PC requirements
The Sims 3 System Requirements
The Sims 3 needs at least (XP) 2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent; (Vista) 2.4 GHz P4 processor or equivalent, (XP) 1 GB; (Vista) 1.5 GB of RAM and 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0 graphics.
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows XP (Service Pack 2) or Windows Vista (Service Pack 1) |
| Processor | (XP) 2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent; (Vista) 2.4 GHz P4 processor or equivalent |
| Memory | (XP) 1 GB; (Vista) 1.5 GB |
| Graphics | 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0 |
| Storage | At least 6.5 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content |
Not sure how your PC compares? Use the
Can I Run It checker —
pick your CPU and GPU and it tells you which column you land in.
Other platforms
The Sims 3 is also available on these systems, where hardware is fixed and no per-PC check is needed:
Quick answers
Running The Sims 3 on PC
Can my PC run The Sims 3?
Compare your CPU, GPU and RAM against the minimum column below. If your parts match or beat every minimum row, the game will launch — though you may need to lower settings. Matching the recommended column is what gets you 60fps at 1080p.
How much storage does The Sims 3 need?
At least 6.5 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content