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avalynn1206's avatar
avalynn1206
4 years ago
Solved

What computer is best for the Sims 4 including packs, mods, and cc?

So I’m looking to get a new computer and I want to make sure it has enough storage for the game. I usually get a lot of cc and mods and I plan on buying more expansion packs so I need to know if ther...
pc
  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    3 years ago

    @p41g33  That depends on your goal.  Do you want to get the most powerful gaming setup $1,500 can buy?  If so, something like this ($1,200 for the moment) would work well:

    https://www.newegg.com/abs-ala273/p/N82E16883360238?Item=N82E16883360238

    That would give you enough room in the budget for a high-quality monitor as well, and the computer could be upgraded in a few years if you decide you need a faster graphics card or more storage.

    If you'd rather save money, you could in theory go as low as $700, although I'd suggest spending a little more to get a slightly better computer, for example something like this:

    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/skytech-gaming-chronos-mini-gaming-desktop-intel-i5-10400f-16g-3200-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1660-super-500g-ssd-black/6489651.p?skuId=6489651

    In both cases, the computers are overkill for Sims 4, and even the second one would let you play on ultra graphics settings at a high resolution.  (More pixels means the game looks more crisp and clear, and the quality of the screen is mostly about brightness and color range.)  In fact, if you're sure Sims 4 is the only game you'll be playing, or at least the most demanding, then the second would be a better choice—you wouldn't see any benefit from the first one.

    I haven't done any comparison shopping since I don't know whether you want a more powerful system or a cheaper one, or something in between.  If you'd like more examples in that category, let me know, and I'll take a look.

puzzlezaddict's avatar
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
2 years ago

@d8b56afc5dfab97c  What do you think of this one?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/904879972

It has an entry-level graphics card, not really a very good one by current standards but probably enough to run Sims 4, all current packs included, on ultra graphics settings.  (It's sort of on the border, but a mix of high and ultra settings should be fine.)  Since this desktop comes with a discrete graphics card already installed, you should be able to upgrade the GPU to the next generation's low-powered option if and when you feel the need.  While 8 GB RAM is a bit restrictive in terms of multitasking, it's enough for Sims 4 when the graphics card has its own VRAM, as this one does, and doesn't need to borrow from main memory.

If you have Amazon Prime, which means protection against the (small, but real) possibility of not getting what you ordered, any of these might be worth considering too:

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Gaming-Desktop-Keyboard-Renewed/dp/B0C3MJD691

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Gaming-Desktop-Keyboard-Renewed/dp/B0BMW1F5DC

https://www.amazon.com/STGAubron-Gaming-Desktop-Radeon-Keyboard/dp/B0CGMFSV95

On paper, they're better than the first one, with the graphics cards being equivalent to, better than, and better than the Walmart option, respectively.  The last two should have no trouble with ultra graphics settings.  You'd also get more RAM, which is convenient if not strictly necessary.  The downside, other than the possibility that this seller doesn't deliver as advertised, is that you're getting a used computer, so it may not last as long as a new one.  If you're going to upgrade in two or three years anyway, you might not care, but it's something to consider.

Used hardware does fail sooner than new hardware, on average, but for a desktop at least, the failure rate isn't particularly high at any given point.  If the desktop arrives intact and in full working order, it has a good chance of staying that way for a few years at least.  But new hardware is still less of a risk.  And if you don't have Amazon Prime, buying from a third-party seller is more of a risk, although this particular seller has overwhelmingly positive ratings.

Whether these risks are worth the savings is your call; I can't tell you what the right answer is here.

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

nitch13's avatar
nitch13
2 years ago

@puzzlezaddict crazy glad that I stumbled across this thread...

Not much of a gamer myself, but my young kids are obsessed with Sims 4 and Minecraft. Bought a laptop from Costco last Christmas that turned out to be a big bust - couldn't run the games properly, cue the disappointment. 


THIS Christmas is my do over. Budget is around $800 - needs to include a desktop and monitor. Love the fact that you're supplying links from different retailers at different price points. Would appreciate any suggestions you have!

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    @nitch13  Everything I said in my previous post here is still true if you want a starting point for cheap gaming PCs.  If you'd like something a little better though, you can certainly fit it into your budget.  For example, these two are a bit of overkill for Sims 4 and a little over the requirements for running Minecraft with Raytracing (and a lot over the requirements for Minecraft without Raytracing):

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/2348082720

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/1593349367

    The second one's graphics card is a little faster and significantly newer, plus the second has 16 GB RAM instead of 8.  The memory in the first can be upgraded though, probably for around $20 for another 8 GB depending on the exact module already-installed.  Personally, I'd still go with the second, but if saving $50 now and upgrading later is preferable, the first one will still do great.

    These are a little cheaper and have a graphics card that's somewhat slower; I think the upgrade to one of the ones above is well worth the price.  But these can still run Sims 4 on ultra, and Minecraft without Raytracing, so they're worth mentioning:

    https://skytechgaming.com/product/0326-10105f-1650-16g/

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/275067335

    The second one's graphics card is significantly faster than the first but not on par with the previous two; plus it has a better processor, although the first one's CPU is good enough for the games.  The first system already has 16 GB RAM; the second can be upgraded just as easily as the other.

    I did check about eight other sites and found lots of okay options, but nothing as good as the ones above for a similar price.  There's no point in spending $700 for $600 of hardware when that $700 can get you a significant upgrade.

    For the monitor, you're not going to want anything fancy to go with any of these systems since your budget doesn't have room for both a high-resolution, high-refresh-rate monitor and the graphics card to push all of those frames.  This is a great compromise though:

    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-24-ips-3-side-borderless-fhd-100hz-amd-100hz-freesync-monitor-hdmi-black/6560959.p?skuId=6560959

    Its 100 Hz refresh rate is above the standard 60 to 75, making everything from gameplay to regular use feel smoother.  Its 1920x1080 resolution is fine for its size.  It has an IPS panel, which is the highest quality in terms of colors and viewing angles.

    If you don't like that one, these (two of the same model in two stores) the same specs and are a little more expensive but not outside your budget:

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1777746-REG/asus_va24ehf_24_ips_full_hd.html

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/3637062568

    https://newegg.com/black-acer-nitro-qg241y-ebii-24/p/N82E16824011459

    This one (same model in two stores) is a bit brighter than the others, better for playing in a lit room (although they're all fine for darker rooms).

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1773671-REG/msi_g2412v_24_100_hz.html

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/3138601795

    This is equally bright as the MSI and also has a higher refresh rate.  AOC makes panels for other well-known manufacturers and a few of its own; it's good quality, not some random budget operation.

    https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16824160515

    https://www.walmart.com/ip/707834779

    I added the multiple links because plenty of people have strong feelings about Walmart.  But on the other hand, buying a monitor from a physical store makes a return easier should it be necessary.

    If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.  I would recommend buying soon though, not waiting for the holidays, since these computers and monitors may be unavailable or more expensive even a couple of weeks from now.

      • puzzlezaddict's avatar
        puzzlezaddict
        Hero+
        2 years ago

        @nitch13  This computer may be marketed as a gaming desktop, but it doesn't have a dedicated graphics card.  Since the GPU is the limiting factor in how well Sims 4 runs (and this is true for most games), you'd be looking at in-game performance barely better than that of a good $350 student laptop, although the computer would run significantly better in other ways.  You'd be giving up more than half the speed you'd get from even the entry-level graphics cards in the computers I listed.

        That's not to say this is a terrible option, only that it's not on par with the ones I listed, and your budget can accommodate the upgrade.  And while this system could likely take an upgrade, adding a discrete GPU would push its price to equivalent to the options I listed that come with a card already installed.

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