Can You Run The Sims 4 on a Mini PC? You Bet!

As a long-time Sims fan and avid gamer who loves maximizing performance from compact hardware, I‘m thrilled to report that mini PCs can absolutely run The Sims 4 smoothly.

Today‘s mini PCs pack impressive processing power and graphics capabilities on par with full-sized desktops – but in a supremely tiny package. After extensive testing and research, I can safely recommend mini PCs for enjoying The Sims 4 if you face constraints like limited space or budget.

Let‘s explore why mini PCs like the Intel NUC and MSI Trident 3 are fantastic options for playing this iconic life simulator game:

Sims 4 System Requirements – Easy for Mini PCs!

First, we need to examine The Sims 4‘s official system requirements to run smoothly at 1920×1080 resolution on medium-high settings:

These specs were state-of-the-art back in 2014 when The Sims 4 launched originally. But now in 2024, even budget PCs far outpace the game‘s requirements thanks to technological advances like faster CPUs and incredibly powerful integrated graphics.

In fact, benchmark tests confirm that modern integrated graphics like Intel Iris Xe and AMD Radeon Vega 8 in mini PCs can run Sims 4 over 60 FPS (frames per second) easily on high settings. That‘s a very smooth experience with plenty of room left for beefier expansions!

And by outfitting your mini PC with dedicated graphics like NVIDIA‘s GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD‘s Radeon RX 6600 XT, you can enjoy buttery smooth 120+ FPS gameplay with visually maxed out settings!

So clearly when it comes to raw performance, mini PCs are extremely overqualified to handle a game originally built for much slower older hardware.

Our Top Mini PC Picks for Sims 4 Fans

After scouring reviews and product specs across manufacturers, here are my top recommendations if you‘re looking for a mini PC specifically to play The Sims 4 on:

All-Rounder Value Pick: ZOTAC ZBOX MAGNUS EN72070V

• 10th Gen 6-core/12-thread Intel Core i5 CPU
• Powerful RTX 3060 GPU
• 16GB DDR4 RAM (upgradable to 64GB)
• 512GB NVMe SSD

With its compact 7.1-liter chassis, RGB lighting and capable specifications, the Zotac ZBOX Magnus EN72070V is an exceptional value-packed mini PC that can run Sims 4 at 100+ FPS on the highest settings for under $900!

And it leaves you plenty of headroom to add expansions while streaming or recording smooth 60 FPS videos at the same time. I love the versatility and power the EN72070 packs into such a tiny footprint.

Compact Pick: Intel NUC 9 Extreme Compute Element

• Configurable with Intel Core i5 to i9 CPUs
• Supports full-length discrete GPUs
• Up to 64GB DDR4 RAM
• Multiple M.2 SSD slots

If you want a more DIY approach, the Intel NUC 9 Compute Element is one of the most compact mini PC kits out there at just 4" x 4". But it boasts desktop-class power and compatibility with many standard components.

That means you can outfit an Intel NUC 9 with a powerful graphics card from a GeForce RTX 3070 Ti to even an RTX 3090 for overkill 4K ultra graphics! Plus memory and multiple fast Gen 4 SSDs. It‘s my pick for extreme customizability in a tiny 5-liter chassis.

Console-Like Pick: MSI MEG Trident X2 Gaming Desktop

• Prebuilt mini gaming PC
• 10th Gen Intel Core i7/i9 CPU
• Up to RTX 3090 GPU
• 32GB RAM
• 1TB NVMe SSD

If you want a sleek and portable plug-and-play solution with console-sized footprint, check out MSI‘s Trident X2 gaming mini PC lineup. These pack outstanding performance for Sims 4, Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring and any AAA title you throw at it!

I especially like the hinged transparent side panel for easily upgrading parts down the line. At just 10 liters, the MEG Trident X2 brings no-compromise enthusiast-level gaming power in a living room-friendly design.

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There are clearly some amazing mini PC options in 2024 specifically for gaming and creative workloads like streaming The Sims 4 at well over 60 FPS.

Compared to bulky ATX towers, mini PCs can fit comfortably anywhere and blend into your living space. I love showing off RGB lighting and components through their compact clear cases!

Now let‘s examine additional benefits that mini PCs offer over traditional desktops and laptops:

Why Choose a Mini PC for Sims 4?

Here are 5 compelling advantages you gain by running The Sims 4 on a modern mini PC:

Space savings – Achieve a massive 70-80% reduction in volume on your desk or entertainment center thanks to the tiny footprint. Mini PCs are far more convenient than ATX mid/full towers.

Portability – Carry your entire Sims 4 gaming setup easily to a friend‘s LAN party or move it anywhere at home. Mini PCs weigh under 10 pounds typically.

Affordability – Get better value over a gaming laptop with equivalent performance. Pre-built mini PCs start around $700 with entry-level configs capable of running Sims 4.

Cooling and noise – Well-designed mini PC chassis offer excellent airflow and quiet fans that won‘t distract you. They run very silently compared to gaming laptops.

Power savings – With a lower TDP CPU and single GPU, mini PCs consumer far less electricity – just around 100W under load versus 700W+ for a high end ATX build!

And those are just a few noteworthy benefits. You also gain advantages like quick boot times from NVMe SSDs, advanced connectivity options, and support for multiple external displays on mini PCs.

Now that you know mini PCs can definitely excel at running The Sims 4 with headroom to spare, here are my closing recommendations when buying or building one:

Optimizing Your Mini PC for Sims 4

If you truly want to maximize performance and future-proofing for The Sims 4, I suggest considering these upgrades:

• Alder Lake Core i5/i7 CPU – The latest 12th Gen Intel processors deliver excellent single and multi-threaded speed for buttery smooth Sims 4 gameplay.
• 16GB DDR4 RAM @ 3200MHz – Go above the 8GB minimum to support expansions, mods and multitasking. Higher frequency RAM boosts performance too.
• 1TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD – Lightning fast storage eliminates long load times when switching Sims houses/lots. And no cables!
• RTX 3060 or RX 6600 XT GPU – These mainstream GPUs supply incredible 1080p/60FPS visuals in GPU-intensive scenes with high populations.
• 650W 80+ Gold SFX PSU – Provides silent, efficient and reliable power for your mini PC build. This leaves ample headroom too.
• 240mm AIO liquid cooler – Keeps your CPU icy cool under heavy gaming loads while exhausting heat out of the confined mini PC case. Air coolers may struggle to dissipate 150W+ heat output from beefy modern processors. An AIO is vital for peak performance and stability.

Follow this blueprint and your customized mini PC will offer an exceptional Sims 4 experience for years to come! Game performance should remain buttery smooth even as Maxis releases more expansions.

I‘m thrilled to see mini PCs finally getting recognition in 2024 as serious high-end gaming contenders rather than just basic office machines. The sky is the limit on capabilities once you know how to properly outfit them as enthusiasts like us!

Do you currently run or plan to run The Sims 4 on a mini PC? Let me know your thoughts and feedback down below!