April 2019
So I've been working and saving my money for a while and I have about $1k in the bank and my computer recently broke. I've decided I'm going to get a new computer, either desktop or laptop. I'm not good with computers and their graphic cards and all that stuff, so I was wondering if anyone knew a good gaming laptop or desktop that I don't have to put together or buy a graphics card for that I can play The Sims 3 (somewhat) smoothly on? I know there are some demanding expansion packs and stuff, so here's the packs I have and plan to use:
Base Game
Pets
Generations
Supernatural
Seasons
University
Late Night
Master Suite
Town Life
Outdoor Living
High End Loft
It doesn't have to be perfect performance or anything, but just something decent enough where the majority of the time I could enjoy the game.
Solved! Go to Solution.
April 2019
@WildestGetaway Alright, I went with the cheapest models that can run TS3 and all packs on high graphics settings. If you start thinking you want a bit of an upgrade on any feature I list, just let me know and I'll look around more.
First, laptops. This is the cheapest good option I found, on sale for $700. It has an Intel i5-8300H processor and an Nvidia 1050 ti, which are both just good enough to run the game on the highest settings. This model has only 256 GB storage, which would be enough for your TS3 saves, but not much else that takes up space. (Browsers are fine.) This is a solid state drive (SSD) though, which will run much faster than a mechanical drive (HDD). For TS3, that means loading the game and your saves, travel transitions, loading CAS and Build/Buy catalogs, messing around in Edit Town, and saving will all be faster, and Windows will start up faster too.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834235176&ignorebbr=1
For an extra $30, you could get the same model computer except with an Nvidia 1060 3 GB, which is an upgrade over the 1050 ti. I would definitely recommend this if you love custom content, particularly high poly count hairs, as those take more resources to render. A 1050 ti would likely still be fine, but this upgrade is a good use of $30.
https://www.amazon.com/IPS-level-i5-8300H-Processor-GeForce-Gigabit/dp/B07JF6HRJ1
For $740 (on sale until Monday night), you could get an Intel i7-8750H processor, which is a significant upgrade over the i5-8300H, but the downside is you'd have a 1 TB HDD instead of an SSD. (And this also has the 1050 ti.) Also, some people don't like Acer screens. You might want to drop by a Best Buy to look at a couple of Acer laptops to see whether it makes a difference to you. I did check the reviews on this model, and unlike many Acers, this one seems to have no trouble with cooling.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16834316524
If you'd like more storage than just the 256 GB but don't want to settle for a slow mechanical drive, an HDD with Intel Optane memory is a good compromise. Its performance will be almost as good as the slower SSDs, plus you get a lot of storage, in this case 1 TB. This MSI is $800 and has an i5-8300H and a 1050 ti.
https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GV62-8RD-200-Performance-Steelseries/dp/B07D4ZML7M
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Desktops: none of these come with a monitor, but you could find one that works at a local store and buy it separately. Some stores, like Best Buy, will price match to Amazon or newegg if you ask, or you can order it online, but either way, it's a good idea to look at the monitor first to make sure you like the look.
This computer, at $630, is the cheapest good option I could find. Its processor is a bit below the i5-8300H but should still be fine, and it has a 1050 ti. It also has a 500 GB SSD, which would fit all TS3 files and give you plenty of room for other stuff.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883289027&ignorebbr=1
This one is on sale for $680 and has an AMD processor that's equivalent to an i7-8750H. It also has a 1050 ti, but it only has a 1 TB HDD.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883101581&ignorebbr=1
Personally, I think this is the best desktop in this price range. Its i5-8400 processor is almost as strong as an 8750, and it has an Nvidia 1060 6 GB, which is a bit better than the 3 GB version (and significantly better than a 1050 ti). It also has both a small 240 GB SSD and a larger 1 TB HDD, so you'd have plenty of room on the mechanical drive for movies, music, etc. while running TS3 off the SSD.
https://www.amazon.com/CYBERPOWERPC-SMG8-Gaming-i5-8400-GeForce/dp/B07KCSLZ8Q
Again, if you want to spend more money for better features, just let me know, but upgrades will probably push the price tag close to $900.
One final note: All of these models have only 8 GB RAM. That's more than enough for TS3, but it might make multitasking while playing a bit difficult. However, it's easy to add an extra RAM stick when you need it; just make sure it exactly matches what's in the computer. A 1x8 GB stick might cost $60, depending on what kind. Or a 16 GB (2x8) kit could be $100 or less, if you want to upgrade to faster RAM later.
April 2019
@WildestGetaway For under $1000 U.S. (if you're not in the U.S., please let me know), I can find you a laptop or desktop that will run TS3 and all packs on the highest graphics settings. Would you like the best computer that money can buy, or would you prefer to save a bit of money and get the least expensive option that will run the game well? For the same hardware, a desktop will be a bit cheaper than a laptop, and it will perform slightly better as well. It will also last longer and be upgradeable in the future, so you don't have to buy a whole new computer; with a laptop, you can generally only add more RAM. Of course, some people prefer laptops for other reasons.
One thing think about is whether you'd like to future-proof this computer a bit, like getting a slightly stronger graphics card or more RAM. On the other hand, it's easy enough to add more RAM later. Another consideration is how much storage you want for other files besides TS3. And are there other games you'd like to play, now or in the future? I can account for their recommended specs as well.
If you let me know what you want, I'd be happy to look around for something that would work.
April 2019
April 2019
@WildestGetaway Alright, I went with the cheapest models that can run TS3 and all packs on high graphics settings. If you start thinking you want a bit of an upgrade on any feature I list, just let me know and I'll look around more.
First, laptops. This is the cheapest good option I found, on sale for $700. It has an Intel i5-8300H processor and an Nvidia 1050 ti, which are both just good enough to run the game on the highest settings. This model has only 256 GB storage, which would be enough for your TS3 saves, but not much else that takes up space. (Browsers are fine.) This is a solid state drive (SSD) though, which will run much faster than a mechanical drive (HDD). For TS3, that means loading the game and your saves, travel transitions, loading CAS and Build/Buy catalogs, messing around in Edit Town, and saving will all be faster, and Windows will start up faster too.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834235176&ignorebbr=1
For an extra $30, you could get the same model computer except with an Nvidia 1060 3 GB, which is an upgrade over the 1050 ti. I would definitely recommend this if you love custom content, particularly high poly count hairs, as those take more resources to render. A 1050 ti would likely still be fine, but this upgrade is a good use of $30.
https://www.amazon.com/IPS-level-i5-8300H-Processor-GeForce-Gigabit/dp/B07JF6HRJ1
For $740 (on sale until Monday night), you could get an Intel i7-8750H processor, which is a significant upgrade over the i5-8300H, but the downside is you'd have a 1 TB HDD instead of an SSD. (And this also has the 1050 ti.) Also, some people don't like Acer screens. You might want to drop by a Best Buy to look at a couple of Acer laptops to see whether it makes a difference to you. I did check the reviews on this model, and unlike many Acers, this one seems to have no trouble with cooling.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16834316524
If you'd like more storage than just the 256 GB but don't want to settle for a slow mechanical drive, an HDD with Intel Optane memory is a good compromise. Its performance will be almost as good as the slower SSDs, plus you get a lot of storage, in this case 1 TB. This MSI is $800 and has an i5-8300H and a 1050 ti.
https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GV62-8RD-200-Performance-Steelseries/dp/B07D4ZML7M
—————————————————
Desktops: none of these come with a monitor, but you could find one that works at a local store and buy it separately. Some stores, like Best Buy, will price match to Amazon or newegg if you ask, or you can order it online, but either way, it's a good idea to look at the monitor first to make sure you like the look.
This computer, at $630, is the cheapest good option I could find. Its processor is a bit below the i5-8300H but should still be fine, and it has a 1050 ti. It also has a 500 GB SSD, which would fit all TS3 files and give you plenty of room for other stuff.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883289027&ignorebbr=1
This one is on sale for $680 and has an AMD processor that's equivalent to an i7-8750H. It also has a 1050 ti, but it only has a 1 TB HDD.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883101581&ignorebbr=1
Personally, I think this is the best desktop in this price range. Its i5-8400 processor is almost as strong as an 8750, and it has an Nvidia 1060 6 GB, which is a bit better than the 3 GB version (and significantly better than a 1050 ti). It also has both a small 240 GB SSD and a larger 1 TB HDD, so you'd have plenty of room on the mechanical drive for movies, music, etc. while running TS3 off the SSD.
https://www.amazon.com/CYBERPOWERPC-SMG8-Gaming-i5-8400-GeForce/dp/B07KCSLZ8Q
Again, if you want to spend more money for better features, just let me know, but upgrades will probably push the price tag close to $900.
One final note: All of these models have only 8 GB RAM. That's more than enough for TS3, but it might make multitasking while playing a bit difficult. However, it's easy to add an extra RAM stick when you need it; just make sure it exactly matches what's in the computer. A 1x8 GB stick might cost $60, depending on what kind. Or a 16 GB (2x8) kit could be $100 or less, if you want to upgrade to faster RAM later.
April 2019