AlexJH14_ Have you added any content to the program files aside from the Smooth Patch, or edited any files? If so, remove anything you've added and repair the game (EA App > Sims 3 > Manage > Repair). You can make backup copies of any edited files if you want, for example GraphicsCards and GraphicsRules if you've added your GPU to the database. But I'd like to know how the game runs without any added or edited content, either program files or mods.
Please also let me know whether you've taken steps to limit your in-game framerates. If you haven't, I have a guide here, under "limiting in-game framerates" (ctrl-F to search; the anchors don't work here):
[Read First] Running Sims 3 in Windows | EA Forums - 8323446
I'd like to see a dxdiag as well. Click Windows key-R, enter dxdiag in the run box, wait for the scan to finish, click "Save all information," and save the file to your desktop. From there, you can attach it to a reply using the paper clip (Attachment) icon included with the other formatting buttons.
The only files I've edited were the graphicscards/rules, and the smooth patch was the only file I've added. I tried running the game after a repair and with no mods/cc and I had the same result; crashing a few minutes into gameplay. I've tried limiting my frame rates too.
I've linked my dxdiag text, let me know if you need anything else.
