SIMS3 on a FX580, will it play?

I need to ask the question that has no easy answer, but here goes.
I plan on building a system for myself and I would like to do both CAD and games. All that I have read indicates so far that this is a fool's quest, however, please hear me out.
I have access to all of the high end Autodesk CAD tools (Inventor, 3D Studio Max, Maya) and would like to spend some time learning them. Because of this, I plan on purchasing a Quadro FX580 card (because of the budget I have).
The games I play are mostly simulation games like SIMS3. It is my understanding that they do not require cutting edge game graphics. In fact, what I have been able to find out (and there is not a lot written on this) is that these games rely much more on processor speed and memory than the 1st person shooter games.
The problem I have is that nothing is shown as to what type of game performance one could expect from a CAD graphics card. I know it would be poor compared to a game card, but It would still be helpful.
Does some comparison exist?
Initially I thought I would get a GeForce GTX 260 Card but because I think my graphics requirements are more skewed to the CAD side, I am leaning towards a Quadro FX580.
My worry is that if I do go with the FX580, will SIMS3 start up or will it come back and say I don't have a recognizable graphics card.
Any comments or opinions?
The system I am shooting for is an Intel i5 750 with 4GB of RAM to start.