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Gamers are enjoying unprecedented growth in the gaming industry. The growth of the gaming market has had a significant impact on the laptop market, which is primarily accountable for running these games. An example of this is Sims 4, the most popular game since it came out in 2014.
You can play this game on various platforms, such as Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam. Further, most gamers use laptops or PCs to play their favorite game. Consequently, there is a huge demand for laptops for Sims 4.
Although this is a casual game, it won’t need a lot of power, but you’ll need the right laptop if you’re planning on playing the latest expansion packs to avoid bottlenecks.
Most Windows laptops will work fine with this game. However, we recommend getting a gaming laptop for smooth execution because they feature more powerful hardware.
Now, let’s get started without further ado!
10 Best Laptops for Sims 4
1. Lenovo Legion 5 – Best Overall
RAM: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB NVMe
Display: 15.6 FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
Gaming enthusiasts will be pleased with Lenovo’s latest Legion 5. The laptop comes with high-end hardware suited not only for Sims 4 but also for most other games.
Specifically, the computer comes with a Ryzen 7 5800H chipset, part of the latest 5000 series of AMD processors. Consequently, it features an octa-core CPU running at 3.2GHz and 4.4GHz with a turbo boost.
It also contains TSMC’s 7nm processing node that underlies the Zen 3 microarchitecture, which is exceptionally power-efficient. A graphics card becomes an essential component for optimal performance with a gaming laptop.
As a result, the Lenovo Legion 5 has a mobile GPU powered by Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti with 4GB of VRAM for managing gaming workloads. This laptop contains the latest RTX 30 series graphics cards, which incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including Ray Tracing and AI support.
It also includes Nvidia’s DLSS technology. Overall, this GPU will offer the smoothest gameplay in 2022. Memory-wise, the laptop has 16 GB of DDR4 RAM running at 3200 MHz, which is a good choice for gaming laptops.
For storing data, it comes equipped with a preinstalled 512GB SSD. It provides sufficient space to store large files and improves performance simultaneously.
The front of the laptop features a 15.6-inch display. As a result, it produces smooth animation and sharp visuals without any problems.
2. Acer Nitro 5 – Runner Up
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD
Display: 15.6 FHD 144Hz IPS
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
The Acer Nitro 5 is a well-known name for gaming laptops designed to play Sims 4 and other popular games at an affordable price. The screen has a resolution of 15.6 inches and a refresh rate of 144Hz.
Displays such as this one have thin bezels, making them more attractive and providing sharper visuals. The laptop features a Core i5 processor and RTX 3050 Ti GPU. This laptop boasts an RTX 30 series GPU, giving it a competitive edge over other laptops.
It produces optimal gaming performance with this combination. With a backlit keyboard, it has a distinctive gaming appearance. It has a single zone of red backlighting, creating an eye-catching appearance.
High-end gaming laptops usually have this feature. The Acer CoolBoost technology with dual fans that comes with it further enhances cooling performance.
Additionally, you get 8GB DDR4 RAM, making it a better deal. It comes with a PCIe SSD that offers 256GB of storage, which falls slightly short of what many gamers expect. Nevertheless, you can add a separate HDD or SSD as needed in the future if your budget is tight.
In addition to DTS-X Ultra support, the laptop also enhances the sound quality. Also, the laptop possesses excellent connectivity due to its Ethernet E2600 and Intel WiFi 6 AX201 chips.
There are numerous Quad-Exhausts vents for good airflow, and the build quality is sturdy. Overall, it’s the cheapest gaming laptop from a world-famous brand. In this case, if your budget is in the $800 range, you should consider buying this laptop.
3. Asus TUF Dash 15 – Best Refresh Rate
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Display: 15.6 144Hz FHD
GPU: GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
This laptop is more affordable than the Asus TUF Gaming F17, but its hardware is downgraded. Even though Sims 4 is less resource-intensive than some games, it won’t matter if the laptop has a slightly weaker processor, but it will affect it if you put a heavy load on it.
With a 15.6-inch Full HD display and 1920 x 1080p resolution, this laptop features a 144Hz refresh rate and a Full HD screen. Color calibration may be an issue, but the panel is suitable for gaming.
Further, it comes equipped with an Intel Core i7-11370H processor with four cores and eight threads, ideal for tasks involving multiple threads such as gaming and 3D rendering. The durable chipset uses a high-performance 10nm processor node to reduce power consumption.
Additionally, it has a dedicated 4GB VRAM coupled with an NVIDIA 3050Ti GPU. It belongs to the newly launched RTX 30 series. Therefore, it can run most AAA titles at high settings by leveraging all the new advancements in the RTX 30 lineup.
The system comes with 512GB of SSD storage and 8GB of RAM in terms of storage. Additional slots are available for adding memory if you need it somehow. According to the manufacturer, the body construction has been tested for MIL-STD 810H certification.
As a result, the cooling system has operated optimally. Overall, this is a valuable addition to the midrange market. Games like Sims 4 will work exceptionally well on Asus TUF Dash 15.
4. Dell Inspiron 15 – Best Mid-Range Laptop
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6 FHD Non-Touch
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce MX450 Graphics
A dedicated GPU makes the Dell Inspiron 15 a good choice for basic gaming such as Sims 4, even though it isn’t a gaming laptop. We recommend choosing it carefully, though, as some expansion plans may be saggy.
This gaming laptop is just an optional choice for people looking for a multipurpose computer machine and who want to play games in their spare time. The laptop has an anti-glare display measuring 15.6 inches at a brightness of 300 nits.
Color accuracy is the key feature of this screen. It has a color gamut coverage of 72% NTSC or 100% sRGB, which allows for more accurate color grading. Therefore, you will do more productive tasks that need good color calibration, such as video editing, etc.
As an added benefit, its hardware is especially well-suited for heavy workloads. In this laptop, you’ll find the Core i7-11370H chipset. A base clock speed of 3.3GHz can reach 4.8GHz on top.
Furthermore, the graphics performance comes courtesy of the Nvidia MX450 GPU, equipped with 2GB of GDDR5 RAM. The laptop makes this list due to its dedicated graphics memory.
Furthermore, there is an 8GB memory module and a 512GB SSD storage unit on the laptop. It also features an additional RAM slot capable of supporting up to 32GB, should your system require more memory.
5. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 – Best Affordable Pick
RAM: 8GB RAM
Storage: 256GB SSD
Display: 15.6 FHD
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
You can get a very good gaming laptop named IdeaPad Gaming 3 for a reasonable price without sacrificing performance. It features a dedicated graphics card, making it both economical and powerful.
In other words, it is a great choice for games like Sims 4, which have limited resources. This laptop features a 15.6-inch screen with 1920 x 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The device has an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor in terms of CPU.
Further, the offered chipset features a Hexa-core CPU designed on a 7nm node, clocked at 3.3GHz but reached 4.2GHz under heavy workloads. It has an NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPI with 4GB of video RAM.
In addition, this laptop comprises 8 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256 GB SSD drive. The laptop also offers an additional slot for future expansion. Using traditional Lenovo design and solid body construction, it follows the tradition of quality build.
Besides, the thermal offering has a good capability to observe heat. It means the gaming system stays cool even during casual play, especially when playing The Sims. You could encounter some heating issues if you play hardcore gaming.
Additionally, multi-color backlighting is one of its highlights. This laptop offers an RGB keyboard with multi-color lighting effects, a rare feature at a price. In addition, all necessary ports are present and all the essential connectivity options.
6. MSI GF65 Thin – High RAM Option
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6 144hz IPS-Level Screen
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX3060
An additional gaming laptop for Sims 4 that is worth considering is the MSI GF65 Thin. Even though its design looks old-fashioned, it has decent internal components for an affordable price. Powered by the Intel Core i5-10500H, the MSI GL65 comes equipped with a 10th generation processor.
Its quad-core CPU produces decent performance, although it is nothing fancy. Besides, it also supports Turbo Boost technology that allows the CPU to go up to 4.5GHz using its powerful six cores and 12 threads.
Thanks to its Nvidia RTX 3060 graphics card, this laptop offers excellent gaming performance. As part of this package, Nvidia’s latest RTX 30 series GPU comes included, as well as 4GB GDDR6 VRAM.
Additionally, you can expect a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 1920 x 1080p resolution on a typical 15.6-inch Full HD display. For gaming-oriented laptops, the display’s 144Hz refresh rate is a must. It is a good fit for a gaming laptop on a budget.
Aside from that, it has 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage, which make it a full-featured laptop. Its self-sufficient storage & RAM support ensures a smooth gaming experience and facilitates long-term storage of large gaming files.
The keyboard on this laptop comes with a multi-color RGB backlight, with each key featuring a different effect. Furthermore, a webcam with HD resolution sits in the upper corner. When it comes to Sims 4, this laptop works perfectly for all of the latest expansion packs.
It meets all the recommended hardware by the publisher of Sims 4. The design of the laptop has a typical MSI gaming laptop appearance, but it is constructed primarily of plastic. It is durable but a bit bulkier than expected.
7. Acer Predator Helios 300 – Powerful Gaming Laptop
RAM: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6 Full HD 144Hz 3ms IPS
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
With the Acer Predator Helios 300, gamers can explore possibilities beyond Sims 4. Under the hood, it has powerful hardware that makes this gaming laptop quite impressive.
Laptops like this are primarily for professional gamers, and they can easily handle several high-end games. According to the laptop’s processor specification, it comes equipped with an Intel Core i7-11800H CPU.
Based on a variable base clock, its CPU runs at speeds ranging from 1.9GHz to 2.3GHz. If you run a demanding application, it can reach as high as 4.6GHz. Due to its 10nm SuperFin technology, it prevents excessive heating due to its high power efficiency.
Besides that, a new AeroBlade Fan (5th Generation) with 89 blades is also present to solve the overheating problems. As GPUs become increasingly powerful, they must be persuasive to avoid potential bottlenecks. As a result, the laptop features an impressive 6GB GDDR6 VRAM RTX 3060 GPU.
Additionally, the display on the front of the device has a 1920 x 1080p resolution. The panel has a 144Hz refresh rate, covering 100% of the sRGB gamut and good color calibration. This excellent color accuracy makes running applications like Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, etc.
Moreover, the laptop features a 512GB SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM. Overall, only a few gaming laptops under $1500, like Predator Helios 300, can match the kind of gaming experience expected from pro-level gamers.
8. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 – VR Ready
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
Display: 14 Inch 120Hz Full HD Display (1920 x 1080) Thin Bezel, VR Ready
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics (4GB GDDR6)
We also recommend the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 as a laptop suitable for games, like Sims 4. While other gaming laptops are too heavy and bulky, this laptop is lightweight and comes with both gaming and productivity hardware.
Regarding processing power, the laptop comes with a powerful chipset, the AMD 4800 HS. A compelling eight-core processor and 16 threads make this chipset an ideal choice for multi-threaded tasks, such as video editing, game development, etc.
These cores can generate a clock speed of 2.9GHz, which you can upgrade to 4.2GHz. The powerful chipset includes the Nvidia GTX 1650 GPU with 4GB GDDR6 VRAM for graphics processing. However, this is an old graphics card from the past generation.
Nonetheless, it works perfectly with the latest expansion packs for the Sims 4. Consequently, if you only purchase it for Sims 4, you need not worry about anything.
Furthermore, the screen has a 1920 x 1080p resolution and is well-calibrated with excellent color. With 512GB of SSD storage and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, the device has ample storage space.
9. Asus TUF Gaming F17 – Best With Large Display
RAM: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 1TB PCIe SSD
Display: 17.3 144Hz Full HD IPS-Type
GPU: GeForce RTX 3060
Next on our list is the Asus TUF Gaming F17, which features a larger 17-inch display. This laptop features a 17.3-inch Full HD display with a 1920 x 1080p. One of the best things about this laptop is that it features a 144Hz high refresh rate, making it perfect for gamers.
The laptop also features the new 11th generation Intel Core i7-11800H CPU. It is the most powerful octa-core processor in Intel’s i7 lineup. Due to the powerful cores, the chip can generate clock speeds between 1.9GHz and 2.3GHz and go up to 4.7GHz.
Additionally, it has a powerful graphics performance with its Nvidia RTX 3060. A dedicated 6GB graphics memory is also available with the provided GPU, otherwise known as VRAM. Thus, it can generate good power at a running speed of 1630MHz and a 90W rating.
With Dynamic Boost 2.0 technology, the GPU can deliver up to 95W TGP, enabling it to run demanding tasks at a higher rate. Further, this laptop can easily survive in extreme environmental conditions because of its MIL-STD 810H military certification.
The front of the device has a backlit keyboard with a single-color backlight, which might disappoint some people looking for RGB backlights. Still, it’s enough to play games. In addition, it comes with a 1TB SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM.
10. HP Pavilion Gaming 15 – Great Budget Pick
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB solid state drive (SSD)
Display: 15.6 Full HD Micro-edge
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
One of HP’s cheapest gaming laptops is the Pavilion Gaming 15. Therefore, some compromises in the hardware are to be expected. As a Tier1 brand, HP is known for providing high-quality laptops, and the same is true with this laptop.
Gaming is the laptop’s only focus, and it has a unique design. This laptop features a Ryzen 5 4600H CPU, one of the latest 4000 series. With six cores and 12 threads, this CPU is ideal for other multi-threaded tasks.
The chipset, which utilizes 7nm FinFET processing from TSMC, can overclock up to 4GHz with a base clock speed of 3GHz. Subsequently, it features a dedicated graphics card with 4GB of VRAM, the Nvidia GTX 1650. This GPU exceeds Sims 4’s minimum requirements with ease.
Aside from that, it has 8 GB of DDR4 RAM with 256 GB SSD storage to satisfy the primary requirement of gaming laptops. The memory seems somewhat sluggish, but you can also expand further using the additional slots.
The front side of the laptop includes a 15.6-inch Full HD display at a resolution of 1920 x 1080p. Although it has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, you will be able to play Sims 4 at your best.
However, smooth animation is not possible for high-end games with this gaming machine. In addition, the laptop features a green-lit backlit keyboard with a single color. There are all the necessary connectivity ports, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 5.
Laptop for Sims 4 Buying Guide
Despite Sims 4 is a beginner’s game, it is not playable on any laptop. As this game releases expansion packs, the cost of resources continues to rise, due to which you need to pick the right laptop carefully.
Below are some steps you can follow to pick the right components.
RAM & Storage
Storage and RAM play a vital role in performing different tasks, most notably RAM. Therefore, having sufficient RAM is always a necessity. To play Sims 4, you need 4GB RAM minimum, but 8GB or more would be optimal.
In 2022, the minimum amount of memory to have is 8GB; you can go up to 16GB of DDR4 if you have a higher budget. Sims 4 would require at least 10 GB of storage space in storage. This amount will grow as you add more expansions. Therefore, it is advisable to have at least 256 GB of SSD storage or 512 GB of storage.
Processor & GPU
Processors, also known as Control Processing Units, contribute significantly to the performance of a laptop. Thus, it is vital to choose the right processor for your laptop. A dual-core CPU is a minimum requirement to play Sims 4.
Our recommendation, however, is the Intel Core i5 or i7 above the 10th generation. You should use a dedicated GPU if you need to dominate graphics performance. However, you can also use integrated graphics, which have improved considerably since 2022.
Furthermore, expansion packs for Sims 4 require more resources due to the graphics improvement. Therefore, if you intend to use graphics-hungry expansion packs, you should go with GTX 1650 or higher.
Display
The display has no direct impact on Sims 4 performance as Sims 4 does not support high refresh rates. In terms of personal use, however, choosing the right display can profoundly impact your daily life.
For instance, poorly calibrated displays can result in eye strain. Therefore, if you spend a lot of time in front of your laptop, then go with good color accuracy if it is possible.
Other than that, you can choose the display size based on your personal preferences. The larger display appeals to some people, while others prefer smaller displays because they are easier to carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don’t always need a dedicated CPU for basic gameplay. However, the publisher suggests a GPU with 4GB of graphics memory for different expansions.
It depends on what is most comfortable for you. You can play Sims 4 on either a gaming PC or laptop. But laptops are a good option for those who want mobility.
Yes, MacBooks are compatible with Sims 4. Despite having an M1 chip, the latest MacBook series isn’t compatible with 64-bit applications. So, you must search for the 32-bit applications using Rosetta 2.
How We Picked/Why Trust Us?
Since we began several years ago, we have enjoyed reviewing laptops. We test hundreds of devices each year to assess their power consumption and performance, crucial for Sims 4.
Every day, our experts evaluate each product’s performance. We can compare several laptops to its direct competitors because several models are available.
We determine how a laptop would perform when playing high-end games like Sims 4. Our real-world tests are developed using real-world benchmarks such as 3DMark and Geek bench, which help us know whether the laptop is worth it or not.
Conclusion
You might have already made up your mind by the time you reached this section. As for our take, you are on the right track if you are still waiting for it. The Sims 4 game does not require excessive power consumption, so listed laptops should be fine.
In any case, even laptops with integrated GPUs will work perfectly well. Nonetheless, if you are often playing this game and are interested in protecting your investment for the future, you should consider getting a gaming laptop; it doesn’t matter how cheap or expensive it is.
Our expert opinion is that the Lenovo Legion 5 perfectly balances price and power. It is the perfect gaming solution, featuring cutting-edge hardware, a unique gaming interface, and outstanding performance.
You would expect a laptop that costs $1000 to have such a variety of gaming features. Among other powerful gaming laptops that we would suggest is Acer.
It boasts a top-of-the-line 11th generation Intel processor, an RTX 3060 graphics card, RGB backlit keyboard, and other great features. It may seem expensive for a professional Sims 4 player, but it is worth it. However, you can also try other laptops present on the list if they meet your requirement.
