The Sims laptop

Looking for the best cheap laptop for Sims 4 to run the game smoothly without experiencing frame drops then this is the right place to look for.

Sims 4 allows you to create a world of your dreams whether it is filled with beautiful or horrific events. Simmers build their world without any limitations. In other words, Sims 4 is a virtual doll house where you can do whatever you want.

Since its launch in 2014, Sims 4 is widely popular among gamers mainly because of the better graphics and different expansion packs it offers. Despite improved graphics, it runs with both integrated and dedicated GPU, unlike its predecessor which eats lots of graphic units and still gives low framerates.

To experience your neighborhood with terrific visual and high settings in 1080p resolution you need a separate GPU unit with at least 4 GB of VRM. In that way, you can experience the game without losing any details along with maximum frame rates [60+ FPS] and also stream it on Twitch or Youtube without any lag.

Youll likely find this luxury in a gaming laptop and at The Gadget Diary, we truly consider any laptop a gaming machine when it shipped with a dedicated GPU.

On the flip side, many Simmers want to play the game just for fun and they are Okay with low framerates [30 FPS] in medium to low settings. For them, we recommend integrated graphics from both Intel and AMD that can handle Sims 4 without any issue. Though, our sweet spot is always gaming laptops with dGPU.

In this list of the best cheap laptop for Sims 4, we compiled gaming laptops that offer powerful performance without burning a hole in your pocket. So, you dont need to spend thousands of dollars on a gaming machine to create Sims effortlessly.

Best Cheap Laptop For Sims 4 In 2021

1] Acer Nitro 5

2] Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3

3] HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop

4] MSI GL65 Gaming Laptop

5] Lenovo Ideapad L340

6] Asus TUF Gaming F17

7] Lenovo Legion 5

8] HP 14

9] Acer Aspire 5

10] Lenovo Ideapad 3

1] Acer Nitro 5

• Display :-15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :-Intel i5-10300H
• Graphics :-NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• RAM :-8 GB
• Storage :-256 GB SSD
• Webcam :-720p Camera

The Nitro series of Acer is recognized as a cheap gaming laptop that packs all the punch youll find on a $1000 laptop. Acer has crafted it with a sturdy and elegant design to ensure it stays for a long time without any issue.

Whether you want to create a simple design or complex architecture, its terrific dedicated RTX 3050 GPU delivers smooth and stunning animation. Above all, RTX 30 series supports advanced gaming features such as Ray Tracing and Tensor cores and gives never experienced performance.

The Graphics Unit pairs with a 10th generation i5-10300H processor and runs the most demanding games without breaking a sweat. While you play Sims 4 on Ultra settings it gives continuous 100+ FPS without any frame drops.

To run your laptop smoothly under pressure, Acer provides CoolBoost technology and improves cooling by 9%, and gives 25% better thermal cooling. This technology is particularly useful when you play AAA titles for long hours with maximum settings.

Nitro 5 display has a sleek frame with a 15.6-inch panel and features a 144Hz refresh rate for sharp and detailed images. For gaming customization, Nitro 5 comes with dedicated NitroSense UI software that allows you to monitor gaming performance along with temperature control and power plan.

The keys are snappy and give fast feedback. Not to mention, highlighted WASD and Arrow keys.

To sum up, if you want to access all expansion packs and custom mods and dont want to leave small details behind then Acer Nitro 5 is the best bet.

2] Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3

• Display :-15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :-Ryzen 5 5600H
• Graphics :-NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• RAM :-8 GB
• Storage :-256 GB SSD
• Webcam :-720p Camera

Powered By Zen Architecture-based AMD Ryzen 5 5600H CPU and comes with a 15.6-inch display, there is nothing Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 cannot handle.

The Ryzen processor is a better performer and efficient compared to an Intel CPU. It features 6 cores which means you can play AAA titles with ease without putting pressure on your machine. Not just that, you can also edit heavy videos, run dozens of Chrome tabs and play heavy-size games, it wont lag or freeze during computing.

It comes with dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics which is not powerful or advanced as the 30 series, but it can Run Sims 4 animation with playable frame rates. Out of the box, Lenovo offers 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD to store plenty of data and run apps flawlessly.

The display features a 15.6-inch panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and gives enough room to experience simulation with crisp and bright images. The keyboard features 1.5 mm key travel with white backlit keys and gives a pleasant typing and gaming experience.

Ideapad Gaming 3 has cutting-edge thermal that increases the airflow with its four heat pipes and ensures your laptop stays cool under pressure. There is also a 720p webcam with a privacy shutter that lets you attend zoom meetings or stream your content on Twitch.

With its terrific performance and strong build, Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 is hands down one of the cheap laptop for Sims 4.

3] HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop

• Display :-15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :-Ryzen 5 4600H
• Graphics :-NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• RAM :-8 GB
• Storage :-256 GB SSD
• Webcam :-720p Camera

In general, gaming laptops tend to design for heavy tasks, and for that reason, it comes in bulky build, but thats not the case with HP Pavilion. HP Pavilion comes with a premium design and sleek chassis making it extremely easy to carry around. You can use it for gaming and work.

It is fueled by AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor and features 6 cores to compute data without any lag. On the graphics side, it has dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 to run graphics smooth as butter.

Further, youll also get the benefit of a stunning 15.6-inch display that delivers images with sharp details and crisp text. While playing Sims 4 you can expect 60+ FPS with the highest setting.

The battery life of the laptop is up to 4 hours with medium brightness and regular use. However, during gaming, it gives up to 3 hours of battery life [as any typical gaming laptop]. Apart from this, youll get 8 GB memory, 256 GB SSD, green backlit keys, and a plethora of port options.

One of the biggest knocks against HP Pavilion is that while playing AAA titles it stresses out and temperature immediately rises, so we dont recommend it for Pro players or someone who wants to play other games with Sims 4.

4] MSI GL65 Gaming Laptop

• Display :-15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :-Intel i5-10300H
• Graphics :-NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• RAM :-8 GB
• Storage :-256 GB SSD
• Webcam :-720p Camera

If you need a true gaming machine with an RGB keyboard without breaking a bank then MSI GL65 is the great cheap laptop for Sims 4. MSI manufactures laptops primarily for gaming so you can expect better performance from them without spending too much.

GL65 is an entry-level gaming laptop powered by a 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor and runs intensive games with ease. The GPU unit is filled with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 and offers tremendous performance whether you create a multi-dimensional world in Sims 4 or play battleground with your friends. You wont experience any freezing or frame drops issue while playing with this monstrous machine.

As for the display, MSI wrapped it with a 15.6-inch panel and features a 144Hz refresh rate.

With its thin and light design, it fits easily on a backpack and allows you to take it to a college without putting pressure on your shoulders. Above all, Youll get each key customizable RGB keyboard that gives a truly gaming vibe and immersive feel.

To personalize your gaming experience MSI provides Dragon Center software that helps, monitor, adjust or optimize your laptops gaming performance through one unified system.

Overall, if you need a laptop with a solid build and want to play games without any limitation, MSI GL65 is arguably the best choice.

5] Lenovo Ideapad L340

• Display :-15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :-Intel i5-9300H
• Graphics :-NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• RAM :-8 GB
• Storage :-512 GB SSD
• Webcam :-720p Camera

Lenovo Ideapad L340 is another great cheap laptop for Sims 4 that lets your run games smoothly without any delay or heating issue. It comes with a 9th generation Intel-core i5-9300H processor along with 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD to store plenty of important data and heavy-size games.

Under the hood, it has a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU and gives beautiful graphics whether you play games, edit animated videos or just surf the internet. With Ideapad L340 in your hands, you can expect jaw-dropping Dolby Audio, seamless gaming performance, and fast feedback from the Backlit keyboard.

The 15.6 inch gives plenty of room to experience small details with the finest quality and is also a great choice for multitasking. There is no bloatware and also dedicated software for improving gaming performance.

Plus, Lenovo provides two distinct modes, Quiet for work & Quick for games. However, Quick mode drains the battery drastically compare to Quiet mode. Above the display panel, youll find an HD webcam with a privacy shutter so you can protect your identity from snoopers. Lenovo also provides Lenovo Vantage Eye Care mode that reduces blue light emission and protects your eyes from any harm while you play games or work on your dream project for long hours.

To summarize, Lenovo Ideapad L340 is for beginner games that dont have a splurge and looking for a powerful workhorse.

6] Asus TUF Gaming F17

• Display :-17.3 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :-Intel i5-10300H
• Graphics :-NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
• RAM :-8 GB
• Storage :-512 GB SSD
• Webcam :-720p Camera

If you need a roomy display that gives plenty of room but doesnt compromise on performance then Asus TUF Gaming F17 is by far the best choice.

It comes with a 17.3 inch IPS panel and gives enough room to play around, run multiple apps in a single window, and is also ideal for creating content. More display means more details, and it has a direct impact on your productivity. So, if you want to improve your productivity and also play games in your spare time, you can trust this beast.

Though, the 17-inch display is bulkier and makes it hard to carry around. So, we dont recommend it for traveling or college use.

On the processor side, it is run by a 10th generation i5-10300H CPU and coupled with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics to give an unmatched performance while your play intense games. Moreover, youll also get the benefit of a Backlit keyboard and highlights WASD keys to improve your gaming experience.

Asus has crafted this machine with military-grade durability along with a self-cooling system that protects the laptops hardware from internal damage and at the same time performs efficiently.

Finally, Asus shipped it with 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD with leaving room for future expansion up to 32 GB memory and 2 TB SSD.

7] Lenovo Legion 5

• Display :-15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :-AMD Ryzen 5 4600H
• Graphics :-NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
• RAM :-8 GB
• Storage :-256 GB SSD + 1 TB HDD
• Webcam :-720p Camera

This is our last gaming laptop pick that comes with a dedicated GPU and runs Sims 4 with maximum settings.

Legion Lineup of Lenovo is mainly popular for two things, the performance it offers at a decent price and its build quality. Despite requiring great build for gaming, companies mostly fabricate cheap or midrange gaming laptops inside cheap plastic. So, it wont last for years, but that is not the concern with Lenovo Legion 5.

Lenovo has manufactured this machine with solid build and strong hardware inside and outside. So, it can handle intense tasks without issue and also stay cool under pressure. The outstanding Cooling system of the machine makes it an ideal choice not just for Sims 4 but also for GPU intensive games such as Fortnite, The Witcher 3, or GTA V.

It sports a potent AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor along with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics and gives truly gaming vibes. For storage, youll get two options; 256 GB NVMe SSD as primary storage and 1 TB HDD as secondary storage. You can install games on SSD and store them on HDD for better performance. Not to mention, 8 GB of memory rig.

The 15.6 inch IPS panel features a 144 Hz refresh rate along with a 5ms response time. Besides this, youll get the latest Wi-Fi 6, HD webcam, Important port options, responsive trackpad, and full-sized keyboard.

8] HP 14

• Display :-14 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :-Ryzen 5 5500U
• Graphics :-AMD Radeon Graphics
• RAM :-8 GB
• Storage :-256 GB SSD
• Webcam :-720p Camera

The last three laptops are not designed for gaming and come with integrated graphics, but they can run Fortnite with 30+ FPS on medium or low settings. If budget is an issue for you then you should consider these options.

First and by far the best cheap laptop for Sims 4 comes from HP called HP 14. Fueled by AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor and paired with an Integrated Radeon graphics unit, there is nothing this beast cannot handle.

You can run multiple Chrome tabs, stream Multimedia content, and access various apps all at the same time without having an issue. Not just this, HP has fabricated this machine in a thin and sleek chassis along with an Anti-Glare display making it an ideal choice for traveling and office use.

Weve played Fortnite creative and Battle Royale in playable frames [30+ FPS] with medium settings, surely with occasional frame drops and low graphics performance. But, if you play Fortnite just for fun, this issue is not noticeable, but if you like to stream your content we recommend purchasing a laptop designed for gaming rather than one that runs games with minor setbacks.

As for the battery, youll get up to 8 hours of juice with HPs fast-charge technology that can charge your machine 0 to 50% in just 45 minutes.

9] Acer Aspire 5

• Display :-15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :-11th generation i5-1035G1
• Graphics :-Intel UHD Graphics
• RAM :-8 GB
• Storage :-256 GB SSD
• Webcam :-720p Camera

For years Acer has served its users with a machine that is not just affordable but also gives excellent performance along with impressive battery life. Aspire series is designed for light usage and regular work. But, dont let this fool you, you can play entry-level games, edit your filming clips, and install various apps without any hiccups.

It is equipped with an 11th generation i5 processor and features 4 cores and 8 threads to give a seamless performance without any heating or noise issues. Further, youll get a 15.6-inch display that gives bright and detailed images with accurate color combinations.

Under the hood, Acer provides 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD which is enough for installing one or two games. If you like to expand storage and memory, you can expand memory up to 20 GB and storage space up to 1 TB.

To handle heavy-duty tasks, Acer offers three different cooling modes; Silent, Normal, and Performance. Use them as your convenient pace to control your fan speed. For a pleasing typing experience, there is an ergonomic hinge design with 130-degree rotation.

We expect that Acer could improve its displays brightness so details can be visible on a sunny day without setting brightness on full. Leaving this setback behind, Acer Aspire 5 is a king of the hill when it comes to a cheap laptop for Sims 4.

10] Lenovo Ideapad 3

• Display :-14 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
• Processor :-Ryzen 5 5500U
• Graphics :-AMD Radeon 7 Graphics
• RAM :-8 GB
• Storage :-256 GB SSD
• Webcam :-720p Camera

If you are on a tight budget and looking for a powerful machine then Lenovo Ideapad 3 is a top-notch choice for you. At $500, youll get an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor along with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD.

The 14-inch display ensures youll get all the necessary information with the smallest details possible. Thanks to its Radeon 7 graphics, it can run games with better FPS compared to other integrated graphic card laptops on our list and also run Modern gaming titles with low settings.

The thermals are terrifically designed to handle heavy tasks without breaking a sweat. When you play games or edit videos, it maintains laptop temperatures without throwing disturbing noise. To control your laptop performance, Lenovo provides 3 modes to handle tasks with ease.

This machine runs on Windows 10 Home editing, however, you can install other OS such as Linux or others with some BIOS changes.

There is Wi-Fi 6 for latency-free internet connectivity. Apart from this, youll get three USB ports, a media reader, an HDMI, and a headphone jack. However, there is no RJ45 port for wired internet connectivity. Its important when you constantly need the internet without any delay or minor latency.

Overall, Lenovo Ideapad 3 is a powerful choice for the price you pay and the performance it offers under the hood.

Final Thought

While a cheap laptop for Sims 4 can run games with decent playable options, you need to understand that the performance expensive and high-end CPU can give you is unmatched. For the price you pay, you need to make some compromises, and we highly recommend getting a powerful CPU and GPU rather than dealing with memory or storage.

You can upgrade both RAM and Memory, but there is no option for CPU and GPU upgrades after the purchase. Keeping these things in mind, get your dream laptop without burning a hole in your pocket.