Forum Discussion

Madamelee's avatar
Madamelee
Legend
4 years ago

Best gaming computer for Sims 4 (with mods/CC)+other games

I want to know what's the best desktop gaming computer for playing Sims 4 on higher graphics then I have been using and can handle a lot of Mods/CC.  And the computer also has to be good enough to handle other games as well, Nancy Drew and mobile games via Bluestacks.  As well as additional games I might want to try out (which also includes playing with Sims 2 ultimate collection to fully experience it)   Oh and I'm shopping in Canada for this 

I only know it:

  1. needs to be a desktop
  2. My budget is $2,000 or so (the price isn't a big deal since we can afford more)
  3. something about it needs to be on the quiet side?

(I know the desktop MSI is bad due to SSD)

8 Replies

  • @Madamelee  The best gaming desktop is the one you build yourself.  It means you can add whatever you need, from the exact SSD you want to extra fans.

    However, many people aren't interested in building their own computers.  That's totally fine, and understandable, but it does mean your options are more limited.  The next best approach, if you're willing to spend a bit extra, is to have another company build you a custom PC.  You can still choose the components, and the case (helpful for cooling and fan noise); you'd just pay more than you would for a prebuilt PC from a company like Dell or HP.  On the other hand, you'd get a significantly better computer, both in terms of performance (relative to the components) and in terms of your ability to have it upgraded or repaired if necessary.

    To be clear, I'm not saying you'd need to spend more than $2,000 CAD on a computer for Sims games, just that you'd spend more on a custom build than a prebuilt PC.  How much more depends on the current market.

    Let me know what your preference is, and I'll look around.

  • Madamelee's avatar
    Madamelee
    Legend
    4 years ago

    But that's just it regardless of if I'm building myself or if I get someone else to build it for me.  I have no clue what I need for RAM, CPU, for the games I want to/will want to play.    And with computer chips being in short supply,  its better I get a pre-built then wait for who knows when computer chips are NOT in short supply.  Since I want to get a gaming computer within the next month. Since I have waited since at least March to get one.  And I'm already am SICK of waiting and that's just to get the money.  

    The only ideas I have is graphics card and  I need something like 64GB or a terabyte  of free space on the harddrive  Everything else is Ancient Greek to me in figuring out what I need. 

    I have 0 preferences because I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I NEED.  I know the desktop MSI is bad for a particular version because the SSD causes crashes.  And anything with 8GBs of RAM is bad  

    If I DID know what I need I wouldn't be asking now would I? 

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    4 years ago

    @Madamelee  There are three options here.  One is to build your own computer.  One is to pay someone else to build the computer you want.  One is to buy a computer that's already assembled.  Each has its benefits and drawbacks.

    Which components you want is a separate question, one that is best addressed after you choose one of the above options.  All of these options can come with the processor, graphics card, and amount of RAM and storage you want.

    If you'd like my help, please answer my questions to the best of your ability.  I can hear you're frustrated, but getting irritated with me is not going to make me want to spend my free time shopping for you.

  • Madamelee's avatar
    Madamelee
    Legend
    4 years ago

    we're already are going with a pre-built for me.  We  just don't know what is the best one for me and my uses.  (which will mostly be Sims and other games)  But might included for like National Novel Month writing a 50,000 words by the end of the month and being able to use the internet to watch movies or TV shows online and chat with other people).  A friend of mine got an HP Pavilion gaming  computer on October 10th but due to I think  the 8GB of RAM. I know that's not the right one for me. Not to mention there's no hardware space on it. 

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    4 years ago

    @Madamelee  Tell me what you think of this one:

    https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/asus-rog-strix-g10dk-gaming-pc-grey-amd-ryzen-5-5600x-512gb-ssd-16gb-ram-geforce-rtx-3060-win-10/15632715

    It's overkill for Sims 4, I mean you could run all packs together on ultra graphics settings even on a 4k (3840x2160) monitor, or a QHD (2560x1440) monitor at or close to 144 fps, except of course when the game engine itself is slowing things down.  (That can't be helped, it's just how Sims 4 is made.)  It's a quality prebuilt system, as good as you're going to see from a standard manufacturer.

    If you'd like to save some money, you could get this one:

    https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/lenovo-legion-tower-5i-gaming-pc-intel-core-i5-10400-1tb-hdd-256gb-ssd-8gb-ram-gtx-1660-super-en/15309485

    and pay someone to add extra RAM, which would still be a lot cheaper than getting the one above.  It's also more power than Sims 4 needs by a significant margin, just not as large a margin as the Asus.

    These are also worth mentioning:

    https://www.newegg.ca/abs-ali521/p/N82E16883360126?Item=N82E16883360126

    https://www.newegg.ca/abs-ali571/p/N82E16883360206?Item=N82E16883360206

    The graphics cards are the same as in the ones above (the faster 3060, the slower 1660 Super), and these both have 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD.  The advantage here is that they're more easily upgradable: you could put in anything from extra drives to more fans without any trouble at all.  The Asus does have a better processor, although Sims 4 will run perfectly well on the Intel processor as well.

    If you don't like these, let me know why, so I can look further.  There are many good options for under $2,000, too many to list, so I just picked the overall best ones I found in a short search.  But if there are other details that matter to you, please describe them.

    I do want to reiterate that ordering a custom-built PC is also an excellent option.  The company would build it for you and give you a warranty, plus customer service, and you'd get to pick out the components you wanted.  (Or I'd pick out the components for you.)  It's more expensive, but you'd still probably come in under $2,000 for the same hardware as above.

    I understand you said you didn't want that, but with your budget and preferences, I would be remiss if I didn't mention it again.

  • Madamelee's avatar
    Madamelee
    Legend
    4 years ago

    turns out that having someone build me a computer could be on the table.   It just I'm worry about it taking 2 weeks due to the fact, I already waited 6 months already,

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    4 years ago

    @Madamelee  Do you mean ordering a computer from a company that builds custom PCs, or buying the components and having a person you know in real life build the computer for you?  For the first, I'd be happy to configure something for you.  For the second, I can help you pick out the parts, but finding a graphics card at MSRP is difficult.  If you have a way to do that though, for example if you know of a store that gets them in stock and get lucky, then the rest is simple enough too.

    Let me know what you'd like to do and how I can help.

  • Madamelee's avatar
    Madamelee
    Legend
    4 years ago
    I think the former because we don't really know anyone anymore in Real life to build one. (Since the one person we knew, my sister isn't in contact with anymore)