Laptop Requirements for Sims 3 Expansions
Hello, I used to have Sims 3 with expansions on my laptop and I vaguely remember it crashing or lagging back in 2013/2014. I am going to replace the hard drive as it crashed sometime between then a...
Forum Discussion
@jenn_sims1 The Mac version of Sims 3 doesn't run nearly as well as the Windows version, for a number of reasons. If you were willing to Bootcamp your Mac, i.e. partition the hard drive and install Windows on one side, that might be a workable solution, depending on the specs of your Mac. But if you'd prefer a Windows laptop, that's easy enough.
I could list all the specs you'd need, but the most important component is the graphics card. An Nvidia 1650 is fast enough to run all packs together on uttra settings, as is the older 1050 ti. Most processors you'd see in laptops with those GPUs are also fine, although avoid any with a U in their model name (e.g. i5-9300H is fine, Ryzen 5 2500U might not be). In the U.S., I can usually find something suitable on sale for around $700; prices are higher in other countries. If you have more demanding apps in mind, you might want stronger hardware, and the price will go up accordingly.
If you're interested in seeing some good options, I'd be happy to look. Just let me know your budget and country, as well as any other details that matter to you, like the amount of storage, other apps you might want to run, that kind of thing.
@puzzlezaddict you are so kind, thank you so much!!
I’m not sure what my exact budget is yet, but I’ll probably buy used if I can. Definitely on the lower side of price if possible.
I live in the U.S.
As for other specs, as long as it can run the game smoothly they don’t matter as much. I really just want something for the Sims, not looking to use it for much else.
I really appreciate your help, thank you!
I’m not sure what my exact budget is yet, but I’ll probably buy used if I can. Definitely on the lower side of price if possible.
I live in the U.S.
As for other specs, as long as it can run the game smoothly they don’t matter as much. I really just want something for the Sims, not looking to use it for much else.
I really appreciate your help, thank you!
@jenn_sims1 If you're willing to get a used or open-box model, something like this would do nicely:
That's just one example, so you know what's out there.
Whenever you're ready to buy, feel free to ask for advice, or link a few options and get some feedback before you spend the money.
- @puzzlezaddict Thank you for the link and all of the information. It has been very helpful. I found a used laptop on a selling app and I think it hits most criteria but wanted to know your opinion.
Here are the specs:
Asus Q553U Intel Core i7-6500U (You mentioned avoiding processors with the letter U in the name).
Installed Memory: 12 GB RAM
Processor Type: Intel Core i76th Generation
Processr Speed: 2.50 GHz
Graphics Card: nvidia 940M 2G (not the 1650 or 1050 but wondering if it is still good enough to play on medium settings or how it could work)
Graphics Processing: dedicated graphics
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Hard Drive: 2 TB HDD
Could this work?@jenn_sims1 The newer U-series processors can sometimes be managed by tweaking Windows's power settings. (Of course this is with the laptop plugged in and able to properly cool itself.) But the 6500U is older, dual-core, and not nearly as powerful as 8th-gen or newer Intel CPUs. It's also dual-core, meaning those two cores will need to carry the load for Sims 3, Windows, and anything else you run while you play.
There are people who play on an Nvidia 940MX and do fine. They certainly don't use the highest graphics settings, and most of them don't install Pets or Seasons (or they use Seasons but disable rain and snow). I've seen other people try to play on the same card and have a lot more trouble. So I can't really give you a good answer on that—a lot of it is your expectations for quality gameplay and the packs you want to use, and some of it is random.
I'm sorry I can't offer anything more definitive. Sims 3 is more difficult than it should be to run on medium hardware, and it's not always clear why. I don't want to tell you that this laptop will be fine and then have you barely be able to play at all. On the other hand, you might be one of those who has a good experience. In your position, I'd try to find something with at least a 1050, or a 960M or higher, just to be safe. But it's your decision.
Featured Places
