Computer issue

[blaqluv]

Tech heads! Please tell me what, specifically, should I look for when purchasing a computer BEST compatible for playing ts4? And in the meantime, what can I do to my current computer to make playing better? Right now, its a lot of freezing up and glitching happening. Please help!

[jpkarlsen · Accepted solution]

@blaqluv 

Your CPU was not detected but you have two problems. Too little RAM and you only have poor integrated graphics. The graphics is the single most important thing in how well the game will run followed by RAM. Since this is a desktop it should be possible to add more RAM and a standalone graphics card. Depending on the CPU it may be enough for the time being. That said Your budget will buy you a good new desktop that can last for years to come. I will get an American I know give you recommendations for that.

[jpkarlsen]

@blaqluv 

For purchasing help please post your  country and budget.

Please post a DxDiag. https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/
You can attach the txt file directly to your answer.

[blaqluv]

Hi! Im in the U.S. and I'd spend between $600 and $800, if possible. I think I attached my dx info correctly. My computer is only a few years old, and although I bought it brand new, it was slow right out the box lol. I had ts4 since it first came out, but didn't care to play it much until recently, like within the last year. That's probably because game play was never smooth. In any case, I truly appreciate your willingness to help.

[jpkarlsen · Accepted solution]

@blaqluv 

Your CPU was not detected but you have two problems. Too little RAM and you only have poor integrated graphics. The graphics is the single most important thing in how well the game will run followed by RAM. Since this is a desktop it should be possible to add more RAM and a standalone graphics card. Depending on the CPU it may be enough for the time being. That said Your budget will buy you a good new desktop that can last for years to come. I will get an American I know give you recommendations for that.

[blaqluv]

Wow! Thank you! My computer is an all-in-one touchscreen, so I don't know how to even add those components unless they're plug-n-play items. But, I'll do my research. Also looking forward to possibly buying a brand new one. I appreciate your help, sincerely! 

[puzzlezaddict]

@blaqluv  It looks like your computer would take another 4 GB memory, although you'd need to make sure it was compatible with the system and what you currently have installed.  But adding an internal graphics card wouldn't work, as you already suspect.  An external GPU would work in theory, but the enclosure they need is expensive, and performance would still be limited somewhat by the processor and RAM.  So if you want a gaming desktop, your best option is a new computer.

Are you looking now?  If so, would you like some examples of desktops within your budget that would run Sims 4 well, or would you prefer a list of components to look for?  If you're not shopping right now, it's better not to pick out the system you want, since prices change and inventory turns over quickly.  Let me know either way.

[blaqluv]

Thanks a lot! Yes, I am looking  to buy, at the right price, right now. So, yes, please give any recommendations you have.

[puzzlezaddict]

@blaqluv  Alright, I found a numbe of options that would work well and are within your budget.  These are (roughly) in order of weakest to strongest hardware, which unsurprisingly corresponds to price.  I also found a few used computers, in case you'd rather get an older model with stronger hardware; those are at the end.

The lowest I'd go is this one, at $650.  Its graphics card is strong enough for ultra settings now, although that may not be true in a year or two, depending on how demanding future expansion packs turn out to be.  It also has a mechanical hard drive, meaning everything from Windows to apps would load more slowly.  Sims 4 would run the same in live mode, but loading times would be longer.  Still, the game would run just fine.  The nice thing about this one is it has 16 GB memory, although you could upgrade the others if you wanted.

https://www.amazon.com/SkyTech-Blaze-Computer-Desktop-GeForce/dp/B07NV267C8

This HP is $700 and has a much faster graphics card—the 1650 is maybe 30% faster than the 1050 ti and will in all likelihood be able to handle ultra settings for the entire run of Sims 4.  It does only have a small 256 GB hard drive, but it's a solid state drive, so it's much faster than an HDD.  Plus, you could upgrade to a 512 GB SSD for and extra $40; although it's not necessary for Sims 4 alone, you might want the extra storage for other reasons (like other games).  The processor is stronger than the first one as well.

https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-pavilion-gaming-desktop-tg01-1160xt-8mp64av-1

This one is $750 and has a significantly faster graphics card than the HP.  Its processor is weaker but still more than fine for Sims 4.  It also has a 500 GB SSD.

https://www.amazon.com/Skytech-Oracle-Gaming-Desktop-Motherboard/dp/B0824B445L/

If you really don't like the look of that model, this one has the same hardware and is $800:

https://www.amazon.com/SkyTech-Blaze-II-Gaming-Desktop/dp/B07RHBLV7F/

An Nvidia 1660 is overkill for Sims 4, but it might be worth the higher price if you decide to play other games later.

In case you're curious what's out there, this one is $850 and has a much stronger processor than the others, plus a 1660 Super, which is a little faster than the regular 1660.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gamer-xtreme-gaming-desktop-intel-core-i5-9600kf-8gb-nvidi...

If you really want to save money, these Acers are refurbished by Acer itself and do have a short warranty window.  The first has a small solid state drive, while the second has a large mechanical drive; the second has a much stronger processor.  Their graphics cards are equivalent in performance.

https://www.target.com/p/acer-aspire-desktop-intel-core-i5-3-ghz-8-gb-ram-256-gb-ssd-windows-10-home...

https://www.target.com/p/acer-nitro-50-desktop-intel-i7-8700-3-20ghz-8gb-ram-1tb-hdd-windows-10-home...

This Lenovo has a certified open-box option for $790, and it comes with an Nvidia 1660 plus a processor that's faster than the Ryzen 5 2600 in the Skytech models but slower than the i5-10400 in the HP.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-legion-gaming-desktop-intel-core-i5-9400f-8gb-memory-nvidia-gefo...

If you have more questions about these, or any other options you see, please feel free to ask.

[blaqluv]

Hi! Ok. Finally had a moment to check out the info you sent. They are really good options, but it's a lot of money to spend and there's no monitor. I have an all in one now, so I would HAVE to buy one. So, are there any regular computers, like all in ones, that are strong enough for the game? Ts4 is the only game I play, fyi. I will do some research on my own since you've given me an idea of what to look for. I'm ready to go out and buy my computer RIGHT NOW 😁.

[blaqluv]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088CQRC79/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HoEgFbK0JKVNW

I hope I copied the link correctly. What do you think about this one?