Hi everyone. I recently upgraded to a Lenovo y500 (specs below), hoping to be able to play Sims 3 a little smoother. My game runs smooth on the highest settings, but I'm still having problems with ridiculous loading times (like over an hour).

I have replaced the original 16gb cache mSATA with a 128gb mSATA, which now has my OS and applications on it. The documents folder, where my Sims 3 content is stored, is still on the 5400 rpm 1tb HDD. I have tons of CC, so moving that folder to my mSATA is not an option due to space limitations.

I'm wondering if replacing the HDD with a 7200rpm HDD, or even a SSHD would make a difference with game loading times, since it seems to get hung up on accessing the CC. I'd rather not replace it with an SSD because of cost and storage needs.

Do you think replacing the HDD will make enough of a difference in loading times to justify the expense? And if so, what would be the best way to go? My budget is $100 for a 1tb HDD.

Processor- 3rd Generation Intel Core i7-3630QM Processor (2.40GHz 1600MHz 6MB)
Operating system- Windows 8 64
Graphics- NVIDIA GeForce GT750M GDDR5 2GB
Memory- 8.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
Hard Drive- 1TB 5400 RPM and 128GB SSD

ETA- So I'm researching faster options for hard drives and I found a 7200rpm 750gb SSHD with a 32gb cache that I like because of the speed, but not the size. My other option is a 1tb SSHD, only 5400rpm but has 64gb cache, so size is good but not speed. So either one will be a compromise.

Now I'm learning that I could just go with a 7200rpm HDD since I already have an SSD, which makes the SSHD pointless, and the faster HDD may better fit my needs than the 5200rpm SSHD anyway. This is all provided upgrading my HDD will improve my load times.

Sorry f this is getting confusing. My options are:

1. 750gb SSHD, 7200rpm, 6gb/s, 32gb cache
2. 1tb SSHD, 5200rpm, 6gb/s, 64gb cache
3. 1tb HDD, 7200rpm, 6gb/s, 64gb cache

"Do you think replacing the HDD will make enough of a difference in loading times to justify the expense? "

No. I don't think so. You won't cut enough of a chunk out of that one hour load time by going to 7200 rpm from 5400rpm to justify the cost. I would say you're better off moving your My Documents and CC to the SSD you already have... if you can :P

Upgrade to SSD that is all.
I have Sims 3 with all expansions.
When playing "normal" household my HDD 7200rpm load 1min.
SSD load just 30 secs.
When Playing very large lot (64x64) with tons of furniture (maybe 2000+) HDD load 3mins. SSD 1min.

My SSD is Plextor M5Pro Extreme 128GB (153 $ in my country). If you want to save some moneys goes for M5S (115 $ in my country).

Hope this help

I've noticed little to no difference in loading times in Sims 3 with my SSD. It benefits much more from a fast CPU and decent video card, which you have. Nothing can really get you better performance right now.