Again, Many Thanks!!

Thank you! I came to that conclusion also. I will build one myself. Any further advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Hi! I was concidering purchasing this p.c. I have a 550 watt power supply and an ati 1300 video card I can put into it. I am now using an Hp with Celeron processor. (UGH!) Will this be an improvement or do you have any suggestions? My price range is about $1,000.00. Thanks!!
General Information
Manufacturer:  Hewlett-Packard
 
Manufacturer Part Number:  KA418UT#ABA
 
Manufacturer Website Address:  www.hp.com
 
Product Line:  Business Desktop
 
Product Series:  5000
 
Product Model:  KA418UT
 
Product Name:  Business Desktop dc5800
 
Product Type:  Desktop Computer
 

Processor & Chipset
Processor:  1 x Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2180 2GHz
 
Processor Technology:  EM64T
 
Bus Speed:  800MHz
 
Cache:  1MB L2 Cache
 
Chipset:  Intel Q33 Express
 

Memory
Standard Memory:  512MB
 
Maximum Memory:  8GB
 
Memory Technology:  DDR2 SDRAM
 
Memory Standard:  DDR2-800/PC2-6400
 
Memory Channel:  Dual-channel
 
Error Checking:  Non-ECC
 
Memory Slots:  4 Total
 

Storage
Hard Drive:  80GB Serial ATA/300 7200 rpm
 
Optical Drive:  DVD-Reader - DVD-ROM (Serial ATA)
 

Controllers
Controller:  Serial ATA/300
 

Display & Graphics
Graphics Controller:  Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 256MB Shared DDR2 SDRAM PCI Express x16 Integrated
 
Display Resolution:  2048 x 1536 (Graphics Card)
 
Color Support:  16.7 Million Colors 32-bit (Graphic Card)
 

Network & Communication
Network:  Intel 82566DM 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.3ab Integrated
 

I/O Expansions
Expansion Bays:  5.25" External Removable Media Bay (1 Total/0 Free)
 
Expansion Slots:  Low-profile PCI (1 Total)
 

Input Devices
Keyboard:  PS/2 Keyboard
 
Pointing Device:  Optical PS/2 Mouse with Scrolling Wheel
 

Interfaces/Ports
Ports:  2 x 4-pin Type A USB 2.0 - USB Front
 

Software
Operating System:  Windows Vista
 

Power Description
Input Voltage:  110V AC
220V AC
 

Physical Characteristics
Case Style:  Small Form Factor
 
Dimensions:  3.95" Height x 13.3" Width x 14.9" Depth
 
Weight:  17.86 lb
 

Miscellaneous
Package Contents:  Business Desktop dc5800
Mouse
Keyboard
Restore CD

 
Green Compliance:  Yes
 
Green Compliance Certificate/Authority:  IEEE 1680
 

Ah! Perfect! This is exactly what I have been looking for. Much appreciated!

Fankoo!

Denimjo....Are you upgrading from Intel integrated graphics? I had the same problem. I had to take out the new video card, turn my pc back on and disable the onboard graphics. Turn the pc back off, install the new video card, and my monitor got a signal again. Read the troubleshooting tips on the cd that came with the card for more detailed instructions. Took about 10 minutes. I hope that's what's wrong as it is easy to fix. Good Luck!

I' ll go take a look. Thanks!

Thanks! I have a 550watt power supply, a decent video card...maybe I will just try and buy a PC with all that in it and install my power supply & vid card into that.

I appreciate your help. It's a good thing I like to do research, huh? This game will turn me into a computer pro before this is over!

Again, Thanks!

Figures! 

How difficult and expensive would it be to get a new processor? Is it even possible?

O.K. I bought and installed an Ati x1300. The graphics are alot better! But, I still cannot play a 3x3 lot with four people and two dogs. No trees/shrubs/plants. No pool. No pond. Gameplay is slow and choppy.

I have 1024 gigs of ram...should I throw in another gig? I downloaded Cacheman XP and when I am on my lot I have about 200mb of ram left.

I have a little over 1 gig of cc. Very few clothes and hair. Is this the problem? 

I kow Celerons suck. It is a 2.6. Is this the bottleneck?

I am at a loss here. I have done everything I know to do. I shut down all security and background tasks. I defragged. I have 19 gigs of free space left. All graphics settings are set on "performance".

I have Xp, would creating a seperate account just for Sims help much?

I am stuck with this system for another year. It does play other games well. Morowind with all expansions, Black & White 2, Star Wars Jedi Academy and Empire at War, Sim City Deluxe. But it plays Sim Stories choppy, too.

If anyone has any suggestions or advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I love this stupid game. 

Many Thanks! This is great!

syberspunk:

Definatly a PCI only...sigh!

Next year at tax time, I should have about $1,000.00 - $1,500.00 to spend on a new gaming rig. I have 3 pc's at the moment (old, older, and oldest). I figure I can use it somewhere. This is just to tide me over. Thanks for the advice!

Yes, it is a PCI. I bought this computer before I knew any better. Next year I am building my own gaming pc. For now, though, I need to upgrade a little or my eyes will start to bleed!
Actually, Sims plays fairly well. Just very, very ugly.

Thanks! I think I will go with the 1300/ 256. I hope it helps!

Of course I have a Celeron!   

Hi!

I am attempting to upgrade my video card. I would like to buy the best card that I can that my processor can handle. I have a 550 watt power supply. I have a 2.6 and 2 gigs of ram. 80 gig hard drive.

I am looking to spend a maximum of $200.00.

Would someone please advise me on what to buy?

Thank You!

Edited to say I have a PCI slot.

Edit   I am looking at either an Ati 1300 or an  x1550 pro (both 256 memory). The 1300 is on the list of supported cards, the x1550 is not. Does that matter?

Good Luck!

Please let me know how it goes. I am about to install a new power supply also. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

I did go to best buy. I can get a 450 watt power supply for either $51.00 or $100.00. They charge $ 36.00 to install it. I just read another thread and it seems that it would not be too hard to install it myself.

When Sims2 first came out, I went to a store and told the salesperson that I needed a decent gaming machine.
The %#*((!! guy sold me an HP pavillion a307x. 80 gig hard drive (sorry!) 2.6 processor speed, 512 memory stick, 250 watt power supply, and integrated graphics.

Then, I found MATY!

Now, I am stuck with it. I doubled the memory, added a dvd drive and upgrated to an ATI 9200 video card. Seasons plays pretty well....without any custom content. As building modern houses is my main interest, this bites.

I have to say this computer has given me absolutely no problems at all. ( Knocks on wood!).

Thanks for all the advice! I have learned alot. I think I will proceed to Best Buy. Money is a major issue, so I may be forced to go with the cheaper one.

Hi! I have a Pavillion desktop with 2.6 gig hd, and 1 gig of ram. My problem? 250 watt power supply. (Sigh..)
An HP guy told me that I could upgrade my power supply for $450.00. Could I do it cheaper myself? I have installed a memory card and a dvd drive. How hard is it? Any help will be much appreciated.

Thank you! 

Ahhh....that could be it! I do it that way, but my daughter makes her pets with the family. I will go investigate and report back. Thank you!

Eh... My daughter seems to be having this problem also. We share a game, but not downloads. She has used downloaded sims as well as made sims in Cas and is having this problem with all of them.  if anyone finds the culprit, please let us know! Thanks.

WoW! I got this yesterday. Great neighborhood. Thanks!

I have Pets installed and used Insim fine. Get pregnant with and grow up. I don't know about the rest.

I tried that,too, and it doesn't seem to work for me, either.

Yessir! Thank you, Sir! Will download immediatly!

   Yea, Yea! They did it! I bet they are laughing at us!

On a serious note..I had a heck of a time doing a beach that way! I'm glad it's not just me.