How well would this laptop run Sims 3?

ellieintechnicolor · December 2014

I've recently been searching for a new laptop that could cope with TS3 as well as other everyday computing tasks, and I was wondering if the specifications for this one would allow me to play the game on fairly decent settings:

LENOVO Z50-70 15.6"
- Intel® Core™ i5-4210U Processor (1.7 GHz, 2.7 GHz with TurboBoost, 3 MB cache)
- 8 GB DDR3L RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GT820M graphics
- 1 TB SSHD storage

(pcworld(.)co(.)uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/lenovo-z50-70-15-6-laptop-white-10022700-pdt.html#cat-0)

I also have several expansion packs (Late Night, Seasons, Ambitions, Generations and University Life) - might I need a more powerful machine for these EPs?

Thanks :)

CodySimstein · December 2014

Hello,

With all of those expansion packs, the laptop should be able to handle medium settings very smoothly, and probably even medium-high settings. It could handle the highest settings, but I don't know how smooth it would be.

I hope this helps and keep simming,

Cody

ellieintechnicolor · January 2015

[quote="CodySimstein;13117885"]Hello,

With all of those expansion packs, the laptop should be able to handle medium settings very smoothly, and probably even medium-high settings. It could handle the highest settings, but I don't know how smooth it would be.

I hope this helps and keep simming,

Cody[/quote]

That's great! Thank you :)

Tara2018 · July 2019

Hello, what level of graphics will this laptop be able to run this sims 3 in? Screen Size 15.6 inches
Max Screen Resolution 1600 x 900
Processor 2.5 GHz Pentium
RAM 8 GB
Hard Drive 256 GB SSD
Graphics Coprocessor integrated_graphics
Chipset Brand intel
Card Description Integrated
Wireless Type 802.11b/g, 802.11bgn, 802.11b
-Other Technical Details-
Brand Name Acer
Series 5789
Hardware Platform PC
Operating System Windows 10
Item Weight 6.3 pounds
Product Dimensions 16.3 x 10.7 x 1.2 inches
Item Dimensions L x W x H 16.3 x 10.7 x 1.2 inches
Color 17.3" , Intel N4200
Processor Brand Intel
Processor Count 1
Computer Memory Type DDR3 SDRAM
Flash Memory Size 256 GB
Hard Drive Interface Serial ATA
Hard Drive Rotational Speed 5400.00
Batteries 1 Lithium ion batteries required. (included)

igazor · July 2019

@Tara2018 - It should run the game on medium to low graphics settings but the heaviest of the EPs (Pets, Seasons, IP, and ITF) may be too much for it to handle and it may struggle with some of the others as it has no dedicated graphics card. Is this what you already have or are you looking to purchase? Laptops that can be expected to run the entire game (all EPs) on higher graphics settings would be a couple of classes than this one.

Tara2018 · July 2019

[quote="igazor;c-17150624"]@Tara2018 - It should run the game on medium to low graphics settings but the heaviest of the EPs (Pets, Seasons, IP, and ITF) may be too much for it to handle and it may struggle with some of the others as it has no dedicated graphics card. Is this what you already have or are you looking to purchase? Laptops that can be expected to run the entire game (all EPs) on higher graphics settings would be a couple of classes than this one.[/quote] I’ve not made the purchase yet. I also saw this one but I’m pretty sure the first one’s specs are better Screen Size 15.6 inches
Processor 2.5 GHz AMD A Series
RAM 8 GB SDRAM DDR4
Hard Drive 1 TB HDD 5400 rpm
Graphics Coprocessor AMD Radeon R7
Chipset Brand amd
Card Description Dedicated
Wireless Type 802.11ac
Other Technical Details
Brand Name Dell
Series Dell Inspiron 15 5000 Series i5565-A000GRY-PUS
Item model number T8TJG
Hardware Platform PC
Operating System Windows 10
Item Weight 11.5 ounces
Product Dimensions 15.3 x 10.2 x 0.9 inches
Item Dimensions L x W x H 15.35 x 10.2 x 0.92 inches
Processor Brand AMD
Processor Count 4
Computer Memory Type DDR3 SDRAM
Flash Memory Size 1 TB
Hard Drive Interface Serial ATA
Hard Drive Rotational Speed 5400 RPM
Power Source AC & Battery
Batteries 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. (included) I know that desktops are better for the games, but I have no room for a desk or anything.

igazor · July 2019

@Tara2018 - They each have some elements that outclass the other. I would say it's almost a tossup.
Edit: No, I take that back. The Dell Inspiron is slightly better, but we're still not in range of laptops meant for graphics intensive sims games.

What is your budget, realistically, and what country are you from/shopping in?

Tara2018 · July 2019

[quote="igazor;c-17150756"]@Tara2018 - They each have some elements that outclass the other. I would say it's almost a tossup.
[b][i]Edit:[/i][/b] No, I take that back. The Dell Inspiron is slightly better, but we're still not in range of laptops meant for graphics intensive sims games.

What is your budget, realistically, and what country are you from/shopping in?[/quote] I am shopping from the United States. Preferably between 400-500 dollars. I will be able to get a good desktop in around a year, so I mainly just need one to hold me over without lagging terribly/crashing every 3 seconds.

igazor · July 2019

Laptops are more expensive than desktops of the same class generally (making powerful things smaller costs more). A new laptop that will run all EPs at medium to high graphics settings will tend to start at around $900 USD and go up from there, though maybe down in the 800s when some good sales are running. We can cut corners, but then we would be talking about fewer (or no) EPs and less on the graphics quality. I'm afraid that the $400s isn't realistic for TS3, the game is more demanding than that. Laptops in that range should be able to play TS2 well though, if you have access to and affection for that game as it's older and much less demanding.

Tara2018 · July 2019

[quote="igazor;c-17150777"]Laptops are more expensive than desktops of the same class generally (making powerful things smaller costs more). A new laptop that will run all EPs at medium to high graphics settings will tend to start at around $900 USD and go up from there, though maybe down in the 800s when some good sales are running. We can cut corners, but then we would be talking about fewer (or no) EPs and less on the graphics quality. I'm afraid that the $400s isn't realistic for TS3, the game is more demanding than that. Laptops in that range should be able to play TS2 well though, if you have access to and affection for that game as it's older and much less demanding.[/quote] Ah, okay lol I suppose I just got lucky with my last one😂 I bought it from Walmart for around $400 and ran sims 3&4. It sadly broke recently and I was just trying to find a laptop to run until I can get a better job. Thanks anyways 🙂

igazor · July 2019

@Tara2018 - I'm sorry, I feel bad now but you're right, experiences on lower end hardware will vary. This one is as tight as I can find to cut things on Amazon, currently at $650. Personally I wouldn't buy an HP in this range for playing games as they aren't know for spiffy cooling systems and longevity, but it should run all of TS3. It's still out of your price range, but I can't really find anything more affordable that hits the right specs.
https://www.amazon.com/HP-Pavilion-i5-8300H-Processor-15-cx0030nr/dp/B07QXVG1YK/ref=sr_1_6?fst=as:off&qid=1562565951&refinements=p_n_feature_four_browse-bin:2289793011|2289794011,p_n_feature_five_browse-bin:7817224011,p_n_feature_seven_browse-bin:18107821011&rnid=3012494011&s=pc&sr=1-6

For a bit more, so we're into the $700s now, other more reliable brands have similar models.
https://www.amazon.com/Acer-i5-8300H-GeForce-Backlit-Keyboard/dp/B07TJFTRJ2/ref=sr_1_2?fst=as:off&qid=1562566468&refinements=p_n_feature_four_browse-bin:2289793011|2289794011,p_n_feature_five_browse-bin:7817224011,p_n_feature_seven_browse-bin:18107821011,p_n_feature_two_browse-bin:562240011|562241011&rnid=562234011&s=pc&sr=1-2

puzzlezaddict · July 2019

@Tara2018 If you can spend $576, this is Acer is a good option. It could certainly run all TS3 packs on high settings, although perhaps not ultra if you have Pets and Seasons in the picture. This model doesn't have the best cooling, but elevating the laptop while you play (put books under the corners or something) would be enough.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/acer-nitro-5-15-6-gaming-laptop-intel-core-i5-8gb-memory-nvidia-geforce-gtx-1050-1tb-hard-drive-shale-black/6212601.p?skuId=6212601

If and when you decide to buy that desktop in a year or so, feel free to come back here and discuss specs. Desktops that can run all of TS3 on ultra settings currently start below $600, although prices can change a lot in a year. Still, you could certainly expect to find something that meets your expectations for not much more than that.

igazor · July 2019

Oh good, I was hoping someone who was better at shopping than I was would show up. Yes, that $576 one is a slightly different version of the $745 model I found on Amazon and, while neither one is totally perfect, it's a good deal for an interim solution.

Tara2018 · July 2019

[quote="puzzlezaddict;c-17150799"]@Tara2018 If you can spend $576, this is Acer is a good option. It could certainly run all TS3 packs on high settings, although perhaps not ultra if you have Pets and Seasons in the picture. This model doesn't have the best cooling, but elevating the laptop while you play (put books under the corners or something) would be enough.
If and when you decide to buy that desktop in a year or so, feel free to come back here and discuss specs. Desktops that can run all of TS3 on ultra settings currently start below $600, although prices can change a lot in a year. Still, you could certainly expect to find something that meets your expectations for not much more than that.[/quote]
Thank you so much!

Tara2018 · July 2019

[quote="igazor;c-17150789"]@Tara2018 - I'm sorry, I feel bad now but you're right, experiences on lower end hardware will vary. This one is as tight as I can find to cut things on Amazon, currently at $650. Personally I wouldn't buy an HP in this range for playing games as they aren't know for spiffy cooling systems and longevity, but it should run all of TS3. It's still out of your price range, but I can't really find anything more affordable that hits the right specs.

For a bit more, so we're into the $700s now, other more reliable brands have similar models.

[quote="igazor;c-17150789"]@Tara2018 - I'm sorry, I feel bad now but you're right, experiences on lower end hardware will vary. This one is as tight as I can find to cut things on Amazon, currently at $650. Personally I wouldn't buy an HP in this range for playing games as they aren't know for spiffy cooling systems and longevity, but it should run all of TS3. It's still out of your price range, but I can't really find anything more affordable that hits the right specs.

For a bit more, so we're into the $700s now, other more reliable brands have similar models.
[/quote]
Thank you for all of the help 🙂

EA_Rtas · July 2019

Hey friends, awesome you're helping this person out picking a laptop. Considering this has been inactive for quite some time I'm going to close it off. If you have any questions about necroposting you can read this thread here : Necroposting

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How well would this laptop run Sims 3?

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