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Field Researcher
Original Poster
#1 Old 10th Feb 2018 at 4:13 AM

This user has the following games installed:

Sims 3, World Adventures, Ambitions, Late Night, Generations, Pets, Showtime, Supernatural, Seasons, University Life, Island Paradise, Into the Future
Default Game won't recognize my graphics card
I've gone through the steps here and added my graphics card to the GraphicsCards.sgr file. I listed it as card 0x11e0 "GeForce GTX 770" and saved it. I'm not entirely sure that I did it correctly in the GraphicsRules.sgr file. Either way, my DeviceConfig still shows me running the Intel card. I've adjusted my Nvidia control panel to use TS3 when playing the game, but it doesn't seem to have worked (even though the little Nvidia icon lights up when I'm playing). Any advice? I know this has come up before but I have really tried to work this out on my own and I'm getting nowhere.

Also, while trying to research this problem, I've seen people mentioning a FPS limiter. Do I need something like that and why/why not?


DeviceConfig:


Here is my DxDiag if it helps:
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Instructor
#2 Old 10th Feb 2018 at 7:05 AM
Quote: Originally posted by luvalphvle
I listed it as card 0x11e0 "GeForce GTX 770" and saved it. I'm not entirely sure that I did it correctly in the GraphicsRules.sgr file. Either way, my DeviceConfig still shows me running the Intel card. I've adjusted my Nvidia control panel to use TS3 when playing the game, but it doesn't seem to have worked (even though the little Nvidia icon lights up when I'm playing). Any advice? I know this has come up before but I have really tried to work this out on my own and I'm getting nowhere.

Also, while trying to research this problem, I've seen people mentioning a FPS limiter. Do I need something like that and why/why not?


Hi, here's what I can gather from what you've described above;

1. What you have is dual switchable graphics laptop, you have Intel HD 4600 as your primary gpu and Nvidia GTX770M as your secondary gpu,
2. For TS3, you need to have both gpus recognized by your Win 8.1 in your Device Manager, it will switch automatically when TS3 is launched (when both are recognized by your OS)
3. For TS3 to recognizes your GTX770M, you need to replace one that already listed in GraphicsCards.sgr with your 4 digits device ID, not by adding it. For your GTX770M, place your "11e0" 4 digits device ID replacing >> card 0x06cd "GeForce GTX 470" >> card 0x11e0 "GeForce GTX 470"
4. You only need to edit GraphicsRules.sgr when you have 32MB Texture Override in your DeviceConfig. *
5. Yes you need FPS Limiter or run Nvidia Inspector to cap your FPS while playing TS3 because it may damage your GTX770M. *

* go here for more details
Field Researcher
Original Poster
#3 Old 10th Feb 2018 at 3:28 PM Last edited by luvalphvle : 10th Feb 2018 at 3:50 PM.
Thank you so much for the fast reply!

I downloaded Nvidia Inspector. Do I just have to open it when I play TS3 or do I have to do anything special? I set it to The Sims 3 settings and applied already.

I pasted 11e0 onto an existing line and my DeviceConfig is still reading Intel.


=== Application info ===
Name: Sims3
Version:
Build: Release
=== Rating info ===
GPU: 2 GPU Memory: 1 CPU: 3 RAM: 4 CPU Speed: 2394 Threading: 3
Adjusted CPU: 2792 RAM: 16272 Adjusted RAM: 15760 Cores: 4
=== Machine info ===
OS version: Windows 8 6.2.9200
OS prod type: 0
OS major ver: 6
OS minor ver: 2
OS SP major ver: 0
OS SP minor ver: 0
OS is 64Bit: 1
CPU: GenuineIntel
Brand: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4700MQ CPU @ 2.40GHz
Family: 6
Model: 12
Cores: 4
HT: 1
x64: 0
Memory: 16272MB
Free memory: 12235MB
User: Megan
Computer: MEGANLAPTOP
=== Graphics device info ===
Number: 0
Name (driver): Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
Name (database): Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600 [Found: 0, Matched: 1]
Vendor: Intel
Chipset: Vendor: 8086, Device: 0416, Board: 10e81462, Chipset: 0006
Driver: nvumdshim.dll, Version: 21.21.13.7254, GUID: D7B78E66-4756-11CF-846B-E530BCC2D835
Driver version: 7254
Monitor: \\.\DISPLAY1
Texture memory: 32MB <<OVERRIDE>>
Vertex program: 3.0
Pixel program: 3.0
Hardware TnL: 1
=== Options ===
AnimationSmoothing 1
LightingQuality 2
GeneralReflections 2
TextureQuality 3
VisualEffects 3
TerrainQuality 1
EdgeSmoothing 1
ObjectHiding 1
AspectRatio 0
ForceSquarePixels 1
SimQuality 3
TreeQuality 3
DrawDistance 2
MaxActiveLots 2
NumMaxActiveLotOptions 6
AdvancedRendering 1
AudioQuality 3
AudioOutputMode 1
VoiceLevel 255
SoundFXLevel 255
MusicLevel 255
AmbientLevel 255
FocusMute 1
VoiceMute 0
SoundFXMute 0
MusicMute 0
AmbientMute 0
EdgeScrolling 0
EdgeScrollingWarning 1
SupressOpportunityDialogs 0
SuppressOpportunityDialogsWarningProducts 2097151
SimWhileMinimized 0
TwelveHourClock 1
ShowPlacementGrid 0
AutonomyLevel 2
DisableAutonomyForSelectedSim 0
PetAutonomyLevel 2
AgingInterval 2
EnableAging 1
EnableTutorial 1
EnableIntroTutorial 1
EnableTombResets 1
EnableInGameStore 1
EnableTelemetry 0
EnableMemories 3
AgingStageLengthBaby 3
AgingStageLengthToddler 7
AgingStageLengthChild 7
AgingStageLengthTeen 14
AgingStageLengthYoungAdult 21
AgingStageLengthAdult 21
AgingStageLengthElder 17
EnableInteractiveLoading 1
AgingStageLengthPuppy 0
AgingStageLengthDogAdult 0
AgingStageLengthDogElder 0
AgingStageLengthKitten 0
AgingStageLengthCatAdult 0
AgingStageLengthCatElder 0
AgingStageLengthFoal 0
AgingStageLengthHorseAdult 0
AgingStageLengthHorseElder 0
LunarCycleLength 3
LunarPhaseLength 0
EnableLunarCycle 1
EnableLunarPhase 0
EnableStoryProgression 1
EnableVampires 1
EnableWerewolves 1
EnablePets 1
EnableCelebrities 1
EnableFairies 1
EnableWitches 1
EnableHorses 1
EnableOptOutCeleb 0
ReceiveConnectTNS 1
ReceivedDevGift 0
PostFilterFlags 0
RequireLoginBeforeLoad 0
SummerLength 7
FallLength 7
WinterLength 7
SpringLength 7
SummerEnabled 1
FallEnabled 1
WinterEnabled 1
SpringEnabled 1
IsCelcius 0
FogEnabled 1
RainEnabled 1
SnowEnabled 1
HailEnabled 1
InvertHorizontalRotation 0
InvertVerticalRotation 0
VideoCaptureSize 1
VideoCaptureQuality 2
VideoCaptureSound 0
VideoCaptureTime 60
VideoCaptureHideUI 1
=== Default Options ===
AnimationSmoothing 1
LightingQuality 1
GeneralReflections 1
TextureQuality 1
VisualEffects 2
TerrainQuality 1
EdgeSmoothing 0
ObjectHiding 1
AspectRatio 0
ForceSquarePixels 1
SimQuality 1
TreeQuality 2
DrawDistance 2
MaxActiveLots 1
NumMaxActiveLotOptions 6
AdvancedRendering 1
AudioQuality 3
AudioOutputMode 1
VoiceLevel 255
SoundFXLevel 255
MusicLevel 255
AmbientLevel 255
FocusMute 1
VoiceMute 0
SoundFXMute 0
MusicMute 0
AmbientMute 0
EdgeScrolling 0
EdgeScrollingWarning 1
SupressOpportunityDialogs 0
SuppressOpportunityDialogsWarningProducts 0
SimWhileMinimized 0
TwelveHourClock 1
ShowPlacementGrid 0
AutonomyLevel 2
DisableAutonomyForSelectedSim 0
PetAutonomyLevel 2
AgingInterval 2
EnableAging 1
EnableTutorial 1
EnableIntroTutorial 1
EnableTombResets 1
EnableInGameStore 1
EnableTelemetry 1
EnableMemories 1
AgingStageLengthBaby 3
AgingStageLengthToddler 7
AgingStageLengthChild 7
AgingStageLengthTeen 14
AgingStageLengthYoungAdult 21
AgingStageLengthAdult 21
AgingStageLengthElder 17
EnableInteractiveLoading 1
AgingStageLengthPuppy 0
AgingStageLengthDogAdult 0
AgingStageLengthDogElder 0
AgingStageLengthKitten 0
AgingStageLengthCatAdult 0
AgingStageLengthCatElder 0
AgingStageLengthFoal 0
AgingStageLengthHorseAdult 0
AgingStageLengthHorseElder 0
LunarCycleLength 3
LunarPhaseLength 0
EnableLunarCycle 1
EnableLunarPhase 0
EnableStoryProgression 1
EnableVampires 1
EnableWerewolves 1
EnablePets 1
EnableCelebrities 1
EnableFairies 1
EnableWitches 1
EnableHorses 1
EnableOptOutCeleb 0
ReceiveConnectTNS 1
ReceivedDevGift 0
PostFilterFlags 0
RequireLoginBeforeLoad 0
SummerLength 7
FallLength 7
WinterLength 7
SpringLength 7
SummerEnabled 1
FallEnabled 1
WinterEnabled 1
SpringEnabled 1
IsCelcius 0
FogEnabled 1
RainEnabled 1
SnowEnabled 1
HailEnabled 1
InvertHorizontalRotation 0
InvertVerticalRotation 0
VideoCaptureSize 1
VideoCaptureQuality 2
VideoCaptureSound 0
VideoCaptureTime 60
VideoCaptureHideUI 1
Instructor
#4 Old 10th Feb 2018 at 4:51 PM
Quote: Originally posted by luvalphvle
I pasted 11e0 onto an existing line and my DeviceConfig is still reading Intel.

....

User: Megan
Computer: MEGANLAPTOP
=== Graphics device info ===
Number: 0
Name (driver): Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
Name (database): Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600 [Found: 0, Matched: 1]
Vendor: Intel
Chipset: Vendor: 8086, Device: 0416, Board: 10e81462, Chipset: 0006
Driver: nvumdshim.dll, Version: 21.21.13.7254, GUID: D7B78E66-4756-11CF-846B-E530BCC2D835
Driver version: 7254
Monitor: \\.\DISPLAY1
Texture memory: 32MB <<OVERRIDE>>
Vertex program: 3.0
Pixel program: 3.0


Hi Megan..

We'll get to the Nvidia Inspector's thing later, but for now as I understand it from your DeviceConfig, your 4 digits device ID is 0416, which is Intel (Vendor 8086) HD 4600 (Device ID 0416).

This means from your last TS3 run, TS3 uses your Intel HD 4600 instead of your GTX770M (11e0), now since you already have added your 11e0 the 1st time around earlier, you'll need to remove that from the edited GraphicsCards.sgr, hopefully you already made backups for your GraphicsCards.sgr and GraphicsRules.sgr before you edit them in the 1st place, so you can just scrap them (located in your BG folder) and replace them with the unedited/original ones from your backups, otherwise you need to edit them first back to its original state.

Once you replaced them with the unedited ones, leave the unedited GraphicsRules.sgr alone for now, and just edit the GraphicsCards.sgr and replace the 06cd on >> card 0x06cd "GeForce GTX 470" >> with your 11e0 so it become like this >> card 0x11e0 "GeForce GTX 470"

Once that done, delete your DeviceConfig.log and Option.ini located in your TS3 Documents folder, and then run TS3 up to its main menu, go to TS3 graphics option tab and adjust your screen resolution and refresh rate to 60hz (or 50hz according to its specification). Once this done exit TS3 (don't run the game), go back to your TS3 Documents folder to check your new regenerated DeviceConfig.log

If your new DeviceConfig says now it's your 11e0 as GTX470 (means TS3 last run were using your GTX770M but with GTX470 profile), and there's no 32MB Texture Memory Override, then we can move on to set up your Nvidia Inspector for TS3.

But if your new DeviceConfig still says using your 0416 HD 4600, then there's more things you'll need to do to fix this, this may caused by your Windows OS doesn't recognizes your HD 4600; or doesn't have proper drivers for your Intel HD 4600; or using generic drivers from windows update because of upgrading to Win 10 1709 recently. If this is the case then the switching feature to switch to your GTX770M will not work for TS3, because you need to have both Intel HD 4600 and GTX770M recognized by your OS so the system will switch it whenever you launch your game.

PS: Please next time you post your DeviceConfig, just post the 1st 40 lines to make it short.
Field Researcher
Original Poster
#5 Old 10th Feb 2018 at 7:09 PM
I followed your instructions and it still says Intel. So now I need to see why my OS isn't recognizing my card?

=== Application info ===
Name: Sims3
Version:
Build: Release
=== Rating info ===
GPU: 2 GPU Memory: 1 CPU: 3 RAM: 4 CPU Speed: 2394 Threading: 3
Adjusted CPU: 2792 RAM: 16272 Adjusted RAM: 15760 Cores: 4
=== Machine info ===
OS version: Windows 8 6.2.9200
OS prod type: 0
OS major ver: 6
OS minor ver: 2
OS SP major ver: 0
OS SP minor ver: 0
OS is 64Bit: 1
CPU: GenuineIntel
Brand: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4700MQ CPU @ 2.40GHz
Family: 6
Model: 12
Cores: 4
HT: 1
x64: 0
Memory: 16272MB
Free memory: 11750MB
User: Megan
Computer: MEGANLAPTOP
=== Graphics device info ===
Number: 0
Name (driver): Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
Name (database): Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600 [Found: 0, Matched: 1]
Vendor: Intel
Chipset: Vendor: 8086, Device: 0416, Board: 10e81462, Chipset: 0006
Driver: nvumdshim.dll, Version: 21.21.13.7254, GUID: D7B78E66-4756-11CF-846B-E530BCC2D835
Driver version: 7254
Monitor: \\.\DISPLAY1
Texture memory: 32MB <<OVERRIDE>>
Vertex program: 3.0
Pixel program: 3.0
Hardware TnL: 1
Field Researcher
Original Poster
#6 Old 10th Feb 2018 at 7:20 PM
When I run the game, my Nvidia icon in the bottom right shows that I'm running it. What's the difference between that and the DeviceConfig?

Field Researcher
Original Poster
#8 Old 11th Feb 2018 at 2:09 AM
Okay, I downloaded the program. I really apologize for these photos but it was just easiest to use my phone.

https://imgur.com/a/ZJiL6
Instructor
#9 Old 11th Feb 2018 at 5:57 AM Last edited by PapaEmy : 11th Feb 2018 at 6:14 AM.
Quote: Originally posted by luvalphvle
I followed your instructions and it still says Intel. So now I need to see why my OS isn't recognizing my card?


Let's check your Device Manager >> Display Adapter, do you see them similar to this?



Yours should says Intel HD Graphics HD 4600 and Nvidia GeForce GTX770M if they are properly recognized by your OS.

And if they are already recognized by your OS, then you'll need to check your BIOS settings, find in its configuration menu similar like this;



Make sure, you have set "enabled" your Switchable Graphics option like in the 2nd picture.


Edited: After you enabled it in your BIOS, go to your TS3 Documents folder and delete DeviceConfig and Option.ini and then repeat the step to regenerate new DeviceConfig and Option.ini
Field Researcher
Original Poster
#11 Old 11th Feb 2018 at 5:14 PM
Quote: Originally posted by PapaEmy
Let's check your Device Manager >> Display Adapter, do you see them similar to this?



Yours should says Intel HD Graphics HD 4600 and Nvidia GeForce GTX770M if they are properly recognized by your OS.

And if they are already recognized by your OS, then you'll need to check your BIOS settings, find in its configuration menu similar like this;



Make sure, you have set "enabled" your Switchable Graphics option like in the 2nd picture.


Edited: After you enabled it in your BIOS, go to your TS3 Documents folder and delete DeviceConfig and Option.ini and then repeat the step to regenerate new DeviceConfig and Option.ini



Both my cards are listed in my Device Manager. How do I check my BIOS?
Instructor
#12 Old 11th Feb 2018 at 6:20 PM
Quote: Originally posted by luvalphvle
Both my cards are listed in my Device Manager. How do I check my BIOS?


This usually different from one brand to another, my ThinkPad is by pressing Enter key repeatedly until it beeps and then followed by pressing F1 key to enter the BIOS, yours depend on what brand your laptop is, some by pressing F1 or F2 repeatedly some by pressing F12 or Del repeatedly, just check at the very beginning when you power up your laptop, usually located at the bottom of your screen, there should be some writings telling how to enter the BIOS (some also written as entering "Setup" for entering the BIOS).

Once you're in your BIOS menu, just explore them one by one until you find the configurations menu for your dual switchable graphics.
Field Researcher
Original Poster
#13 Old 11th Feb 2018 at 7:55 PM
Quote: Originally posted by nitromon
No I meant, take a photo of the "sensors" tab... one for Intel HD and one for Nvidia, while the game is running. So we can see if the GPU is actually running.


Okay, here are my shots.



Field Researcher
Original Poster
#15 Old 12th Feb 2018 at 12:40 AM
So everything is supposedly working the way it should, why is my DeviceConfig still not showing Nvidia?
Instructor
#17 Old 12th Feb 2018 at 8:30 AM
Quote: Originally posted by nitromon
From previous experience, there were rare cases where a system runs the nvidia through the intel, in which case TS3 deviceconfig only picks up the intel. There's nothing that can be done about it to my knowledge. Maybe papaemy knows more and has a solution. But as the GPU-Z indicated, your Nvidia is running perfectly fine. It just the log is not printing correctly, but it shouldn't affect the gameplay. I mean, even the VRAM is working. That's fantastic


yeah I agreed that it's in fact the GTX770M that's running, and everything seems to be in its places as they should, the 2nd possibility why the DeviceConfig not showing the 11e0 might also because of something else like the Nvidia drivers package that currently installed, for example like the influence of additional Nvidia Experience or other Nvidia software that came from the Nvidia drivers package that made TS3 doesn't say 11e0 that being run.

I usually only installed the graphics drivers and physicX drivers by choosing custom or advance installation instead of default/standard installation, even when I tried with triple LCD monitors with my PC, it don't really matter if I add other than the graphics drivers and physicX with triple LCD monitor Nvidia (Display) Surround settings as it's controlled from the Nvidia Menu anyway.

So if the OP want to try to make the DeviceConfig says that the 11e0 is being used by TS3, maybe just try downloading the latest drivers from Nvidia.. but then just install the graphics drivers and physicX package, if the OP's setup is using HDMI connection then it also needs the Nvidia HD Audio option to be installed from the package, I'm currently on 388.00 drivers version and not using any of the Nvidia updates etc etc.
Field Researcher
Original Poster
#18 Old 12th Feb 2018 at 4:17 PM
Quote: Originally posted by nitromon
But there one thing you may want to consider, which is modifying the config file to increase your CPU rating. TS3 only detects your base frequency at 2.4GHz, and gave you a rating of 3. However, i7 usually turbos at 1 GHz higher, at 3.4 GHz. So you can actually change the rating up to a 4. This will affect the game by increasing sims on community lots, etc...

Simply edit graphicsrules.sgr and find: (at the top)

seti cpuLevelUber 4
seti cpuLevelHigh 3
seti cpuLevelMedium 2
seti cpuLevelLow 1

And change them all to 4.


Okay, done! Thanks for the tip.

So...great, I have a rare case. Of course.
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