !!

[twinklelilstar]

I just got my computer in August, and it can barely run it.

[murfwithjess]

The "Intel Core 2 Duo" does have two processor cores which translates to about from one and a half up to nearly double the power the CPUs listed above produce at their speed (GHz).

So, if you have some Intel Core 2 Duo that runs at say 2.0 GHz, you actually have two processor cores running at that speed, which should be as fast as a single core CPU running at 3.5 to nearly 4 GHz - depending on what type of application(s) you are running and how well the application(s) make use of multi-core processors.

As for the video card: can't help you there, sorry.

Just to let you know if the sims 3 comes compatible for duel core than its fine BUT if its only compatible for single core, than if you are running  duel core it will only use a single core NOT BOTH OF THEM... Thats the sh** about games not getting made for duel core.... AMD x2 , and Intel2 duo.....So, to sum it up, if sims3 is on single core compatible than your 2.0Ghz duo will be UNDER minimal requirements.....   

[Vren Lyet]

EAxis would be stupid not to make use of the dual core processors capabilities (performance wise).
ALL new computers DO have multi-core processors, so why not use them?
Nonetheless, the game WILL work on a single core machine as stated in the system requirements.

I can't imagine why in the world EAxis would limit Sims 3 to only use one core...so, no worries there.

[testeure]

I might be wrong. But we may experience less lag on The Sims 3 than in The Sims 2 since TS3 uses multiple core. Unless, for someone stupid unknown reason, The Sims 3 isn't build for multiple cores, but I doubt it ==> nowadays, almost everyone uses double cores.

[Vren Lyet]

Well, rumor has it Intel's going to introduce mobile versions of their Quad-Core processors this year - so multi-core processing is definitively becoming standard.

[Will]

What about Mac? and when is the release for Mac Computers?

[SabreKitteh]

Probably when a third party decides it's worth it to convert the game.  Which may be a while, considering that EA will probably screw up somewhere along the line with the way they code things.

[sharkloverplaye]

This is what I have.

Windows XP Service Pack 2
Videocard FX Nivedea 5200 This didn't make the list of compatible videocards for the sims 3
Ram 1gb
Cpu 2.8

If I upgrade my videocard will I be able to play the game?I was thinking a card with 512mb might make up for only 1gb of ram which is the bare minimum.I can't upgrade the ram on this pc anymore.

[bekidoll1]

Ok, so I've had a long hard think and I might buy a new tower ready for the game...how do the specs of this sound?...

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz
6MB Cache
Socket 775
2GB Corsair Memory
DDR II
800MHz
nVidia GeForce 9500GT
640GB WesternDigital Hard Drive
SATA II (3Gb/s)
7200rpm
DVD Writer
Double Layer/Dual Format Support
ATX Tower Case
12 Month on-site warranty
Windows Vista Home Premium

[BlooM]

Pixel Shader 2.0 will be a problem on alot older graphic cards.