What are the Paralives system requirements?
On Windows, the minimum is a GTX 1060 or an RX 6600 XT graphics card, 12 GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor. On Mac, the minimum is an Apple M2 chip and 12 GB of RAM. The game needs 8 GB of storage on both systems.
These are the values on the Paralives Steam page. We opened the page on October 5, 2026. The game is in Early Access, so the numbers can change when the studio adds content.
This post shows the full list, explains what each line means, and tells you what to do if your computer is below the minimum. Read the table first. Read the other sections if your computer is close to the line.
What is the full list for Windows and Mac?
| Part | Windows minimum | Windows recommended | Mac minimum | Mac recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, 2.5 GHz | Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, 3.0 GHz | Apple M2 | Apple M3 |
| Memory | 12 GB | 16 GB | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | GTX 1060 or RX 6600 XT | RTX 2060 or RX 7600 XT | Built into the chip | Built into the chip |
| Storage | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
The Steam page also lists Windows 10 or newer, and macOS Big Sur 11 or newer. Check the page for the latest values.
Does Paralives run on a Mac with an Intel chip?
No. The Steam page lists Apple M2 as the minimum and Apple M3 as the recommended chip. It lists no Intel chip for Mac.
An M1 Mac is below the listed minimum. The studio does not say that the game fails on an M1. It also does not promise that the game works. We did not find a statement from the studio about the M1. Treat it as unsupported.
Paralives is on Steam for Windows and macOS. The Paralives site says the game is out on Steam for PC and Mac. No other platform is listed. The game is not on console, and it is not in a browser.
Can a laptop with integrated graphics run Paralives?
Sometimes, at low settings. It is not supported. The official minimum names a dedicated graphics card.
In a Steam Community thread, a player reported an Intel Core i5-7200U, 16 GB of RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 620. That player ran the game at the lowest graphics settings, with a lower resolution and a frame cap of 30. The player also said that the game was much rougher at launch, with heavy stuttering and crashes, and that patches improved it.
A second player reported Intel UHD 630 graphics and 12 GB of RAM, and said that the game ran fine. These are two reports from two players. They are not a test. Your result can differ.
The same thread also says that a computer with 8 GB of RAM will probably crash. The official minimum is 12 GB. RAM is the first number to check.
How do I check my own computer?
On Windows
Press the Windows key and type “dxdiag”. Press Enter. The System tab shows the processor and the RAM. The Display tab shows the graphics card.
Compare each line with the table above. A card that is in the same class as a GTX 1060 or newer passes. A laptop with two graphics chips needs one more check. Open Windows Settings, go to System, then Display, then Graphics. Set Paralives to High performance.
On a Mac
Click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. The first line shows the chip and the memory. You need M2 and 12 GB or more.
What if my computer is below the minimum?
You have three options. Each option has a cost.
- Lower the settings. Lower the resolution, turn off the grass movement, and cap the frame rate. The players above did this.
- Add RAM. Some laptops have a free memory slot. Check your model. More RAM is the first upgrade for an 8 GB computer.
- Play a game that needs less. The Sims 4 is the usual choice. Read the next section.
Do not buy Paralives on the hope that it will run. The game is in Early Access. The studio says it expects about two years before version 1.0. Performance can improve in that time. You cannot plan on it.
How do the numbers compare with The Sims 4?
Paralives asks for much more. EA lists 4 GB of RAM and 25 GB of storage as the minimum for The Sims 4 on Windows. The Sims 4 needs 128 MB of video memory. Paralives needs a GTX 1060.
The Sims 4 asks for more storage: 25 GB against 8 GB for Paralives. The Sims 4 is an older game, and it is larger.
The Sims 4 is also free to download on Steam. Paralives is not free. For the cost, read the Paralives release date and price post. For a full comparison of the two games, read Paralives vs The Sims 4.
What do minimum and recommended mean?
The minimum is the weakest setup that the studio lists. The recommended setup is the one that the studio expects to run the game well. The studio does not say what frame rate each setup gives. The Steam page lists no frame rate.
Aim for the recommended column if you can. The gap is small on RAM: 12 GB against 16 GB. The gap is larger on the graphics card. An RTX 2060 or an RX 7600 XT is the recommended class. A GTX 1060 or an RX 6600 XT is the minimum class.
A computer that meets the minimum runs the game. It may run it at low settings. A computer below the minimum may run it, or it may crash. The studio gives no promise below the minimum.
Which settings help a weak computer?
The players in the Steam Community thread used four changes. We list them as player reports. We did not test them.
- Set the graphics to the lowest level.
- Lower the screen resolution.
- Turn off the grass movement.
- Cap the frame rate at 30.
One player also used performance mods. Read Paralives mods before you install any mod. A mod from another site can carry risk.
Update the game first. The same player said that patches improved the stutter and the crashes. The game is in Early Access, so the studio sends updates often. Steam installs them for you.
Where does LifeSim fit?
LifeSim is a different kind of game. It runs in a browser. Read how to play LifeSim. You install nothing. We do not publish a hardware minimum in this post.
LifeSim does not replace Paralives. Paralives gives you a house, a build mode, and a household of characters. LifeSim gives you a real city on a map of Earth, and people who talk with you in open text. If your goal is to build a home, stay with Paralives. If your computer is too weak for it and you want a life sim today, try LifeSim. It is free.
For other options, read games like Paralives.
Questions
Is Paralives on Steam Deck?
We did not find a Steam Deck rating for Paralives. Treat the Steam Deck as untested.
Is Paralives on PS5 or Xbox?
No. The studio lists Windows and macOS only.
How much storage does Paralives need?
The Steam page lists 8 GB on Windows and on Mac.
Does Paralives need an SSD?
The Steam page does not list a drive type. We did not find an official statement.
What is the best way to play without a strong computer?
Use a browser game. Read life sims you can play in your browser.