Best Entry, Mid, & High-End Gaming PCs for The Sims 4

Sims 4 is the latest installment of the predominantly popular Sims series that started in 2000 with the initial installment. With the Sims 4 released in 2014, the barrier for graphics is significantly lower than most modern titles.

The bare minimum requirements for the Sims 4 consist of 512 MB of video memory and a two-core 4-thread processor for 1080p monitors. With such requirements, running the Sims 4 is viable on modern integrated or dedicated graphics systems. The most extensive development for the sims in the past ten years has been its healthy modding community with multiple optimizations and added content.

This guide covers the best configurations for entry, mid, and high-end gaming PCs for the Sims 4.

Best Gaming Computers to Play The Sims 4

Let's go through the most affordable gaming PCs to the higher-end options if you intend to mod or run all the expansions. 

Entry-level Gaming PC for The Sims 4

For an entry-level, decent gaming PC, going with an integrated graphics solution is an excellent value for those who want to experience the game. Systems like our Apex Bronze, equipped with 5600G and dual-channel memory, will run Sims 4 at a constant 60+ FPS.

Mid-Level PC for The Sims 4

For those looking to get a better overall gaming experience for the Sims 4 and other games and productivity work, a system like our Apex Alpha with an Intel i5 12600KF and 240MM Apex AIO is all you need for a responsive experience.

Sims 4 will run effectively on 1080p or 1440p monitors with these components with extra cooling for longer game sessions, keeping the CPU cool.

High-End PC for The Sims 4

For an uncompromising Sims 4 experience considered “overkill” for playing Sims 4 with a larger or ultra-wide monitor, check out the Apex Platinum with its RTX 4060 and a 14600KF with a 240mm AIO.

You will get an uncompromising Sims 4 experience and, with an RTX 4060 monitor, makes playing in 4k a possibility.

Requirements to Play The Sims 4 on PC

Here are the requirements for running Sims 4 on a gaming PC. While these don't necessarily require modern graphics from today's prebuilds, running mods or higher resolutions may need more consideration.

Sims 4 Minimum Requirements

OS: 64 Bit Required. Windows 10

CPU: 3.3 GHz Intel Core i3-3220 (2 cores, 4 threads), AMD Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz (4 cores) or better

RAM: At least 4 GB RAM

HARD DRIVE: At least 25 GB of free space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content and saved games

VIDEO: 128 MB of Video RAM and support for Pixel Shader 3.0. Supported Video Cards: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better, ATI Radeon X1300 or better, Intel GMA X4500 or better

Sims 4 Recommended Requirements

OS: 64 Bit Windows 10

PROCESSOR: Intel core i5 (4 cores), AMD Ryzen 5 or better

VIDEO CARD: 1 GB of Video RAM, NVIDIA GTX 650, AMD Radeon HD 7750, or better

MEMORY: 8 GB RAM

HARD DRIVE: 50 GB of free space, with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content and saved games

What to Look for in a Sims 4 Gaming Computer

If you want to configure your system for the Sims 4, here are some essential tips when piecing together a custom or secondhand system.

Graphics Card (GPU)

The graphics card does not have as major of a role as it does in other games. The only consideration for needing a more powerful graphics card is the resolution of the screen you are playing on.

An affordable option would be a GTX 1060 or slightly more for a GTX 1650 for a 1080p monitor.

Processor (CPU)

When choosing a processor, going for an Intel or AMD processor won't majorly affect performance spending on how many cores you pick. There are slight differences, like AMD processors(pre-7000 series) running slightly cooler, but both can experience higher temperatures when streaming or multitasking.

Power Supply (PSU)

As stated before, getting a PSU calculator is the most straightforward way to get the power supply you need to run the system. If you are looking to future-proof your PSU for the upgrades made in a 4 to 8 year lifespan, getting a significantly larger power supply will be beneficial. 

Memory (RAM)

Next to the CPU, the RAM is the second most crucial component for performance in the Sims 4. Besides capacity, speed is an essential factor in gaming PCs. The standard speed for most DDR4 RAM is 3000-3600Mhz, while DDR5 is higher at 5200-6400Mhz.

Sims 4 is a game where you can get by on DDR4, but getting DDR5 with more modern components is a way to go if you play other titles.

Storage Solutions

The Sims 4 is not very demanding regarding the type of storage used. It can be stored on hard drives, SATA SSDs, and NVMes. If you intend to mod the game, it's best to have it on a SATA SSD or NVMe due to faster loading time and system response. 

Motherboard

There are no specific motherboard requirements for the Sims 4. The most crucial aspect of a motherboard for Sims 4 is that it correctly supports the installed CPU and can support the maximum RAM speed.

Summary of the Best Gaming PC for The Sims 4

The Sims 4 can run on a multitude of hardware. If you intend to enter the modding scene, consider getting a better CPU and RAM configuration with faster storage to facilitate loading times and extra assets.

At Apex Gaming PCs, we have multiple configuration options depending on what suits your needs, from custom-built configurations to our affordable refurbished PCs made with reused parts. Whatever your needs are for the Sims 4, we would like to be of service at Apex!

Written by William Wilson

Header Photo Credit: Electronic Arts