Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 3 - needs new vide

[KatLinSmith26]

I currently have a computer that video card does not support Sims 3 - the computer I have is: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 3 - With Dell Dimension Dim 3000 Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz 2.79 GHz, 512MB of RAM

When trying to load SIMS 3 I get the error: "need Pixel Shader 2.0". It is apparent I need a new video card for my computer. Given the information above what type of Video Card (at a decent cost) could I get for my computer that would allow me to play SIMS 3?

If more information is needed please let me know - Thanks!

 

[JofaMang]

From what I could see on dell's website, the motherboard you have is very limited, and it's upgrade slots where you would install a new videocard, are only PCI. Most new cards are PCI-E, or even the rare AGP. You have niether, so you will need a PCI card, which is rare, but usually cheap.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131180&cm_re=4650-_-14-131-180-_-Product

It is lower power enough, that you should be able to just plug it in. Then download and install drivers from Nvidia, and your sims3 should be good to go. You will probably need to turn down the settings to low for it to be playable, but it should run ok once the settings the tinkered with.