Re: problems with sims 2 game

From: Neil Dela Osa (neilde_at_online.microsoft.com)
Date: 09/29/04 

Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2004 10:16:55 -0700

I tried the Sims 2 out yesterday on a Windows XP SP2 system with 1.8 GHZ
Pentium IV, 512 MB of RAM, and a Geforce 6800 GT card and there was some
choppiness for me too. I didn't check my game settings to see what it
defaulted to.

"Too choppy" is always a relative term and there are other factors beside
your actual hardware that can impact speed such as the software loaded on
your system (memory resident applications like Kaaza, cd burning software,
virus scanners, software firewalls, etc). First and foremost, before you
launch the game, you'll want to turn off as many memory resident programs as
you can. Disable virus scanners, software firewalls (if you unplug your
computer from the modem or router), and other applications. Every little
bit helps.

Regarding your hardware I can see a few possible bottlenecks. First your
Celeron processor features 128KB of L2 cache compared to the 512 KB in a
regular Pentium IV. L2 cache memory is accessed before main system memory
(RAM) and if the data isn't found in the L2 cache or RAM then your hard
drive page file is accessed. Each item in the chain L2, system RAM, and
Hard Drive is slower than the last so the more memory reads you can do at
the beginning of the list the better off you'll be. I don't have specific
hard data for the performance differences but I'd estimate the difference to
be between 3-5% depending on the application. Since a decent processor
costs in the $100-$160 range I'm not sure it's the best use of funds
compared to other upgrades you could make.

Your display adapter is not the highest performing part compared to other
inexpensive options and it'd be the first component I'd suggest replacing.
A card which supports Pixel and Vertex Shader 2.0 will give you nicer
graphics along with a performance boost. Good candidates include the 128
MB ATI Radeon 9600XT for around $140, 128 MB ATI Radeon 9800 Pro at $175, or
a NVidia Geforce FX5700 for $130. I'd pick the Radeon 9600XT over the
NVidia part for that price range or spring the extra $35 for the better
performance of the 9800 Pro card.

I notice your system has 504 MB of RAM. So I'm guessing you have 512 MB of
system RAM in your computer? I don't know the specifics of your graphics
chipset but the previous Intel chipsets I've encountered used main system
memory for the display adapter. That means some of your System RAM is being
used by the graphics card. Since 504 MB is so close to 512 MB I don't
think this is the case for your graphics chipset but I may be wrong. I'd
bet doubling your system RAM to 1 GB at a cost of roughly $80 - $120 would
pay off some good dividends. Check with a knowledgeable friend or vendor
before you buy your memory because it's easy to buy the wrong kind which
won't work in your computer.

So those would be my suggestions for new hardware to speed up your game.
Try the graphics card first, play for a while. If it still seems choppy
then go for more system RAM.

"jamie r" <jamier@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D5B272BA-CDED-486C-8D37-999010CD248A@microsoft.com...
> System Information
> ------------------
> Time of this report: 9/29/2004, 08:24:27
> Machine name: ROSSPC
> Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack
> 1 (2600.xpsp2.030422-1633)
> Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
> System Manufacturer: Compaq Presario 061
> System Model: DW263A-ABA S7300CL NA510
> BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
> Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.80GHz, ~2.8GHz
> Memory: 504MB RAM
> Page File: 277MB used, 952MB available
> Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
> DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
> DX Setup Parameters: Not found
> DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0904 32bit Unicode
>
> ------------
> DxDiag Notes
> ------------
> DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
> Display Tab 1: No problems found.
> Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
> Music Tab: No problems found.
> Input Tab: No problems found.
> Network Tab: No problems found.
>
> --------------------
> DirectX Debug Levels
> --------------------
> Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
> DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
> DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
> DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
> DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
> DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
> DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)
>
> ---------------
> Display Devices
> ---------------
> Card name: Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
> Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
> Chip type: Intel(R) 82845G Graphics Controller
> DAC type: Internal
> Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2562&SUBSYS_57781462&REV_03
> Display Memory: 64.0 MB
> Current Mode: 800 x 600 (32 bit) (85Hz)
> Monitor: COMPAQ 7550 Color Monitor
> Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
> Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
> Driver Version: 6.14.0010.3889 (English)
> DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
> Driver Attributes: Final Retail
> Driver Date/Size: 8/20/2004 16:11:36, 37951 bytes
> WHQL Logo'd: n/a
> WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
> VDD: n/a
> Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
> Mini VDD Date: 8/20/2004 16:26:00, 737874 bytes
> Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6622-11CF-E378-7277A2C2CB35}
> Vendor ID: 0x8086
> Device ID: 0x2562
> SubSys ID: 0x57781462
> Revision ID: 0x0003
> Revision ID: 0x0003
> Video Accel:
> Deinterlace Caps: n/a
> Registry: OK
> DDraw Status: Enabled
> D3D Status: Enabled
> AGP Status: Not Available
> DDraw Test Result: Not run
> D3D7 Test Result: Not run
> D3D8 Test Result: Not run
> 3D9 Test Result: Not run
>
> I hope I did this right. Thank you so much for taking time to help me. If
> it makes a difference I read over some of the replies for other peoples
> problems yesterday and went through and (I think I did these things
> anyway)defragement, scan disk, updated my video driver (not sure if I did
> that right), scanned for virus, scan with the spy bot thing, and changed
> my
> screen to 800x600. My sims 2 game is still choppy and when alot is going
> on
> continues to lock up. I hate to keep asking you so many questions but I
> also
> noticed when I first start my computer I get a message
> PCHNOTIFYEXE-APPLICATION ERROR (OXC0000135) and i cant download the
> instant
> support for compac thats on my pc has error while initializing.Is my pc
> just
> lame or do I need to upgrade something else? I just want to be able to
> play
> sims2 without it going so slow and be able to get online...Thank you so
> much
> for your help and time.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Neil Dela Osa" wrote:
>
>> Next they'll be a window called "Save As". By default this points to
>> your
>> desktop. You can change the location by typing a different path in the
>> "File Name" box near the bottom of the window.
>>
>> For now save it to your desktop by clicking the Save button. There
>> should
>> be a new icon on your desktop called "DxDiag.txt". Double click the icon
>> and it will open up in notepad or whatever your default text editor is
>> (MSWord, WordPerfect, etc). Then clip out the section labeled "System
>> Information" and "Display devices" from the file and post it in a reply
>> to
>> this message. I've include a sample from my own machine for you to
>> compare
>> to. This will tell us how much memory your computer has, how fast the
>> processor is, what display card you're using and the version of the
>> driver.
>>
>> ------------------
>> System Information
>> ------------------
>> Time of this report: 9/28/2004, 16:20:48
>> Machine name: LEDZEP3
>> Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service
>> Pack
>> 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
>> Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
>> System Manufacturer: XPC___
>> System Model: SN45
>> BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
>> Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
>> Memory: 512MB RAM
>> Page File: 239MB used, 1778MB available
>> Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
>> DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
>> DX Setup Parameters: Not found
>> DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
>>
>>
>> ---------------
>> Display Devices
>> ---------------
>> Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
>> Manufacturer: NVIDIA
>> Chip type: GeForce FX 5200
>> DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
>> Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_040710B0&REV_A1
>> Display Memory: 128.0 MB
>> Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
>> Monitor: ViewSonic VP181b-2
>> Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
>> Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
>> Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6177 (English)
>> DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
>> Driver Attributes: Final Retail
>> Driver Date/Size: 7/15/2004 11:42:00, 3740032 bytes
>> WHQL Logo'd: n/a
>> WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
>> VDD: n/a
>> Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
>> Mini VDD Date: 7/15/2004 11:42:00, 2459712 bytes
>> Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4062-11CF-216B-0D2400C2CB35}
>> Vendor ID: 0x10DE
>> Device ID: 0x0322
>> SubSys ID: 0x040710B0
>> Revision ID: 0x00A1
>> Revision ID: 0x00A1
>> Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
>> Deinterlace Caps: {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}:
>> Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1)
>> Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
>> DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
>> {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}:
>> Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0)
>> Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
>> DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
>> {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}:
>> Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1)
>> Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
>> DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
>> {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}:
>> Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0)
>> Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
>> DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
>> {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}:
>> Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1)
>> Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
>> DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
>> {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}:
>> Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0)
>> Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
>> DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
>> {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}:
>> Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1)
>> Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
>> DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
>> {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}:
>> Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0)
>> Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
>> DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
>> Registry: OK
>> DDraw Status: Enabled
>> D3D Status: Enabled
>> AGP Status: Enabled
>> DDraw Test Result: Not run
>> D3D7 Test Result: Not run
>> D3D8 Test Result: Not run
>> D3D9 Test Result: Not run
>>
>>
>> "jamie r" <jamie r@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:92CBB9EB-BFC2-4744-AF45-10B2CA8A7861@microsoft.com...
>> > need help with that (sorry i tried) i got as far as save information
>> > but
>> > dont
>> > know where to save it to in order to get it to you. what next? i
>> > appreciate
>> > your helpa Osa" wrote:
>> >
>> >> If you click on Start>Run and type "dxdiag" in the box you can click
>> >> the
>> >> "Save Information" button and post your system specs to this public
>> >> folder
>> >> if you don't know what's in your computer.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Cari (MS-MVP)" <Newsgroups1@coribright.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:ehZLIemoEHA.4032@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>> >> > What are the specs of your PC? Do you have the latest drivers for
>> >> > your
>> >> > graphics card?
>> >> > --
>> >> > Cari (MS-MVP Printing, Imaging & Hardware)
>> >> > www.coribright.com
>> >> >
>> >> > "jamie r" <jamie r@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> > news:482BB295-CAC4-4675-A8E5-8F9BE0ABCF0F@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> my graphics are very slow on sims 2 but ive been reading here and
>> >> >> every
>> >> >> where
>> >> >> else and speeded it up a little (enough to play) only problems when
>> >> >> there
>> >> >> is
>> >> >> alot going on in the house ex. maid is there goes extremely slow
>> >> >> ive
>> >> >> turned
>> >> >> tasks that are running in background and disabled anti virus. any
>> >> >> more
>> >> >> suggestions? also, once i tried to quit the game and save my
>> >> >> changes
>> >> >> blank
>> >> >> screen comes up and pc says program not responding so it wont just
>> >> >> save
>> >> >> and
>> >> >> quit i have to shut it down and the changes are lost this is a big
>> >> >> problem
>> >> >> and i cant find an answer. dont know what else to do and i dont
>> >> >> know
>> >> >> all
>> >> >> this
>> >> >> computer talk enough to "tweak" anything. please help thanks in
>> >> >> advance
>> >> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>

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