Revision as of 17:16, 17 October 2009

Desktop Graphics Card Compatibility and Recommendations

This chart is for desktop graphics ONLY and does not take into account the rest of your computer. If you have an awesome graphics card but crappy everything else, your performance will suck. If you have an awesome graphics card and everything else and pile on all EPs and tons of high-poly, large-texture custom content, your performance will suck. Don't blame us.

Please note: It is not recommended that you attempt to play TS2 or TS3 on an integrated video chipset. If you have a computer with integrated video, it is recommended you view this guide.

KEY

Yes - Known to give good game play, little or no lagging is expected

Maybe - Performance is uncertain/unknown, or may still be mostly playable with expected lagging/reduced performance

No - Not recommended/known problems/poor performance

**Regardless of the performance potential of these cards, the GeForce 8500GT and Radeon 3850x2 are known to have compatibility problems with TS2.

! At least some if not all of Nvidia's cards with G86 and G84 cores are defective. They they do not handle heat like they should. This includes all GeForce 8400/8500/8600/8700 cards.

System Requirements for The Sims 2

A note on these requirements: These are the requirements as posted by EA/Maxis for the game. These are the absolute bare minimums you need to get the game up and running. These are NOT the minimum requirements for a playable game experience! If you have just the bare minimum and a low-end graphics card, you will NOT be able to play the game! It will run... but it will not look good, run well, or run consistently without crashing.

Items marked in red are those which, while officially supported, are completely unsuitable for playing The Sims 2.

It is recommended that for the base game you have at least:

• A 1.5 GHz processor
• A 128 MB video card
• 512 MB of RAM.

If you are running Windows Vista you should have at least DOUBLE those specs for the base game!

It is recommended for expansions, especially later ones like Pets and Seasons that you have at least:

• A 2.5 GHz processor
• A 256 MB video card - a newer, better one (higher MIDDLE numbers = better. For example a Nvidia 7600 would be faster than the newer 8400. Newer does not necessarily equal better. Generally speaking, expect the previous series mid-range cards to perform similar to the current series low-end, and so forth.)
• 1GB of RAM for XP or 2GB of ram for Vista.

Please note that nVidia GO series cards (found in laptops) are widely thought of as being NOT compatible with Sims 2 and are not supported for use with Sims 2 or its expansions! While some people report no problems, it is far more likely that you -will- have problems running Sims 2 if you have a GO card. Updating drivers can help sometimes but usually not. If you already have a laptop with a GO card it will not hurt your computer to try to run the game on it, however it is certainly recommended that when getting a new laptop you choose one without a GO card. The best thing to do if you have a GO card and you would like to play Sims 2 is to pick up one of the Stories series games (Life Stories, Pet Stories, or Castaway Stories) which are specifically made for laptop gaming and do support the nVidia GO series cards.

Mobile gpus which are strong enough to play the game well

Base Game/University

If you have a T&L capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM then you need at least:

• 800 MHz processor or better
• 256 MB RAM if Windows Vista, XP, Windows ME, Windows 98 or Windows 2000
• At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space

If you have a non-T&L capable video card (an Intel Extreme Graphics or a Radeon 7000/VE Series) then you need at least:

• 2.0 GHz processor or better
• 256 MB RAM if Windows Vista, XP, Windows ME, Windows 98, or Windows 2000
• At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space

Get the most current driver for your video card. The manufacturers usually have the video drivers on their sites for you to download. Visit the nVidia site, the ATI site or the support site for your computer's manufacturer for the latest drivers for those video cards.

Supported video cards (and the more video memory the better):

• ATI RadeonTM series (7000 or better)

Radeon 7000/VE series (non-T&L; requires 2.0 GHz processor)

7200, 7500

8500, All-In-Wonder 8500

9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800

X300, X600, X800

• Nvidia QuadroTM series

Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4

• Nvidia Geforce series (GeForce2 and better)

GeForce2

GeForce3, 3 Ti

GeForce4, 4Ti, MX 420, 440

GeForce FX 5200, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950

GeForce 6600, 6800

* Intel Extreme Graphics (non-T&L; requires 2.0 GHz processor)

82845, 82865, 82915

Nightlife/Open for Business

In order to install and play The Sims 2 Nightlife and/or Open for Business you must have The Sims 2 installed and meet the hardware requirements listed below:

• Windows Vista, XP, ME, 98, or 2000 operating system.
• 1000 MHz (1 GHz) or faster processor.
• 256 MB or more RAM.
• At least 1.5 GB of additional hard drive space.
• Supported T&L-capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM.

Supported Video Cards:

• ATI Radeon series 8500 or better (7x00 models no longer supported)

• All-In-Wonder 8500, 9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800, X300, X600, X700, X800, and X850.

• Nvidia Geforce series:

GeForce 2, 2 GTS

GeForce 3, 3 Ti

GeForce 4, 4 Ti, 4200, 4600, and 4800

GeForce MX 420, 440, and 460.

GeForce FX 5200, 55500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, and 5950.

GeForce PCX 5300, and 5900.

GeForce 6200, 6600, and 6800.

• Nvidia QuadroTM series:

Quadro, Quadro2, and Quadro4

* Intel Extreme Graphics:

82865, 82915, and higher

NOTE: If you have a non-T&L capable video card, such as Intel Extreme Graphics, then you need at least a 2.4 GHz processor.

Pets/Seasons

In order to install and play The Sims 2 Pets and/or Seasons you must have The Sims™ 2, The Sims™ 2 Special DVD Edition, or The Sims™ 2 Holiday Edition for PC and meet the hardware requirements listed below:

• 1300 MHz processor
• 256 MB RAM (512 MB RAM is recommended for Windows Vista or if you are running with a few expansion packs installed)
• Windows(R) Vista, Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98 or Windows 2000 Operating System.
• 8x or faster CD/DVD drive
• At least 1.5 GB of additional hard drive space (5.0 GB total is required if installing both The Sims 2 and The Sims 2 Seasons Expansion Pack at the same time.)
• A T&L-capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM.

Supported video cards:

• ATI Radeon(TM) series 8500 or better (9600 or greater required for Vista)

8500, All-In-Wonder 8500

9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800

X300, X600, x700, X800, x850

X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950

• Nvidia(R) Quadro(TM) series

Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4

• Nvidia GeForce series GeForce2 GTS and better (GeForce 6200 or greater required for Vista)

GeForce 2, 2 GTS

GeForce 3, 3 Ti

GeForce 4, 4 Ti, 4200, 4600, 4800, MX 420, 440, 460

GeForce FX 5200, 5500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950

GeForce PCX 5300, 5900

GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800

GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950

S3 GammaChrome

S18 Pro

S18 Ultra

Intel(R) Extreme Graphics (see note below)

82865, 82915 and above

NOTE: If you have a non-T&L capable video card, such as Intel Extreme Graphics, then you need at least a 2.4 GHz processor.

Bon Voyage/FreeTime

In order to install and play The Sims 2 Bon Voyage, FreeTime, and/or Apartment Life you must have The Sims 2 installed and meet the hardware requirements listed below:

• OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98

• Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows

• Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive

• Hard Drive: At least 1.5 GB of free space

• Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible

• Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible

Windows XP/Me/2000/98

• CPU: 1.3 GHz or faster

• RAM: 512 MB or more

Supported Graphics Cards:

• ATI Radeon(TM) series (8500 or better)

8500

All-In-Wonder 8500

9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800

X300, X600, x700, X800, x850

X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950

• NVIDIA(R) Quadro(TM) series

Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4

• NVIDIA GeForce series (GeForce2 GTS and better)

GeForce 2, 2 GTS

GeForce 3, 3 Ti

GeForce 4, 4 Ti, 4200, 4600, 4800, MX 420, 440, 460

GeForce FX 5200, 5500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950

GeForce PCX 5300, 5900

GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800

GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950

Windows Vista

• CPU: 2.0 GHz or faster

• RAM: 1024 MB or more

Supported Graphics Cards:

• ATI Radeon(TM) series (9600 or better)

9600, 9700, 9800

X300, X600, x700, X800, x850

X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950

• NVIDIA GeForce series (GeForce 6200 or better)

GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800

GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950

Apartment Life

In order to install and play The Sims 2 Apartment Life you must have The Sims 2 installed and meet the hardware requirements listed below:

• OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98

• Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows

• Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive

• Hard Drive: At least 1.5 GB of free space

• Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible

• Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible

Windows XP/Me/2000/98

• CPU: 1.8 GHz or faster

• RAM: 512 MB or more

Supported Graphics Cards:

• ATI Radeon(TM) series (8500 or better)

8500

All-In-Wonder 8500

9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800

X300, X600, x700, X800, x850

X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950

• NVIDIA(R) Quadro(TM) series

Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4

• NVIDIA GeForce series (GeForce2 GTS and better)

GeForce 2, 2 GTS

GeForce 3, 3 Ti

GeForce 4, 4 Ti, 4200, 4600, 4800, MX 420, 440, 460

GeForce FX 5200, 5500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950

GeForce PCX 5300, 5900

GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800

GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950

Windows Vista

• CPU: 2.4 GHz or faster

• RAM: 1024 MB or more

Supported Graphics Cards:

• ATI Radeon(TM) series (9600 or better)

9600, 9700, 9800

X300, X600, x700, X800, x850

X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950

• NVIDIA GeForce series (GeForce 6200 or better)

GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800

GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950

Family Fun/Glamour Life/Celebration/H&M Fashion/Teen Style/Kitchen & Bath/IKEA Stuff Packs

In order to use a Stuff Pack, you must have The Sims 2, The Sims 2 Special DVD Edition, The Sims 2 Holiday Edition installed, The Sims 2 Deluxe, or The Sims 2 Double Deluxe and you must meet the following system requirements:

• OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98

• Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows

• CPU: 1.0 GHz or faster

• RAM: 256 MB or more

• Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive

• Hard Drive: At least 350 MB of free space

• Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible

• Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible

Video card must have 32 MB or more memory and one of these T&L capable chipsets:

• ATI Radeon 8500 or greater; 9600 or greater recommended.
• Nvidia GeForce2 GTS or greater; 5600 or greater recommended.

Mansion and Garden Stuff Stuff Pack

In order to use a Stuff Pack, you must have The Sims 2, The Sims 2 Special DVD Edition, The Sims 2 Holiday Edition installed, The Sims 2 Deluxe, or The Sims 2 Double Deluxe and you must meet the following system requirements:

• OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98

• Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows

• CPU: 1.8 GHz or faster (2.4 GHz for Vista)

• RAM: 1024 MB or more

• Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive

• Hard Drive: At least 1 GB of free space (5.0 GB if installing with The Sims 2 at the same time)

• Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible

• Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible

Video card must have 64 MB or more memory and one of these T&L capable chipsets:

• ATI Radeon 8500 or greater; 9600 or greater recommended (9600 or greater required for Vista)
• Nvidia GeForce2 GTS or greater; 5600 or greater recommended. (GeForce 6200 or greater required for Vista)

The Sims 2 System Requirements for Mac

These are the absolute bare minimums you need to get the game up and running on a Mac. These are NOT the minimum requirements for a playable game experience! If you have just the bare minimum and a low-end graphics card, you will NOT be able to play the game! It will run... but it will not look good, run well, or run consistently without crashing.

• Operating System: Mac OS X 10.3.8 or later

• CPU: PowerPC G4/G5

• CPU Speed: 1.2GHz or faster

• RAM: 256 MB or more

• Hard Disk Space: 3GB free disk space

• Video Card: Radeon 9000/GeForce FX5200 or better; 32MB of Video RAM

• CD/DVD drive

The Sims 3 System Requirements

A note on these requirements: These are the requirements as posted by EA/Maxis for the game. These are the absolute bare minimums you need to get the game up and running. These are NOT the minimum requirements for a playable game experience! If you have just the bare minimum and a low-end graphics card, you will NOT be able to play the game! It will run... but it will not look good, run well, or run consistently without crashing.

Items marked in green are those which are also recommended by MTS for playing The Sims 3.

FOR WINDOWS XP

• 2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent (2.0ghz Core 2 Duo or higher is recommended)
• 1 GB RAM (2GB of RAM is recommended)
• A 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0 (256 MB dedicated video card - mid-range or higher - is recommended)
• The latest version of DirectX 9.0c
• Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2
• At least 6.1 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB of additional space for custom content and saved games

FOR WINDOWS VISTA

• 2.4 GHz P4 processor or equivalent (2.0ghz Core 2 Duo or higher is recommended)
• 1.5 GB RAM (at least 2.5GB of RAM is recommended)
• 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0 (256 MB dedicated video card - mid-range or higher - is recommended)
• Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 1
• At least 6.1 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB of additional space for custom content and saved games

For computers using built-in graphics chipsets, the game requires at least:

• Intel Integrated Chipset, GMA 3-Series 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
• 9300, 9400, 9500, 9600, 9800
• G100, GT 120, GT 130, GTS 150
• GT 220, GTS 240, GTS 250, GTX 260, GTX 275, GTX 280, GTX 285, GTX 295

Note: EA does not list the entire 200 series as being supported. However, we have expanded the list to include cards from the series which should work well.

ATI Radeon™ series:

• 9500, 9600, 9800
• X300, X600, X700, X800, X850
• X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
• 2400, 2600, 2900
• 3450, 3650, 3850, 3870,
• 4830, 4770, 4850, 4870, 4890

Note: The official list no longer includes the anything below the 4850 from the Radeon 4000 Series graphics cards. However, we have expanded the list to include some these cards which should work just fine.

Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA)

• GMA 3-Series, GMA 4-Series

Laptop versions of these chipsets may work, but may run comparatively slower. Standalone cards that are installed in vanilla PCI slots (not PCIe or PCIx or AGP), such as some GeForce FX variants, will perform poorly.

Intel integrated chipsets featuring underclocked parts will not perform adequately.

Integrated chipsets such as the ATI Xpress and the NVIDIA TurboCache variants may default to settings that are higher than what would be optimal for them. Graphics settings can be lowered to improve performance.

Please note that attempting to play the game using video hardware that isn't listed above may result in reduced performance, graphical issues or cause the game to not run at all.

The NVIDIA GeForce FX series is unsupported under Vista.

The Sims 3 System Requirements for Mac

• Mac OS X 10.5.7 Leopard or higher
• Intel Core Duo Processor
• 2 GB RAM
• ATI X1600, Nvidia 7300 GT with 128 MB of Video RAM, Intel Integrated GMA X3100, or better.
• At least 6.1 GB of hard drive space, with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content and saved games
• This game will not run on PowerPC (G3/G4/G5) based Mac systems, or the GMA 950 class of integrated video cards.

MAC OS X Supported Video Cards

NVIDIA GeForce series

• 7300, 7600
• 8600, 8800
• 9400M, 9600M GT
• GT 120, GT 130

ATI Radeon(TM) series

• X1600, X1900
• 2400, 2600
• 3870,
• 4850, 4870

Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA)

• GMA 3-Series