Re: laptop specs

by kelleybb1024
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Original Post

Re: laptop specs

@jmelrokmi  If you're going to get a massive discount from Dell, then it's probably the best option.  Dell gaming laptops are certainly high quailty, plus in your price range, you can pick out the components, so you'll get exactly what you want.

 

I think you can do better than the two you linked though.  I'd cross off the first one, at least at that price, because of the graphics card.  An Nvidia 1650 can run all Sims 4 content on ultra graphics settings, but for a few hundred less, you could get a significantly faster 1660 ti or an even slightly faster 2060.  These two laptops do only have 512 GB storage, but that's far more than Sims 4 would ever use, and from the various configurations of the base model, it should have an empty 2.5" drive bay if you ever want to add a second hard drive.

 

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/gaming-laptops/new-dell-g3-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-3500-lap...

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/gaming-laptops/new-dell-g5-15-gaming-laptop/spd/g-series-15-5500-lap...

 

As for the second one, that's massive overkill for any Sims game, although you might be happy to have a faster graphics card for other reasons.  The processor is far stronger than you could ever use though, unless you're planning on doing CPU-intensive tasks like compiling code or video editing.  (Even then, the stronger processor would only speed things up, not make them possible in the first place.)  An i7-9750H is strong enough for any current game out there, and Sims 4 would run fine on one that's half as powerful.  Even anticipating a future Sims 5, the 9750H or the newer 10750H would both be more than good enough.

 

I'm not sure how powerful you want this new laptop to be; like I said, you can pretty much get whatever you want.  Depending on the components you'd like, any of these might be the cheapest good option.  I'd want to upgrade at least one component in all three, but you can see for yourself.

 

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-laptops/alienware-m17-r1-gaming-laptop/spd/alienware-m17-laptop...

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/gaming-laptops/alienware-m15-r3-gaming-laptop/spd/alienware-m15-r3-l...

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/gaming-laptops/alienware-m15-r3-gaming-laptop/spd/alienware-m15-r3-l...

 

In the interests of futureproofing, I wouldn't go lower than a 1660 ti, or perhaps the 5% faster 2060.  If I had other games in mind, I might consider the 2070 regular or Super, but I don't think Sims 5 would need the extra speed for at least the first few years of its development, if ever.  By that time, you'd probably be thinking about getting a new laptop no matter what hardware this one had.

 

Anyway, if you want to talk about the configurations in more detail, feel free to ask about any specific component.

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I don't work for EA. I'm just trying to help fellow players with their games.
Message 11 of 19 (614 Views)

Re: laptop specs

★★ Novice

HI Puzzle!!  
Thank you so much for your help!!  You have been a huge help.  I really do like the 3rd alienware link you posted to me.  Im not sure which hard drive option to go with.  Are the 2x 512 better or the 1 1tb better?  I also wasnt sure about the display options under the dark side.  Would I want the nvidia display for 19.00 more?  Which components would you upgrade? 

Message 12 of 19 (593 Views)

Re: laptop specs

@jmelrokmi  The G-sync feature isn't really necessary for Sims 4—you can accomplish essentially the same thing with software, and usually the built-in Nvidia Control Panel is sufficient.  But you might find it's nice to have at some point, and for $20, why not.  For the hard drives, I'd get a single one rather than two in RAID 0.  The performance gain from RAID 0 is uneven (and sometimes it's actually slower), and an NVMe drive is already so fast you won't need any boost.  Getting a single drive leaves the second slot open if you ever decide you need more storage.

 

If you're only planning on playing Sims 4 and the as-yet-nonexistent Sims 5, the Nvidia 2060 is sufficient.  If you think you might like to play other, heavier games at some point, and you're willing to pay the extra, the 2070 Super would be a good investment.  But it really depends on the games.  From the (very early) look of it, Paralives wouldn't use the extra speed, and Cities Skylines doesn't either.  Games like Tomb Raider definitely do, especially at higher refresh rates.

 

For the memory, 16 GB would be enough for me.  I've never had more than about 11.5 GB RAM in use in all the time I've been watching, and that was in one specific game that's a memory hog.  Even with significant multitasking—playing Sims 4, having a couple browser windows open, and editing your screenshots in real time—I doubt you'd come close to maxing out RAM use.  But if you'd like to check, open the Task Manager on your existing computer some time and see how much you're using.  The values can be displayed as percentages or absolute totals; right-click on the Memory header to switch.

 

Also, RAM can be upgraded easily, so this is the least important of all the decisions.  In fact, buying the full 32 GB and installing it yourself would currently be cheaper than the $150 Dell is charging to do it for you.  (I don't know what it would be with your discount, but a 2x16 GB kit is about $110 sold separately.)  On the other hand, if you never want to have to think about it and are willing to pay for the upgrade, it's a reasonable investment.  It's really not a bad decision either way though.  Personally, I'd do the upgrade myself, but a) I wouldn't be getting a discount, and b) I'd be comfortable messing around with my laptop components.

 

The bottom line is, this is going to be a very good laptop no matter what you choose.  Even the baseline would be more than fine for Sims games.

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I don't work for EA. I'm just trying to help fellow players with their games.
Message 13 of 19 (584 Views)

Re: laptop specs

★★ Novice

thank you so very much!!!  You need paid for your in depth pc consults.  It is so appreciated.  Standard smile 

Message 14 of 19 (568 Views)

Re: laptop specs

[ Edited ]
★★★★ Novice

hi could this one work ?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Acer-NITRO-5-15-6-Intel-Core-I5-NVIDIA-GeForce-GTX-1050-/153998541229?_trks...

 

just let me know thank you 

 

or this one ? it’s really in my budget 👇🏾

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174341668823

 

Message 15 of 19 (527 Views)

Re: laptop specs

[ Edited ]

@kelleybb1024  The first one is much better than the second, capable of running Sims 4 (all packs included) on ultra or a mix of high and ultra graphics settings, provided it's in good shape overall.  If you don't get that particular laptop, a similar one with an Nvidia GTX 1050 would also work fine.

 

I would worry about the second one, given how much older its hardware is.  Even a reasonably well-maintained laptop is going to start struggling after six years, and while it might be fine right now, you don't want to be in the same situation in a year or two.

 

If you want to save money and split the difference, look for a laptop with a GTX 960M, or at least a 950M (900 series, and nothing lower than 50).

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I don't work for EA. I'm just trying to help fellow players with their games.
Message 16 of 19 (481 Views)

Re: laptop specs

★★★★ Novice

thank you sooo muchh i’m trying to get a nitro 5 but if i need any more help i’ll ask you if you don’t mind you’re really helping me out and i appreciate it Standard smile

Message 17 of 19 (447 Views)

Re: laptop specs

★★★★ Novice

also i found a acer nitro here 

 

https://offerup.co/LYGpPEP5X7

Message 18 of 19 (419 Views)

Re: laptop specs

@kelleybb1024  That might be the best laptop you've seen so far, provided it is what it says it is.  The price seems really low for this particular laptop though.  Still, if you can get some kind of guarantee or return window, even if just long enough to make sure it turns on and does in fact have the hardware it should, then this would be a good purchase.

 

All I'm saying is, be a bit cautious and do your homework before handing over your money.

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I don't work for EA. I'm just trying to help fellow players with their games.
Message 19 of 19 (399 Views)