Sims 4 System Requirements: Can Your PC Run The Sims 4?
The Sims 4 was first released in 2014, but regular expansion packs and updates mean its system requirements still matter if you want smooth performance. Before buying the game or new DLC, it’s worth checking whether your Windows PC or Mac meets the official minimum and recommended specs published by Electronic Arts (EA).
Below is a detailed, SEO‑optimised guide to The Sims 4 system requirements, based on EA’s official support documentation and related technical information.
Minimum System Requirements for The Sims 4 (Windows PC)
According to EA’s official help page for The Sims 4 system requirements, the game can run on relatively modest hardware as long as you meet the minimum specifications for CPU, RAM, GPU, storage, and operating system. You can find these details on the official The Sims 4 – PC System Requirements page on EA Help (EA Help – The Sims 4 System Requirements).
Operating System
- Windows 10 (64-bit) is required for current versions of The Sims 4, including newer expansions and updates, as listed by EA on its system requirements page.
Earlier versions of the game previously supported Windows 7 and 8, but EA now specifies Windows 10 64‑bit for current builds of the game on its support site.
Processor (CPU)
For minimum performance, EA lists the following:
- Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 GHz, AMD Athlon 64 Dual-Core 4000+, or an equivalent processor that supports SSE2 instructions, as documented on the official EA Help page for The Sims 4 system requirements.
These are older dual‑core CPUs, which means most modern budget processors are likely to exceed the minimum requirement.
Memory (RAM)
- 4 GB of RAM is the minimum requirement for The Sims 4 on Windows, according to EA’s official system requirements on EA Help.
If you run multiple applications in the background, more memory than this minimum is recommended to reduce stuttering.
Graphics Card (GPU)
For integrated or entry‑level graphics, EA lists:
- NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better
- ATI Radeon X1300 or better
- Intel GMA X4500 or better
These GPUs (or equivalent with at least 128 MB of dedicated video RAM and support for Pixel Shader 3.0) are described under the “Minimum Requirements” section on the EA Help Sims 4 system requirements page. Modern integrated graphics like newer Intel UHD or AMD Radeon iGPUs will usually perform better than these older cards.
DirectX and Video Features
- DirectX 9.0c compatible video card with support for Pixel Shader 3.0 is required, as stated by EA in the Sims 4 PC requirements documentation.
While The Sims 4 runs on DirectX 9‑class hardware, using a more recent GPU typically leads to better stability and performance.
Storage Space
- At least 26 GB of free space is required for the base game and updates, with an additional 1 GB for custom content and saved games, as outlined by EA on the official Sims 4 system requirements page.
If you own many expansion packs, game packs, and stuff packs, reserving additional free space beyond this minimum helps with patches and DLC.
Optical Drive and Internet
For physical copies:
- A DVD-ROM drive is required if you install The Sims 4 from disc, as noted on EA’s requirements page.
For all versions:
- An internet connection is required for product activation and some features, which is stated in EA’s official system requirements for The Sims 4.
Recommended System Requirements for The Sims 4 (Windows PC)
To enjoy smoother gameplay, higher graphics settings, and better performance with multiple expansions installed, EA also lists recommended requirements on its official Sims 4 system requirements page.
Processor (CPU)
Recommended performance calls for:
- Intel Core i5 or faster, or AMD Athlon X4, or equivalent modern multi‑core processor, as specified under “Recommended Requirements” on EA’s official Sims 4 system requirements page.
These CPUs provide enough processing power for more complex households and larger lots, especially with additional DLC.
Memory (RAM)
- 8 GB of RAM is the recommended configuration for The Sims 4 according to EA Help’s Sims 4 requirements.
This amount of memory allows the game to run more smoothly, particularly if you open web browsers or voice chat applications while playing.
Graphics Card (GPU)
For better visuals and higher settings:
- NVIDIA GTX 650 or better
- AMD Radeon HD 7750 or better
These recommended GPUs, each with at least 1 GB of video RAM, are listed by EA on the Sims 4 system requirements page. Cards in this class or newer typically allow you to run the game at higher resolutions and detail levels with fewer frame‑rate drops.
DirectX, Sound, and Input
EA states that:
- A DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card is required.
- A keyboard and mouse are the standard input devices supported.
These details are included on EA’s official Sims 4 system requirements documentation under the PC section.
The Sims 4 System Requirements on macOS
The Sims 4 is also available on macOS, and EA provides separate minimum requirements for Apple systems on its official Sims 4 system requirements page on EA Help.
Operating System (macOS)
EA’s official macOS requirements specify:
- macOS X 10.11 (El Capitan) or later for supported versions of The Sims 4, according to the Mac section of EA’s Sims 4 system requirements page.
Newer versions of macOS such as macOS Monterey and macOS Ventura are supported as long as your hardware meets the listed specs.
Processor (CPU)
- Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or better is listed as the minimum CPU for macOS in the official Sims 4 system requirements from EA.
This includes a wide range of older Intel‑based Macs, though modern Intel or Apple Silicon machines will exceed these specs.
Memory (RAM)
- 4 GB of RAM is the minimum requirement for Mac, as documented by EA on the Sims 4 Mac system requirements section.
For better performance, especially with expansions, having 8 GB or more RAM is advisable even though EA lists 4 GB as the minimum.
Graphics (GPU)
EA lists the following minimum GPUs for macOS:
- NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
- ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro
- Intel HD Graphics 4000
These GPUs (with at least 256 MB of video RAM) are mentioned as minimum Mac graphics options on EA’s official Sims 4 system requirements page. Modern Macs with more recent Intel integrated graphics or dedicated AMD graphics typically perform significantly better.
Storage Requirements on Mac
- At least 26 GB of free space, plus an additional 1 GB for custom content and saved games, is required, as shown in the Mac section of EA’s official Sims 4 system requirements documentation.
Again, additional expansions will benefit from more free space beyond this baseline.
The Sims 4 on Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3)
While EA’s original Mac requirements were written for Intel‑based Macs, The Sims 4 is distributed through Origin and the EA app for macOS, which can run on Apple Silicon using Apple’s Rosetta 2 translation layer. EA notes Mac compatibility details on its official support and distribution platforms, and current versions of Origin and the EA app support Apple Silicon Macs that meet the general macOS and hardware performance thresholds listed in their requirements and compatibility notes, such as those described on the EA app for Mac compatibility and requirements page.
Because Apple Silicon performance typically exceeds older Intel Core 2 Duo and Intel HD 4000 GPUs by a large margin, recent M‑series Macs generally run The Sims 4 comfortably, provided you are running a current version of macOS that supports the EA app or Origin and meet EA’s platform‑specific requirements outlined on their macOS support pages.
Additional Considerations: DLC, Game Packs, and Mods
The base game requirements listed by EA on its Sims 4 system requirements page account for The Sims 4 plus standard updates. However, EA notes on various expansion and pack pages that adding more content can affect performance.
For example, expansion pack pages such as the official The Sims 4: Seasons page on EA.com mention that the base game (and associated requirements) is needed, and larger worlds and weather effects can increase CPU and GPU load compared with the base game alone. While EA does not publish a separate set of official “DLC‑only” requirements, they recommend meeting or exceeding the main recommended system specifications for the best experience when playing with multiple packs and large save files.
Custom content and script mods, available through community sites linked from EA’s Sims forums and support discussions, can also increase memory and CPU usage. EA’s official Sims 4 help articles on mods and custom content advise players to keep their game updated, remove outdated mods, and be aware that heavy mod sets may affect stability and performance even on hardware that meets minimum requirements.
Checking Whether Your System Meets The Sims 4 Requirements
To verify if your PC or Mac matches EA’s official Sims 4 system requirements, you should compare your hardware specifications with the values listed on the EA Help Sims 4 system requirements page.
On Windows 10, you can view your CPU, RAM, and basic system info by going to Settings → System → About. For your graphics card, you can use tools like Device Manager or the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag). EA’s own troubleshooting advice for performance issues in The Sims series often refers users to these built‑in tools, as documented across EA Help performance articles linked from the main Sims 4 support hub at EA Help – The Sims 4.
On macOS, click the Apple menu and select “About This Mac” to see your processor, memory, macOS version, and graphics chip. Comparing these values directly to the Mac section on EA’s Sims 4 system requirements page ensures you are working from the same official baseline that EA uses to determine support.
Summary
According to EA’s official system requirements for The Sims 4 on EA Help, the game is designed to run on relatively low‑to‑mid‑range hardware, but performance improves significantly if you meet or exceed the recommended specs for CPU, RAM, and GPU. Current builds require a 64‑bit operating system (Windows 10 on PC and macOS 10.11 or later on Mac), at least 4 GB of RAM, and a DirectX 9.0c‑compatible or macOS‑compatible GPU that meets EA’s minimum listed models.
For the best experience—particularly with multiple expansions, stuff packs, and custom content—aim for at least an Intel Core i5‑class or equivalent CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a mid‑range dedicated GPU such as an NVIDIA GTX 650 or AMD Radeon HD 7750 or better, as recommended by EA on its official Sims 4 system requirements page. You can review the full and current specification details directly on EA’s Sims 4 system requirements support article at EA Help – The Sims 4 System Requirements.
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