So While im playing Sims 4 on my Macbook 13inch mid 2012, itll crash randomly and crash my whole computer as if it is having a RAM Issue. Ive tried almost everything on the site, and I have contacted EA Once (I am going to contact them again next time the support center is open, I know the hours). I have contacted Apple three times about it and we have ruled out RAM issues, and Overheating. The only thing we can think of is that its the programming? There is also this file on my computer called lastException. (some numbers). txt. The apple guy and I looked at that and he seemed kinda concerned but asked me to ask EA about it. Especially since it comes up when I search for sims 3 in my computer files, though this .txt file is connected to sims4. Apple and I think it has to do with programming because when it crashes (and we went through the logs), the computer (today at least) reported that Sims4 was using too much of the CPU i.e. "burning CPU" or "Burning through CPU" meaning it was using more than 50% of the CPU. Anyone have any ideas on what I can do? My computer works fine normally, I just want it to stop crashing, so I can play sims peacefully... Thanks,Words_Moose526

When the computer crashes, it's likely CPU overheating, despite Apple ruling it out. A complete shutdown is a standard safety measure when the CPU reaches high temperatures. Macbook 13inch mid 2012 Could you tell us in more detail what the exact hardware specifications are? You can find specs by clicking the Apple logo in the top logo and clicking on "about this mac". Knowing the temperatures while playing could also be useful, though I don't know which tools on a Mac will be able to tell you.

Here are the Specs : MacOS Version 10.10.4Macbook Pro (13inch, Mid 2012)Processor: 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7Memory: 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 1024 MBMy brother suggested maybe my computer needs an update but I cant anything on an update? And then he asked about the compatilibility of the recent patches to my computer's information? What do you think? And well, in a few days Im taking my macbook to a citymac to get it cleaned, so my warranty doesn't become invalid. I figure that is at least part of the issue, but I wanted to get as much info as I could in case that doesnt work either.

Also does anybody know about what programs on mac cause interference? I haven't seen anything when I go through the logs about it but?

@adiboo526 There are known performance issues in The Sims 4 with the Intel HD 4000 graphics card you have. The graphics card is integrated so is never going to be ideal for gaming. The first thing you should do is lower your graphics settings. You can either do this in game or you can delete the Options.ini file from Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 and let the game reset itself to the default graphics settings. When you say it "crash my whole computer as if it is having a RAM Issue" do you mean a kernel panic? That's when suddenly an information box will appear on your screen telling you to restart your Mac. This can be a symptom of something faulty on the Logic Board. If your Mac is overheating there could be an underlying fault somewhere. Computers do tend to get hot when experiencing heavy CPU and GPU usage but it's extremely rare that a Mac will actually shut down through overheating. If it's still covered under Applecare, which you are implying it is, then I would make an appointment straight away for Apple to look at it. How is your Mac positioned when you are playing? It's no good just sitting it on a tabletop or desk, you need to elevate it at least 1cm so air can circulate underneath. Sitting it on the edge of 2 DVD cases would be fine although maybe you should invest in some kind of elevated platform or cooling fan specifically for a Mac. And the game will absolutely use more than 50% CPU usage. It's a game, that's what they do.

Okay I will try that. And no. Often times there's no warning it just shuts off, and then it starts beeping as described for Apple's RAM crashing. It doesn't give any warning. It also isn't positioned correctly I know that. I usually play on my bed and I know that is probably a major part of the issue. Thats interesting about the graphics card though, my computer works well with sims city, but that would explain why sims 3 stopped working.

Sims 4 Macbook Will crash whole computer

12 Replies

Fred_vdp
Hero+
11 years ago
When the computer crashes, it's likely CPU overheating, despite Apple ruling it out. A complete shutdown is a standard safety measure when the CPU reaches high temperatures.

Macbook 13inch mid 2012

Could you tell us in more detail what the exact hardware specifications are? You can find specs by clicking the Apple logo in the top logo and clicking on "about this mac". Knowing the temperatures while playing could also be useful, though I don't know which tools on a Mac will be able to tell you.
adiboo526
11 years ago
Here are the Specs :
MacOS
Version 10.10.4
Macbook Pro (13inch, Mid 2012)
Processor: 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory: 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 1024 MB
My brother suggested maybe my computer needs an update but I cant anything on an update?
And then he asked about the compatilibility of the recent patches to my computer's information?
What do you think?
And well, in a few days Im taking my macbook to a citymac to get it cleaned, so my warranty doesn't become invalid. I figure that is at least part of the issue, but I wanted to get as much info as I could in case that doesnt work either.
adiboo526
11 years ago
Also does anybody know about what programs on mac cause interference? I haven't seen anything when I go through the logs about it but?
Bluebellflora
Hero+
11 years ago
@adiboo526

There are known performance issues in The Sims 4 with the Intel HD 4000 graphics card you have. The graphics card is integrated so is never going to be ideal for gaming. The first thing you should do is lower your graphics settings. You can either do this in game or you can delete the Options.ini file from Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 and let the game reset itself to the default graphics settings.

When you say it "crash my whole computer as if it is having a RAM Issue" do you mean a kernel panic? That's when suddenly an information box will appear on your screen telling you to restart your Mac. This can be a symptom of something faulty on the Logic Board. If your Mac is overheating there could be an underlying fault somewhere. Computers do tend to get hot when experiencing heavy CPU and GPU usage but it's extremely rare that a Mac will actually shut down through overheating. If it's still covered under Applecare, which you are implying it is, then I would make an appointment straight away for Apple to look at it.

How is your Mac positioned when you are playing? It's no good just sitting it on a tabletop or desk, you need to elevate it at least 1cm so air can circulate underneath. Sitting it on the edge of 2 DVD cases would be fine although maybe you should invest in some kind of elevated platform or cooling fan specifically for a Mac.

And the game will absolutely use more than 50% CPU usage. It's a game, that's what they do.
adiboo526
11 years ago
Okay I will try that. And no. Often times there's no warning it just shuts off, and then it starts beeping as described for Apple's RAM crashing. It doesn't give any warning. It also isn't positioned correctly I know that. I usually play on my bed and I know that is probably a major part of the issue. Thats interesting about the graphics card though, my computer works well with sims city, but that would explain why sims 3 stopped working.
Bluebellflora
Hero+
11 years ago
@adiboo526

You play on your bed? Then that's the issue right there. Not only will your Mac be frying inside it's aluminium casing because no air can circulate (the aluminium casing is actually designed to dissipate the heat from the CPU which is why it needs to have space underneath), it will also be drawing in loads of fluff and fibres into the single fan which will be clogging up.

If your RAM is not seated right then why don't you unscrew the bottom and reseat it? You must have replaced the RAM at some point to know it's not correctly fitted?

Your problems are solvable (apart from the known Intel 4000 issues), but only by you 🙂
adiboo526
11 years ago
I haven't had it refitted, I discussed it with the apple guy and we came to that conclusion that it isn't the RAM. Because the computer still works expect for when I'm playing sims. I've already set to go have it cleaned. And I've blown it out a few times today already.
Bluebellflora
Hero+
11 years ago
@adiboo526

Ok, now I'm confused. Is it a RAM issue or not? Because you said in your previous post "It also isn't positioned correctly I know that" which would indicate that you've refitted it at some point. RAM can beep due to just being a faulty chip, even if it is fitted properly. Is 8Gb RAM showing up in the Mac info when you click on the Apple logo and then "About This Mac"?

The Sims 3 is appalling on any Mac due to EA having used Cider to "wrap" the Windows version of the game.

Have you tried a PRAM and SMC reset?
adiboo526
11 years ago
I meant I know that my computer isn't positioned or placed correctly for air flow. I have done smc and pram resets but they don't really do anything. The smc reset is usually what I do if I want immediate use of my computer after it crashes while I'm playing sims. Otherwise I just leave it alone and it will boot up properly as it does every time. And yes the RAM 8 gb shows up when I click the apple button.
Bluebellflora
Hero+
11 years ago
@adiboo526

Oh ok. Well I would start with making sure air can circulate, see how you get on with that. It might help you to purge your RAM regularly too during gameplay. Normally this isn't necessary but because of Cider being a massive resource hog and the game's inability to access over 2Gb RAM, it's a no-brainer in TS3.