Why is my game still lagging?

[talahachi]

(I've posted this on another forum ~15 hours ago but haven't gotten any replies yet, so I thought I'd give it a try here)

I had trouble playing sims 3 on my laptop (it kept crashing) so I dusted off my old computer. I reinstalled Vista on it and then spent a day installing Sims 3 and all my custom content. Turns out - it's lagging even worse than it did on my laptop which doesn't even fill the requirements.

I only have Skype, google chrome and winrar installed on the computer, I have 500gb free space on my harddrive and the game lags so much it's unplayable. I've updated to the latest patch and all the latest drivers. I've tried without custom content but that didn't make a difference at all. I've tried lowering all the settings as well.

Here's my log.


Time of this report: 5/27/2012, 21:44:10
Machine name: C-DATOR
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_rtm.061101-2205)
Language: Swedish (Regional Setting: Swedish)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: P35-DS4
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel® Core™2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 4094MB RAM
Page File: 4392MB used, 3963MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8800 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0611&SUBSYS_82671043&REV_A2
Display Memory: 2286 MB
Dedicated Memory: 495 MB
Shared Memory: 1791 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Allmän PnP-bildskärm
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver Version: 8.17.0013.0142 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Should I upgrade the computer in any way? Is there anything I can buy to make Sims 3 run smoothly? I used to be able to play Sims 2 with 30000 downloaded files without a problem, but I can't even play Sims 3 without custom content?

[whiterider]

Since you're using Windows, this thread shouldn't be in Mac support. I've moved the thread for you. :)

Firstly - Sims 2, even with all EPs, requires a hell of a lot less computing power than Sims 3, even with no EPs and patches. Sims 2 will always perform miles better than Sims 3, on any computer.

Secondly, that computer meets the requirements, but it's a close thing. The graphics card is right at the bottom end of OK, and you're also using the bare minimum of RAM. Out of interest, is this 32-bit Vista or 64-bit Vista?

Lag comes in many forms. :) Could you be more specific? When are you getting lag - when loading the game, in CAS, in build/buy, in Live mode? Is everything just slow, or does the game stop and start? Does this happen in all worlds? What about if you remove your CC?

Which EPs do you have installed, and what is your basegame patch version?

[talahachi]

So sorry about posting in the wrong forum! Thank you for moving it.

I have 64-bit Vista.

Loading the game only takes a few minutes, it's when I'm playing it lags (that and build mode). It takes forever to load patterns (a few minutes) even without any custom pattern. The gameplay lags as well, the clock stops every so often and so do my sims. It gets worse when I'm speeding up the time. The sim stands still, freezes, walks a little, freezes.

It also feels like there is a delay when interacting with other sims - takes ~2 seconds before the menu comes up when clicking on another sim. Clicking on other objects are faster, the menu shows up right away. CAS is slow too. Sometimes the game freezes all together for a minute or two.

I have all the EP's installed, no stuff packs. I have the 12.0.273.015001 version which I think is the latest?

I've only tried Starlight shore, Bridgeport and Sunset Valley and it lags just as much in all of them, even without CC.

So, more RAM and a new graphic card, huh? Any suggestions to how much RAM I need or what graphic card I should go with?