Gameplay : how do you choose which expansion to use on a save?

I use them all, plus all the Stuff Packs, and a lot of store content. I'm fortunate that my computer runs them well. The biggest challenge for me is running NRaas StoryProgression and a host of other mods. It also depends a great deal on the world I play in, the resident population, size of my household, etc.

"Hejix;d-952922" wrote:
I have all the expansions, but the game is "challenged" when I use them all.

If you are referring to a comment in the Launcher about running too many EPs, you can disregard that. Everyone gets that message. We each have to judge for ourselves how many EPs our computers can run at once.

I play with 10 EP’s and if I remember right four SP’s along with about 3/4 of the Store and of course the requisite CC that I need for my gameplay desires :p

But all that’s about to change because I ordered me a new laptop that can hopefully play all 11 EP’s on ultra settings and I can finally have pets in my game that wouldn’t scare small children :D

My desktop is a bit overkill for simming so it can handle all packs. I don't play with all of my store content installed anymore. I just install stuff as I need it instead. Same goes for my collection of CC & mods. Not because of performance but because it's a lot easier to find things.

Right now I'm only playing with 7 EPs & 6 SPs because of a challenge. I'll admit I'm spoiled having maxed/ultra graphic settings. The only thing lowered is High Detail Lots so the game doesn't have to render all of the surrounding lots.

"Hejix;c-16875800" wrote:
I guess it's more an old habit of mine to play with limited expansions. Back in the Sims 1, I remember watching my sim in Hot Date spending 15 minutes paying money to the cashier. It was sloooooow. I get angry at Sims 4 to not let me pick the expansions I want.

Theres a way to disable packs with the Origin client. Guide here: http://simscommunity.info/2017/03/22/the-sims-4-how-to-disable-packs/

On the EPs, it's All Eleven All the Time, Baby! (I should really get this on a tee shirt, but likely no one but me would ever know what it means...) Besides enjoying having all of them always available, on a Steam install there are no convenient ways to suppress any of them once they are installed. But yes, one's system does need to be strong enough to be up to the task.

How to maintain smooth gameplay involves a lot of different things and will differ greatly according to system strength and play style. But perhaps this page helps?
https://www.nraas.net/community/TIPS-FOR-BETTER-GAME-PERFORMANCE
(newly updated and reformatted for easier reading)

I got a new computer, I thought the game couldn't run with all the expansions. With my old computer, it took 15 minutes to open and it often crashed, it was ridiculous. And top graphics are important for me, I am a screenshot addict. Oh well, I'll give it a try then. ;) Do you all run your game with top graphics?

"Hejix;c-16875486" wrote:
Do you all run your game with top graphics?

No. I keep Tree Detail and Waters & Mirrors to the 2nd highest setting. I don't see enough difference between the 2 top settings with Mirrors & Water to keep it maxed. I also keep high detail lots at the lowest setting I can stomach.

Agreed on Water & Mirrors and High Detail Lots, those two can be huge performance drains. As for the quality on sims and objects, for me that varies as to which world I am playing and how stressful its population is to the game engine; that's not very scientific or anything, but some of my worlds/households run much heavier than others. Most of the other settings I have on high or pretty high.

But my simming computer is seven years old now. It was suitable but mid-range (by TS3 standards) to begin with. It's never going to run like a more recent top of the line system and my graphics card is again suitable for TS3 but not what I would call high-end.

@Hejix - What kind of specs (processor, RAM, graphics card) does this new computer of yours have? Even if just off the assembly line yesterday, some systems are just not designed to handle the heavier EPs well, some will not do well with the game at all, others of course can take on a much heavier load.

I use all my expansions and all my stuff packs at once.

I play from disks which allows me to have all expansions and store content loaded all of the time. As a builder I would find being restricted to a couple of expansions would be both limiting and frustrating.

There are plenty of mods to help with smooth gameplay but I would start with the basics. Does your computer have sufficient specs and a decent enough graphics card to cope with more than one expansion pack at a time ? Bearing in mind TS3 is now an old programme it might also be worth looking at your graphics settings. Both W8 and W10 computers may need some graphic setting adjustment to reduce both rendering and stuttering.

I would also recommend backing up your game regularly against the day when the computer challenges you and then says no.

I’ve got them all installed as well, without issues fortunately. I have played them all from their release date though, so one by one in chronological order.