Do I have a memory leak?

[CorruptedBride]

Ok, So I'm not sure if this is supposed to go here, but I just can't solve this issue.

I've been playing Sims since last year sometime and haven't experienced any problems.
Yet, I started playing again this month and I keep getting a message from my computer saying it's running low on memory and needs to close The Sims 3.
(This happens after about 2 hours of Game play, unless in Cas allot then it happens very quickly, yet turning off reflections does not help).

It doesn't crash/force close the game or even freeze it, but the message worries me. I've checked the amount of memory Sims is using when this message pops up and its about 1.6GB. This doesn't make any sense considering I have 6GB of Ram. I've checked the task manager while Sims is running and there is no way near that amount being used. Nothing in the background that shouldn't be either.

Also, I have every expansion installed.

I'm wondering if this is caused by the latest patch?
Another change I made was to use CC Magic to keep my mods clean.
I've always used Mods and have never had a problem with any of them.




Is anyone else having this issue?
Or does anyone know what I can do to fix it.
I'm getting tired of having to exit my game and reboot every few hours.
If I wasn't clear on anything please just ask and I'll try to clarify what I meant.


system Specs:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/19/2014, 03:14:19
Machine name: HARRYPOTTER
Operating System: Windows 8.1 64-bit (6.3, Build 9600) (9600.winblue_gdr.131030-1505)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Pavilion g6 Notebook PC
BIOS: F.25
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3210M CPU @ 2.50GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6036MB RAM
Page File: 2390MB used, 10301MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.03.9600.16384 64bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Type: Full Device
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0166&SUBSYS_183F103C&REV_09
Display Memory: 1792 MB
Dedicated Memory: 32 MB
Shared Memory: 1760 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: LGD034D
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (60.068Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: igdumdim64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igdumdim32,igd10iumd32,igd10iumd32
Driver File Version: 10.18.0010.3379 (English)
Driver Version: 10.18.10.3379
DDI Version: 11
Feature Levels: 11.0,10.1,10.0,9.3,9.2,9.1
Driver Model: WDDM 1.3
Graphics Preemption: DMA
Compute Preemption: Thread group
Miracast: Not Supported by WiFi driver
Hybrid Graphics GPU: Integrated
Power P-states: Not Supported
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/21/2013 00:02:46, 10591744 bytes


-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers / HP (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76D9&SUBSYS_103C183F&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.6425.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 1/19/2014 12:07:09, 542208 bytes

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 465.6 GB
Total Space: 932.1 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HTS541010A9E680

Drive: C:
Free Space: 465.6 GB
Total Space: 932.1 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HTS541010A9E680

[Flynn Arrowstarr]

Hi, CorruptedBride.

Sims 3 is a very memory and graphics intensive program. The more memory your system has, and the better graphics system it has, the better the game will run. This is especially true the more expansions/stuff packs/store content you install with it. The Intel HD 4000 chip can run The Sims 3 on about medium settings, but if you're still having problems, you can try turning on Object Hiding and/or disabling Advanced Rendering. Note, turning off Advanced Rendering can greatly improve the game's performance by disabling a number of texture effects, such as grass detail and terrain paints.

Hope this helps and happy Simming!

Flynn

[CorruptedBride]

Hello, thank you for your response.
I've already tried all the following and I still get the same message.
Thankfully it takes a good while for the message to come up so I've decided it's best to just reboot every now and then when playing for long periods of time. After talking to a few people about the issue it seems to be all I can do.

However, seeming as it didn't happen before I was wondering could re-installing and repatching possibly help?

[MrsFlynn]

Hi CorruptedBride,

We're not entirely sure a uninstall/reinstall would help the low memory message from coming back. As what it sounds like it's more of a problem of playing for long periods of time, and not saving often.

Playing for long periods of time (2+ hours or more)  without saving will cause lag and freezing too and may cause save/memory errors. So save often. I try to save at least every hour. This helps refresh the computer's memory. It will also help you to be sure not to loose game progress. I also like to restart my computer every couple of hours when I'm playing Sims 3, to give it a bit of a break.

Using Save As every now and again and saving as nameofgame-1, nameofgame-2, etc. may help to lessen the chances of getting save/memory errors.

While the game worked fine before, over time the game sometimes become unstable and you may experience more glitches or problems than normal.

Here's something I found that might help.

Preventing low memory problems
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/preventing-low-memory-problems#1TC=windows-7

Just out of curiosity, have you tried creating a new game to see if that might help? If it does, it might be due to your older save-game getting to large.

Hope this helps,

MrsFlynn

[CorruptedBride]

Hello, thank you for the information.
I use the Saver mod so I do save frequently.
I've completely cleared my game out and I'm starting from scratch.
Organized my cc better and merged them in to less files.

I did in fact do a complete reinstall as it was just allot more simple than going through everything.
I will test out the game today and give an update on how it's running.

[LivvieLove]

I'm not entirely sure if this would work for you, and I might want Mr. and Mrs. Flynn to double check me on this because I'm not sure if this would help in your situation, but when low memory comes into play I usually recommend GameBooster or Large Address Aware. I'm currently using Large Address Aware, but the setup is a lot more complicated than that of GameBooster.
I would say Game Booster is a great program to launch the Sims with. It turns off all unnecessary background program to give your game a little more memory to use while you play. That would be one of my recommendations for this.
Cutting down on CC and mods will help a little, but really it seems to me that you're pushing your luck for your memory with the Sims. The thing with games is that they always say "must have X amount of memory to run nicely" and you'll look at your computer and go, Oh! My computer has 6 gigs of Ram! I'll be fine! But if the game requires 6 (not that any game would ever require that much on it's own, the Sims requires 4-6 depending on your expansion packs and what you run with them) and you only have 6, the game will not get the full amount it needs. Your operating system along with other things on your computer require the same memory to run and will take away 1-2 gigs just for that purpose (though 2 would be a lot, it just depends on the computer) so you'll technically only have 4 to use with your game.
Obviously Lowering settings and saving often will help combat the low memory issue, but there is no real "fix" for it asides from adding more memory or getting a graphics card with dedicated memory could help too.
Anywho, before you run off and download GameBooster, I would like someone to double check me and see if that actually would help, because I don't want to just tell you it will work and have it not work. So, hopefully this helps! Let us know how the game is doing!