Would i have to install things on it myself, like i don't know windows or an internet browser or something on one myself? I know i have to install the game i want to play on it, but would i have to install the whole game to it? This is getting even more complicated. What is a good one from ncix that isn't too expensive?

The problem ajshn is that you can't get cheap, powerful and long lasting. You gotta choose. Plus if you want it pre-built, it'll cost you. If you want it powerful enough to stay relevant for four years, it'll cost you. If you want something cheap, you'll have to cut corners somewhere, and the lower you go, the more of a sacrifice you're gonna have to make.

If you want a cheap(ish) PC for ONLY The Sims 3 + Expansions, that's doable, but it will struggle to play newer games. In my opinion it's better to save and then spend $1000 on a PC that will be relevant for year 4 years than $700 on a PC that will be relevant for two years.

Here's a suggestion for The Sims 3 + Expansions only on medium(ish) settings:

• PC Assembly and Testing With 1 Year Limited NCIX System Warranty PRE-CONFIG WIN. OS If Purchased ($50.51)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64Bit SP1 DVD OEM ($87.99)
• Intel Core i3 4130 Dual Core HYPER-THREADING 3.4GHZ Processor LGA1150 Haswell 4MB Cache Retail ($149.99)
• Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 H87 DDR3 2PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 HDMI CrossFireX SATA3 USB3.0 Motherboard ($97.99)
• G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL Ripjaws 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN DIMM Memory ($68.46)
• ASUS GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost OC DirectCU 1085MHZ 2GB 6.0GHZ GDDR5 2xDVI HDMI DP PCI-E Video Card ($179.99)
• Corsair CX Series CX430 430W ATX 12V 80 Plus Bronze Power Supply 120mm Fan ($44.99)
• Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 6GB/S 7200RPM 64MB Cache 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM ($58.99)
• Corsair Carbide Series 200R Black Gaming Case ATX 3X5.25 4X3.5 Front USB3.0 Audio No PSU ($49.99)

Total: $788.90 + Tax + Shipping

If you compare it to kewpie's build, his is only like $110 more but it's much better. Better CPU, better graphics, better case. The $788 build uses the same type of motherboard as the $895 build so you would have the option to upgrade the CPU later in a few years if you need to, but that upgrade would cost you like $135, assuming you would find a buyer for your second hand i3. The $895 build ends up being cheaper, and he gets the full benefit NOW.

If you can save up, and increase your budget for the tower from $700-$800 to like $900-$1000, it's worth it.

Addenum: In the build above, the company will assemble the computer, and install the operating system for you. When you receive it you just have to plug it in, turn it on, insert your The Sims 3 discs and start the installation process from scratch. You cannot just "copy" your files from your older computer. You may transfer your save files and custom content, but how to do that properly is discussed in other forums.

i7 is not worth for Sims because Sims can use CPU up to 3thread , i5 is more than enough.
if you don't plan to overclock grab i5 no K like i5-4570 and cheap H87 mobo.
but if you want overclock then buy i5-4670K , cheap Z87 mobo and aftermarket cooler such as CoolerMaster Hyper 212x.

I have all of the stuff picked out on that site, and I might as well keep the motherboard i have because i only save 4$ getting the cheapest one.
-PC Assembly and Testing With 1 Year Limited NCIX System Warranty PRE-CONFIG WIN. OS If Purchased
-Microsoft Windows 8 64Bit Full Version English OEM
-MSI H87M-G43 ATX LGA1150 H87 DDR3 2PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 3PCI SATA3 HDMI 4K CrossFireX USB3.0 Motherboard
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 6GB/S 7200RPM 64MB Cache 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM
-G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL Ripjaws 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN DIMM Memory
-Cooler Master HAF 912 Black Mid Tower ATX Case 4X5.25 1X3.5 6X3.5INT No PS Front USB Sound
-XFX 550W PRO550W Core Edition Single Rail ATX 12V 44A 24PIN ATX Power Supply 80PLUS Bronze
-ASUS Radeon HD 7870 1.0GHZ 2GB 4.8GHZ GDDR5 CrossFireX DVI HDMI DisplayPort PCI-E DX 11 Video Card
-Intel Core i5 4670K Unlocked Quad Core 3.4GHZ Processor LGA1150 Haswell 6MB Cache Retail
That puts me at about 923$, i just need to decide if i want to get a ssd or not. I was looking at this one:
Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5in SATA3 MDX Solid State Disk Flash Drive SSD
Its still only 95$ Of course though the prices will change and somethings will go out of stock because i can't even order it right now, hopefully next month though.

Change CPU to i5-4570 or 4670 and save 20$ , You don't need K version.

then add SSD Plextor M5Pro 128GB for 109$ http://stores.tomshardware.com/sear...&rd=1&rd_type=P

here is best SSD for the money http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews...hmark,3269.html

Okay so i went from the Intel Core i5 4670K to the Intel Core i5 4570, and that saves me 100$.
They do also have the Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5in SATA3 MDX on the site which is about the same as the plextor is on ncix site. I read that the samsung was better. That only puts me at $1,019. I don't even want to know how much tax would be at that point.

Last edited by ajshn : 22nd Sep 2013 at 6:36 PM.

Is this an alright motherboard: Gigabyte F2A85XM-D3H mATX FM2 A85X DDR3 1PCI-E16 3PCI-E1 2PCI SATA3 HDMI DVI USB3.0 Motherboard
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=76...te&promoid=1258

That is FM2 socket not compatible with 1150 CPU
1150 Socket have Z87 , Q87 , Q85 , H87 , B85 , H81
With Z87 H87 B85 H81 is common in market.
For i5 no K , H87 is a good match.

Okay, wel this one is an h87: ECS Motherboard H87H3-M3 Socket1150 2x DDR3 1600 MATX Retail
It would save me 14$, how about that one?

it's ok if you don't plan to add more RAM later.
anyway 8GB RAM is enough for today and maybe 2-3years later.

Well in that case, i guess i will just stick with the msi one, i want to be able to upgrade my computer when the time comes and never know if i might need more ram.

Last edited by ajshn : 24th Sep 2013 at 7:35 PM.

Hears stuff if you don't mind ordering from NEWEGG and assembling your self. The graphics card can be upgraded later if needed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Combo...t=Combo.1418414
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16832116986
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16823205015
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16824005516