How to Make Sims 3 Runs Smoother or Better.

by Guest Tue 27 Aug 2013, 08:31

At least you should have 2 GB of RAM & Dual Core CPU to play the Sims 3. (Or some errors might popup) like when the game starts in process & it don't find enough RAM to work it will stop & give you an error. I managed to play Sims 3 Base Game with 1GB of RAM in Windows XP without EP's, SP's & with lowest setting but the game was lagging like crazy.
If you have 2GB RAM don't use CC and SP's or all EP's (like just 3 or 4 EP's). (Make sure not to install EP's with heavy towns like Late Night & Island Paradise) & set "High Detail Lots" to 1. (& all other setting to lowest)
If you have 3GB RAM, same as 2GB but use one more EP (Might be LT or IP) or some CC if you want. Set "High Detail Lots" to 1.
If you have 4GB RAM use some CC & most (not all) EP's without SP's & some Mods & set "High Detail Lots" to 2.
Always remember for 4GB RAM & lower, don't use SP's.
Also if you have 3GB of RAM or higher then use this tool (PC): http://www.ntcore.com/4gb_patch.php (Because Sims 3 is set to use just 2GB of memory.)

1. Clean the computer. (No don't wash it) Clean the caches, log files, thumbnails, memory dumps, temporary files, etc. using cleaning software.
    For PC: CCleaner
    For Mac: CCleaner

2. Defrag your hard disk.
    For PC: Use Disk Defragmenter by going to: Control Panel > Administrative Tools

3. Clean Sims 3 cache: http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Sims_3_Delete_Cache_Files

4. Make sure you have the latest update of your video card.
For PC: Click ‘’Windows button +R’’ now ‘’‘Run’’ will open, type in it: dxdiag
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens. Click the ‘’Display’’ tab there you can have information about your graphics card in the ‘’Device’’ section.
Now visit the manufacturer's website to download the latest driver:
NVIDIA: http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
ATI from AMD: http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html
Intel: http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/
For Mac: The graphics driver is part of the operating system, so when you update the system the graphic will be updated.

5. Clean CC/Mods.
You have a lot of CC. You open CAS & you wait 15 min for items to load. When you play the game it lags like crazy. What are you doing? Playing or punishing yourself? Delete unnecessary CC or Mods.
But best CC to install are some Premium Content & one set for CAS.

6. Install the following mods:
I. Overwatch.
II. ErrorTrap.

7. Close all the programs you are using before start playing (like browsers, download manager, skype, etc).

8. Use a game booster to switch the computer to Gaming Mode.
    For PC: Mz Game Accelerator (Gamebooster is useless, really.)

9. Use a memory optimizer tool when you start your game or even when you start the system, it helps the both.
    For PC: Wise Memory Optimizer
    For Mac: Memory Booster

10. Lower the game's resolution.

by **☠ ~ Aɳɳ ~ ☠** Tue 27 Aug 2013, 10:08

Hello,

I actually played TS3 on XP with a single core CPU and 1 GB RAM with 5 EP's (WA, AMB, GEN, Pets and Seasons) and a number of Nraas mods, including storyprogression with a number of extra modules. And all graphic settings on medium (the ability to do that depends more on your GPU than your RAM or CPU).
In addition to that I use all store content and a package of TSM for TS3 CC's. I am however running the game with an FPS limiter and gamebooster (which, in my opninion, does make a difference).

And to be honest I don't experience a lot of game crashes or other errors at all. There's some lag, but it's bearable and largely depends on which neighbourbood I'm using. I wouldn't dare play Bridgeport, but Riverview and Twinbrook run fine.

It made a difference when I upgraded to 3 GB RAM, so much so that I added another EP (UL).
I was even able to create a world.

So while technically, you may have a point, it doesn't have to be so for people with a very low end pc. There's more to it than which CPU and how much RAM your pc has. Much can be tweaked.

Considering how many problems with lag and unexplained game-crashes we come across here, problems experienced by people with a better system and similar amounts of content, I don't think my experience with the game is quite so bad.

For the record: I have an AMD Sempron 2.0ghz 3400+ (single core), 3 GB RAM, nVIDIA 7600 GS 128 mb.

by Guest Tue 27 Aug 2013, 12:53

Are you a wizard? IDK how your computer can handle all this, especially that ''128 MB'' of VGA... Wat.

I know its possible to play the Sims with 1GB RAM but who have 1GB of RAM these days? (I mean gamers & yung people, not grandparents & people that just use computer for business) And yeah it has to do with the GPU in the first place but also remember that CPU is the controller of everything then the RAM to load & run the program, for that I included everything from RAM, CPU & Graphics in game & my experience in that guide. (also no one have less than ~~256~~ 128 MB of VGA.) Laughing

I don't recommend using alot of CC because when you go to CAS & wait forever for content to load, etc. And yeah, the much of CC in a house can cause lags for that I recommended to use just Premium Content because all other CC are useless. also don't forget that CC comes with EP's, also SP's are useless.

My whole point is to play the game smoothly & without lag.

Gamebooster is really useless for me, try that tool out (Mz Game Accelerator) & you will notice a big difference.

by **J.T.** Tue 27 Aug 2013, 12:56

Joker wrote:
Gamebooster is really useless for me, try that tool out (Mz Game Accelerator) & you will notice a big difference.

Hello,

That is why the last thing I would advise simmers is this piece of advice. The results of using Gamebooster vary.

by **☠ ~ Aɳɳ ~ ☠** Tue 27 Aug 2013, 14:35

Joker wrote:
but who have 1GB of RAM these days? (I mean gamers & yung people, not grandparents & people that just use computer for business)

Me, unfortunately. Well, not anymore, I upgraded to 3 a couple of months ago, which is still pathetic of course. Last time I was able to get a new PC was before the crisis. My husband and I both lost our jobs, and we have 3 children, so go figure Laughing

I used to be pretty much right on top of new hardware and when my current configuration was built, it was almost top of the line. We're talking about 2004/2005 of course.
As for my GPU, I confused it with the videoRAM on another pc, my GPU has 512. Which still isn't much compared to today's standards
Still, if you keep an old pc running at peak performance it can indeed run miraculously. An FPS limiter can make a huge difference, and slowness in CAS can be combated by using Master Controller's function to simplify CAS collections. It's always a good idea to play neighbourhoods that had the routing issues fixed., and Overwatch is a must to combat lag.

Sadly, my PC is a goner, it stopped working a while ago and I just heard it's the motherboard. Since I still can't afford building a new pc, I'm hoping to build a new pc with old hardware.

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