Installing EP causes lag?

[sawadaWiz]

My vendor said yes, I can upgrade it if I bring my PC there. No additional upgrade is needed.

And, I have another question. I recently reinstalled all EP, but the game can't render shadows and lightings at all. It's simply very bland. I'm not sure what EP causes this, please enlighten me!

[Blackrosea]

I know lagging games can be very frustrating.

Here are some things that have helped me in the past with slow games

http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/technicalhelp/slowgame.php

Regarding when you uninstall the Sims EP, there are some EP that wont delete their registry keys, which are in hidden files on your computer, when you use the generic uninstall on your computer.  You have to manually delete these registry keys or it messes up your Sims 3 game sometimes. You can see more information on how to manually delete these hidden files here.

https://help.ea.com/article/manually-uninstalling-the-sims-3

I personally use a special program for Windows 7 I downloaded from a website to uninstall games, programs etc. This program automatically deletes all files in the registry key for that game or program you are uninstalling.

[sawadaWiz]

I never delete simcompositorcache or what it is called, because I think it's unsafe. But with someone has proven it, I'll try it, thanks!

[Blackrosea]

I never delete simcompositorcache or what it is called, because I think it's unsafe. But with someone has proven it, I'll try it, thanks!

I have deleted this file (compositorCache.package) and the others mentioned from time to time. It has not messed my game up. If you are nervous, I would suggest saving your Sims 3 file on your desktop or another area so you have a backup and can go back to it if needed.

[sawadaWiz]

It worked just fine, I also deleted another 3 cache files after seeing about deleting caches in another part in this forum. Sorry for asking again, is FPS indicate how good performance of my game?

[Blackrosea]

It worked just fine, I also deleted another 3 cache files after seeing about deleting caches in another part in this forum. Sorry for asking again, is FPS indicate how good performance of my game?

I am glad deleting the caches worked out ok. Regarding FPS, I am not as familiar with. I have read it helps if you monitor FPS so your video card isn't running to high.  They suggest setting your FPS to 60.  you can find some interesting information regarding this here

http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=10616.25

[Angélique]

I never delete simcompositorcache or what it is called, because I think it's unsafe. But with someone has proven it, I'll try it, thanks!

It's perfectly safe to delete that file, and the rest of the cache files in The Sims 3 folder under My documents. I do it routinely before starting the game, and the moderator also recommends to do so on the official forum in my country.

Sorry for asking again, is FPS indicate how good performance of my game?

Yes, that's right. You switch it on via the in game cheat console, type Fps on and press Enter. The fps (also known as frame rate) will show up in the top right corner of your screen. The faster and better graphics card you have, the higher fps you'll see. Mine used to vary between 200 and 300, and that's not good for your card. It can get overheated, and be damaged beyond repair. So now I have V-sync and Trippel buffer forced on via the NVidia control panel, and now it never goes above 60.

[sawadaWiz]

Setting the screen refresh rate to 60 can ensure that Fps won't get more than 60. But it makes my game can't render shadows and lightings anymore. By setting it to default, the game renders normally, with fps running between 200-400. Anyone with fps ~60 experiences this?

[Rinkils]

I heard that Seasons EP puts a lot of to the processor and VGA card with its weather.

There might be something to it. I have the Seasons installed since I installed the base game so I cannot compare with vanilla situation. But from the beginning, I have been constantly getting performance alerts. With a comp that´s being used for 11 months, with an Intel quad-core 3.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 64bit Win7 and medium graphic settings, I have peaks hitting 100% usage on all four cores, lasting for a second or so, while playing TS3 (or some other 32bit games). Out of five playing sessions I will get a performance alert four times. BUT - very playable. With vanilla + 4 EPs + 2 SPs still not laggy, but killing off the computer.
Putting more EPs did not affect the performance issue significantly, not for worse at least (interestingly, after I installed UL, average usage went a little little bit down, regardless of save). So it might be because of Seasons.
There´s however one exception regarding playability: snow. Snow just makes the game visibly choppier. It is kind of a relief when the winter is over.