I was often wondering if there is a computer which could run all The Sims 3 content without lag, so all expansion/stuff packs, all store content and a lot of CC? :smiley: I heard of some laptops which are only made for playing games, but is there a "standard" looking laptop that can do very similar as those gaming laptops?

What do you mean by standard looking? For a laptop to run everything you've said, I think you'd almost need to go with a gaming one; however @phoebebebe13 would be a good person to consult with?

Gaming laptops like alienware are thicker and have much better cooling. Alienware is overpriced. They do make better laptops. They do have thinner laptops with gaming hardware but their cooling won't be great. Cooling is just as important as the hardware inside the computer. If your laptop (or any computer) gets heat damage would ruin the computer.

No one actually needs an Alienware though there will be those who really want one. Nothing wrong with that if they can withstand the added expense for the brand name.I don't usually go around quoting myself, but if you want to look at the specs a laptop should have to carry the entire game well, or at least have a fighting chance, and compare across models, then the following from a different thread might be helpful. Desktops can withstand components not quite as strong and will run cheaper."igazor;c-15690419" wrote:For a laptop running Windows, the following would be recommended for TS3 and all EPs. The game can run on less, but then we are talking about cutting corners. On graphics cards, the game with all EPs may not work well or at all on weaker ones.Processor: Quad core i5, i7, or the AMD equivalent. On processor speed, at least 2.4 GHz but for the most part all of these processors would already be running faster than that in their modern iterations.Graphics Card: Nvidia 960M, 1050Ti, or higher, or the AMD equivalents (RX 460, etc.). Older model cards are fine too if they are strong enough and TS3 can't really use all of the video memory that the newest cards provide, but new laptops won't have older cards in them. Any of these cards would need their frame rates (fps) limited for TS3 once you install the game, but that's usually a one-time pain.RAM: 6 GB minimum, but at least 8 GB would be better.Hard Drive: At least 256 GB to work with, though that would be really tight and 512 GB would be better. A 512 GB or larger SSD (Solid State Drive as opposed to Hard Disk Drive/HDD), large enough to handle the entire game install and its user game folder in Documents, would be ideal if you can withstand the added expense but that's not a requirement.Price Tag: Varies by country and what's on sale, but for a laptop expect $950 and up in the US. Desktops run cheaper for stronger components.

@igazor just to note they don't put higher end AMD in laptops that I have seen anymore. All the better laptops are intel/Nvidia. I would not recommend AMD for a laptop. Desktop is fine

"igazor;c-15724307" wrote:"phoebebebe13;c-15724143" wrote:@igazor just to note they don't put higher end AMD in laptops that I have seen anymore. All the better laptops are intel/Nvidia. I would not recommend AMD for a laptop. Desktop is fine Apple does. I know that the two high end 15" MacBook Pros together with the option of running Windows in Bootcamp and then TS3 for Windows on one of those is kind of way out there for general purchasers to be considering, and certainly not the most economical way to be going about this unless a Mac is wanted/needed for other purposes, but technically there is thus one vendor who does this. :) On Mac they use AMD laptop cards. According to BlueBellFlora and a conversation I had with her, Mac seems to work better with AMD while laptop Nvidia/Intel is better and the laptops stay cooler. AMD heats up more and their laptop hardware overall is not as powerful as Nvidia/Intel.

Computer for all The Sims 3 content

64 Replies

igazor
8 years ago
"SaskiaLovesSims;c-16546972" wrote:
I personally do not like a laptop for gaming, because if you want your game to run smooth, that laptop will leave you poor. Go for a desktop setup and buy a low-end laptop for Sims 4. I never experienced the problems mentioned above with my newer graphics card.

As the more demanding EPs for TS4 continue to be released (slowly), I'm not sure that the low-end laptop for TS4 strategy is going to hold up for those who intend to play with most or all of them. But then this wouldn't be the right forum board for that particular part of the conversation. ;)
yoashmo
New Scout
7 years ago
"SaskiaLovesSims;c-16546972" wrote:

I own all Sims 3 expansions, stuff packs, and have 15 GB CC and mods, every EA world and all EA premium content installed. I never experience lag or errors, I can't even remember the last time my game crashed, even after 4-6 hour gaming sessions.

I included some game pictures so you can get an idea of the graphics (details, light, shadow, ...)

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1826/41092737290_93340d6e04_h.jpg
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1783/41092715230_960244f8da_h.jpg

My set up:

HP OMEN 870
Intel Core I7 (4 GHZ)
32 GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
500 GB SSD
2 TB HD
2TB HD

I personally do not like a laptop for gaming, because if you want your game to run smooth, that laptop will leave you poor. Go for a desktop setup and buy a low-end laptop for Sims 4. I never experienced the problems mentioned above with my newer graphics card.

I hope this was helpful.

I'm thinking of getting an Omen since I fried my graphics card on my old laptop so may I ask what your settings are on?
Evalen306
7 years ago
"phoebebebe13;c-15734192" wrote:
"dorcsyful;c-15734102" wrote:
Off-topic question about gaming laptops: when they aren't used for playing (only internet, MS Office etc.) how loud are they and what's their battery life? Just asking because a few weeks ago I (totally accidentaly) stumbled upon an article about some new super laptop which can only handle 3-4 hours tops (not saying I even thought of buying that one).
The reason I'm asking is because the universities (or at least some of them) where I'd like to apply next year wants a laptop to be brought to every class. And obviously, if they are really loud, I'd rather keep my current one too and take that with myself. (I'm pretty sure it's damaged to I won't sell it)

True gaming laptops will be thicker for better cooling and also heavier than the average laptop.I have an Asus ROG gaming laptop. it's 8 pounds. It is very quiet even while gaming. Yes gaming laptops do not have a long battery life. About 3-4 hours. You are supposed to game plugged in and not use the battery. The battery can not handle gaming and is only good for light computer tasks.

If you want to game and need a laptop for school, I suggest getting a cheap laptop with a long battery life for school. Have a desktop at home to game on. I use my gaming laptop like a desktop. I don't lug it around. I also have a desktop. Desktop is always better for gaming

@phoebebebe13
I have a Asus ROG gaming laptop and I love it. I have all of Sims 3 Exp except Supernatural, as I did not want it. I have all stuff pks except for a 1 or 2 I did not want. I am plugged in, and yes it is heavy. I do not have any CC or Mods and I have no lag or problems what so ever. I can play for hours and it does not heat up, I guess it is because the heat is in the back. I have tiny speakers attached to it with very good base, that I like. But like you said it is very heavy. But very nice.
cherstro
7 years ago
I have a Lenovo laptop and it runs like a charm! I have soooooo much CC and every expansion pack. Doesn't lag at all.

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Computer for all The Sims 3 content

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