Tips on improving Sims performance?

[labellavienna]

Hello, I've recently taken a long hiatus from the Sims and recently with a purchase of a brand new computer, I decided to take it out for a test run. =]

However even with a new computer my game still sometimes "stutter" and lags a bit. I am aware that the sims do not always have the most reliable coding, I was wondering if there are tips and tricks on how to improve the sims 2 performance without taking too big of a hit on graphics? These are my specs:

AMD FX 8120 Black Edition
3.1GHz Octa-Core [8-Core] AM3+
16MB Cache

8GB DDR3 1600MHz memory

AMD ATI Radeon HD 6850
1GB GDDR5 memory
DirectX 11

500GB Hard Drive



One trick that has helped me boost my performance was the "affinity" thing, where I was able to untick all 8 of my processors...that helped a bit.

[GEGNER]

I'm not sure of the most specific things, but remember that smaller lots and fewer sims have less lag. Also, sims with less memories and relationships.

[punkrockgoth1988]

Seeing as TS2 isn't programmed to take advantage of multicore processors, you aren't going to see any improvement by allowing your computer to tell it to use more than one. Your best bet is to lock it to a single core while it is loading. You might also see improvement by playing in windowed mode, which is easy to get to. Just type in -w after the target I do believe is the way to do it. It is one of those things that make it easier to multitask. The game likes to take a while to load if you go in and out of full screen. I am one of those Simmers who like to have a million things going on at once.

As for your video card, really you would think a top of the line card would have no problem playing a game from 2004 but you would be surprised. As new technology comes old tech fades out of the spotlight and it could very well be that you wound up buying a system that is too new for the game. Sim City 4 has a similar issue with newer video cards but I know for a fact that the issue it has is fixable if I were to try my hand at fussing with certain files.

Man I wish I had your system! Although from what I understood, at launch, those 8 core FX processors weren't much better than the 6core Phenom II's. Then again, every bit of testing I've found online has always been biased.

[Mootilda]

Avoid running other programs while you're running the game. Close unnecessary processes.

Turn down your graphics options. Check the poly counts on your CC.

[labellavienna]

This was what I was thinking!! I am playing skyrim and COD on max settings and nothing is wrong with it, The sims however...still stutters like on my old computer...in fact i think my old computer runs better than this one currently. =[

I did try the "affinity" trick where you log out while its loading and turn off all processors except one.

[Liv Lukas]

Using DEP and allocating your .exe to use all that ram should stop the stuttering. You need to instruct the game to use all the computer power you have: First post there, tells you how. It's not hard: http://www.digitalperversion.net/gardenofshadows/index.php?topic=21931

Those tips improved my game performance immensely.

[Saturnfly]

The sims I think will lag or stutter on most computers, especially the more you play it.

I usually just play with settings all set to low (minus lighting).

If you're playing with the edge smoothing option thing on, that can cause painful lag as well.

Smaller lots and fewer sims will help, although my computer (which has integrated graphics) can play a 3x3 lot with a two story house on foundation with 7 sims and it does lag, but it's a smoother lag rather than the horrible lag (lol?).

Fences also can cause major lag, so try and avoid using too much fencing.

Pets also count as individual sims, lag-wise.

[Amairani]

...in fact i think my old computer runs better than this one currently. =[



This is what I observe too, my new and more powerful PC runs Sims 2 worse than old one where I had no problems whatsoever except playing very big lots. Interesting that downgrading the graphic options in-game causes the game graphics to shatter even more frequently.


Will check that link from GOS now...

[kjd73170]

The Radeon driver has a lot to do with performance on older games. Make sure the driver for your card, the OS, patches to the game and EP's are all up to date. (more often than not this will help) Also please check for drive health issues (defrag and run a chkdsk/r). If you're running a 7200 RPM drive this should not take long.

One question is this a fresh install on this PC or a migration from an older one?

[labellavienna]

This is a migration...since i transferred my "My Documents" over from my old computer via external hard drive.