For a few months now, my game will be slow and lags every now and then. Recently my game now lags when im on the main menu and my cursor can't catch up. I figure my computer is just old but I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on how to make it less lagy? We just bought our first house so a new computer is a little out of the question right now. I have ran my dxdiag. Thank you for anyone that can help.
@Coolhearted I can see why your laptop is struggling with the game. One obvious issue is the age of your graphics card driver. Normally, it would be a good idea to update it, but I'm not sure HP even released a Windows 10 model for your driver. It's a bit difficult to figure out without your exact model number though, and HP's site doesn't help. So you'd be better off checking yourself. Go to this site, enter your laptop's serial number, and look for a Windows 10 AMD graphics driver.
https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/laptops
If there isn't one listed for Windows 10, let me know, and I'll try to find one from AMD. But some HP models block drivers from other sources, even the manufacturers of the hardware, so it's better to go directly to HP first.
Another issue is that your laptop only has 4 GB memory. It does appear to have an empty slot though, so you could add a second RAM stick easily and cheaply. For example, Crucial offers a 4 GB stick for $25. Double-check to make sure this is your model, but this should be compatible.
https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/HP---Compaq/pavilion-g7-2220us
You could also take your laptop to a store and get someone to look at your existing memory stick, to make sure you're getting something that matches. It would be a bit more expensive, but then again they'd probably install it for you as well. Doubling the amount of memory would probably make a significant difference to how Sims 4 runs, as well as almost anything else you do on your computer.
If you don't want to add RAM, make sure you're not running any other apps alongside the game, other than Origin of course. 4 GB isn't really enough for Windows and Sims 4, and other apps will only compound the situation.
Your dxdiag lists a few failed Windows updates. Even though you're on the most recent Windows 10 build, please make sure you're not missing any smaller updates. Go to Settings > Update & Security and check manually.
Your other hardware is mostly not upgradable. You could in theory replace your mechanical hard drive with a solid state drive, and Windows and many other apps would run much faster. Sims 4 wouldn't though, other than when it initially loads. And you'd have to reinstall Windows and transfer all your data from one hard drive to another, or pay someone to do that. This is on top of the $65 or so for a 500 GB drive. I'm not sure if it's worth the time, money, and effort for the small improvement, especially if you plan to eventually get a better computer.
On that note, when you are ready to buy, laptops that will handle all current Sims 4 packs on ultra settings are sometimes as cheap as $700 U.S., if you find the right sale. A laptop that's futureproofed for all the packs not yet released can be as low as $900. Desktops are a bit cheaper (maybe $600 and $750, respectively), but then you'd need to buy a monitor. If and when you're interested, feel free to come back and ask for help finding something that works for you. And congratulations on the house, by the way.
