Can I run the game smoothly?
Okay, I’m sorry in advance for these really stupid questions, but: I recently got a new computer that’s specifically for gaming. My old computer ran Sims 4 fine, but it lagged a bit. And I could ne...
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These aren't stupid questions at all, especially when you have such a nice new system that you'd like to last for a while. It's always better to ask for a second or third opinion, even if you're reasonably sure of the answers. Speaking of which:
The hardware you listed should be able to run TS3 (all packs included, plus plenty of cc) as well as any system out there, with the usual caveat that having water and high detail lots maxed out takes more resources than the game engine itself can spare. (I keep those at "mirrors only" and 2, respectively.) All the other settings can be maxed out.
Having 20 GB of cc is going to make CAS and Build/Buy load slowly on any system, just because of how TS3 is programmed. If you have different collections for different saves, you might consider keeping those saves and their particular cc in separate game folders, just so the game doesn't have to load everything on each trip to CAS. Swapping out game folders is as easy as renaming them or dragging and dropping.
Having TS3 and TS4 installed at the same time doesn't affect how either game runs as long as you have enough free storage on the drive(s) where they and Windows are installed. 140 GB is far more than you need to keep free; you'd be fine with 40.
Some of the reasons TS3 can lag have nothing to do with hardware. For example, playing in an overly complicated world (too large, too heavily populated, too many objects) can do it, as can playing in an unfixed Isla Paradiso or another world that's poorly made. The solution is to fix broken worlds—here's an example of a fixed IP—and to avoid the ones that can't be run properly.
Bad custom content can also cause lag, for example when sims try to change into outfits that contain it. Just be careful what you download: read up on it first, ask others if they've used it, or test it out in a clean folder.
There are other aspects of the game that will cause lag if not controlled. Since you use cc, you might like to add a few NRaas mods as well. The usual collection to improve game performance is ErrorTrap, Overwatch, MasterController, Traveler, Register, and Traffic, although others are great for the elements they add to gameplay. If you're not familiar, they, and an active set of discussion boards, can be found here:
https://www.nraas.net/community/home
(You can also ask about NRaas mods on this forum—a lot of players here have been using them for years.)
Finally, and most importantly of all, you'll want to manually limit fps while you play. Aside from helping to prevent graphics glitches and delays in rendering, it's necessary for the health of your card. An Nvidia 1660 ti will generate framerates into the hundreds if not capped and work itself unnecessarily hard for no reason.
TS3's own fps limiter is useless, so you'll need a third-party app. For Nvidia cards, the usual first tool to try is the built-in Control Panel. But it doesn't always work, and it never works in windowed mode, so Nvidia Inspector (free download) is the next step. Here's an explanation for how to set up each tool:
https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/16540301/#Comment_16540301
RivaTuner Statistics Server also works, in fullscreen or windowed mode, although unlike the others, it does have to be running while you play. In any case, you can see how the fps limiter is doing by bringing up the cheats console (crtl-shift-C) and entering "fps on" without quotes. A number will appear in the upper right corner of your screen, and it should never go above the refresh rate of your screen. ("fps off" makes it go away.)
It should be noted that if you try to run RTSS or MSI Afterburner alongside TS4, the game may crash while loading. Just turn it off while you play that game, and back on for TS3.
And of course more questions are always fine, and never stupid.
The hardware you listed should be able to run TS3 (all packs included, plus plenty of cc) as well as any system out there, with the usual caveat that having water and high detail lots maxed out takes more resources than the game engine itself can spare. (I keep those at "mirrors only" and 2, respectively.) All the other settings can be maxed out.
Having 20 GB of cc is going to make CAS and Build/Buy load slowly on any system, just because of how TS3 is programmed. If you have different collections for different saves, you might consider keeping those saves and their particular cc in separate game folders, just so the game doesn't have to load everything on each trip to CAS. Swapping out game folders is as easy as renaming them or dragging and dropping.
Having TS3 and TS4 installed at the same time doesn't affect how either game runs as long as you have enough free storage on the drive(s) where they and Windows are installed. 140 GB is far more than you need to keep free; you'd be fine with 40.
Some of the reasons TS3 can lag have nothing to do with hardware. For example, playing in an overly complicated world (too large, too heavily populated, too many objects) can do it, as can playing in an unfixed Isla Paradiso or another world that's poorly made. The solution is to fix broken worlds—here's an example of a fixed IP—and to avoid the ones that can't be run properly.
Bad custom content can also cause lag, for example when sims try to change into outfits that contain it. Just be careful what you download: read up on it first, ask others if they've used it, or test it out in a clean folder.
There are other aspects of the game that will cause lag if not controlled. Since you use cc, you might like to add a few NRaas mods as well. The usual collection to improve game performance is ErrorTrap, Overwatch, MasterController, Traveler, Register, and Traffic, although others are great for the elements they add to gameplay. If you're not familiar, they, and an active set of discussion boards, can be found here:
https://www.nraas.net/community/home
(You can also ask about NRaas mods on this forum—a lot of players here have been using them for years.)
Finally, and most importantly of all, you'll want to manually limit fps while you play. Aside from helping to prevent graphics glitches and delays in rendering, it's necessary for the health of your card. An Nvidia 1660 ti will generate framerates into the hundreds if not capped and work itself unnecessarily hard for no reason.
TS3's own fps limiter is useless, so you'll need a third-party app. For Nvidia cards, the usual first tool to try is the built-in Control Panel. But it doesn't always work, and it never works in windowed mode, so Nvidia Inspector (free download) is the next step. Here's an explanation for how to set up each tool:
https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/16540301/#Comment_16540301
RivaTuner Statistics Server also works, in fullscreen or windowed mode, although unlike the others, it does have to be running while you play. In any case, you can see how the fps limiter is doing by bringing up the cheats console (crtl-shift-C) and entering "fps on" without quotes. A number will appear in the upper right corner of your screen, and it should never go above the refresh rate of your screen. ("fps off" makes it go away.)
It should be noted that if you try to run RTSS or MSI Afterburner alongside TS4, the game may crash while loading. Just turn it off while you play that game, and back on for TS3.
And of course more questions are always fine, and never stupid.
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