Best PC to run the Sims
I'm looking to buy a PC that can run the Sims 3 & 4 with all their respective packs. If anyone could please guide me I would really appreciate it.
Forum Discussion
@cometeomycota It sounds like you got a really good deal. Your processor and graphics card will currently handle ultra settings for both games comfortably, even with all current packs installed. Future TS4 packs might raise the requirements enough that you'd need to dial back a few settings to high, but that's just speculation at this point, and it's probably more likely that your card will always be fine.
One thing you'll want to do for TS3 is use an app to lock in-game frame rates to the refresh rate of your monitor. TS3's fps limiter doesn't work (TS4's is fine), and without an outside tool doing the job, your card will generate excessively high fps. Aside from the excess workload, this can cause graphics glitches and heat your card more than necessary.
The first tool to try with an AMD card is RivaTuner Statistics Server. It's very straightforward to use, but if you'd like instructions or a couple of screenshots, feel free to ask. Be sure to pick the right executable for the game: TS3.exe for a patch 1.69 (Origin) install, but TS3W.exe, with the "W," for a patch 1.67 (disc or Steam) install.
If you did want to invest a bit of money in your computer, upgrading to 16 GB RAM from the 8 GB it likely has would be a good choice. Neither game needs it, but more memory will help with multitasking (especially while you're playing, but also in general). It's more a quality of life upgrade, and a matching 8 GB RAM stick might cost you $40.
One thing you'll want to do for TS3 is use an app to lock in-game frame rates to the refresh rate of your monitor. TS3's fps limiter doesn't work (TS4's is fine), and without an outside tool doing the job, your card will generate excessively high fps. Aside from the excess workload, this can cause graphics glitches and heat your card more than necessary.
The first tool to try with an AMD card is RivaTuner Statistics Server. It's very straightforward to use, but if you'd like instructions or a couple of screenshots, feel free to ask. Be sure to pick the right executable for the game: TS3.exe for a patch 1.69 (Origin) install, but TS3W.exe, with the "W," for a patch 1.67 (disc or Steam) install.
If you did want to invest a bit of money in your computer, upgrading to 16 GB RAM from the 8 GB it likely has would be a good choice. Neither game needs it, but more memory will help with multitasking (especially while you're playing, but also in general). It's more a quality of life upgrade, and a matching 8 GB RAM stick might cost you $40.
