Can You Run The Sims 4?
Minimum and recommended PC requirements, side by side, with a free check against your own hardware.
Quick answer
The Sims 4 runs on almost any Windows 10 PC. EA's minimum is an Intel Core i3-3220 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200, 4 GB of memory and a graphics chip with 128 MB of video memory, and the game needs 26 GB of space. For smoother play EA recommends a four core Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, 8 GB of memory and a GeForce GTX 650 or Radeon HD 7750, with 51 GB of space.
Check your own PCThe Sims 4 system requirements
Minimum
Bare minimumThe game launches and runs, usually at low settings
- Operating system
- Windows 10, 64 bit
- Processor
- Intel Core i3-3220 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
- Memory
- 4 GB RAM
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce 6600 / ATI Radeon X1300 / Intel GMA X4500 (128 MB video memory, Pixel Shader 3.0)
- DirectX
- Version 11
- Storage
- 26 GB available space
Recommended
Smooth playComfortable frame rates at higher settings
- Operating system
- Windows 10, 64 bit
- Processor
- Intel Core i5 (4 cores) / AMD Ryzen 5
- Memory
- 8 GB RAM
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 / AMD Radeon HD 7750 (1 GB video memory)
- DirectX
- Version 11
- Storage
- 51 GB available space
EA asks for a graphics chip with 128 MB of video memory and Pixel Shader 3.0 support at minimum, and 1 GB of video memory recommended. Every graphics card in our checker is newer than EA's minimum. Plan for at least 1 GB of extra space for custom content and saved games, and a broadband connection for online features.
Source: The Sims 4 on Steam, checked October 28, 2026.
What these numbers mean in practice
Minimum requirements are the floor, not a target. Meeting them means The Sims 4 will start and remain playable, typically at low settings and often around 30 frames per second. If your hardware only just clears the minimum, expect to lower the resolution before you lower anything else, since resolution costs more performance than almost any other setting.
The graphics card matters more than any other component here. In our scoring the GPU carries 40 percent of the compatibility result, the processor 30 percent, and memory and storage speed 15 percent each. A strong processor cannot rescue a card that falls below the minimum, though a weak processor can hold back a strong card at lower resolutions.
Storage speed is the most commonly overlooked requirement. The Sims 4 lists 26 GB of space, and modern titles stream assets from disk while you play. On a mechanical drive you get texture pop in and longer loading even when every other part of your system is comfortably above spec.
Frequently asked questions
Can I run The Sims 4 on my PC?
The Sims 4 runs on almost any Windows 10 PC. EA's minimum is an Intel Core i3-3220 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200, 4 GB of memory and a graphics chip with 128 MB of video memory, and the game needs 26 GB of space. For smoother play EA recommends a four core Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, 8 GB of memory and a GeForce GTX 650 or Radeon HD 7750, with 51 GB of space. Enter your own specs in the checker above and you will get a compatibility score with an estimated frame rate rather than a simple yes or no.
What are the minimum requirements for The Sims 4?
Windows 10, 64 bit, Intel Core i3-3220 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 6600 / ATI Radeon X1300 / Intel GMA X4500 (128 MB video memory, Pixel Shader 3.0), DirectX 11, 26 GB available space. Minimum specs mean the game launches and runs, usually at low settings. These figures come from The Sims 4 on Steam.
What are the recommended requirements for The Sims 4?
Windows 10, 64 bit, Intel Core i5 (4 cores) / AMD Ryzen 5, 8 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 / AMD Radeon HD 7750 (1 GB video memory), DirectX 11, 51 GB available space. Recommended specs target a smooth experience at higher settings.
How much storage does The Sims 4 need?
The Sims 4 needs 26 GB of free space. Install it on an SSD if you can. Modern games stream assets while you play, and a mechanical drive causes texture pop in and longer loading even when every other component is strong enough.
Does The Sims 4 run on a laptop?
It can, but compare the actual laptop GPU rather than the desktop card with a similar name. Laptop graphics chips typically run 15 to 30 percent slower than their desktop counterparts because of power and cooling limits, so a laptop card that matches the recommended spec on paper often performs closer to the minimum.