Customized Configuration to Prep for Sims 2 Hello There, Well, I'm sure my current system won't handle The Sims 2 and it's time to upgrade anyway so I'd appreciate your input on the two following configurations for an HP Laptop. The only games I play are The Sims and, of course, I'll get The Sims 2 when it comes out. I just want to make sure I'm prepared and can also handle the expansion packs planned too: CTO Pavilion zt3000 series notebook - Pentium(R) M 1.4GHz - Microsoft(R)Windows(R) XP Home - 256MB DDR SDRAM(1X256MB) - 30 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive - DVD/CDRW Combo Drive - 15.4" WVA WXGA (1280x800) - 32MB Mobility Radeon(TM) 9200 dedicated --------------------------------------- CTO Pavilion zv5000 series notebook - Intel Pentium(R) 4 2.40 GHz - Microsoft(R)Windows(R) XP Home - 512MB DDR SDRAM(1x256MB) - 30 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive - DVD/CDRW Combo Drive - 15.0" TFT XGA (1024 x 768) - ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) 9000 IGP (64MB Shared) Which system would you recommend since I'm not a die-hard gamer? And, since it's customized do you recommend me going up in RAM should I go with the ZT3000 series or up to 64MB memory for the dedicated graphics card? Advice on both systems is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Out of those two selections, I'd recommend a CTO Pavilion zt3000 series notebook My personal feeling about any mainstream notebooks have been pretty negative recently since you can get quality notebooks at cheaper prices with equal or higher specs. We are currently finishing up white sheets for the WorldStore on our new Compal CL50 series notebooks. Processor Intel Centrino 1.3GHz Processor, Upgradable to 1.7GHz Memory Supports 2 x 266MHz DDR SODIMM Storage Ultra ATA notebook hard drive Media Drives DVD/CDRW Combo or DVD-R/-RW/CD-RW Recorder Graphics & Monitor 14" XGA+ (1024x768) or 15" SXGA+ (1400x1050) LCD Flat Panel Display 64MB DDR ATI ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 4X AGP w/TV-out Audio & Speakers Realtek ALC202 Codec Sound Blaster Pro with Built-in Microphone & 2 x Stereo Speakers Modem 56Kbps V.90/V.92 AC-Link modem Networking Integrated Intel PRO/Wireless 802.11B LAN for Centrino 10/100 Ethernet I/O Ports 3 x USB 2.0 1394 IEEE (FireWire) PCMCIA Port RJ-11 RJ-45 PCMCIA Slot Power Universal AC adapter, Power Cord 8 cells Li-ion Battery Pack Case Magnesium Alloy 330 x 273 x 29.9mm Accessories Notebook Carrying Case Recommended Model: CL50 15 inch SXGA+ 1400x1050 LCD Flat Panel Display Pentium M 1.4GHz Processor 256MB DDR RAM 40GB 4200RPM Hard Drive ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 64MB DDR 4X AGP support Price: 1498.99 Windows XP Home Edition
Hi Josh, Thanks for getting back to me. I'm a little torn and I'm hoping you can help me out. The dedicated memory system on the laptop I named in my previous post only comes with a widescreen display with the 1280x800 resolution. I won't be watching any DVD movies or anything like that and will only use the laptop for The Sims 2, Internet, Word applications and video editing on occasion. So I'm concerned about getting this resolution if The Sims 2 is going to look weird. I've read the resolution can be changed to 1024x768 but I'm not sure how this would look/work with The Sims 2. I also read that some games allow you to enter a custom resolution so there's another question raised. I guess if you play The Sims 2 in a 1024x768 res that you would just have black strips around the display right...whatever the math difference in 1280x800 - 1024x768. Is that right? I don't want to get something I don't need and am just weighing the shared memory vs. the widescreen -- the shared memory is the only system I'm looking into that comes with a 15.0 at 1024x768 but I really do want to get that dedicated memory. Thanks in advance for your advice.
It would vary from game to game really. I'm not sure how the programmers at Maxis configured the game seeing how they could have programmed the game to dynamic resolution for computers with wide screen resolutions. I've seen some games where it does take advantage of the widescreen ability while others do not. I will need to consult with someone over at Maxis to see whether they programmed to handle widescreen resolutions. I can tell you that the widescreen is really nice and is becoming quite popular.
Hi Josh, Thanks again for getting back to me. If Maxis hasn't programmed The Sims 2 for widescreen, what's the worst that could happen -- would it just be a black border around the edge of the game when played in 1024x768 or do you think the picture itself would be distorted and ugly? Again, I appreciate your help. You've really made this sooo much easier!
i would think it would just leave a black border. but thats just me. i really havent dealt with wide screens before.
Thanks again for the info. Josh, any word on the widescreen issue? Just wondering if the game will leave a black border with an acceptable picture at 1024x768, if the res is customizable to fit with widescreen or if the picture will be completely crummy either way. Even if it's not a customizable res, do you know how the picture quality is on a widescreen when a game is played at 1024x768? That's really all I need to know at this point before I order the computer. Just as long as the quality is good, I'm fine with it. Thanks!
I've already sent a priority one email to Maxis, but I'm still waiting for word back. There may be issues related to confidentiality, so it may take a while. :-/
im pretty sure that non-wide resolutions, the screen would compensate for with the black borders. and im pretty sure that ts2 will not support wide screens sorry to say. just logics in this case. but still would be good to hear a response from maxis about this. maybe sending that email they will add support for wide screen in ts2?
i'd take the 5000, note the strange resolution on the 3000 (1280x800) i'm guessing The Sims 2 won't have custom resolutions, sticking to 800600, 1024768, 12801024 or 16001280, keeping the 4:3 aspect ratio. They have a typo in the 5000 specs: "512MB DDR SDRAM(1x256MB)" 1 times 256 only equals 256, i dont know where the other 256 is coming from. either its total 256 MB, 2256MB or 1512 MB.
Hi Josh and everyone else too! Well, today was what I've been calling CB day (Computer Buying Day) since there's a great discount that ends on the 31st and then I logged on and learned about the game delay. I'm hoping you can help me one last time with your expertise. I'm looking at the following system specs and really value everyone's opinion on a couple of things before I plunge in and make a purchase before the 31st deadline. 1. With the game being delayed, in your opinion, do you think the system specs will dramatically change that the following sys specs wouldn't be able to handle TS2? 2. Since technology seems to change every day, might there be something 'bigger and better' out on the market in the 6 or so months we have to wait at the same price (after discounts and rebates I'm looking at about $1,000 for this computer) or could prices rise, technology won't be significantly better, etc. Just wondering if I should do the wait and see thing and not buy now or if it's okay to go for it now. Sorry to ask such basic questions. I just need some guidance. Here are the specs: - Mobile Pentium(R) 4 2.40 GHz - Microsoft(R)Windows(R) XP Home - 512MB DDR SDRAM(2x256MB) - 40 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive - 15.0" TFT XGA (1024 x 768) - 64MB Mobility Radeon(TM) 9600 (dedicated memory)
Hey Josh, Thanks for the heads up on the Centrino. I'll go back and check that out. Any ideas about my other 2 questions? 1. With the game being delayed, in your opinion, do you think the system specs will dramatically change that the following sys specs wouldn't be able to handle TS2? 2. Since technology seems to change every day, might there be something 'bigger and better' out on the market in the 6 or so months we have to wait at the same price (after discounts and rebates I'm looking at about $1,000 for this computer) or could prices rise, technology won't be significantly better, etc. Just wondering if I should do the wait and see thing and not buy now or if it's okay to go for it now.
1) I doubt Maxis will change the specifications that much. They will probably at most change how much memory required but everything else should be the same. 2) It is really your call. I remember this old comic where a wife was telling her husband "You aren't willing the race against technology" This last month price for technology like Memory have risen quite a bit (I think 2-5 dollars a week) while prices like in SoundCards have dropped. You can wait 6 months till you need to get the computer but beware that when the new stuff comes out, and you want it, expect to pay the price it for the new stuff as well.
