Sims 3 lags - how to improve performance

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Level 1

1 points

Sims 3 lags - how to improve performance

When playing the Sims 3, the game lags quite a lot, even with ALL the graphic settings at the lowest or disabled all together. One of the games main highlights is supposed to be the graphics. Is there a way to improve my computer's performance while I am playing the game? I know that when I used to play the Sims 2 on my PC, I would close down almost every single process (except the 2 or 3 the game manual said not to close) and this would GREATLY improve the game performance. Is there something similar that I can do while I play the game?

White MacBook
Jan 2008
OS X 10.5.7
2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB DDR2 SDRAM
Graphics card: Intel GMA X3100

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jul 17, 2009 8:17 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 17, 2009 9:19 PM in response to DANDEBSOF

This link has the minimum requirements for Sims 3 for Mac.

http://www.simprograms.com/the-sims-3-mac-requirements-now-posted/

Since the minimum requirement for RAM is 2GB, you might want to upgrade.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shopmac/macaccessories/memory?mco=MjI4Mjc

How to install memory

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 2

Paul4900

Level 2

350 points

Jul 17, 2009 9:57 PM in response to DANDEBSOF

My brother's MacBook is exactly the same as yours except black, but he always plays Sims 3 on our 24" iMac instead since it has much better graphics. Do you have another Mac to play it on with better graphics? 'Cause you're never going to have good performance with a minimum-spec 'Book.

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Answer 3

Aug 5, 2009 11:44 AM in response to Paul4900

first of all if you upgrade ram do not buy the apple brand as you can buy cheaper ram elsewhere and it does not void your warranty. also, ram will only make little difference. the problem is the standard macbook graphics card, the 3100 is weak and cant play games all that well. unfortunately the macbooks graphics cards cannot be upgraded so you'll probably have to deal with the lag unless you want a new laptop.

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Answer 4

DANDEBSOF Author

Level 1

1 points

Sep 11, 2009 3:41 PM in response to Chas_Ross

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, I don't really want to spend the money and extra RAM and, while I want a new computer, I can't afford one either. So I guess I am stuck with this crappy graphics card.

But NEW question: will upgrading to Snow Leopard help? SL is supposed to speed everything up by using RAM more efficiently and it is also supposed to improve graphics. Will it make a difference in my Sims 3 gameplay?

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