CPU usage suddenly really high

[annoellyn]

Hey,

wondering if anyone knows how to fix this particular issue. All of the sudden my sims 3 game is using up a TON of cpu and is freezing (says it's using 980,000 for memory and it's never been anywhere NEAR that before. This has never happened and I can't seem to fix it; I've restarted the game, the computer, canceled all windows updates, canceled all needless background programs, restarted everything again, checked the cache files. I just got this laptop four months ago and have had no problems, haven't installed any custom content recently or any ep's or stuff packs. Geez, the game decided it hates me.

Hoping someone can help me out since i am out of ideas.

Annie

[annoellyn]

Ugh, I just realized I posted this is the wrong section. Yay for stupidity.

Annie

[simsample]

General - Post System Specs
We need more information before we can help with your issue.
Please post a Quick summary of your System Specs
Instructions on finding them are here: Game Help:System Specs.
Please Do NOT post your complete DxDiag report in your thread.


I moved it for you. :)

Please post your system specs for us.

[annoellyn]

Thanks so much and really sorry about that; I'm sure it sucks moving people's threads around. Here's all the info, hope someone has ideas, lol.



System Information < starts from >
------------------ < here >

* Time of this report: <7/26/2012, 08:06:53 >
Machine name: MERCEDES-HP
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120503-2030)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook PC
BIOS: InsydeH2O Version CCB.03.61.09F.17
Processor: AMD A8-3520M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics (4 CPUs), ~1.6GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 5610MB RAM
Page File: 1665MB used, 9552MB 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: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices: Card name: AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6620G
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x9641)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9641&SUBSYS_1860103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 4044 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1495 MB
Shared Memory: 2548 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: AUO22EC
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (60.042Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1099 (English)
Driver Version: 8.900.7.1000
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/28/2011 20:15:26, 867328 bytes>

-------------
Sound Devices Description: Speakers and Headphones (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_7605&SUBSYS_103C3590&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.6345.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 6/2/2011 07:11:26, 528384 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: IDT
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

Description: Communications Headphones (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_7605&SUBSYS_103C3590&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.6345.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 6/2/2011 07:11:26, 528384 bytes>

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
Drive: C:
Free Space: 508.8 GB
Total Space: 681.7 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HTS547575A9E384 SATA Disk Device

Drive: D:
Free Space: 3.1 GB
Total Space: 29.4 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HTS547575A9E384 SATA Disk Device

Drive: E:
Free Space: 1.1 GB
Total Space: 4.1 GB
File System: FAT32
Model: Hitachi HTS547575A9E384 SATA Disk Device

Drive: F:
Model: hp DVD RW AD-7740H SATA CdRom Device

[ellacharmed]

What does Task Manager show as using up all the processing power?

And I'm thinking Sims 3 is seeing the "AMD A8-3520M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics (4 CPUs), ~1.6GHz" as a weak system. And it totally does not help your case that with a weak CPU, you have an Onboard Graphics and not a dedicated discrete graphics card. So the system cannot cope with both the intensive CPU-crunching and Graphics-intensive stuff it needs to do. Game Help:Onboard Graphics

Prolong gaming on a weak system may shorten its life-span. Game Help:Your Computer is Like a Car

[annoellyn]

Well, that frickin sucks since I specifically asked which laptop would be good for running sims and they assured this one was perfect.

When the game freezes, I tab out and go into task manager and the CPU usage percent is insanely high.

So basically, I have to get a new computer or a separate graphics card ... ugh. I'll try lowering the graphics settings in-game and see what that does, if anything.

Annie

[ellacharmed]

Erm, who did you ask? The Sales people from the store where you buy it from? Do they even play Sims?

"go into task manager and the CPU usage percent is insanely high"
Yes, so what process is causing the high CPU usage?

[annoellyn]

Yeah, I asked the sales guys. It would appear they don't play sims, but I suppose they weren't the best people to ask; they probably just wanted to sell me a laptop. I assumed it's sims 3 causing high cpu usage since it's only when the game is running that it spikes. Plus, the memory is over 100,000 while everything is below 10.000.

Anyway, I bought a new laptop with a nvidea graphics card.

Annie

[ellacharmed]

One that fits the Sims' requirements, I hope. ;)
Well, if things are resolved since you have a new machine, locking.