The same issue
M4 MacBook Air (15")
16 GB
Tahoe 26.1 (but the same with 26.0 and Sequoia)
10-core CPU (4 performance and 6 efficiency)
10-core GPU
2880x1864 Retina
Using in-built display
Windowed and fullscreen
Game version: 1.119.109.1220
Premise: on the first clean start, an error message says that the graphics card is not recognised in their database, and the resolution is automatically set to 2560x1600. However, the problems persist both with this and when I set other resolutions.
The frame rate is more or less stable at around 60 fps in private lots and between 50 and 60 in community lots or private lots with many sims. Fps are halved when a screen is turned on (TV, computer or karaoke) and increase again as soon as screens are turned off or removed from build mode.
Obviously, in a private lot the problem is "limited" (unless your sim is a writer or developer), but in community lots it is almost impossible to have smooth gameplay.
Without screens there are still occasional frame drops, but the game remains much more playable.
Premise: on the first clean start, an error message says that the graphics card is not recognised in their database, and the resolution is automatically set to 2560x1600. However, the problems persist both with this and when I set other resolutions.
Just ignore this. It's because the GraphicsCards.sgr file only includes the M1 chip, EA have yet to update with M2, M3, M4, etc. You can manually add it yourself but it has no bearing on game performance as you can easily changes settings in game options and in the GraphicsRules.sgr file.
Try turning visual effects to low. Computers will still be unplayable but it seems like I at least got TVs to work. This has been an issue for some M4 Mac users for months, I just found a Reddit thread from months ago with someone complaining about the exact same thing. Not sure if EA will ever fix this but the game is pretty unplayable it seems. I've only gotten the game to work somewhat better with these settings:
Sims: High
Objects: Medium (sometimes low, the game's fps drops into the 20s if I'm in a home with a lot of furniture and decorations.)
Lighting: Low or medium
Reflections: Medium
Visual Effects: Low (Might reduce some of the lag caused by laptops and TVs.)
Edge smoothing: Medium or high
3D scene resolution: Medium
View distance: Medium or high
You're still going to experience FPS dropping but not as badly as before. The game is still unplayable in full screen for me at least, not sure if it'll help you run better in full screen. Community lots don't produce as much lag as before for me when I switched the settings around. Praying one day we'll get a fix or something!
If you have little or no CC and a few expansion packs, the game should run much better on these settings. Hopefully this helps your game run a bit better.
