best monitor + pc for hq sims 4 gameplay?

[kaidubin]

hi friends! 

i'm a new simmer and have been really loving the game so far! i've been playing on my 2017 macbook air on low-medium graphics with a handful of CC and haven't had any real issues, but i'd like to level up and get a monitor and computer (i only own a laptop right now) that can support better graphics, more CC, and eventually some mods. 

i don't know anything about computers or monitors or specs and i would love some budget friendly reccs! 

[puzzlezaddict]

@kaidubin  I take it you want a desktop computer?  How much are you interested in spending, and in what currency?  Is there anything else you'd like to do on this computer besides play Sims 4?  I can look for good options once I know the details.

[kaidubin]

thanks so much! yep - i'd like a desktop! i'm not sure what a good budget to set for myself is, but i'd prefer to keep it on the lower end (does $700-$800 USD work?). 

other than the sims i'd just use it for web browsing and probably microsoft office for work, so it wouldn't have a large number of programs

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@puzzlezaddict wrote:

@kaidubin  I take it you want a desktop computer?  How much are you interested in spending, and in what currency?  Is there anything else you'd like to do on this computer besides play Sims 4?  I can look for good options once I know the details.

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[puzzlezaddict]

@kaidubin  Under $800 U.S. for a desktop does work, although only barely.  It's a good price segment normally, but most gaming desktops in that range are sold out right now, probably due to all the people stuck at home with nothing to do except play games.  I did find a couple of good options for $750 though.

The first one has a strong processor and a graphics card that should run all current and future Sims 4 content together on ultra settings.  The second has a faster graphics card and a weaker processor, although it's still far stronger than Sims 4 will ever need.  They both have a 240 GB solid state drive; the first one has a 2 TB mechanical drive, while the second's HDD is 1 TB.  That's still plenty of storage though.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gaming-desktop-amd-ryzen-5-3600-8gb-memory-amd-radeon-rx-5...

https://www.amazon.com/CYBERPOWERPC-Xtreme-i5-9400F-GeForce-GXiVR8060A8/dp/B07VGJDKZ4/

They both only have 8 GB memory, which is plenty for Sims 4 but might not be enough for multitasking if you like to run multiple other apps while you play.  (Not that it wouldn't work at all, it's just that switching would be somewhat slower.)  But you can add RAM after the fact easily enough, and it might only cost you $40 to get a matching 8 GB stick.

As for monitors, there are too many good options to list without knowing the size you want, or any other considerations.  These are a good place to start though:

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-SB220Q-Ultra-Thin-Frame-Monitor/dp/B07CVL2D2S/

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Business-S22R350FHN-1920x1080-Monitor/dp/B083W8PJPB/

https://www.amazon.com/AOC-24B2XH-Monitor-Frameless-Compatible/dp/B07WVN1N8C/

https://www.newegg.com/asus-90lm0351-b014b0-21-5-full-hd/p/N82E16824236986?Item=N82E16824236986

https://www.newegg.com/lg-22bk430h-b-21-5-full-hd/p/N82E16824025903?Item=N82E16824025903

https://www.newegg.com/asus-va24ehe-23-8-full-hd/p/1FR-000R-00024?Item=1FR-000R-00024

They all have IPS panels, the highest quality screen, and they're all made by good vendors.  (AOC makes the panels for other name brand vendors but is not well known on its own.)  A few of them have a 75 Hz refresh rate rather than the default 60, which makes a difference to many people but not everyone.

Normally, I'd suggest you go to a Best Buy and physically look at the monitors, so you get a sense of what manufacturers' products you like looking at.  All monitors of the same type (i.e. IPS) from the same manufacturer will look pretty much the same once you take size and resolution into account.  If that's not possible though, maybe a friend or family member of yours has a monitor you like, and yoy might want a similar product.  Or if you know of a type of monitor you don't like, you can cross those off the list.

If you're not sold on any of the above monitors, let me know what details matter to you, as well as any manufacturers that you do or don't like, and I'll take another look.

[reni4ever]

Hi! I want to start playing the sims 4 on a desktop computer I think that’s what it’s called but I’m not sure what type of monitor and stuff I need to get, if I get a monitor does everything else have to match it like the pc? 

[puzzlezaddict]

@reni4ever  Any standard monitor, basically a "normal" monitor built in the last decade or so, should be compatible with any new-ish computer.  The question is not about matching but about what size and image quality you're looking for.

If you'd like help picking out the computer itself or the monitor, just list your budget and country as well as anything else that matters to you.  For the monitor, let me know the size you want and whether you have any thoughts on other features.

[reni4ever]

My budget for everything is around 850. I really like dell I would greatly appreciate it if you helped me find a monitor and a pc, I would like a nice sized monitor and I don’t want the pc to be over 1,000 dollars. If I buy a monitor then I don’t need to buy a laptop?

[puzzlezaddict]

@reni4ever  If you buy a laptop, you don't need a monitor (but could use one if you wanted).  If you buy a monitor, you could choose laptop or desktop, but I'd recommend a desktop for a few reasons.  One is that you'd be getting better components: desktop parts are a little stronger than their laptop equivalents for the same price.  And desktops generally have better cooling too, so the components can run at higher clock speeds for longer without overheating.  That can help a lot in long play sessions.

Is this budget in U.S. dollars?  If so, then I think I can find something suitable.  But I don't want to start looking if it turns out you're shopping in an entirely different country, since both the relative prices and the available stock will differ greatly.