How to work out what specs I need
Hey guys Looking to buy a new laptop to run the sims expansion packs (pretty much all the expansions, game packs and some stuff and kit packs plus room for future packs also) and what I am trying to...
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@franfielding You probably just need a gaming laptop, or more specifically, a dedicated graphics card, and these only show up in gaming laptops (and some lightweight, expensive non-gaming models). The fastest integrated chips can run all Sims 4 packs together on medium-high or high settings, depending on playstyle and the player's tolerance for low framerates. But if you want to add custom content that's more demanding than the game itself, this level of performance is probably not what you're looking for.
On that note, any current dedicated graphics card can run all Sims 4 packs together on ultra settings. So even if you're adding a giant pile of cc, the laptop should have no trouble with high settings. The cheapest gaming laptops, those with an Nvidia GTX 1650, generally start around $650 U.S. if you know how to look; models with the newer and faster RTX 3050 can be as cheap as $700. Prices vary in other countries, but there are usually some reasonable deals to be found.
If you don't want a gaming laptop or would prefer not to spend that much money, you may want to wait for the next generation of integrated graphics chips. AMD's next-gen options are supposed to be significantly faster than the current ones. The 6000-series is technically released but not widely available, although that should happen soon considering the 7000-series is coming too. Looking at benchmarks, the graphics chip in a Ryzen 5 6600U is about 30% faster in gaming than the fastest option from the last generation (the Intel G7 with 96 EUs, found in the i7-1165G7, among others). The chip in a Ryzen 7 6800U is close to twice as fast and not all that far off a 1650. All this is according to benchmarks; I haven't seen any results from Sims 4 players.
Thank you so much I really appreciate it. Ihave gone for this one do you think it will be ok?
- @franfielding I find the CPU overboard for The Sims 4 as well as the Graphics card, The Sims 4 is not a next generation game. I find it hard to find a gaming laptop with a 1T SSD so now I know where to look. You be ready for the next gen games at least.
@franfielding That's a perfectly good laptop, but to be honest, I'd go with a different model. You don't need a 3070 for Sims 4; the game wouldn't max out even a 3060 regardless of the settings you used or the custom content you installed. And with laptops, it's not really useful to try to futureproof for more than a few years out—something better and cheaper will have arrived by then, and laptops wear out faster than desktops too.
If you want suggestions, I found quite a lot worth considering. These are the ones I think are the best combination of price and quality, while also being powerful enough that performance-limiting factor will always be Sims 4 itself, not the laptop's hardware.
https://www.hp.com/gb-en/shop/product.aspx?id=39P51EA&opt=ABU&sel=NTB
The Legion line has the best build quality overall, although these are all high-quality models. (And they also have track records of better reviews than the Acer Predator variations.) All but the first have 16 GB RAM, which is nice to have if not essential for Sims 4. The first could be upgraded as well, and memory is quite cheap: maybe £40 for another 8 GB stick if the laptop comes with 1x8 GB installed, or £70 for a 2x8 GB kit if the configuration is 2x4 GB. The last has the best screen: while 1080p is more than good enough for a laptop, 1440p would make the images clearer and sharper.
I would expect all of these to run cooler than the Acer, with the Legion being the most cool and quiet of the group, althoug noise may not be a concern if you play with headphones. And to be clear, even the Acer shouldn't run hot enough to be a danger to itself; this is just a matter of degree.
These are not your only options by any means; I only checked four sites and picked in large part based on price. So if you have a particular configuration or detail in mind and want me to look further, let me know. And if you have more questions, please feel free to keep asking.
If you'd just like to go with the Acer, that should work quite well too. All I'm saying is that I think you have a number of options worth considering.
Thank you for taking the time to reply I really appreciate it! Honestly that's so so helpful.
