Re: Can I run the Sims 3 on these specs?
@ssaunders474 No, this computer won't run TS3 very well, especially not with most EPs in the picture. It's processor is U-series, for ultra-low power, meaning it throttles power compared to its stronger cousins. It only has an integrated graphics card, which wouldn't be able to handle Pets or Seasons. This system would probably be fine with a couple of early packs, but that's about it.
For a desktop that will run all expansions (or all but ITF) on high settings, you need a few things:
- an Intel i5 or i7 processor or AMD equivalent, at least 2.4 GHz, and not U- or Y-series
- 6 GB RAM, although 8 is better; having 16 would be great for other tasks and future-proofing but isn't necessary for TS3
- a dedicated graphics card, at least an Nvidia 1050 or AMD equivalent
- a hard drive of at least 512 GB. An SSD is nice but not necessary. With a C drive that's 256 GB or smaller (whether SSD or HDD), you'll need to install TS3 and keep its game folder on a secondary, larger internal drive, or you'll run out of storage quickly
A desktop that meets these requirements will generally cost around $800 U.S., although now is obviously a great time for deals. You'll be better off looking at other brands, though—HP products are usually overpriced for their hardware. Brands like MSI, ASUS, or Acer will usually be of higher quality and have better cooling as well. TS3 demands a lot of a graphics card and therefore generates plenty of heat, so an inadequate cooling system can be a serious issue.
If you'd like someone to help you pick out a specific computer, please post your budget and country, as well as any other hardware you'd like included (monitor, etc.) and anything else you need your computer to do.
