Forum Discussion

Krystiandevibed's avatar
7 years ago
Solved

Sims 4 graphics error

So I'm running Lion 10.7.5 with a 2 GHz intel Core 2 Due processor with an Intel GMA 950 64 MB on a 2009 macbook. 

The sims 4 is supposed to be compatible with my system. 

I keep getting this error:

Unable to start:

Can't run the Sims 4 with the video card in this system. Please check that the video card meets the minimum specifications and that the latest video drivers are installed. 

[0e6d1221:1df4e8dc:0000012f:912c9c10]

wizards101 runs on my macbook and doesn't lag but the sims 4 keeps giving me that error and I just wanna play. 

I HAVE disabled origin in game and am running an old version of origin. 

9 Replies

  • I already looked into if its supposed to run and I found that it is. In mac the graphics card is part of the OS and is not separate.  it runs on Lion 10.7.5 which I have. 

    Your reference also said Lion 10.7.5 was compatible. 

    I got this laptop because it was affordable and the sims would run on it

    Except its not. 

    I'm running an OS the sims 4 is compatible with and I have everything set up to give the laptop extra memory. 

    Now if it was a PC everything would be separate and I could update individually but Mac OS its all one thing meaning if it runs on Mac Lion 10.7.5 then it runs on those drivers 

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    7 years ago

    @Krystiandevibed  In order to run TS4, a computer should meet all of the minimum requirements.  The operating system is only one of them.  OS X 10.7 (Lion) was released in 2011, and some computers released that year would still meet requirements for the base game.  That doesn't mean that any computer running Lion should be able to run the game.

    Your graphics card's drivers are not the issue here.  The problem is that the card itself isn't powerful enough to handle even the mild demands of TS4.  I doubt the card is even included in TS4's database, since it's not supported, although I can't check that right now.  It's also quite old, so its performance now wouldn't compare to what it could do a decade ago.

    I'm sorry, but I don't know what else to tell you. There really isn't any way around the fact that your hardware is insufficient for TS4.

  • Its running intel which is above the minimum listed. I know for a fact its compatible. I ran it on the same graphics card less than a year ago. The only difference is the OC. I have the most advanced of the Lion 10.7.5 OS graphic cards. 

    I know for a fact that it is compatible I bought it because EA said it was. 

    The issue is its compatible  and saying its not.

    I have the latest version of Lion for mac. That means its up to date for what the sims 4 asks. 

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    7 years ago

    @Krystiandevibed  You're misunderstanding the nature of the requirements.  You need to be running at least OS Lion (which you are), AND you need a processor equal to or better than an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz (yours is slower), AND 4 GB RAM (you only have 2.5 GB), AND a graphics card at least as strong as an Nvidia GEForce 9600M or an ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro (yours doesn't come close) with at least 256 MB of video RAM (yours has 64 MB, which is shared with your main memory).  The fact that your graphics card drivers are part of the OS does not make the graphics card itself sufficient.

    As for whether this hardware ran TS4 before, it's certainly possible.  The demands of even the base game increase as more features are patched in.   But the other consideration is that the requirements to run the game are higher in mac OS than in Windows.  Some of this has to do with differences in the operating systems; some of it may be due to how the game is programmed differently for each platform.  Regardless, it can't be helped.

    I don't know who or what from EA told you that this computer would run TS4, but the official EA help site itself says that your specs are below requirements.  Whether there was some confusion on EA's end, I have no idea, but that doesn't change the fact that your computer will continue to refuse to run the game.  There's nothing else you can do.

  • @Krystiandevibed

    I've marked puzzlezaddict's response as the solution because she is absolutely correct, your Mac does NOT meet the minimum requirements for the Sims 4. This will also show any other users who have your Mac or similar that the game is incompatible on their system.

    Your CPU has a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, the game requires a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

    You have an Intel GMA 950 with 64MB VRAM GPU, the game requires NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro or better with VRAM of 256MB or better. The Intel GMA is also NOT supported.

    I'm guessing you also have 2GB RAM installed? 3GB at a push. The game requires 4GB.

    Origin also requires a minimum OS of 10.9 and is needed to install and run the game.

    I'm sorry you cannot play but these are the reasons why ☹️

  • ajasimonee's avatar
    ajasimonee
    6 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict Hey , was wondering if you could tell me if my laptop meets the requirements also i have a hard time understanding all this technology stuff but I have experienced the same thing . My macbook is a (13 inch , Mid 2009) processor 2.26 GHz Intel Core Duo , Memory 2GB 1067 MHZ DDR3 Graphics is NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB . If its not its all good was just curious if that was the issue with my game . Thanks!
  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    6 years ago

    @ajasimonee  Unfortunately, your laptop is below requirements for even the Legacy Edition of Sims 4, let alone the standard version.  Specifically, you have only 2 GB RAM, where the Mac version of the game has always needed at least 4 GB (8 is better).

    You could probably get the memory upgraded if you wanted, although you might have to look around a bit to find compatible RAM.  Even if you did though, you'd still need to run the Legacy Edition, as your laptop is three years too old to support Metal, a requirement for the standard version of TS4.

    Your other hardware is slightly below the minimum requirements for the Mac version of Sims 4 as well, although not by much.  In theory, with a RAM upgrade, you might be able to run the game on the lowest settings, provided your laptop's components are in good shape overall.  However, there's no guarantee, and the chance of it working is pretty low on a decade-old system.