Get the Most Out of The Sims 4 with These Must-Have Specs

Hey girl (or boy or gender neutral)! Are you ready to take your simming to the next level of fabulousness? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, it's always a good idea to have a computer that's powerful enough to handle The Sims 4 with all DLC installed, as well as all of your favorite mods and custom content (CC). With the right computer, you can have endless hours of fun creating and controlling your virtual characters and their lives, and customizing your gameplay with all of the amazing content available. So don't be afraid to invest in a computer that can handle all of your simming needs – it'll be worth it in the end! In this post, we'll go over the recommended specifications for optimal performance in The Sims 4 with all DLC installed, as well as some tips and recommendations for getting the best computer for your simming needs. Happy simming!

The Sims 4 is a super popular life simulation video game that lets you create and control virtual characters and their daily lives. With a variety of expansion packs and game packs available, you can customize your gameplay even further by purchasing and installing additional content. If you love to spice up your gameplay with mods and custom content (CC), you might want to consider getting an even more powerful computer to run The Sims 4 with all DLC installed. Here are the recommended specifications for optimal performance in the game...

Operating System

The Sims 4 is available on Windows and Mac, so you'll need either a Windows PC or a Mac to play the game. The recommended operating system for optimal performance on PCs (and capable Macs) is Windows 11 (Windows 10 is ok too), while the recommended operating system for optimal performance on Mac is macOS Ventura (but don't feel bad if you're still on BigSur or Monterey, you're not that outdated 😆). It's worth noting that the Windows version of The Sims 4 tends to run faster and smoother than the Mac version, so if you're looking for the best performance, a Windows PC may be your best option (plus you save a LOT of money if you take a bit of time shopping around).

Processor

The Sims 4 requires a processor with at least 1.8 GHz Pentium 4 or equivalent processor (good luck enjoying the game in 2022 with a Pentium 4 😂), but for optimal performance, it's recommended to have a processor with at least 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5 or equivalent. This means that your computer should have a processor with at least 3.5 GHz of speed, such as an Intel Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen 5 processor. It's also important to note that in order to access new content released after Realms of Magic, your processor must be 64-bit compatible. In general, Intel processors tend to perform better in The Sims 4 due to their high single core performance, so if you have the option, an Intel processor (play intel chime here 😂) may be a better choice (really, it's the truth, sorry) for optimal performance in the game. If you're planning on using a lot of mods and CC, you might want to consider getting a processor with even higher single core performance, such as an Intel Core i7/i9 (please 🙏🏻) or an AMD Ryzen 7.

Memory (RAM)

The Sims 4 requires at least 4 GB of RAM in order to run (not) smoothly (might even crash in 2022), but for optimal performance, it's recommended to have at least 16 GB of RAM (reasonable, I'd go with 32GB or more). This means that your computer should have at least 16 GB of memory available for the game to use.

Graphics

The Sims 4 requires a graphics card with at least 128 MB of video RAM (I didn't know they still made those after 2000 LOL), but for optimal performance, it's recommended to have a graphics card with at least 4 GB of video RAM. This means that your computer should have a graphics card with at least 4 GB of dedicated video memory (don't cry if you try to use onboard video, you might get luck or you might be entirely unable to play), such as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (I like NVidia better, not sponsored, I just don't trust AMD, sorry) or an AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT. If you're planning on using a lot of mods and CC, you might want to consider getting a graphics card with even more video RAM, such as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (I run on a 1080 perfectly well, older generation, higher tier chip, but I believe you'll be ok even with a GTX 1060) or an AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT.

Storage

The Sims 4 requires at least 9 GB of free hard drive space in order to install and run the game (never trust tiny numbers unless you're playing a DOS game), but if you have all DLC installed, it's recommended to have at least 60 GB of free hard drive space (just to install the game, okay???). This means that you should have at least 60 GB of free space available on your hard drive or SSD in order to install and run the game with all DLC. It's worth noting that The Sims 4 is very intensive in terms of disk usage, so using a solid state drive (SSD) rather than a traditional spinning hard drive can greatly improve the game's performance and loading times. It's also a good idea to store your documents folder on the SSD to take full advantage of its faster read and write speeds (as your saves, mods and CC are kept there). If you're planning on using a lot of mods and CC, you might want to consider getting a larger SSD to accommodate all of your additional content.

In conclusion, if you want to play The Sims 4 with all DLC installed and get the best possible performance, it's important to make sure that your computer meets the recommended specifications. This includes having the right operating system, processor, memory, graphics card, storage, and internet connection. In particular, it's important to consider the single core performance of your processor, as well as the 64-bit compatibility of your system. Additionally, it's worth considering that desktop computers tend to offer better performance and value for money compared to laptops (except on their energy usage), as they are usually more powerful and allow you to upgrade and customize your hardware more easily. It's also essential to use an SSD for optimal performance, as The Sims 4 is very intensive in terms of disk usage and an SSD can greatly improve the game's performance and loading times. If you're a fan of mods and CC and want to use a lot of them in your gameplay, you might want to consider getting a more powerful computer with a faster processor, more memory, and a larger SSD (storage performance is key if you love mods and CC).

By ensuring that your computer meets these recommended specifications, you'll be able to enjoy The Sims 4 with all DLC installed to the fullest and avoid any technical issues. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, it's always a good idea to have a computer that's powerful enough to handle the game and all of your additional content. With the right computer, you can have endless hours of fun creating and controlling your virtual characters and their lives, and customizing your gameplay with mods and CC. So don't be afraid to invest in a computer that can handle all of your simming needs – it'll be worth it in the end!

Happy simming! 🌈