Re: HW requirements for Sims 3

If the whole computer shuts down, it's most likely an overheating issue. Make sure to clean out the fans and maybe use a cooling pad.

That said, computers with internal chips are mostly not made for gaming. A full graphic card is the most important thing.

EA's system requirements are rather low.

My suggestion (especially if you have all the EPs) is the following

- A full graphic card with at least 1 GB of dedicated memory. I don't know much about graphic cards so it's worth doing some research here

- i5 or i7, at least 3 ghz (i3 seem to have a tendency to overheat).

- 6 to 8 GB of RAM (you won't need more since the game can only use 4 but the OS needs some too). Really depends on the background programs

- Win 7 (or 8) 64 bit Operating System