Re: New PC - Sims 3 Freeze on Startup

Are you over-clocking at all? If the system is doing a hard crash that means the os is probably crashing. Could be a memory problem. Is the power supply more then capable of powering the video card? It could be a timing problem with the ssd. That box says you need at least a 450W psu (I think that's low) as the card alone requires 13A at +12v when under full load. If you have an under rated or bargain basket psu that may cause problems. As it is a new system have you bench marked it? I use a program like 3dmark and run it over and over. A computer I built about four years ago would blue screen once a week (trouble shoot that one). After 2 months it started blue screening more then once a week and I finally narrowed it down to a bad memory module. I was lucky because the store gave my store credit and I bought corsair memory and haven't had a problem since (with the memory that is). I know this isn't much help but if your having trouble with other programs then it most likely a system hardware problem. It doesn't sound like the ssd because you would have problems with many programs. Not all programs use memory the same so some may have problems while other may not. The power supply may be failing under heavy load and not all programs demand the same power. The graphics card could cause lockup if it's demanding more power then the power supply can deliver and cause the computer to stop but this is less likely (but you can't rule it out. First thing you can try that won't cost anything is to swap the memory modulesin their slots. This will use the memory differently and may show a bad module (not always but a good start). If the crashing doesn't change it's time to substitute a known good power supply - preferably a name brand and of higher wattage. Make sure you have at least 13A of +12V (150W divided by +12V = 12.5 AMPS) going to the video board. Another thing to check is the bios. There may be a newer version that deals with a timing issues (just a thought but worth a check).

hth

Thank you for your replies so far!

My PSU is an EVGA NEX750G (Gold rated, 80 Plus).  I do not overclock, even though the motherboard, CPU and memory are more than capable.  I made sure all hardware drivers were up to date, and the first thing I did after installing the OS was to install the latest BIOS for the motherboard.

I am able to run Everquest Next Landmark literally all day (and have been doing so for the last few weeks).  This very unoptimized game (currently in alpha) peaks at 6.4 gig of memory, and my system shrugs it off.  I thank you for your memory theory, but I do not think that is it.

I do believe there is a conflict somewhere, but am unsure of where.  Since built, this PC has been running flawlessly for 10+ hours a day - unless I try to run certain games (Including The Sims 3).  A vast majority of my games do in fact work, for hours on end.  I can exit them normally, and the system keeps going until I shut down for the night.

I monitor the system (usage, temps and everything is within a normal range.  Is there any way for me to upload my DxDiag without wasting forum space?

Feel free to waste forum space. It's easier posting the DxDiag in this thread (split up in multiple post).

If you rather upload a file, you'll need to do that to a third party site and then link.

Did you try turning off al background processes ?

Great to hear that you solved it and thank you for the feedback 🙂