Suggestions for a good laptop to play Sims 3

[jesstwy]

I bought a laptop in 2013 specifically for The Sims 3 and photo editing (Sim screenshots and photos from my DSLR). This laptop was basically my "fun" laptop, as I have a Mac for school related things.

Here are the specs that I know for my current "fun" laptop:
HP Envy 17" - 2013
i5 processor - I know it goes to at least 3.0ghz
NVIDIA geforce 750M graphics
8GB memory
.... That's all I know. I'm sorry I don't have the laptop with me as I am currently staying on campus for a few days.

This is what I'm looking for in a laptop/requirements:
- It needs to be able to run Sims 3 on high settings WITHOUT any cc or mods, but also be able to run with most toggles on high with cc and mods installed (I usually only put 4 or 5 settings on high while screen-shotting... things like trees go to low)
- Run above settings with my 4 expansion packs installed
- Be able to handle photoshop (probably not a big deal)
- Obviously, be decently fast...
- Maybe be able to run Sims 4 eventually? I don't know if I want that game or not yet.
- PRICE: Preferably $800 or under with the added fees. So maybe under $750?

Any suggestions are appreciated and feel free to ask questions! I can search for the laptop I have at home online if need be.

[MrsFlynn]

Trying to find a laptop that will play Sims 3 well on high settings and will run fast is going to be tricky for under $800.

Here are some suggestions:

Dell - Inspiron 15.6" Laptop - Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 - 1TB + 8GB Hybrid Hard Drive - Black
Price: $799.99
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-inspiron-15-6-laptop-intel-core-i5-8gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1050-1tb-8gb-hybrid-hard-drive-black/5709801.p?skuId=5709801

Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i7 CPU, GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, VR Ready, 15.6" Full HD, 16GB DDR4, 256GB SSD, Red Backlit KB, Metal Chassis, G3-571-77QK
Price: $1,049.99
https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Predator-GeForce-Backlit-G3-571-77QK/dp/B06Y4GZS9C

Recommended specs or better will not only load the game onto the computer, it will be able to be played on medium up to ultra settings (depending on game settings/preferences and system components). It will also be better at handling whatever downloadable content (DLC, expansions, etc.), custom content, and mods you have.

If you want to do some searching for yourself, see the specs below:

Laptop Specs:
Processor : i7 HQ or MQ quad ~ 2.4 GHz
Video card : Nvidia GTX 960m or better
System Memory: 8GB
Hard Drive Space: At least 500 GB
Windows 64 bit

Laptop hardware is much weaker than desktop hardware. You need a much more powerful laptop to equal the requirements on desktop. A laptop that meets requirements maybe more expensive than a desktop. - Laptops can not be upgraded you are stuck with the specs you buy.

[jesstwy]

Trying to find a laptop that will play Sims 3 well on high settings and will run fast is going to be tricky for under $800.

Here are some suggestions:

Dell - Inspiron 15.6" Laptop - Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 - 1TB + 8GB Hybrid Hard Drive - Black
Price: $799.99
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-inspiron-15-6-laptop-intel-core-i5-8gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1050-1tb-8gb-hybrid-hard-drive-black/5709801.p?skuId=5709801

Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i7 CPU, GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, VR Ready, 15.6" Full HD, 16GB DDR4, 256GB SSD, Red Backlit KB, Metal Chassis, G3-571-77QK
Price: $1,049.99
https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Predator-GeForce-Backlit-G3-571-77QK/dp/B06Y4GZS9C

Recommended specs or better will not only load the game onto the computer, it will be able to be played on medium up to ultra settings (depending on game settings/preferences and system components). It will also be better at handling whatever downloadable content (DLC, expansions, etc.), custom content, and mods you have.

If you want to do some searching for yourself, see the specs below:

Laptop Specs:
Processor : i7 HQ or MQ quad ~ 2.4 GHz
Video card : Nvidia GTX 960m or better
System Memory: 8GB
Hard Drive Space: At least 500 GB
Windows 64 bit

Laptop hardware is much weaker than desktop hardware. You need a much more powerful laptop to equal the requirements on desktop. A laptop that meets requirements maybe more expensive than a desktop. - Laptops can not be upgraded you are stuck with the specs you buy.

I was looking at this one (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LD4MGY4/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiknix-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01LD4MGY4&linkId=922fe0a1a746c9f94b4e588c42358ae8) unfortunately I can't afford anything over $800 right now, and that's even pushing it, since I'm a college student and I'll be using my own money to purchase it.

My question is, if I were to purchase the above linked laptop, will the 940mx run any different than the 750m? Or would I be downgrading, if that makes sense?

[MrsFlynn]

The types of laptops with U processors aren't designed to play games. They're more made for office/homework, watching videos listening to music and other light tasks. Not so much for gaming. Without getting too technical, they will throttle back GPU, CPU and HD speeds in order to save energy. Making games run like slideshows. These types of laptops don't have adequate cooling, which is a very big problem when gaming. Playing any games make laptops run hot.

As for the graphics card 940mx, it's better than the 750m, but how much better I don't really know.

I don't recommend this computer.

Here's an interesting article that compares cars to computers.

Your Computer is Like a Car
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Your_Computer_is_Like_a_Car

[KhaineGB]

I'm curious to know why your CURRENT laptop can't run Sims 3 on high, since mine can and it's worse in terms of CPU and GPU...

[jesstwy]

I'm curious to know why your CURRENT laptop can't run Sims 3 on high, since mine can and it's worse in terms of CPU and GPU...

It used to be able to flawlessly when I first got it, but it's so old now that it lags fairly often... It also gets VERY hot so now I try to play without cc or anything - just the plain old game.

[jesstwy]

The types of laptops with U processors aren't designed to play games. They're more made for office/homework, watching videos listening to music and other light tasks. Not so much for gaming. Without getting too technical, they will throttle back GPU, CPU and HD speeds in order to save energy. Making games run like slideshows. These types of laptops don't have adequate cooling, which is a very big problem when gaming. Playing any games make laptops run hot.

As for the graphics card 940mx, it's better than the 750m, but how much better I don't really know.

I don't recommend this computer.

Here's an interesting article that compares cars to computers.

Your Computer is Like a Car
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Your_Computer_is_Like_a_Car

Thanks for all your help. I only play the sims as a game so I just don't know if I can spend the money on a gaming computer when I only have one game. But, I'll keep the Dell computer in mind and watch out for sales/black friday as that seems like the best bet right now.

[MrsFlynn]

Have you done anything to help reduce the lag?

Tips to Relieve Lag and Freezing
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg422978#msg422978

Also a cooling pad may help a little. For example this one from Amazon.com.

Otimo Laptop Cooling Pad for 12 - 17 inch Laptop Price: $19.99
https://www.amazon.com/Otimo-Laptop-Cooling-Pad-Adjustable/dp/B01JNQ4AHK

These can be found locally as well, I just added the link from Amazon to show what I'm talking about.

[KhaineGB]

I'm curious to know why your CURRENT laptop can't run Sims 3 on high, since mine can and it's worse in terms of CPU and GPU...

It used to be able to flawlessly when I first got it, but it's so old now that it lags fairly often... It also gets VERY hot so now I try to play without cc or anything - just the plain old game.

You need to clean it out.

I just did that with mine. The fan was completely blocked and I needed new thermal paste. It sits around 50C now instead of 80C.

[KhaineGB]

I should add to this.

Some of the world are notorious for creating lag as well. Bridgeport and Isla Paradiso are particularly bad. But if you're willing to crack open your laptop, you'll probably find cleaning out the fan, changing the thermal paste on the CPU and GPU and swapping your main drive for an SSD will sort out your lag problems.

[jesstwy]

What do you think of this laptop? The model for $849.
http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/omen-laptop---15t-x7r21av-1

It's more expensive than the dell linked above, so I'd like to know if the differences between the two are really worth the extra money. I could *maybe* go half with my parents.

[MrsFlynn]

I don't recommend this laptop, due to the poor ventilation it has. Though it does have decent specs.

The more slim line laptops like this don't have adequate cooling. This is one of the reasons I suggested the Dell laptop. It has decent specs and decent cooling. Makes for better air flow when using the laptop, specially for gaming.