Sims 4 - Acer Swift 3 laptop

[Amadiora]

Hi there,

I am looking to buy a new laptop and have had my eye on the Acer Swift 3 (https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-swift-3-14-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-1-tb-ssd-...) for a while now. I recently got back into the Sims 4 and was wondering if the laptop would run Sims 4 + packs smoothly? Very much aware it doesn't have a dedicated graphics card, would this be an issue? I have been told that the AMD Ryzen 5 4500u is revolutionary and would help in the absence of a dedicated graphics card.

x

[puzzlezaddict]

@Amadiora  The integrated chip in a 4500U is quite fast for an integrated chip, but it's still not nearly as fast as a dedicated card, and there would be a significant gap in performance.  And for £750, you could certainly get a laptop with a dedicated card.  This laptop isn't bad by any stretch, just maybe not the best option in your price range.

Are there other reasons you like this laptop better than others?  If you're interested in seeing other options, let me know how much you'd like to spend, and any other details that matter to you.  IF you want this one though, it'll run Sims 4 fine on medium or perhaps high settings, depending on which packs you have installed.  Ultra settings would probably be out of the question though.

[Amadiora]

@puzzlezaddict, thank you so much for your quick reply, that is very helpful!

I will actually be able to buy the laptop for £532 - £550 (student discounts), but then with 256gb (not 1tb), should have mentiononed that, apologies.

My budget is actually max. £600 but could go to £700 if it is there is something very very very special about the laptop.

[roberta591]

Get the 1Tb storage - you'll thank me later.

[puzzlezaddict]

@Amadiora  While 256 GB is enough for Sims 4 and all its content, plus plenty of other small apps like browsers, it may not be enough if you want to install another large game, or if you have a significant amount of data you want to store internally.  Of course, for £550, you could get a large external hard drive for overflow and still stay around your max budget.  Applications run more slowly on external drives, but they're fine for data like photos or music.

By the way, there's a 512 GB Acer with a 4500U, but it's currently sold out at Currys (normally £550).  If you're curious:

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-5-a515-44-15-6-laptop-amd-ryzen-...

And these two are nother options with a 4500U and a 256 GB SSD, but for £500, they're worth considering if the hard drive size is okay with you.

https://store.hp.com/UKStore/Merch/Product.aspx?id=1E6Z9EA&opt=ABU&sel=NTB

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8114448

For £600 or a bit more though, you could get a an entry-level gaming laptop with a graphics card capable of running all current Sims 4 packs on ultra settings.  I'm not sure whether you want a laptop that size, but here are a couple examples, both with a 256 GB SSD.

https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/acer-aspire-7-ryzen-5-3550h-8gb-256gb-ssd-geforce-gtx-1650-15.6-inch...

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-nitro-5-15-6-gaming-laptop-amd-ryzen-5-...

I couldn't find a laptop with a 1650 and a 512 GB SSD for less than £700 though.  It doesn't mean they don't exist, just maybe that they're not in stock right now, or the price has gone up.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9199527

If you don't want a bulky gaming laptop (although the Acer Aspire is listed at 2.15 kg), this Asus would be a good compromise.  It's £600 and has an Nvidia MX250, a dedicated card that's slower than the 1650 but still faster than the chip in a 4500U.  This laptop also has a 512 GB SSD, and it weighs 1.5 kg.

https://uk.store.asus.com/laptops/vivobook-series/asus-vivobook-red-a412fl-ek378t-14-full-hd-display...

If you have more questions about any of this, please feel free to ask.

[Janelle53002]

Hello

 I am also looking for a laptop and I would love your opinion if you don't mind. I'm a student so I need a good laptop for school, but I also really love The Sims. It's the only game I plan on downloading and playing. I'm trying to figure out what laptop would be best and I was looking at the Acer Aspire 5. Would The Sims work well on that laptop if it's the only game I intend to play?

[jpkarlsen]

@Janelle53002 

As it comes in many variations please link to the exact version of it you are contemplating.

[Janelle53002]

@jpkarlsen

https://www.costco.ca/acer-aspire-5-a515-56t-53qf-laptop%2c-i5-1135g7.product.100721089.html

This is the one I'm looking at. I need a good laptop for school but I also really want to be able to play The Sims with expansions packs smoothly. It would be the only game I'm going to play on the laptop as well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[jpkarlsen]

@Janelle53002 

Not bad. It features Intel's new integrated graphics Intel® Iris® Xe. This is almost on par with a Nvidia MX350 and as such can be expected to run the Game on high setting but Ultra settings is likely too much.

[Janelle53002]

@jpkarlsen

Thank you for your help!