FYI, Sims 3 is 100% compatible with Windows 7 32 and 64-bit. It has the same system requirements as Windows Vista which are posted below. (Sims 2 is also compatible with Windows 7.)

I have seen a lot of computer problem complaints the past couple of days on Twitter that were due to people not being able to play the new SIMS 3 game on their Windows computer. The #1 reason The Sims 3 will not work on your computer is due to a lack of Graphics Processing Power. Before I get into this issue I want to make sure you have all your other bases covered. The following are the MINIMUM system requirements for SIMS 3 (courtesy of TheSims3.com).

If you are unsure of any particular computer specification you may have that is not a problem. Just follow this tutorial and it will show you how to find your important computer system specs.

Windows XP users (all versions of XP)
• Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
• 2.0 GHz P4 processor or equivalent
• 1 GB RAM
• At least 6.5 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content
• 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0

Windows 7 and Vista users (all versions of 7 and Vista)
• Windows 7 (all flavors) or Windows Vista (Service Pack 1)
• 2.4 GHz P4 processor or equivalent
• 1.5 GB RAM
• At least 6.5 GB of hard drive space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content
• 128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0

Some of you may have paused at the above spec “128 MB Video Card with support for Pixel Shader 2.0” and thought, “WTF is a Pixel Shader 2.0?” Don’t worry, I’ve been an avid PC Gamer since the 90s and know a lot about computers but I am a little embarrassed to admit I was glossy-eyed while reading that spec, lol. Below are a list of video cards that are compatible with The Sims 3.

For nVidia video card owners: FX 5900, FX 5950, 2400, 2600, 2900, 3450, 3650, 3850, 3870, 4850, 4870 and all GeForce 6 series and above are compatible with The Sims 3

For ATI video card owners: 2400, 2600, 2900, 3450, 3650, 3850, 3870, 4850, 4870, Any 9500 and above card and any X300 and above cards are compatible with The Sims 3.

IMPORTANT! If your desktop or laptop has an integrated/on-board video card your MINIMUM System Requirements are higher:
• 2.6 GHz Pentium D CPU, or 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo, or equivalent
• 1.5 GB RAM in Windows XP, 2 GB RAM in Windows 7 and Vista

Intel, nVidia and ATI integrated/built-in video cards: Intel Extreme GMA X3x00/X300, ATI Xpress and higher, nVidia TurboCache and higher

Mac Minimum System Requirements
• Mac OS X 10.5.7 Leopard or higher
• Intel Core Duo processor or equivalent
• 1 GB RAM
• 7.1GB of hard drive space
• ATI X1600 or Nvidia 7300 GT with 128 MB of video RAM or Intel Integrated GMA X3100

Supported nVidia Video Cards for the Mac: 7300, 7600, 8600, 8800, 9400M, 9600M GT, GT 120, GT 130

Supported ATI Video Cards for the Mac: X1600, X1900, 2400, 2600, 3870, 4850, 4870

Supported Intel Video Cards for the Mac: GMA X3×00 series, GMA 3-Series

Mac Owners Please Note! If you own a G3, G4 or G5 PowerPC AND/OR an integrated INtel GMA 950 series video card, The Sims 3 will NOT work with your system. You need to purchase a new Mac if you want to play The Sims 3.