Hi my name is Dre and I am having an issue with the Sims 3. Recently when I go to play my game in full screen mode, it does this uncontrollable flickering. I have already uninstalled and reinstalled the game but the issue still isn't fixed. Understand that I am operating on the lowest graphics possible so I don't think that's the issue. I had a similar issue with the Sims 4 where the screen would tear, but that was easily resolved by checking what I think was vertical rendering or something like that. There is no option to do that with Sims 3.Below is a video displaying the issue.https://youtu.be/49r2o5tyiJo

Hi,The feature you are referring to is called Vertical Sync, or V-Sync for short. Since TS3 has no in game option to enable V-Sync, it will need to be enabled via your video graphics driver control panel. Which graphics device are you using?

"andrevivey92;c-16396307" wrote:"Nichaedemus;c-16388369" wrote:Hi,The feature you are referring to is called Vertical Sync, or V-Sync for short. Since TS3 has no in game option to enable V-Sync, it will need to be enabled via your video graphics driver control panel. Which graphics device are you using?Thank you for your quick reply. My response is late because I have been busy.I don't know much about computers, but I am using Intel(R) HD Graphics 4400 and the driver version is 20.19.15.4835.Your video card is integrated with your processor. it's not designed to run 3d games like the sims. It's designed for light computer tasks. You won't have a Vsync option for intel cards .The sims 3 does not have vsync. How many and which ep's are you trying to run on the sims 3? Some ep's are more powerful than others and may be straining your video card. Screen tearing can happen when a video card can't render the game properly because the computer hardware is too weak for the game.

@andrevivey92 - Wiki has a nice chart put together by simmers which includes a large collection of graphics chips and graphics cards evaluated for the game by simmers' experiences. The large color coded chart might better help users to better understand what is going on with with the game when one has Intel integrated chip and not a graphics video card that meets the game specifications.Scroll down and search - Intel HD 4000 at this page. It doesn't name your chip specifically but from the chip numbers there, you can get an idea of the hardship your computer is having --- and how, by limiting your game a bit more to just a few expansions which are named on the chart, you might get better playability. It could also prevent the computer from burning out too quickly and becoming a brick. :| http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_System_RequirementsThe yellow areas of Maybes on the chart range quite a bit and it may seem surprising that it does, but this is because each component that makes up a computer's hardware contributes to the power of the overall system. So the parts you may have heard of such as the amount and type of RAM, the CPU's build and purpose (some are not built for gaming). all these and other parts supply functionality that helps complete the picture of a computer's ability to play the game.

Thanks @phoebebebe13 - While I already knew that, I neglected to make that important point in my earlier post. :/ Desktop Graphics Card Compatibility and Recommendations is after all the title of the page headers immediately above the chart. :smiley: The Intel 4400 is also used in desktops according to Intel, but as can be seen via the chips listed above and below its range, it already falls below the specifications for TS3 even with a better CPU in a Desktop. https://i.imgur.com/SPAnNiV.pngMany Simmers to whom I've shown the original chart immediately gain a better understanding of the importance of their hardware.Thanks so much for all you do for our community and making your point.The core issue that should not be forgotten, is that specifications for TS3 have been based on Desktop performance.

To get away from the Wikia/MTS laboratories for a moment, not that the information isn't extremely valuable (always has been), perhaps we could mention players' experiences out "in the field," so to speak.Some with an Intel HD 4000 series for integrated graphics are fortunate enough to get all TS3 with all 11 EPs running just fine on medium graphics settings on a desktop with a strong enough processor and plenty (more than 4 GB) of RAM hence the yellow "Maybes" on the chart. Of course, "just fine" is subjective and they clearly will not be able to push their games as far or for as long as those with dedicated cards can.On a laptop with similar sounding specs, maybe so but usually only with the earliest few of the EPs.With a weaker processor and not enough RAM in either case, not so much and even base game only might be questionable, if they can even get that going. As already said, different players' experiences and expectations will vary. This all pretty much does agree with what the charts are saying.We don't yet know anything about the OP's hardware specs other than the integrated graphics chip series.

My Game Keeps Flickering | EA Forums

23 Replies

thekikibee
8 years ago
Hey Dre, I was having a similar issue with my PC and managed to fix it.

I had been able to run TS3 with no issues whatsoever for a couple of years and then I came back to the game after not playing for a while and suddenly had that awful flicker. I'm running the Intel 4600 chipset, SSD, faster processor and more RAM but same idea.

Anyway, long story short, after reinstalling, enabling v-sync (which can be done on the Intel chipsets, you can google it because apparently I can't post a link), removing mods and EPs and all that stuff I still had the flicker.

On a hunch I clicked to disable fullscreen mode in the game's graphics settings. NO MORE FLICKER! The game is windowed now but still fills the available screen and I don't mind a bit. Maybe that helps you, or anyone else having this issue with these chipsets - I hope so!

I'm pretty sure the issue was from a recent Windows or Intel update. Best of luck.
igazor
8 years ago
That may have been worth a try.

But the OP on this thread was running the game on a 1.7 GHz i3 U-series processor and a weaker integrated chip, in addition to only 4 GB of RAM. Pushing TS3 too hard on that hardware set was never going to yield a good result and could stand to overheat and damage their laptop. It was just not made for the kind of stress that this game, even without all the heavy EPs, puts them under.
Klovesjen
7 years ago
Hello,

I had this issue too, it was almost like coloured tv static appeared in lines across my game. My game did not used to have this issue!

I fixed it by rolling back my graphics card driver. Just thought I’d leave a note incase anyone else has this issue...

I have an intel core i5-6500 CPU @ 3.20GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.2GHZ with 8 GB ram iMac running win 10 pro 64 on bootcamp, with an AMD Radeon R9 M380 graphics card.

To rollback go to device manager, find the card (mine was under display adapters), double click it, click on driver, then click on roll back.

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My Game Keeps Flickering

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