Sudden Lag

[karlissa]

I've played Sims 3 for a while and I had a break and when I started playing again, the game didn't work, I tried uninstalling the game and reinstalling but despite the fact it worked aright with a few expansions previously. It now doesn't work with the base-game and lags when I just start a save file, I haven't had this problem with any other games so I'm quite baffled, I have all my settings turned down to bottom and my screen resolution is 1366x768 if that makes a difference. I am playing on a laptop but since other games including simcity work alright I don't really understand. I currently have the game uninstalled and am waiting for a new computer but if anyone can help. I'd be thankful. Any questions let me know.

DxDiag Log

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 2/22/2015, 19:29:08
    Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.150113-1808)
   Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
   System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
   System Model: HP Pavilion g6 Notebook PC
   BIOS: InsydeH2O Version CCB.03.61.31F.53
   Processor: AMD A8-3520M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics (2 CPUs), ~1.6GHz
   Memory: 6144MB RAM
   Available OS Memory: 5610MB RAM
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
   Card name: AMD Radeon HD 6620G
   Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
   Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x9641)
   Display Memory: 4056 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 1507 MB
   Shared Memory: 2548 MB
   Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
   Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (60.031Hz)

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Karlissa,

It sounds like the processor is not using turbo mode like it should be. This could be due to the processor being too warm.

Sims 3 is a more processor and graphics intense game than many other games. It's possible that SimCity plays okay because it may not require the turbo mode.

Hope this helps,

MrsFlynn

[karlissa]

I do have a cooling pad so I don't think it should be that the processor is too warm.
I searched up Turbo mode and was unable to find anything for an AMD processer except what Turbo mode it.

Could you help me with that?

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Karlissa,

Check your power profile. Right Click on Desktop, select personalize. Then click screen saver in the lower right corner. On the bottom of the screen saver settings there is a link called Change Power Settings. Make sure you're power plan is set to high performance. Then try running the game again to see if that helps.

MrsFlynn

[karlissa]

It's already on high performance, thanks for the tip though. I appreciate you trying to help.

[Steellace]

I can't help with the technical side of this question (the processor, etc.), but I've had games suddenly lag, so I have a question.  You said that it lags when you start a save file.  Are you starting a new game/save?  Or are you loading a game that you've played before?  Have you tried creating a new one and/or loaded multiple saves to be sure that it's TS3 and not a saved game?  (I'm speaking from experience here as I tore my game apart before only to find out it was something in the file itself, not anything to do with TS3's setings or my computer.)

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Karlissa,

If you're willing to install just base game, for a test or two, here's something you can try, if you haven't already.

In the graphics options,

Check that Advanced Rendering is checked On
Make sure Animation Smoothing is checked On
Change the game's resolution to 1024x768
Set Sim Detail to Medium

I'd like to go off of the question that Steellace asks, is this lag with a new game as well? Or just older saved games? If unsure, would you be willing to try a new game to see if that may help?

It's still a possibly that the laptop overheated even with the cooling mat, due to the processor having to be in turbo mode while the game. As the processor is lower than the minimum requirements of Sims 3. Which is 2.4ghz.

My laptop even with a cooling mat, still gets pretty warm playing Sims 3 base game, due to it being a resource intense game.

We're happy to try to help.

MrsFlynn

[karlissa]

I haven't tried that yet.

I have had sudden lag with both old and new save files but I'll try out the tip you gave me. I'll reinstall the game right away.

[karlissa]

Thanks, it's not lagging anymore, I'm guessing it was the screen resolution but whatever it was I'm glad that the lag is now gone.

Maybe I'll get to reviving my stories after getting all my expansions back onto my computer.

[MrsFlynn]

I'm very happy to hear it's working for you!! Thanks for letting us know.

MrsFlynn