Forum Discussion

5 years ago

Solved

Which of these laptops would work, please?

I'm in need of a new computer. I would like to get one that supports The Sims. I would love to be able to load at least Sims 3 and 4, with expansion packs. I have it narrowed down to 3 computers, but...

gameplay issue

puzzlezaddict
5 years ago
@hurley8604 After all this discussion and some time spent on the HP website looking at upgrades, I checked out Best Buy's site today just to be thorough, and I saw this:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-rog-zephyrus-g14-14-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-8gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1650-512gb-ssd-eclipse-gray/6403425.p?skuId=6403425

It's a real gaming laptop, built to handle running more demanding games than Sims 3 or 4, but lightweight and smaller than most. Its graphics card should handle both games on ultra settings, and it has a 512 GB hard drive so you don't have to worry about storage. It also gets excellent reviews overall. I didn't consider it before because even a couple days ago it was $1,100, but now it's on sale for $900.

If that's not really what you want though, these two from HP can be upgraded to include an Nvidia MX450. The card is about 20% slower in gaming than a 1050, which generally runs Sims 3 on a mix of high and ultra graphics settings, so running the Pets EP on ultra would be out of the question. Medium settings might be perfectly fine though, or maybe medium for pet-related settings and high for scenery; you could play with the options a bit. And Sims 4 would probably be okay on high settings.

https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-pavilion-laptop-14t-dv000-touch-optional-1s961av-1

https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-laptop-15t-dw300-touch-optional-1b9n3av-1

I think the first is a better option because the screen is better. But the second is a reasonable choice too. For the first, I'd upgrade to either the i5 or the i7 processor with the MX450, at least the cheaper of the two screen upgrade options, and a 512 GB hard drive, putting the price at $720 (i5) or $870 (i7). I don't think you need the i7 though. For the second, upgrading to the i7/MX450 combo and a 512 GB SSD + Intel Optane puts the price at $810. (Optane is effectively useless here, but it's not going to hurt, and the choice without it costs more for some reason.)

I checked other sites too and didn't see anything that wasn't a gaming laptop for under $1,000. As an example of one of the more lightweight gaming laptops though, this one is 4.4 lbs. and $750, with no upgrades needed.

https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-pavilion-15-ec1010nr

There's also an MSI thin laptop, 4.1 lbs, that comes in a variety of configurations. Some of them only have a 256 GB hard drive, which might be a tight fit with Sims 3 and 4 and a lot of custom content, but this one has 512 GB storage and is $900 once the $100 off promo code is factored in. Its hardware is actually a bit of overkill for either game, but that's not a bad thing.

https://www.newegg.com/black-msi-gf-series-gf65-thin-9sd-837-gaming-entertainment/p/N82E16834155587?Item=N82E16834155587

If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.

puzzlezaddict

Hero+

5 years ago

@hurley8604 The second one is definitely the best of the three in terms of internal hardware; its graphics chip is at least 50% faster for gaming than the one in the first laptop, and maybe 40% faster than the chip in the third laptop. While Sims 4 should run fine on any of these, the gap in speed is the difference between medium and high settings.

Sims 3 is another story entirely. I can't actually tell you for sure how the game should run because I haven't heard reports from anyone with this particular processor and graphics chip. However, I do know that the last-gen version of the chip, what you see in the third laptop, struggles to a significant extent with the Seasons expansion, specifically rendering inclement weather. A number of people with that kind of hardware have to disable Seasons entirely, and Pets as well, which is even more demanding; others avoid long-haired pets and disable inclement weather and seem to do okay.

There are probably some players who run all Sims 3 packs on laptops like this, on lower settings, without much crashing. The differences are partly due to the manufacturer and model of the laptop—the support software can be quite different, as can be the cooling—and probably partly due to chance, as in, not all laptops are exactly identical due to slight variations in the manufacturing process. The point is, you can't count on any of these laptops to run all Sims 3 packs well, although you might end up having a good experience. And if you don't want to play with Pets and Seasons, your chances of success rise considerably.

If you'd like to see other options, let me know what features and details matter to you, and I'll have a look around. Do you need a touchscreen? Sims 4 doesn't work particularly well with one; I'm not sure how Sims 3 handles it. I'm guessing you want a lightweight laptop, but please list anything else important.

hurley8604
5 years ago
@puzzlezaddict Thanks for all the information! Pets is one of my favorite expansions, and I love the long haired animals, so I definitely want something that can handle that.
The second one is in stock near me, so I might go try the keyboard out tonight. I'm so used to having the keypad to the right, that when I use one without, I'm always a key off when typing. But it's possible that it's set up in a way that it won't be an issue.
I would like a lightweight computer. My current one is a beast (and also about 6 years old).
Touch screen is not necessary.
A medium-large screen so I can actually see what I'm doing. I think my work laptop is a 14 inch, and that's good for me. (It's an HP Spectre, but no idea what model)
Two USB ports so I can plug in a mouse and have the option for something else.
CD drive (but I feel like these don't exist anymore). All my Sims 3 are hard copies. But I think since they are registered I can redownload them?
- puzzlezaddict
  Hero+
  5 years ago
  @hurley8604 You can certainly download your Sims 3 content from Origin if it's showing in your game library. You could also install via disc using an external disc drive. Which is the better option is a matter of personal preference: many people would prefer to avoid Origin, and many would rather not deal with discs. You don't have to decide now though, especially since laptops generally don't have internal disc drives anymore, and the lightweight ones almost never do.
  
  Let me know what you think of the keyboard, whether you would definitely prefer a number pad or think you can get used to one without. I'll look for other options later today. Please also let me know whether you'd be okay waiting a few weeks for a custom-built laptop from HP—there might be an available upgrade to one of their standard configurations, but the laptop wouldn't ship right away.
  - hurley8604
    5 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict the keyboard worked really well. It was spaced well and when I tested it I wasn't off on any letters. I had trouble with the delete key, but eh, of all the keys, I can work with that.
    I do not mind at all waiting for a computer. Thank you for your help!