Hi I bought my daugter the Sims 3 game , now I need to upgrade to a new video card. I've been searching all morning and I can't find any answers. I've changed hard drives, added memory but never messed with sound or video. i need help. I want to spend around $50 . While we are at it, what sound cards will upgrade me? Thanks Jolie|||They only way I can find out if a graphics card is compatible with your computer is if you give all your system specs including the power supply. EMachines 1331G is just a model, there is no way to tell what's inside your computer.|||The graphics card is somewhat tricky, because there are different versions of the eMachines 1331G (for example the 1131G-05W, 1131G-03W and 1331G-01W). The problem- those different variants come with different capacity power supplies.
For example the -01W is a compact slimline unit, not a full-sized desktop. And like all slimline computers, it comes with a physically smaller, lower-wattage power supply... in this case, just 220 watts.
http://www.pacificgeek.com/product.asp?i…
The regular desktops sold through WalMart have either a 250W or 300W power supply, depending upon the specific submodel.
http://reviews.walmart.com/1336/13352323…
The only way to be sure of your computer's power supply rating is to open the case and read the label. If your computer has a 300W power supply, it can support better graphics cards than units which only have 250W or 220W.
If you have the slimline version of the 1331G with the skinnier chassis, you can only install half-height (typically referred to as low-profile) graphics cards. Standard full-height cards are too wide to fit inside slimline cases. You're also limited to cards which can run on the slimline's 220 watt psu. Your best option in such a situation is the low-profile Radeon HD 5450. Its not a gaming card, but it's good enough to play the Sims 3 smoothly. It's also the best card that will work in systems with such a weak power supply.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as…
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as…
The Sapphire model is a fanless/passively cooled model with slightly lower power consumption- that's the one I'd recommend for a slimline computer.
If your system has a 300W power supply, you have choices. The best cards you could install are the Radeon HD 5570 or GeForce GT240. Those are nice performers but are also more expensive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as…
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as…
Closer to your $50 price target are the Radeon HD 6450 and GeForce GT220. Those both work fine with a 300W power supply and might work with a 250W power supply. However if your computer only has a 250W psu there's no guarantee... My recommendation for people with a 250W power supply is to stick with the Radeon HD 5450, it's got the lowest power draw.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as…
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as…
All of the cards I've linked are low-profile-ready models, which means they come with both full-height and half-height brackets, so you can use them in either standard desktops or slimlines.
Of course with full-sized tower desktops, you're always free to upgrade the power supply in order to support better cards, it just means spending more money. For example, this power supply would allow you to run anything up to a Radeon HD 5670:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as…
You don't need a sound card upgrade unless your motherboard audio isn't working. Built-in sound is fine for most of today's game titles. Although if you really wanted one, the Soundblaster Audigy is about $25.
Graphics card performance:
http://www.techspot.com/review/244-ati-r…
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