PC Stats and TS3

[Sonshine]

Hi, If there are any techies around here, I've been having a lot of problems w/my game totally freezing up lately. I have 15 gig RAM, Intel i7 processor, and a GeForce GTX 680 video card. I do tend to run some facebook apps in the background, but I've never had a problem before. I'm wondering if the video card is maybe not enough or maybe not all that great for TS3 and all ep's? It happens mostly on the largest lots (64x64) I've also been suspecting that I might have some kind of bug running in the background and the only real solution to that would be to get the comp wiped. At least that way, I'd have a fresh start. Maybe I should bite the bullet and get a newer, more powerful video card? Any help in this? Thanks!

[Sonshine]

Thanks! I couldn't find where to post this. : /

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Sonshine,

Before suggesting to get a new video card, Have you tried any of the tips in this thread?

Topic: Sims 3 - Tips for Crashing, Lag and Other Misc Tips
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,20732.0.html

How long has it been since you've done a complete uninstall/reinstall of the whole game? If it's been awhile - longer than say 6 months to a year, give that a try.

After you've uninstalled the whole game, run a registry cleaner program. (Something like Ccleaner, It's free - http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download)
This helps clean up temporary files, internet cache files and other files that are left behind that are no longer being used.

Then play the game awhile to see if that helps. If you find that it still crashes, then holler back and we'll see if we can find you an acceptable video card.

Hope this helps,

MrsFlynn

=====
Edited to add:

Factory Reset

[This is different from a total-game reinstall - This just sets the game back to factory default.]

Move your Sims 3 folder to the desktop or some where safe, and rename it something like Sims 3 Current. Click the Sims 3 icon to create a new Sims 3 folder.

Go To: ----> My Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3

If you want to continue to play your previous game-saves, go into the Sims3 folder that you backed up and copy over your game saves, files and such over to the new game to see if that helps.

Saving folders/files to use on a different computer or to use as backup
http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,16414.msg313134.html#msg313134

How To: Save Sims 3 Files From the Library (Exporting Files)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,20751.0.html

[Lisa46]

Do a factory reset, the instructions are on this board.

[Sonshine]

Thanks! I've not tried a factory reset yet. If everything runs smoothly after that, I can try putting my cc back in. I have very few mods in addition to NRAAS. Mostly no autonomous stuff. I don't remember the last time I did a complete re-install. I'd say at least a year ago.  I"ll try the factory reset and cCleaner first though. As I said, I like running some facebook apps in the background and they have animations which pulls down some power. Many times I can't shut those down b/c the machinery that uses those animations is on auto.

[MrsFlynn]

Yes, definitely try a factory reset and running Ccleaner first. Something that maybe causing problems are outdated/corrupted cc and/or outdated mods. It maybe a good idea to have a look through both those to make sure they're all good, if you haven't already.

Check on the 3rd Party Custom Content
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,20732.msg401824.html#msg401824

Let us know how that works out for you.

MrsFlynn

[Sonshine]

Hi again! I tried a factory reset, made a sim couple, put them on the largest lot in IP (I chose that world b/c it's known for being a power hog) and I still have problems w/the game freezing up while running about 3 facebook apps in the background. I did put a few mods in, mostly nraas ones, but no cc at all other than those. With my comp stats, this still leads me to believe that there is something that is draining my comp power. Also, CCleaner may have been free at one time, but the freebie one doesn't do much at all and doesn't clean up files. The medium one that costs $25 sounds like the one to go with. It does most of the stuff I want. About the only thing it doesn't do is file recovery, defrag, and analysis which I really don't need anyway. There have been a couple of times when I got something on chrome when I went to d/l a file. I'll try buying and running it to see if it does anything, but I don't know. It's been about a year or so since this comp was wiped and it probably wouldn't hurt to do it again.

[Flynn Arrowstarr]

Hi, Sonshine.

Here's some things to try to see if we can eliminate the problem:

• You mentioned a possible bug running in the background. Make sure you run a full virus scan before anything else.
• Shut down as many background tasks as you can and uninstall your mods. For right now, include the Facebook apps. We want to eliminate those as a possible source of the problem.
• Try out the game. If all runs well, then start up one of the FB apps you use and try it again.
• Each time the game runs well, then start up one of the FB apps until you either have them all running without too many problems, or you experience the lag/freezing issue.
• Now, start adding in the mods, again one by one. Keep doing so until you hit the lag/freezing, or everything runs well.

Also, try a large lot in a different town, or a smaller lot in IP. IP is known to be a resource intensive town. While your system shouldn't have a problem running it, it doesn't hurt to try other areas to see if the lag/freezing persists.

Hope this helps, and happy Simming!

Flynn

[Sonshine]

Hi again Flynn! I did remove a couple of the mods and things do run a bit smoother now, but it still has a tendency to freeze up a bit. It might be better w/a smaller world. IP and the largest lot though are very good tests for the amount of power it takes to run it. I've run antivirus many times, in fact every night. There are some viruses that are written to "fool" antivirus checkers.    I still might need a better video card. I'll ask somebody I know that is a sims player and a techie.
For the record, even some of my facebook apps will lock up from time to time. The 680 is a pretty old card by current standards. On the other  hand, I can't afford the most current video card. : /

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Sonshine,

You don't need the most current graphics card. We just bought new graphics card for $150. (EVGA GeForce GTX 750Ti) But they aren't on sale anymore. *Sigh* It runs Sims 3 and other games really nicely!! Very drool worthy.

However, we did find something that should work just as well for you.

EVGA GeForce GTX 750
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclocked-Dual-Link-Graphics-01G-P4-2753-KR/dp/B00IDG3LUO
Price: $109.99

MrsFlynn