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The aim of this guide is to help you help yourself when it comes to computer hardware by explaining what the parts do and which parts you should aim to get to play The Sims 3 and 4. This guide is divided into three major sections; "Knowledge", "Sample Builds" and "Troubleshooting & FAQs".

If you're looking for advice about a particular part (like CPU, GPU, PSU etc.) then you may go directly to the "Knowledge" section for the part you want to learn more about. If you're looking for a quick and dirty recommended part list for The Sims 3 or 4 then you may go directly to the "Sample Builds" section. If you just have a problem you want to address, you may go directly to the "Troubleshooting" section. However please be aware that the "Knowledge" section will be referenced frequently in both those sections and so we highly recommend players read the Knowledge section anyway. It will help you learn more about how your computer works, how to keep it working, and how to troubleshoot on your own when it doesn't work like it should.

What's covered by this guide:

This guide is purposely over-simplified and limited to hardware and non-sims software issues relative to playing The Sims 3 and The Sims 4 on Intel processor based Windows system. This guide can help you learn what each computer part does, and which ones you should aim to get in order to play The Sims 3/4. It'll explain some common terms, such as hardware, software, FPS etc., it will give tips and good habits to keep your computer running in tip top shape and will address some of the most common hardware problems people have with The Sims 3/4.

What's NOT covered by this guide:

The Sims 1, The Sims 2, Custom Content, Mods and Sims-related software are not covered. However there are forums on the website dedicated to addressing those topics. Advanced LN2, liquid cooling and overclocking are also not covered. Intel Extreme Processor based systems and AMD processor based systems are also not covered. However if you have one of these or are considering one, please start a thread in the Tech Support Forum. 

In addition to this, CPUs and GPUs launched prior to 2012 are not addressed in this guide. If you are buying new, you should be buying parts launched in 2012 or newer. If you already own an older system or are considering buying a used/refurbished system with older processors please read the "Knowledge" section as most of it applies to your system anyway. If you have further questions please start a thread in the Tech Support forum. 

Other considerations:

Where possible I will provide sources for the information. Please be aware however that some of the information may be based on my personal subjective opinion and anecdotal evidence. You use the information here at your own risk.

Unless stated otherwise, this guide assumes that systems and parts described are desktop variants and not laptop variants.

Knowledge Section

Software

Software is a broad term for any kind data or information used to execute an operation. The part that is actually used to execute the operation is often known as the Program. Other parts, such as the database or other stored information may be part of the software, but not part of the program. Software that directly helps a user perform tasks is often known as an Application. Some programs are executed directly by the computer, such as background tasks, and are not designed to be used by the user. However, they are still technically programs. The terms software, programs and applications are often used interchangeably since the difference is minor. 

Hardware

Hardware is a broad term for any piece of your computer that you can physically touch. You can't touch an application, but you can touch the screen, the mouse or the keyboard. Computer accessories that are connected to the case from the outside, such as the screen, mouse and keyboard are collectively known as peripherals.

(OS) Operating System

Think of the Operating System (OS) as your computer's mind. It's a piece of software that tells all of your computer's programs and hardware how to interact with each other. There are two major OS's. Microsoft's Windows, Apple's OS X. There also exist a whole variety of other OS's based upon Linux.

Windows 7 & 8 support both 32bit processors and 64bit processors. 32bit versions of OS's may run on 64bit hardware, but 64bit OS will not run on 32bit hardware. Using a 64bit OS is recommended mainly because it allows your OS to put to use more than 4GB of RAM. 

(CPU) Central Processing Unit

Think of the CPU as your computer's brain. It performs complex calculations and, along with your OS, it tells the other parts of your computer what to do. It is an essential part of your computer and without it your computer would essentially be the same as a human "vegetable". Having a faster CPU will speed up all of your operations and tasks, up to a certain extent. You can be the smartest person on the planet but after a certain point you aren't faster at doing 1+1=2 than a normal person. The same applies to a CPU in that if you invest in a powerful processor, you'll see the most benefit in complex tasks. If you aren't giving your powerful CPU complex enough tasks then there won't be a noticeable or cost-effective advantage over an average but cheaper CPU.

CPU speeds are usually measured in Gigahertz (GHz). This number represents the speed per core. A processor may have more than one core. Think of a core as a complete processor, such that a dual-core is essential two processors stuck together, and a quad-core processor is four processors stuck together. So in theory a 2.1Ghz quad-core processor is three and a half times faster than a 2.4Ghz single-core processor, provided all else equal.

That last bit is important because things are never that simple. Processors get better and better every generation. This means that for various reasons a 2.1 Ghz dual-core from 2004 is usually slower than a 2.0 Ghz dual-core from 2015. The architecture is usually different and Instructions per Cycle may increase. Add in marketing mumbjo jumbo language and salesperson lies and things can understandably get quite complicated for the novice user.

There are two major companies that make desktop CPUs: AMD and Intel. Intel creates a new generation of processor every year. GHz for GHz and core for core each generation is slightly better than the previous, while prices usually remain unchanged. This means unless you get a significant discount, its never better for you to buy an older processor.

Within a given generation of processors, Intel will launch several dozen variants grouped by family with various number of cores, features, speeds and prices. They do this because it is profitable. The main families within a generation are: Celeron, Pentium, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 and Core i7 Extreme. There are also XEON processors aimed at servers and mobile/laptop processors but those are not addressed.

Celeron processors are the cheapest you can get and are the slowest, have the least cores and have the least features. These are not recommended for gaming.
Pentium processors are slightly faster and slightly more expensive. They are still budget processors and are aimed at home users who do not game. They are generally not recommended for gaming unless you're on a very tight budget. There are better options. Exceptions may apply.
Core i3s are entry level processors. They are still at the lower end of the gaming spectrum, but that's where you should start. If you are on a tight budget, get one of these. They're okay for The Sims 3/4 on low/medium settings.
Core i5s are the mainstream processors. They are good enough for The Sims 3/4 + mods on medium/high settings. You may see a letter, such as 'S', 'T' or 'K', attached to the end of the model number. Don't get any of those. 'K' versions are for overclocking, which is an advanced technique not covered by this guide. 'S' and 'T' versions are low power versions.
Core i7s are the high end processors. They are usually more powerful and have more features than what you need for gaming. Hardcore games can push even these processors to 100%, but if you're only doing The Sims 3/4 then you don't need to pay extra for one of these. Also come in 'S', 'T' and 'K' versions.
Core i7 Extremes are, just like the name implies, the best of the best. Pay a boat load for it too. Aimed at enthusiast builders without a budget limit.

(MB) Motherboard

(RAM) Random Access Memory

(GPU) Graphics Processing Unit

(PSU) Power Supply Unit

(HDD) Hard Disk Drive

(SSD) Solid State Drive

Case / Enclosure / Chassis

(BIOS) Basic Input/Output System, (UEFI) Unified Extensible Firmware Interface & Firmware