Game Help:System Requirements

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Sims 2 Logo transparent.png This article is written for The Sims 2. For the equivalent Sims 3 article, click here.
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Sims2 System Requirements

A note on these requirements: These are the requirements as posted by EA/Maxis for the game. These are the absolute bare minimums you need to get the game up and running. These are NOT the minimum requirements for a playable game experience! If you have just the bare minimum and a low-end graphics card, you will NOT be able to play the game! It will run... but it will not look good, run well, or run consistently without crashing.

It is recommended that for the base game you have at least:

  • A 1.5 GHz processor
  • A 128 MB video card
  • 512 MB of RAM.

If you are running Windows Vista you should have at least DOUBLE those specs for the base game!

It is recommended for expansions, especially later ones like Pets and Seasons that you have at least:

  • A 2.5 GHz processor
  • A 256 MB video card - a newer, better one (higher MIDDLE numbers = better. For example a Nvidia 7600 would be faster than the newer 8400. Newer does not necessarily equal better. Generally speaking, expect the previous series mid-range cards to perform similar to the current series low-end, and so forth.)
  • 1GB of RAM for XP or 2GB of ram for Vista.

Please note that nVidia GO series cards (found in laptops) are widely thought of as being NOT compatible with Sims 2 and are not supported for use with Sims 2 or its expansions! While some people report no problems, it is far more likely that you -will- have problems running Sims 2 if you have a GO card. Updating drivers can help sometimes but usually not. If you already have a laptop with a GO card it will not hurt your computer to try to run the game on it, however it is certainly recommended that when getting a new laptop you choose one without a GO card. The best thing to do if you have a GO card and you would like to play Sims 2 is to pick up one of the Stories series games (Life Stories, Pet Stories, or Castaway Stories) which are specifically made for laptop gaming and do support the nVidia GO series cards.

Mobile gpus which are strong enough to play the game well


Base Game/University

If you have a T&L capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM then you need at least:

  • 800 MHz processor or better
  • 256 MB RAM if Windows Vista, XP, Windows ME, Windows 98 or Windows 2000
  • At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space


If you have a non-T&L capable video card (an Intel Extreme Graphics or a Radeon 7000/VE Series) then you need at least:

  • 2.0 GHz processor or better
  • 256 MB RAM if Windows Vista, XP, Windows ME, Windows 98, or Windows 2000
  • At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space


Get the most current driver for your video card. The manufacturers usually have the video drivers on their sites for you to download. Visit the nVidia site, the ATI site or the support site for your computer's manufacturer for the latest drivers for those video cards.


Supported video cards (and the more video memory the better):

  • ATI RadeonTM series (7000 or better)
Radeon 7000/VE series (non-T&L; requires 2.0 GHz processor)
7200, 7500
8500, All-In-Wonder 8500
9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800
X300, X600, X800
  • Nvidia QuadroTM series
Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4
  • Nvidia Geforce series (GeForce2 and better)
GeForce2
GeForce3, 3 Ti
GeForce4, 4Ti, MX 420, 440
GeForce FX 5200, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
GeForce 6600, 6800
  • Intel Extreme Graphics (non-T&L; requires 2.0 GHz processor)
82845, 82865, 82915


Nightlife/Open for Business

RightArrow.gif In order to install and play The Sims 2 Nightlife and/or Open for Business you must have The Sims 2 installed and meet the hardware requirements listed below:

  • Windows Vista, XP, ME, 98, or 2000 operating system.
  • 1000 MHz (1 GHz) or faster processor.
  • 256 MB or more RAM.
  • At least 1.5 GB of additional hard drive space.
  • Supported T&L-capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM.


Supported Video Cards:

  • ATI Radeon series 8500 or better (7x00 models no longer supported)
  • All-In-Wonder 8500, 9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800, X300, X600, X700, X800, and X850.
  • Nvidia Geforce series:
GeForce 2, 2 GTS
GeForce 3, 3 Ti
GeForce 4, 4 Ti, 4200, 4600, and 4800
GeForce MX 420, 440, and 460.
GeForce FX 5200, 55500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, and 5950.
GeForce PCX 5300, and 5900.
GeForce 6200, 6600, and 6800.
  • Nvidia QuadroTM series:
Quadro, Quadro2, and Quadro4
  • Intel Extreme Graphics:
82865, 82915, and higher


NOTE: If you have a non-T&L capable video card, such as Intel Extreme Graphics, then you need at least a 2.4 GHz processor.

Pets

RightArrow.gif In order to install and play The Sims 2 Pets you must have The Sims 2 installed and meet the hardware requirements listed below:

  • 1300 MHz processor
  • 256 MB RAM (512 MB RAM is recommended if you are running with a few expansion packs installed)
  • Windows(R) Vista, Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98 or Windows 2000 Operating System.
  • At least 1.5 GB of additional hard drive space (5.0 GB total is required if installing both The Sims 2 and The Sims 2 Pets Expansion Pack at the same time.)
  • A T&L-capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM.


Supported video cards:

  • ATI Radeon(TM) series (8500 or better):
8500, All-In-Wonder 8500
9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800
X300, X600, x700, X800, x850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
  • NVIDIA(R) Quadro(TM) series:
Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4
  • NVIDIA GeForce series (GeForce2 GTS and better):
GeForce 2, 2 GTS
GeForce 3, 3 Ti
GeForce 4, 4 Ti, 4200, 4600, 4800, MX 420, 440, 460
GeForce FX 5200, 5500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
GeForce PCX 5300, 5900
GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800
GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950
S3 GammaChrome
S18 Pro
S18 Ultra Intel(R) Extreme Graphics (see note below)
82865, 82915 and above


NOTE: If you have a non-T&L capable video card, such as Intel Extreme Graphics, then you need at least a 2.4 GHz processor.


Seasons

RightArrow.gif In order to install and play The Sims 2 Seasons you must have The Sims™ 2, The Sims™ 2 Special DVD Edition, or The Sims™ 2 Holiday Edition for PC and meet the hardware requirements listed below:

  • 1300 MHz processor
  • 256 MB RAM (512 MB RAM is recommended for Windows Vista or if you are running with a few expansion packs installed)
  • Windows(R) Vista, Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98 or Windows 2000 Operating System.
  • 8x or faster CD/DVD drive
  • At least 1.5 GB of additional hard drive space (5.0 GB total is required if installing both The Sims 2 and The Sims 2 Seasons Expansion Pack at the same time.)
  • A T&L-capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM.


Supported video cards:

  • ATI Radeon(TM) series 8500 or better (9600 or greater required for Vista)
8500, All-In-Wonder 8500
9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800
X300, X600, x700, X800, x850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
  • Nvidia(R) Quadro(TM) series
Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4
  • Nvidia GeForce series GeForce2 GTS and better (GeForce 6200 or greater required for Vista)
GeForce 2, 2 GTS
GeForce 3, 3 Ti
GeForce 4, 4 Ti, 4200, 4600, 4800, MX 420, 440, 460
GeForce FX 5200, 5500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
GeForce PCX 5300, 5900
GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800
GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950
S3 GammaChrome
S18 Pro
S18 Ultra Intel(R) Extreme Graphics (see note below)
82865, 82915 and above


NOTE: If you have a non-T&L capable video card, such as Intel Extreme Graphics, then you need at least a 2.4 GHz processor.


Family Fun Stuff/Glamour Life Stuff/Celebration Stuff

RightArrow.gif In Order to use the Family Fun Stuff Pack you must have The Sims 2 installed and meet the following sytem requirements:

RightArrow.gif To use the Glamour Life Stuff Pack or Celebration Stuff Pack, you must have The Sims 2, The Sims 2 Special DVD Edition, or The Sims 2 Holiday Edition installed, and you must meet the following sytem requirements:


  • OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98
  • Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows
  • CPU: 1.0 GHz or faster
  • RAM: 256 MB or more
  • Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive
  • Hard Drive: At least 350 MB of free space
  • Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible
  • Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible


Video card must have 32 MB or more memory and one of these T&L capable chipsets:

  • ATI Radeon 8500 or greater;
  • Nvidia GeForce2 GTS or greater;


Bon Voyage

RightArrow.gif In order to install and play The Sims 2 Bon Voyage you must have The Sims 2 installed and meet the hardware requirements listed below:

  • OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98
  • Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows
  • Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive
  • Hard Drive: At least 1.5 GB of free space
  • Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible
  • Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible


Windows XP/Me/2000/98

  • CPU: 1.3 GHz or faster
  • RAM: 512 MB or more

Supported Graphics Cards:

  • ATI Radeon(TM) series (8500 or better)
8500
All-In-Wonder 8500
9000, 9200, 500, 9600, 9700, 9800
X300, X600, x700, X800, x850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
  • NVIDIA(R) Quadro(TM) series
Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4
  • NVIDIA GeForce series (GeForce2 GTS and better)
GeForce 2, 2 GTS
GeForce 3, 3 Ti
GeForce 4, 4 Ti, 4200, 4600, 4800, MX 420, 440, 460
GeForce FX 5200, 5500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
GeForce PCX 5300, 5900
GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800
GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950


Windows Vista

  • CPU: 2.0 GHz or faster
  • RAM: 1024 MB or more

Supported Graphics Cards:

  • ATI Radeon(TM) series (8500 or better)
9600, 9700, 9800
X300, X600, x700, X800, x850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
  • NVIDIA GeForce series (GeForce2 GTS and better)
GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800
GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950


FreeTime

RightArrow.gif In order to install and play The Sims 2 FreeTime you must have The Sims 2 installed and meet the hardware requirements listed below:

  • OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98
  • Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows
  • Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive
  • Hard Drive: At least 1.5 GB of free space
  • Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible
  • Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible


Windows XP/Me/2000/98

  • CPU: 1.3 GHz or faster
  • RAM: 512 MB or more

Supported Graphics Cards:

  • ATI Radeon(TM) series:
8500
All-In-Wonder 8500
9000, 9200, 500, 9600, 9700, 9800
X300, X600, x700, X800, x850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
  • NVIDIA(R) Quadro(TM) series
Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4
  • NVIDIA GeForce series:
GeForce 2, 2 GTS
GeForce 3, 3 Ti
GeForce 4, 4 Ti, 4200, 4600, 4800, MX 420, 440, 460
GeForce FX 5200, 5500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
GeForce PCX 5300, 5900
GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800
GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950


Windows Vista

  • CPU: 2.0 GHz or faster
  • RAM: 1024 MB or more

Supported Graphics Cards:

  • ATI Radeon(TM) series:
9600, 9700, 9800
X300, X600, x700, X800, x850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
  • NVIDIA GeForce series:
GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800
GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950


Apartment Life

RightArrow.gif In order to install and play The Sims 2 Apartment Life you must have The Sims 2 installed and meet the hardware requirements listed below:

  • OS: Windows Vista, XP, Me, 2000, or 98
  • Installed: The Sims 2 for Windows
  • Disc Drive: 8x or faster CD/DVD drive
  • Hard Drive: At least 1.0 GB of free space
  • Sound: DirectX 9.0 compatible
  • Video: DirectX 9.0 compatible


Windows XP/Me/2000/98

  • CPU: 1.8 GHz or faster
  • RAM: 1 GB or more

Supported Graphics Cards:

  • ATI Radeon series:
8500, All-In-Wonder 8500
9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800
X300, X600, x700, X800, x850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
  • NVIDIA GeForce series:
GeForce 2, 2 GTS
GeForce 3, 3 Ti
GeForce 4, 4 Ti, 4200, 4600, 4800, MX 420, 440, 460
GeForce FX 5200, 5500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
GeForce PCX 5300, 5900
GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800
GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950

Windows Vista

  • CPU: 2.4 GHz or faster
  • RAM: 2GB or more

Supported Graphics Cards:

  • ATI Radeon(TM) series:
9600, 9700, 9800
X300, X600, x700, X800, x850
X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950
  • NVIDIA GeForce series:
GeForce 6200, 6600, 6800
GeForce 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950

System Requirements for Mac

These are the absolute bare minimums you need to get the game up and running on a Mac. These are NOT the minimum requirements for a playable game experience! If you have just the bare minimum and a low-end graphics card, you will NOT be able to play the game! It will run... but it will not look good, run well, or run consistently without crashing.

  • Operating System: Mac OS X 10.3.8 or later
  • CPU: PowerPC G4/G5
  • CPU Speed: 1.2GHz or faster
  • RAM: 256 MB or more
  • Hard Disk Space: 3GB free disk space
  • Video Card: Radeon 9000/GeForce FX5200 or better; 32MB of Video RAM
  • CD/DVD drive


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Sims 2 Game Help Categories:

Custom Content  | Expansion Packs  | Installation  | Gameplay Guides  | Technical & Graphics Issues  | Body Shop & Homecrafter  | Miscellaneous Issues  | FAQ Index

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