Buying a desktop for Sims

[Redtwoface]

Hello, I need help trying to look for a desktop computer for Sims. Budget is $300-$600. I have narrowed it down but I looked on guide after guide trying to find something but I get overwhelmed with price and graphics. Can you please help me?

[MrsFlynn]

You didn't mention if you were in the US or not. But did find a few to consider. The list consists of desktops from both Amazon and BestBuy.

From Amazon:

CybertronPC Hellion-XFire Gaming Desktop = $550.71
https://www.amazon.com/CybertronPC-Hellion-XFire-Gaming-Desktop-Hexa-Core/dp/B011A7HEO6

- AMD FX-6300 ~ 3.5GHz
- 8GB system memory
- AMD Radeon R7 360 (2GB GDDR5) Graphics
- Will play the game in medium-high settings
- 500 watt power supply

================
CybertronPC Borg Q-750 Gaming Desktop = $559.99
https://www.amazon.com/CybertronPC-Borg-Q-750-Gaming-Desktop/dp/B011A7GQTU

- AMD FX-4130 ~ 3.8GHz
- 8GB system memory
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Graphics
- Will play the game in medium-high settings
- 350 power supply

================
CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra GUA3400A Gaming Desktop = $508.30
https://www.amazon.com/CyberpowerPC-Gamer-GUA3400A-Gaming-Desktop/dp/B0111MU5ZA
- AMD FX-6300 ~ 3.5GHz
- 8GB system memory
- AMD R7 250 2GB
- Will play the game in medium settings
- 350 power supply

===============
CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra GUA3100A Gaming Desktop = $469.99
https://www.amazon.com/CyberpowerPC-Gamer-GUA3100A-Gaming-Desktop/dp/B0111MTSZ8

- AMD FX-4300 ~ 3.8GHz
- 8GB system memory
- AMD R7 240 2GB
- Will play the game in medium settings
- 350 power supply


From BestBuy:

CyberPowerPC - Gamer Ultra Desktop = $599.99
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gamer-ultra-desktop-amd-fx-series-16gb-memory-2tb-hard-drive-black-blue/4592900.p?id=1219775848732&skuId=4592900

- AMD FX 8320 ~ 3.5 GHz
- 16 GB system memory
- AMD Radeon R7 250 graphics
- Will play the game in medium settings
- 350 power supply

===============

CyberPowerPC - Gamer Ultra Desktop = $399.99
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gamer-ultra-desktop-amd-fx-series-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-black-blue/4593000.p?id=1219775850518&skuId=4593000

- AMD FX 4300 ~ 3.8 GHz
- 16 GB system memory
- AMD Radeon R7 240
- Will play the game in medium setting
- 350 power supply

[Redtwoface]

Thank you! I will look at the links later.

[MrsFlynn]

You're welcome. Something dawned on me to check the power supplies in these cheaper desktops. As they're "famous" for putting under powered power supplies in them. To get best performance out of these desktops, you may want to purchase a new power supply.

A 500 watt power supply should do well.

EVGA 500 W power supply = $38.14
https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Continuous-Warranty-Supply-100-W1-0500-KR/dp/B00H33SFJU

Both desktops from BestBuy, and the ones below have a 350 watt power supply.

CybertronPC Borg Q-750 Gaming Desktop = $559.99
https://www.amazon.com/CybertronPC-Borg-Q-750-Gaming-Desktop/dp/B011A7GQTU

- AMD FX-4130 ~ 3.8GHz
- 8GB system memory
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Graphics
- Will play the game in medium-high settings

================
CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra GUA3400A Gaming Desktop = $508.30
https://www.amazon.com/CyberpowerPC-Gamer-GUA3400A-Gaming-Desktop/dp/B0111MU5ZA
- AMD FX-6300 ~ 3.5GHz
- 8GB system memory
- AMD R7 250 2GB
- Will play the game in medium settings

===============
CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra GUA3100A Gaming Desktop = $469.99
https://www.amazon.com/CyberpowerPC-Gamer-GUA3100A-Gaming-Desktop/dp/B0111MTSZ8

- AMD FX-4300 ~ 3.8GHz
- 8GB system memory
- AMD R7 240 2GB
- Will play the game in medium settings

================

Any of these are still great starter gaming machines. When we first started playing Sims, we started with starter machines similar to this and upgraded the power supply and graphics. Plus with an upgraded power supply, you can then purchase a newer graphics card later on to be able to play in highest settings

[Redtwoface]

How do you think about this as a starter gaming computer?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cybertronpc-electrum-desktop-amd-a4-series-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-green/5392001.p?id=bb5392001&skuId=5392001

[MrsFlynn]

I wouldn't recommend this one, due to the integrated graphics. Sims really needs a dedicated video card with at least 1 to 2 GB memory to get best gaming performance.

However, if you decide that this is the one for you. It can work well with purchase of a a power supply and video card and you'll be set to be able to play the game.

EVGA 500 W power supply = $38.14
https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Continuous-Warranty-Supply-100-W1-0500-KR/dp/B00H33SFJU

EVGA GeForce GTX 750Ti SC 2GB GDDR5 Graphics Card = $119.99
https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-750Ti-Graphics-02G-P4-3753-KR/dp/B00IDG3IDO

[Redtwoface]

 Sorry for asking all these questions, but do you think this computer would work better as a starter gaming computer for The Sims?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cybertronpc-patriot-desktop-amd-a4-series-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-red/4848805.p?id=bb4848805&skuId=4848805&cmp=RMX

Thank you for your time.

[MrsFlynn]

Thank you for letting me help you pick a desktop.

This is another desktop with integrated graphics. It will do okay as a starter. However to get better or even best performance and gaming experience out of it, you will definitely want to purchase a power supply and graphics card. As the game will run poorly on integrated graphics.

The reason it's best to get a power supply and video card is 1. So you have adequate power to run the computer plus parts to help over heating. 2. Better performance and gaming experience. 3. They (manufacturers) usually throw in a cheap power supply barely made to power the computer. Not helpful if you're going be using it for gaming.

[Redtwoface]

Once again, Thank you for your time! I found another PC that I wonder if it will work well with the game.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ibuypower-desktop-amd-fx-series-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive-black-blue/4575222.p?id=1219770997272&skuId=4575222

If this does not work I will use the ones you noted above and eventually upgrade the PC.

[MrsFlynn]

It's got a better processor, more memory a medium grade video card that will play medium settings. But something tells me it doesn't have a very good power supply.

So all in all, it maybe best to go with this one to start, and then upgrade with a better power supply and video card that will get you better power and better graphics.

[Execution]

Hi there,

If you're looking to break a tie between models, I would advise you to prioritize CPU over GPU. While having higher graphics is nice, nothing is more painful than a slow or laggy game - especially if you have multiple expansions and custom content/mods for TS3. TS4 suffers from this issue a lot less but this is probably because most of us do not run it with a million expansions (yet!).

[TonyTajiri]

Somehow my PC is able to cope with medium settings with an underpowered CPU, lack of ram, and a lack of a dedicated video card.  I tend to get a minimum average of 12 frames in densely populated areas and 20-30 in an empty area.  I am also wondering, how much will I suffer in game performance with an AMD CPU (FX-4300) versus an Intel CPU (i5 4590).

This one (The AMD) hovers around $575:
http://pcpartpicker.com/list/RBZ6M8

While this one (The i5) hovers around $750:
http://pcpartpicker.com/list/hPFP3F

Would it be worth paying an extra $175 on an Intel over an AMD?  I am also accounting for the future, because then I won't be locked with one that wouldn't be preferable.

[MrsFlynn]

We've tried both types of processors before and would recommend the Intel over the AMD due to the better performance in terms of power consumption. They also don't generate as much heat as their counterparts.

There won't be much difference in terms of in-game performance.

[TonyTajiri]

So I should save more for the Intel chip, so I don't bottleneck the PC when upgrading, right?

[MrsFlynn]

Right. It's usually a good idea to get the most computer for your money at the beginning so you don't have to spend as much money later on upgrades.