Budget desktop for Sims 3

sativsim
3 years ago
@puzzlezaddict wrote:
@sativsim Yes, that computer is more than good enough for Sims 3, in fact it's a bit of overkill. That's not a bad thing at all, in fact it'll help buffer the inevitable fps drops.
The one thing you'll definitely want to do is manually limit in-game framerates. There's no point in doing this until you have the game installed on the laptop, since you need to test in-game to make sure the settings worked. But when you're ready, feel free to ask for help with the process.
Thank you so much! 🙂
sativsim
3 years ago
@puzzlezaddict wrote:
@sativsim Yes, that computer is more than good enough for Sims 3, in fact it's a bit of overkill. That's not a bad thing at all, in fact it'll help buffer the inevitable fps drops.
The one thing you'll definitely want to do is manually limit in-game framerates. There's no point in doing this until you have the game installed on the laptop, since you need to test in-game to make sure the settings worked. But when you're ready, feel free to ask for help with the process.
Hello,
I’ve purchased the laptop and installed all of the expansions and stuff packs. How do I limit in game frame rates?
- puzzlezaddict
  Hero+
  3 years ago
  @sativsim In all cases, you can check your in-game framerates by bringing up the cheats console (crtl-shift-C) and entering "fps on" without quotes. A number will appear in the upper-right corner, and it should never go above the limit you've set or the refresh rate of your screen, whichever is lower. The cheat "fps off" removes the counter.
  
  You have a few options here depending on whether you play in fullscreen or windowed modes (or both). If you're planning on installing the Smooth Patch made by Lazy Duchess, it has a built-in fps limiter, so you wouldn't need to install anything else. I've been using it for a year, although an older version without the limiter, and it's been quite stable. Instructions for use are on the download page.
  
  Another approach you can try, although I don't know that it will stick (it often doesn't with dual-card laptops like yours), is to use the Nvidia Control Panel settings. Right-click on your desktop and select the Control Panel, then Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings, choose ts3.exe (for an Origin install) or ts3w.exe (disc or Steam install), scroll down to Vertical Sync, and set it to On or Adaptive. Enabling Triple Buffering can help as well. Scroll back up and set the Max Frame Rate to the refresh rate of your laptop, probably 60 Hz but you can check under Windows Settings > Display > Advanced Display Settings.
  
  Both of these options work in both fullscreen and windowed modes: vertical sync only applies in fullscreen (and limits fps to the refresh rate of your monitor by definition), but it often helps with graphics performance in general and so is worth using if you ever play in fullscreen. If you only play in fullscreen and don't want to use the above options, or the second doesn't stick, you can use a third-party app called D3DOverrider to force v-sync, again only in fullscreen.
  
  https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/84-d3doverrider/?changelog=32
  
  For windowed mode, if you ever use it, you can download Rivatuner Statistics Server and set the fps limit to the refresh rate of your monitor.
  
  Again, choose TS3.exe or TS3W.exe depending on the install type (highlighted in blue), set the framerate limit (red box), and choose whether to start RTSS with Windows (yellow box). RTSS does need to be running while you play, but it takes up hardly any resources and won't affect any application other as long as you only apply the settings to Sims 3.
  
  If you have questions about a specific approach, please feel free to ask.
  - sativsim
    3 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict wrote:
    @sativsim In all cases, you can check your in-game framerates by bringing up the cheats console (crtl-shift-C) and entering "fps on" without quotes. A number will appear in the upper-right corner, and it should never go above the limit you've set or the refresh rate of your screen, whichever is lower. The cheat "fps off" removes the counter.
    You have a few options here depending on whether you play in fullscreen or windowed modes (or both). If you're planning on installing the Smooth Patch made by Lazy Duchess, it has a built-in fps limiter, so you wouldn't need to install anything else. I've been using it for a year, although an older version without the limiter, and it's been quite stable. Instructions for use are on the download page.
    Another approach you can try, although I don't know that it will stick (it often doesn't with dual-card laptops like yours), is to use the Nvidia Control Panel settings. Right-click on your desktop and select the Control Panel, then Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings, choose ts3.exe (for an Origin install) or ts3w.exe (disc or Steam install), scroll down to Vertical Sync, and set it to On or Adaptive. Enabling Triple Buffering can help as well. Scroll back up and set the Max Frame Rate to the refresh rate of your laptop, probably 60 Hz but you can check under Windows Settings > Display > Advanced Display Settings.
    Both of these options work in both fullscreen and windowed modes: vertical sync only applies in fullscreen (and limits fps to the refresh rate of your monitor by definition), but it often helps with graphics performance in general and so is worth using if you ever play in fullscreen. If you only play in fullscreen and don't want to use the above options, or the second doesn't stick, you can use a third-party app called D3DOverrider to force v-sync, again only in fullscreen.
    https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/84-d3doverrider/?changelog=32
    For windowed mode, if you ever use it, you can download Rivatuner Statistics Server and set the fps limit to the refresh rate of your monitor.
    Again, choose TS3.exe or TS3W.exe depending on the install type (highlighted in blue), set the framerate limit (red box), and choose whether to start RTSS with Windows (yellow box). RTSS does need to be running while you play, but it takes up hardly any resources and won't affect any application other as long as you only apply the settings to Sims 3.
    If you have questions about a specific approach, please feel free to ask.
    I plan on playing full screen as I’ve always played full screen so I will try to change the frame rates via the nvidia control panel. I will let you know how it goes.
    I also wanted to mention that a few days I go I was going to install store content from the sims 3 store so I opened the game launcher and got a message that said: graphic card not recognized. I installed the store content anyway but didn’t play the game. The next day I installed more store content and when I opened the launcher I didn’t get that message ( I haven’t played since installing it as I’ve been very busy but plan on playing sometime this week). Do you think I should do something to fix this or just leave it as is?
    Thanks again for the help

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