I’d prefer to have a laptop and my budget is anything under $700 and I’m in the US. If you could tell me what kind of details I should be looking for in a laptop that’ll run good with the game or like how it all works then that’ll be great.
@avalynn1206 Sorry for the delay in responding. There aren't a lot of gaming laptops available for $700 or less right now, but if you're patient, you should be able to find something that works. As an example, this one should run all current packs together on ultra graphics settings, with some room to spare to account for more demanding custom content.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1542057-REG/msi_gf63_thin_9scx_005_gf63_i5_9300h_8gb.html
The key here is the graphics card: an Nvidia 1650 can handle ultra settings, it's significantly faster than the previous generation's 1050, and it's significantly less expensive than the faster 1660 ti. The processor is fine, as are all the processors that get paired with a 1650. 8 GB RAM is enough for Sims 4; even if 16 would be nice to have for multitasking, it's not strictly necessary. A 256 GB hard drive is small but can still fit the entire game and 100 GB of cc, not that you'd want to wait that long for the game to load.
I saw this one too, with the same hardware except for a larger hard drive:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/574675577
It's $712, but I figured it was worth mentioning.
If you find something you like, feel free to link it for a second opinion.
Hi! I would really like your help!!
(I wonder kinda the same thing) 🙂
I’ve played sims 4 since 2017 and I play on a Mac book pro.
I’ve tried cc 2 times before. It works at first but then my game crashes and I can’t open it again.
It took a long time and service but then I finally could open the game again, but then EVERYTHING in my sims 4 was gone!! Like everything was rinsed!
Since then I haven’t wanted to test cc again! And I really want cc, mods and stuff like that (packs too).
So is there anything I can get advice on that might help? Like if I should get a new laptop or something.
Cus the laptop also gets hot, laggy and slow when I play, and that is without mods and cc!!
Anyways in that case which laptop/gaming laptop do you recommend?
I also what the ability to do other stuff and play other games without it being any problems. 🙂
(and I live in Scandinavia)
sorry if it got to long or I spelled anything wrong 😅
@blomma07sa The missing content is a known issue, or rather a side effect of iCloud in macOS. (It's also a problem in Windows.) It has nothing to do with how well your computer runs the game, although it does tend to happen when a computer is low on free storage.
So I wouldn't say that the disappering content is in itself a reason to get a new computer. But if you want one for performance reasons, then sure, I can help. It does sound like you might benefit from higher-end hardware than what your Mac currently has, especially if it has an Intel chip as opposed to the newer ARM (M1/M2) options.
Without any idea of what your budget is, I'll say that any reasonably new graphics card that doesn't start with MX can run Sims 4 on ultra graphics settings. So that means any card with a model number 16xx, 20xx, or 30xx from Nvidia, or 5xxx or 6xxx from AMD. If it's in your budget, I'd go for at least a 3050 rather than a 1650 just to futureproof a bit, but even a 1650 should always be able to run the game on a mix of high and ultra settings.
The next tier down in terms of both price and performance is a high-end integrated graphics chip. The chip is integrated into the processor, so the important question is what CPU the laptop has. The chips in the Intel i5-1135G7 and i7-1165G7 and the AMD 5500U and 5700U can run Sims 4 on at least medium-high or high settings, depending on playstyle and player preference. (Newer Intel chips have more options that can't be neatly summarized.) AMD's 6000-series processors have even faster graphics, but I'm not sure those are available where you are; they're barely available anywhere.
I can't suggest particular laptops without knowing what's available in your region, and at what prices. Many companies have wildly different pricing even in neighboring countries, usually for no discernible reason, and part of what makes a gaming laptop a good or bad option is its price.
If you have any particular laptops you're considering and want a second opinion, feel free to link them. Or you can link a few stores and I'll have a look. In that case, let me know your budget as well as any other considerations that matter to you, for example the laptop's weight or screen size.
@puzzlezaddict Hi! I've read through your replies and you are super knowledgeable and helpful so I'm hoping you can also help me. I'm interesting in getting a PC for sims 4 since I already have a WFH setup with monitors - although I'd be open to a laptop. The tricky thing is I do not have a large budget. $500 max but would prefer to be lower. Is this even possible? I don't foresee having every expansion pack but I do think I'd have custom items since I'm primarily getting the game to build in. Any help or guidance is appreciated!
@d8b56afc5dfab97c What do you think of this one?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/904879972
It has an entry-level graphics card, not really a very good one by current standards but probably enough to run Sims 4, all current packs included, on ultra graphics settings. (It's sort of on the border, but a mix of high and ultra settings should be fine.) Since this desktop comes with a discrete graphics card already installed, you should be able to upgrade the GPU to the next generation's low-powered option if and when you feel the need. While 8 GB RAM is a bit restrictive in terms of multitasking, it's enough for Sims 4 when the graphics card has its own VRAM, as this one does, and doesn't need to borrow from main memory.
If you have Amazon Prime, which means protection against the (small, but real) possibility of not getting what you ordered, any of these might be worth considering too:
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Gaming-Desktop-Keyboard-Renewed/dp/B0C3MJD691
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Gaming-Desktop-Keyboard-Renewed/dp/B0BMW1F5DC
https://www.amazon.com/STGAubron-Gaming-Desktop-Radeon-Keyboard/dp/B0CGMFSV95
On paper, they're better than the first one, with the graphics cards being equivalent to, better than, and better than the Walmart option, respectively. The last two should have no trouble with ultra graphics settings. You'd also get more RAM, which is convenient if not strictly necessary. The downside, other than the possibility that this seller doesn't deliver as advertised, is that you're getting a used computer, so it may not last as long as a new one. If you're going to upgrade in two or three years anyway, you might not care, but it's something to consider.
Used hardware does fail sooner than new hardware, on average, but for a desktop at least, the failure rate isn't particularly high at any given point. If the desktop arrives intact and in full working order, it has a good chance of staying that way for a few years at least. But new hardware is still less of a risk. And if you don't have Amazon Prime, buying from a third-party seller is more of a risk, although this particular seller has overwhelmingly positive ratings.
Whether these risks are worth the savings is your call; I can't tell you what the right answer is here.
If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.
@puzzlezaddict crazy glad that I stumbled across this thread...
Not much of a gamer myself, but my young kids are obsessed with Sims 4 and Minecraft. Bought a laptop from Costco last Christmas that turned out to be a big bust - couldn't run the games properly, cue the disappointment.
THIS Christmas is my do over. Budget is around $800 - needs to include a desktop and monitor. Love the fact that you're supplying links from different retailers at different price points. Would appreciate any suggestions you have!
@nitch13 Everything I said in my previous post here is still true if you want a starting point for cheap gaming PCs. If you'd like something a little better though, you can certainly fit it into your budget. For example, these two are a bit of overkill for Sims 4 and a little over the requirements for running Minecraft with Raytracing (and a lot over the requirements for Minecraft without Raytracing):
https://www.walmart.com/ip/2348082720
https://www.walmart.com/ip/1593349367
The second one's graphics card is a little faster and significantly newer, plus the second has 16 GB RAM instead of 8. The memory in the first can be upgraded though, probably for around $20 for another 8 GB depending on the exact module already-installed. Personally, I'd still go with the second, but if saving $50 now and upgrading later is preferable, the first one will still do great.
These are a little cheaper and have a graphics card that's somewhat slower; I think the upgrade to one of the ones above is well worth the price. But these can still run Sims 4 on ultra, and Minecraft without Raytracing, so they're worth mentioning:
https://skytechgaming.com/product/0326-10105f-1650-16g/
https://www.walmart.com/ip/275067335
The second one's graphics card is significantly faster than the first but not on par with the previous two; plus it has a better processor, although the first one's CPU is good enough for the games. The first system already has 16 GB RAM; the second can be upgraded just as easily as the other.
I did check about eight other sites and found lots of okay options, but nothing as good as the ones above for a similar price. There's no point in spending $700 for $600 of hardware when that $700 can get you a significant upgrade.
For the monitor, you're not going to want anything fancy to go with any of these systems since your budget doesn't have room for both a high-resolution, high-refresh-rate monitor and the graphics card to push all of those frames. This is a great compromise though:
Its 100 Hz refresh rate is above the standard 60 to 75, making everything from gameplay to regular use feel smoother. Its 1920x1080 resolution is fine for its size. It has an IPS panel, which is the highest quality in terms of colors and viewing angles.
If you don't like that one, these (two of the same model in two stores) the same specs and are a little more expensive but not outside your budget:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1777746-REG/asus_va24ehf_24_ips_full_hd.html
https://www.walmart.com/ip/3637062568
https://newegg.com/black-acer-nitro-qg241y-ebii-24/p/N82E16824011459
This one (same model in two stores) is a bit brighter than the others, better for playing in a lit room (although they're all fine for darker rooms).
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1773671-REG/msi_g2412v_24_100_hz.html
https://www.walmart.com/ip/3138601795
This is equally bright as the MSI and also has a higher refresh rate. AOC makes panels for other well-known manufacturers and a few of its own; it's good quality, not some random budget operation.
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16824160515
https://www.walmart.com/ip/707834779
I added the multiple links because plenty of people have strong feelings about Walmart. But on the other hand, buying a monitor from a physical store makes a return easier should it be necessary.
If you have more questions, please feel free to ask. I would recommend buying soon though, not waiting for the holidays, since these computers and monitors may be unavailable or more expensive even a couple of weeks from now.
@puzzlezaddict this is perfect! Thank you for the recommendations and time you put into researching - I am positive we can get a great computer with these suggestions. Before we purchase, one more to run by you: my husband sent me this link today. Thoughts?
https://www.newegg.com/ipason-s6-zhanjing/p/3D5-001U-000Z3?Description=desktop&cm_re=desktop-_-3D5-001U-000Z3-_-Product&quicklink=true
@nitch13 This computer may be marketed as a gaming desktop, but it doesn't have a dedicated graphics card. Since the GPU is the limiting factor in how well Sims 4 runs (and this is true for most games), you'd be looking at in-game performance barely better than that of a good $350 student laptop, although the computer would run significantly better in other ways. You'd be giving up more than half the speed you'd get from even the entry-level graphics cards in the computers I listed.
That's not to say this is a terrible option, only that it's not on par with the ones I listed, and your budget can accommodate the upgrade. And while this system could likely take an upgrade, adding a discrete GPU would push its price to equivalent to the options I listed that come with a card already installed.
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