The Sims 4 System Requirements: Minimum and Recommended PC Specs (2026)

To run The Sims 4 on PC, you need at least 128 MB of Video RAM and support for Pixel Shader 3.0. Supported Video Cards: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better, ATI Radeon X1300 or better, Intel GMA X4500 or better and 4 GB RAM. The developer recommends 1 GB of Video RAM, NVIDIA GTX 650, AMD Radeon HD 7750, or better with 8 GB RAM. Plan for 26 GB of free storage. These are the official specs from the game’s Steam page, checked on Oct 8, 2026.

The Sims 4 PC requirements

Spec	Minimum	Recommended
OS	64 Bit Required. Windows 10	64 Bit Windows 10
Processor	3.3 GHz Intel Core i3-3220 (2 cores, 4 threads), AMD Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz (4 cores) or better	Intel core i5 (4 cores), AMD Ryzen 5 or better
Memory	4 GB RAM	8 GB RAM
Graphics	128 MB of Video RAM and support for Pixel Shader 3.0. Supported Video Cards: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better, ATI Radeon X1300 or better, Intel GMA X4500 or better	1 GB of Video RAM, NVIDIA GTX 650, AMD Radeon HD 7750, or better
DirectX	Version 11	Version 11
Storage	26 GB available space	51 GB available space
Network	Broadband Internet connection	Broadband Internet connection

How demanding is The Sims 4?

Its minimum memory requirement of 4 GB is higher than 12% of the 183 PC games we track. Its 26 GB install is larger than 48% of them.

The Sims 4 is designed for older, budget-friendly hardware. The minimum requirements mention a dual-core desktop processor and graphics options from the early DirectX 11 days. This means an aging office PC or an entry-level laptop should work just fine. For the recommended setup, you’ll need a modest mid-range machine from a few years back, which isn’t anywhere near today’s high-end systems.

Storage really becomes a key issue here. The recommended tier requires 51 GB, nearly double the 26 GB minimum. Graphics demands are low too, with just 1 GB of Video RAM suggested. One strange detail is that the minimum graphics list includes very old cards, while the OS requirement specifies Windows 10 and DirectX 11. This makes those older cards impractical for most users. A good tip is to keep the full 51 GB free, preferably on an SSD, to reduce loading times. The Steam Deck has a status of Playable.

Can you play The Sims 4 on Steam Deck?

Valve rates The Sims 4 Playable on Steam Deck. That means it runs, but may need some manual tweaks.

• Note: Default controller config not fully functional
• Note: Controller glyphs do not match deck device
• Note: Text input does not automatically invokes keyboard
• Note: Interface text is not legible
• Passes: Default configuration is performant
• Note: First time setup requires active internet connection

Is The Sims 4 on Mac or Linux?

No. Steam lists The Sims 4 for Windows only, with no native Mac or Linux version.

The Sims 4 system requirements FAQ

What are the minimum requirements for The Sims 4?

64 Bit Required. Windows 10, 3.3 GHz Intel Core i3-3220 (2 cores, 4 threads), AMD Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz (4 cores) or better, 4 GB RAM and 128 MB of Video RAM and support for Pixel Shader 3.0. Supported Video Cards: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 or better, ATI Radeon X1300 or better, Intel GMA X4500 or better. You also need 26 GB available space.

What are the recommended specs for The Sims 4?

Intel core i5 (4 cores), AMD Ryzen 5 or better, 8 GB RAM and 1 GB of Video RAM, NVIDIA GTX 650, AMD Radeon HD 7750, or better.

Can I run The Sims 4 with 8 GB of RAM?

Yes, 8 GB meets the minimum of 4 GB.

How much storage does The Sims 4 need?

The Steam page lists 26 GB of free space.

Does The Sims 4 work on Steam Deck?

Valve rates it Playable on Steam Deck.

More on The Sims 4

• The Sims 4 stats, news and reviews
• Is The Sims 4 cross platform?
• The Sims 4 on Steam

Specs and the Steam Deck rating come from the game’s official Steam store listing and Valve’s compatibility report. Comparisons use the same data for every PC game Explosion tracks. Re-checked monthly.