I am thinking about grading my MOB and wanted your opinion as too should I or what board would be best. I have already upgraded power supply, memory, new dvd/cd player, new fan, but the only thing I have not updated if my MOB and processor. What are your feelings on this. Currently running the sims 3 and when neighborhood comes up it is black and green then it takes a minute and fixes it self. Here are my specs.

Manufacturer : eMachines
Mainboard : To be filled by O.E.M. MS-7207G
Chipset : nVidia nForce 430
Processor : AMD Athlon 64 3500+ @ 2200 MHz
Physical Memory : 2560 MB
Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Hard Disk : Maxtor (82 GB)
Hard Disk : ST3160212A (160 GB)
DVD-Rom Drive : SONY DVD RW DRU-842A
Monitor Type : Samsung SyncMaster - 24 inches
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 Service Pack 3
DirectX : Version 9.0c (October 2008)

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435)
glish (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: T6528
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Memory: 2560MB RAM
Page File: 715MB used, 3028MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

thank you for your help.
panuts

Do you mean motherboard? That is abbreviated mobo.. A new motherboard is going to mean new CPU, RAM (sorry you already did that with that computer as it wouldn't be compatible with current boards) and case as well. Hard drive is also IDE so it would be a good idea to go ahead and replace that as well. How much are you willing to budget?

Definitely worth it, but expensive. You are essentially looking at a new build.

What is your current manufacturer and model of power supply?

My power supply is a Antec 500 watt, I had upgraded that also when I did everything else. And sorry I did mean MOBO. I am currently running two hard drives d being the smallest at 80GB the main is 180GB. I am thinking of doing a new MOBO, Processor and ram I guess. Unless by uping my current ram I could run the sims3 world adventures. Right now the game is slow and the neighborhood starts as black and green then it clears up and looks like a normal neighborhood. That is what started the process of thinking of upgrading the computer. I really dont have alot of money to spend since I am a caregiver, I was hopping to try it myself but I am not sure if it would not be something really hard to do. My op sys is xp pro. I appreciate your help and any information you can give me.

No. Your weakest link is the single core processor, and you will need a new motherboard to fix that.

If the problem you're experiencing isn't with actual game or user files then it sounds graphics card related to be honest.. I'm not saying the upgrade wouldn't be worth it for you, because it for sure is, but I wouldn't guarantee it would fix your issues...

I suggest installing these drivers first:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...6a-9b6652cd92a3
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_186.18_whql.html
Restart your computer afterwards.

Then try this: http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?tit...%203%20Crashing

If that doesn't work then I would try reinstalling via this method: http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?tit...p:TS3_Uninstall



----------------------
For upgrades:

I assume you mean Antec? Basiq or Earthwatts?

Assuming you have XP to install on the new machine, this would be bare minimum (if you want to install win 7 you're going to need to go with 4gb):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16819103680
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16813128394
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16820231098
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16811129042 - like I said, you're going to need a new case, and for $52 no ship or tax, it's going to be hard to beat.

For $30 you could swap CPU using this combo discount: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Combo...st=Combo.320277

And since you're running IDE I suggest HDD upgrade: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16822152181

Like I said, that's minimum. Buying a AM3 board, which also happens to use DDR3 RAM:

Will be better for future upgrade purposes, but costs more.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16813128398
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16820231134

You could also upgrade to i5 or crossgrade to i3, if you wanted to stick to Intel, but it's more expensive than AMD.

Thank you for the info, but I did get a little confused you want me to re install directx 9.c that is one of the links you sent me. Just wanted to make sure before I do that. Also I had updated my Nvida driver to 195.39 I had the same problem when I using the 186.18 driver. I will pull all downloads and mods to see if the game acts funny, and I am going to go ahead and run the procmon to see if any files are trouble. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to help me.

According to your dxidag your Directx is way out of date, so yes I meant to link you to that.

The first link asks for you to do a lot more than remove custom content.

I, also, linked to a reinstall method that will 100% narrow it down from game to computer.

Thank you callistra did the direct x thing and I did the promon from delphy and my machine is running better. I appreciate your help, you have been wonderful. I am also considering to get that mobo and cpu and ram, but I am still scared about doing the op system which I know would have to be done.

Well if you can build it then installing the OS is a piece of cake. Just stick the disc in, boot to the optical, and follow the directions on the screen.

Then you'll have to install all the necessary drivers, and I can find all those for you.

Will you run Windows 7 64 bit or stick to XP for now?

I will stick to XP since I have been using that for so long. I have used it since it first came out and do not like the other op's at all. I have a question and I know this is not the place but you have so helpful to me.. I hope you dont mind me asking.. When running the game and after I open a lot I built on I can place objects then go to edit town it will load and then I can save. I can do this just twice to the same house then on the third try it will just keep loading and never stop. I have to go to desk top to close out, rename the save backup remove the other and then go back in game. I have reinstalled and patched I am not sure if I patched right. I only had five patches and patched to 1.7.9. I checked the patch list and there are so many I had region One and this is how I patched 1.2.7.00001 from 1.0.631.00001 then 1.3.24.00001 from 1.2.7.00001 then 1.4.6.00001 from 1.3.24.00001 then 1.6.6.002001 from 1.4.6.00001 then 1.7.9.002001 from 1.6.6.002001 did I do that right I am confused. Here is the link http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?t...:Patch_Download
I am so very sorry for asking a stupid question.

I wanted to say callistra thank you so much for you help. And I have been thinking of re building my computer with what you suggested. I fear that this computer maybe getting old. Again thanks for your help with everything.

Is there a way I still could use my hard drive with the recomended setup that you told me about? I am trying to save money and use the stuff I have already. Thank you for your response.

It would be a worthwhile upgrade for you, but it is possible to use the one you already have, assuming it's working fully.

Thank you for responding to my question. But, I have a question sorry to ask again. It is I want to keep my graphics card,( I can change the hard drive but would for the time being like to keep that the same) my dvd rom,XP pro. Will my graphics card work with this mother board that you suggested
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16813128398 I am looking at that board and this processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16819103680
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16820231134

would this be a decent system and upgrade able for the future that is one of my concerns. Thank you for helping and being so kind.

Your links do not work.

sorry I tried to post from the links you had provided and it did not work. I want to use your suggestions for the MOBO, the Processor and the Memory.
if that helps.

remember, you're going to need a new case too.



these? these will all work with your graphics card. you may likely still experience some lag on the highest settings, and for future proof reasons it would be better to go with a AM3 board, like I mentioned above, but that will get you by at absolute bare minimum.

Taking into consideration and your advice I do want to go with the MOBO you suggested above http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16813128398. What all would you recommend to go with that? I was leaning toward buying an AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail Item#:N82E16819103727 at new egg. I know a new hard drive would be needed. But, if I could keep my graphics card, DVD player and power supply then I could save a few bucks. I dont want bare minimum I might as well do this to mid range since it will be from scratch right? Again, thank you for your patience I appreciate it.

965 is a waste of money. If you want to spend that much on a CPU then you might as well go with Intel: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16819115215 and a P55 board.

Otherwise the 925 I mentioned before would be a worthwhile upgrade. The strongest AMD CPU I would bother with would be the 945.

I am sorry I was trying to find the 945 on new egg and can not seem to find it. Can you link it to me please. The reason I was going with the 965 is it is benchmarked right under the i7. But I have made up my mind and I am following your suggestion and going with the AM3 board, now I just need a processor for it. And according to the specs of the MOBO I can use my hard drive, video card,DVD burner and power supply. That should save me money, even though I would have to buy memory. Am I wrong with any of this? I hope you do not mind that I am going to follow your suggestions. Thanks again.

Intel is faster for the same money (or less depending on the deals of the moment), that is why I say the 965 is a waste.

If you search "AMD 945" or "Phenom 945" you get three options. This is the one you want: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16819103809

Yes, your hard drive, optical and graphics card are compatible. You will need to buy DDR3 RAM and a case. RAM like this (same as suggested in my link with the AM3 Gigabyte board) is good for XP: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16820231134 Or this if you don't want to have to replace it/buy more when you upgrade the OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16820231276 It would cost considerably more two buy another 2GB set down the line than to just get the 4GB now.

Thank you so very much. If I wanted to go with intel what would I need for that system?

Same ram would work, but you'd need a P55 board. Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16813128425

Thank you callistra. I am weighing out the options now. I think to build a intel system will run a lot more then I have to spend compared to the AMD. After I add everything up I think that will be the determing factor.

callistra, quick question what intel processor would you recommend to run xp pro? And I would have to buy a new hard drive would I not if I went Intel? I noticed on the intel board per your last response the P55 it states that it has no video chip set in the specifcations so I would need a different graphics card would I not? Thank you again. I must say I am sorry for being a bother. I just need to put this together so I wont have to do this for more then 4 years down the line (I hope). And yet the cost matters being a mom and a caregiver.

i5 750 http://www.microcenter.com/single_p...duct_id=0317379 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16819115215

The board has a PATA slot, so your hard drive should work.

You only use the onboard video chipset if you don't have a graphics card, so you do not have to buy a new one.