Advice Please

@gwt3g8908edf  If you want to spend less than $500, a laptop is a better bet unless you already have a monitor you can use.  I could try to find a decent desktop if that's what you prefer; I'm just saying that you'll get more performance for a given budget with a laptop.  On the other hand, if you do already own a monitor, or you don't mind picking one up secondhand, a desktop might be an equivalent option.

There are two main reasons that desktops are said to be better for gaming.  One is that they're more easily fixed or upgraded: the components aren't soldered to the motherboard, so you can swap as necessary.  The other reason is that in terms of gaming hardware, the desktop version of a given component is faster than the laptop version and around the same price, although it's not always easy to break down the overall price of a laptop by component.  But this only really applies in the gaming and professional market segments, not at the lower end.

At any rate, let me know how much you'd like to spend, whether you actually want a desktop or just the best option for your budget, and whether you have a monitor or are willing to buy a cheap model on the secondhand market.  Please also let me know what country you're in: availability and prices can vary widely from one country to the next.

By the way, if you already own a computer and want to know how it would run Sims 4, or how it would compare to what you could buy for your budget, I can answer that too.  In that case, please run a dxdiag on that computer and attach it to a reply here.

https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/

Thank you for the responds. Yes, I have two monitor that I use when working from home. 

I’m cool with a laptop, again I “heard” computers were better for gaming. To be honest, $500 may be a little out of my price range, it depends on when I buy. 

Due to my ADHD I tend to get obsessed and get hyperfocused on things for however long then lose interest. I want to make sure that’s not what I’m doing with Sims. I have been watching a few people play and I enjoy it, just not sure I’ll have time or patience. 

I would appreciate thoughts/recommendations to help decide. 

@gwt3g8908edf  Do you have an existing computer that might run Sims 4, at least for a little while?  If you're not sure whether you'll stick with the game, it might be better not to spend any money at all right now.  I can still look for something cheap if you want; I'm just saying free (as in, using what you already have) is even better than cheap.

If you do want a new computer, let me know how much you're interested in spending, or at least a range, so I know what to suggest.

I so appreciate you!!  You’re a rockstar.  I wanted to have an idea of what to look for and not be upsold somewhere. 

I currently don’t have a pc & my personal laptop died (thanks of my son). I’ve been wanting to replace it, just haven’t since i can do  what I need on my work laptop. 

I am wondering how much storage or whatever I’d need. I would like to download cheats/mods as well as the cricket software. 

You do not have to research on my behave, I’m sure you have better things to do. Like I said I just wanted suggestions/recommendations from people who play, not a sales person!

I hope you have a wonderful new years! Thank you so much for all your help! 

@gwt3g8908edf  I don't mind doing some research.  I get this kind of question a lot and have taught myself how to search relatively quickly, so it's not a burden or anything.

Since you already have the monitors, a desktop is probably the better bet if for no other reason than it's more easily upgraded.  On that note, what do you think of these?

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-desktop-intel-core-i3-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-dark-black/6516374.p?skuId=6516374

https://www.walmart.com/ip/286205448

The second one has a better processor than the first, but it's closer than it would seem since the first one is from the next-newer generation.  They both only have 256 GB storage, which isn't a lot, but it's more than enough for Sims 4: the base game is 20 GB, and adding all current packs brings the total to around 60.  And the storage and the RAM could be upgraded later if you wanted.  Both of these should be able to run the Sims 4 base game on medium-high to high settings, maybe down to medium if you're installing a number of expansions.

If you'd like laptop options too, just ask.  It's really easy to find laptops in this price range that will run Sims 4 reasonably well.

I wouldn’t mind a few laptop recommendations. If it’s not too much I heard a lot of people get external hard drives at some point.

again, I really appreciate you going above and beyond for a silly old lady, like me

@gwt3g8908edf  Something like this (currently on sale for $400) would work great, running Sims 4 on medium-high to high graphics settings even with all packs installed:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-ideapad-3i-15-6-fhd-touch-laptop-core-i5-1155g7-with-8gb-memory-512gb-ssd-abyss-blue/6549067.p?skuId=6549067

These are marginally slower, in terms of gaming performance, and has half the storage, which would likely be fine for Sims 4 as long as your custom content collection didn't exceed 100 GB.  They're also somewhat cheaper:

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-laptop-14z-em000-72x32av-1

https://www.walmart.com/ip/480912399

These would give you the same performance as the two above and have twice the storage:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2340855991

https://www.walmart.com/ip/5105358319

At the low end, this one should be able to handle low-medium graphics settings and is $300:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2195027585

I wouldn't go any lower than that, at least in terms of new laptops, because performance drops off quickly and significantly.  Walmart does host third-party sellers offering cheaper used laptops with decent hardware, as do other marketplaces, so let me know if you're interested in that and which sites you're be comfortable using, e.g. Amazon or Ebay.

As far as going above and beyond, I like doing this for Sims players, especially those on a budget who want or really need to get the most out of their purchase.  Lots of people don't play anything else and seem to get more benefit out of the Sims game of their choice than many hardcore gamers with high-end systems and dozens of new AAA games in their libraries.  It makes me happy to help a little bit.