Consoles & Accessories

[xSonyaxWarrenx]

Okay, so I own the sims 2 and just found out that my computer's graphics card isn't powerful enough to support the game. (I have no clue what my card currently is! >.< I just know that Can You Run It?.com said it wouldn't work)I know that EA recommends that you have one of these many chips:

ATI RadeonTM series (7000 or better)Radeon 7000/VE series (non-T&L; requires 2.0 GHz processor)7200, 75008500, All-In-Wonder 85009000, 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

But here's my questions:

1) How do I know if the graphics card I want to purchase is compatable with my Inspiron 1525?

2) What card would you recommend for a person like me, who doesn't have a ton of money to blow on graphics cards?

and

3) How much would it cost to instale a graphics card?

[Nokia]

You can't add a card. You'll have to buy a new laptop.

[Adamtech Emerging Expert]

I wish more manufacturers were like Asus, you can change the graphics card with just about any series of card.

[Dave-Intel]

Sonya,

One thing to consider here is that a new graphics cards can run $50-$150 and the installation might have you at $100-$200 all said and done.  For a couple hundreds bucks more than that, you can get a new laptop with a brand new, multicore processor, likely more RAM, up to date graphics solution etc.  Good luck.