@monghco Are we still looking at the same links?
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/asus-rog-strix-gl10cs-gaming-pc-iron-grey-intel-core-i5-9400f-1tb-hdd-256gb-ssd-8gb-ram-gtx-1650/13865184
https://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=7_1203_121&item_id=156768
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/hp-pavilion-gaming-pc-black-intel-core-i7-9700-1tb-hdd-256gb-ssd-16gb-ram-gtx-1660-english/14417635
The HP is better than the Asus or the MSI because it has a stronger processor and a faster graphics card. The gap is significant in both cases. A 500 GB solid state drive is nice, but you can get one later if you need it; it's a lot more expensive to replace the processor or graphics card.
The manufacturer of a desktop computer matters a little bit, but not a lot, certainly not as much as with laptops. HP, Asus, and MSI all make good quality computers, so you shouldn't run into problems on that account. Besides, many of the internal components are from third parties and equal (or essentially so) anyway. The i5-9400F is made by Intel no matter whose computer it's in; the graphics card is going to be a slight variation on the Nvidia reference design in any case. There are small details around the edges, but the differences will be small too, for example it's unlikely to matter who made the memory in each computer because it will just work.
If you're going to have this computer for a long time, you'll get the most benefit from a stronger processor, rather than any other component. While all the CPUs mentioned are more than fine now, that might not be true in four or five years when Sims 5 comes out (if it ever does), or you decide you want to play some other new game. A graphics card can be replaced, as can other components. If you want another SSD, just order one. They're not that expensive in the grand scheme of things. And like I said, one can be installed whenever you want.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07PGC3JKQ
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01K8A29E6