Love to play Sims 4? You need the best laptop for Sims 4 to make for butter-smooth animations, and eliminate any risk of crashing so you don’t lose your beloved house that you spent hours building. This means having plenty of power at your disposal, along with decent frame rates.
Think of it this way: while most cheap computers can run the base game, it’s a different matter altogether when it comes to the various expansion packs, custom contents, and mods. Some might recommend to get a cheap laptop. What you want here is excellent gameplay and graphics with no frame drops.
To help you find the best laptop for Sims 4, here’s a review of our top picks, along with a helpful buying guide to steer you to the correct computer.
Top 7 Laptops for Sims in 2021
Let’s get started! Here’s a list of the best laptops for Sims 4 that can smoothly run all those expansions and mods without a problem:
Acer Aspire 5 Slim
The best laptop for Sims that we found is the Acer Aspire 5 slim, which comes with a dedicated graphics card that can easily handle most custom content mods and expansion packs. It’s also a really cheap laptop for Sims 4, considering that most gaming laptops with decent GPUs can cost upwards of 800 dollars and this one’s right under $700.
Now, the GPU may not seem like a great one at first glance, but you have to understand that it’s a cheaper 3rd generation GPU and offers the same power as a 1050GB graphics card on most expensive gaming laptops. It’s a 2021 model, and it’s more than enough to run the game, even at high settings where you can push into the middle 50s.
This graphics card also bases its architecture on the 940MX, which means that it’s also highly compatible with the Sims 3 if you ever want to play with that, too. So, all in all, it’s a great deal that’s really hard to pass upon.
- 15.6 inch 60Hz IPS full HD display
- Intel Core i5 processor
- 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce MX350 graphics card
- 5-hour battery life
Apple 13″ MacBook Air
Another excellent option is the Apple MacBook Air, which boasts of a 13.3-inch glossy widescreen, LED-backlit display with a 1440×900 resolution, and a 16:10 aspect ratio. These specs alone give you vivid, real-life visuals for amazing gameplay.
It also comes with a dual-core 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor that has a turbo boost of up to 2.9GHz, along with 3 megabytes of shared L3 cache. There’s also 8 gigabytes of memory and an ultra-fast solid-state drive for storage.
What we really like, however, is the Intel HD graphics 6000 for its video support and graphics, which delivers smooth and awesome performance for a clean and uninterrupted gaming experience no matter what you’re playing, watching, or creating.
- Intel Core i5 dual-core processor
- Fast SSD storage with 8GB RAM
- Intel HD Graphics 6000
- Multiple charging and expansion options
- Lightweight, sleek, and portable design
ASUS TUF FX505DT Gaming Laptop – Best Laptop For Sims 4 under $1000
A fan-favorite among gamers and Sims players is the Asus TUF gaming laptop, which is a little older than some of the more recent 2021 models here, but still surpasses them anyway when it comes to premium power and performance.
For one thing, it comes with a stunning 120Hz display for a dirt-cheap price that you simply cannot get from other modern laptops these days. It also boasts of a wide range of solid specs and features, along with the powerful and reliable AMD Ryzen 5 3550H processor.
As a matter of fact, this processor is even better than the Intel Core i5 9300H when it comes to Sims 4 gaming since its 120Hz display makes for smoother gameplay with amazing frame rates that you’ll be able to take advantage of at high settings pushing nearly 80.
- 15.6 inch 60Hz IPS full HD display
- AMD Ryzen 5 R5-3550H CPU
- GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card
- 256GB SSD and 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 5-hour battery life
Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop
Aside from the Acer Aspire, there’s also this amazing concoction by the same brand, the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop, which promises to let you soar to new gaming heights by giving you a cool machine that boasts of a sleek, mobile, and eye-catching design.
Not only does it have a 15.6 inch full HD display, but it also gives you a wide range of features optimized for gaming so you can really take command of your gameplay. These include the high-performance 9th generation Intel Core processor and the speed and power of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU.
Plus, it also comes with a dedicated NitroSense key and highlighted arrow and WASD keys, and the entire keyboard offers a tactile feel and makes for a fun gaming experience in dimly lit environments with its LED-backlit construction. It even comes with Waves MaxxAudio and Acer TrueHarmony to break sound barriers, and Alexa to make your daily life convenient.
- 15 inch full HD LED-backlit display
- Intel Core i5-9300H processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU
- 256GB SSD and 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Acer CoolBoost technology
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop – Best Laptop for Sims 4 and Sims 5
You should also check out the Acer Predator Helios 300 gaming laptop, which really hits the spot as one of the gaming laptops for Sims 4 as it easily runs the game with high frame rates at all settings. In fact, even at just 60FPS, the game feels smooth without the risk of crashing.
We really love this one because of its super-powerful Intel Core i7 processor and its superior 2060RTX graphics card. Sure, it’s a little over the top, and it’s certainly expensive, but it only means you can run the game at the highest settings and still get to enjoy it a hundred percent.
The best part is, with all these top of the line specs and features, you can rest assured that you never have to upgrade (for a really long time, at least) since this laptop can easily accommodate any future expansion or a new edition of Sims and many other games you love. Yes, it’s that powerful.
- 15 inch 144Hz full HD IPS display
- Core i7-10750H processor
- NVIDIA RTX 2060 GPU
- 512GB SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 4-hour battery life
Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop – Cheap laptop for Sims4
You might also want to consider the Lenovo Ideapad L340 gaming laptop, which is one of the cheapest laptops and still promises a whole new level of gaming performance thanks to its Intel Core i5 processor that gives you all the power you need to play and win any game you ever want to play.
Even though it is cheap, it also comes with the newest NVIDIA GeForce graphics to back you up and help you take things to the next level and enjoy a smoother, faster, and more powerful gameplay. This is backed up by the 512 gigabytes of a solid-state drive, the 8 gigabytes of RAM, and the 15.6 inches of stunning, full HD display that offers hyper-realistic visuals.
Moreover, it comes with the advanced Dopoundsy audio tech that is hardwired into the laptop so you can have a blast while taking your gaming experience to a new dimension. Not to mention, it lets you choose between a quiet work in mode and a quick game in the mode so you can optimize how you use your laptop depending on your needs.
- 15.6 inch full HD IPS display
- Intel Core i5-9300H processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU
- 512GB SSD and 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Windows 10 OS
You might also like the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 for a more portable alternative.
MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062
Last but not least is the MSI GL65 Leopard, which is not as cheap but gives you a good value for your money with its i7 processor and a full RTX 2070 graphics card. This laptop guarantees a fantastic gaming experience no matter what game you’re playing. And of course, it’s a great laptop to play Sims 4 with.
There are just so many things we love about this one. For instance, its CPU is flawless. The display is nice and sleek, and the keyboard is just rad. Its sound system is also amazing, even better than what many other gaming laptops can offer.
It also ensures reliable cooling even when you run a game or heavy software at the highest settings. Perhaps the only catch is that it requires a big and heavy power supply which means it’s not as portable as other options, and the cooling fans get a little loud sometimes. But those aren’t really issues if you want a dedicated gaming setup at home.
- 15.6 inch 144Hz full HD IPS display
- Intel Core i7-10750H processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 GPU
- 512GB SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Windows 10 OS
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How To Find A Good Laptop For Sims
Now that you’ve seen all our top recommendations when it comes to good and cheap laptops for Sims 4, here’s a list of key factors you need to take into account so you can decide which laptop works best for your needs, preferences, and budget.
We’ll explain in-depth what you need to factor in to find a suitable laptop that meets Sims 4 laptop requirements, as well as other general stuff to make sure that your laptop is also compatible with other games and anything else you might want to do with your laptop.
These Sims 4 specs and features we’ll be discussing also applies to PCs and desktop computers in case you want to go that route instead.
Sims Version
If you’re buying a laptop to play Sims with, the most important thing you need to consider is which Sims version you want to play. There are many different versions with corresponding expansion packs and mods, and each of these will influence the gameplay’s smoothness as you run the game on your laptop.
Sims 1 and 2
The first couple of versions of the Sims don’t really come with special requirements and are cheaper since these are old and have pretty basic textures and graphics. This means you can play these versions on literally any laptop, even the lowest quality laptops you can find.
Sims 3
For some reason, the Sims 3 comes with a long list of issues when it comes to playing it on a laptop. It was designed primarily for console playing, and it works flawlessly on a desktop computer too, but laptops are a different matter altogether. That may be because the Sims 3 is very demanding in the sense that it makes use of a lot of hardware resources.
It also has a hard time recognizing current graphics cards, so modern laptops need to be manually configured before playing. That, or try to find an old laptop that meets some very demanding requirements. Basically, if you want to play Sims 3, a quad-core processor and 8GB RAM are the first in a long list of requirements.
Even if you manage to find a suitable laptop, whether it’s a budget-friendly option with an integrated graphics card, or one with newer hardware that somehow (but unlikely) works with Pets, Seasons, etc, you still have to live with the fact that the game won’t ever be perfect and you’ll need to constantly save your progress. It’s just not the same as with a PC or console.
A Few Helpful Tips:
If the Sims 3 works on your laptop, you can do the following tips to make for better gameplay and overall gaming experience: (or, you can also ask around on various Sims forums so fellow gamers can help you figure out how to address more specific issues)
- If you have a relatively new computer, go to the control panel of the graphics card and disable the vertical sync so the frame rates do not get messed up
- Check and make sure whether Sims 3 recognizes your graphics card. If this is not the case, manually get it recognized before you start playing
- Use your mods online like the Naars to help with other game-related issues
Sims 4
The reason everyone loves Sims 4 is that it’s such a huge improvement from the last versions especially when it comes to hardware requirements. That said, it’s still not as optimized as some other games, so there are a few things you need to do to ensure a great gaming experience on a computer.
That includes finding a good and reliable laptop that lets you play the game in whatever setting you prefer without worrying about in-game issues. The laptops we reviewed above all fit in this category, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding a nice model. Besides, Sims 4 also offers a laptop mode so you can run the game effectively on a less powerful machine.
If you want to learn more about these different versions of Sims, head on to the Sims official website for more information.
Expansion Packs
One important thing that you have to keep in mind is that the Sims is hardware demanding as it is, but the more you add expansion packs to the game, the demand for hardware for the best computer only increases, and significantly, too. This means you need to really invest in a good quality laptop that meets the recommended Sims 4 specs.
You also have to understand that some games and packs are more demanding than others, such as Pets, which is, in some ways, a new game entirely. There’s also Seasons, Into the Future, and Paradise, all of which are almost just as demanding.
Processor
Unlike many other games, the Sims 4 really benefits from multiple core processors such as those with the HQ or four core label, as compared to typical dual-core (U label) processors. HQ label processors ensure that the game won’t risk crashing, and they deliver a better overall gaming performance.
Of course, your decision should also depend on your budget, as an HQ processor will cost more than a U-label CPU. Here’s a list of suitable processors you can use depending on what settings you want to play the game on:
For low settings, you can use the following processors with a U label along with the latest 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th generation CPUs:
- i3-5010U
- i3-5020U
- i5-5200U
- i5-6200U
- i3-7100U
- i5-7200U
For high settings, and if you want the best in terms of performance, go for a processor with an HQ level, such as the following:
- i5-7300HQ
- i5-6300HQ
- i7-6500 HQ
RAM
Now, when it comes to RAM, the base game itself requires a minimum of 4GB RAM, but if you want to add more content and expansion packs, this RAM requirement will also increase. To be safe, 8GB RAM is more preferable.
The problem is, this kind of RAM doesn’t really come with a low-end system, so if that’s what you’re going for, it’s best if you invest in additional RAM. That said, it is easy to upgrade your RAM as long as the laptop’s hardware allows for it, so you can go for that route if you wish.
Storage
The same principle goes for the laptop’s storage capacity. At the bare minimum, which means the base game, you’ll need 10 gigabytes of storage for the Sims 4, and if you have a small hard drive, any and all expansion packs, custom content, and mods you add to the game will quickly eat up your remaining storage space.
Not to mention, if your laptop is full, it will operate significantly slower and feel sluggish.
Having said that, 256-gigabyte storage is technically enough if you will only be playing the Sims 4. But the more you demand from your laptops, such as running programs and software, or playing other games that can easily take up 50 gigabytes of space, the more storage you’ll need, so try to go for at least 512GB.
SSD (Solid State Drive)
When it comes to the Sims 4, you technically don’t need a solid-state drive, but it’s definitely a huge bonus as it makes everything load faster, including rendering images more quickly, which is something any gamer wants. It’s also helpful if you want to install expansion packs and utilize thousands of mods since all these things will take a long time to load on a regular hard drive.
Graphics Card
Finally, let’s talk about the most important component your laptop should have: the graphics card or GPU. This is what defines the smoothness of your gameplay at each setting. The good thing is, most modern GPUs are compatible with the Sims 4, but they do have their differences in terms of performance, so you still need to be careful with your decision.
Intel ‘Bay Trail’ HD
Unlike the Intel HD series, the Intel Bay Trail ID is a lower card that is often found on budget range laptops. This typically comes with a Pentium Processor, and can actually run the game at low settings in laptop mode with 1280×720 resolution and 20 to 60 frames per second, provided that nothing else is installed on the game, such as extension packs and CCs.
Intel HD
The most common graphics card these days are from the Intel HD series, and laptops using this GPU typically cost around 500 dollars. These graphics let you run the game at medium settings and with 30 to 40 frames per second unless of course, you add more patches and eps, in which case the game will become slower.
All of the latest generation Intel Core processors come with a decent Intel HD card that lets you play the game, but as much as possible, you should still opt for the latest available Intel HD cards, like the Intel HD 620/630 and the Intel HD 550/520/530.
Keep in mind that for the base game alone, you’ll need a decent processor and graphics card combined.
To give you an idea, a Core i7-6500U CPU with the Intel HD 520 GPU will let you run the Sims at medium settings, 1080p resolution, and 30 to 40 fps, while the Core i3-7100U CPU with the Intel HD 620 GPU can do it also at medium settings and 30 to 40 fps, but with a 1366×768 resolution.
Dedicated GPUs
It’s always ideal to have a dedicated GPU so you don’t have to worry about slow performance especially if you’re using a lower-end laptop or playing with so many extension packs, like the notorious Pets, which can easily make your game unplayable with the wrong requirements, even when you’re on laptop mode.
Besides, a dedicated graphics card allows you to acquire more expansion and collection packs, which is a great opportunity since the Sims 4 isn’t complete on its own. To help you choose, here are the most common dedicated GPUs you’ll likely come across:
The GTX 940M can run the base game and several expansions without hiccups, though if you experience a lower average frame rate at high settings and HD resolution, you can always just lower your graphic settings to make up for the difference.
Meanwhile, other cards like the GTX 960, 1050ti, 1060, 1070, and 1080 can run the base game plus all expansions at their ultra settings with zero issues whatsoever. These are recommended cards that can survive the entire Sims 4 game even as new expansions pop up, unlike lower-end cards that may not be able to meet the demand.
Final Tips
There are many other suitable options for a Sims 4 laptop out there, like the newer MacBook Pros (2014 onwards) and the MacBook Air (2015 onwards), which can run the game with pretty much all the expansions at low to medium graphics settings.
But, if you really want the best laptop for Sims 4, take your pick from our reviews above, or use our buying guide when you shop so you know you’re making the best decision.
Want to know how to optimize your play and win the game? Here’s a comprehensive Sims 4 guide.
