Game Help:Onboard Graphics - Revision history

Whiterider at 09:15, 8 December 2011

2011-12-08T09:15:45Z

Whiterider at 09:10, 8 December 2011

2011-12-08T09:10:17Z

Whiterider at 11:02, 30 May 2011

2011-05-30T11:02:46Z

Whiterider at 11:00, 30 May 2011

2011-05-30T11:00:50Z

Whiterider at 12:02, 16 March 2011

2011-03-16T12:02:08Z

Werismyki: /* Credits */

2010-11-26T17:26:02Z

‎Credits

Whiterider: /* Optimize Your Windows OS */

2009-10-21T21:58:50Z

‎Optimize Your Windows OS

Whiterider: /* Optimize Your Windows OS */

2009-10-21T21:16:44Z

‎Optimize Your Windows OS

Callistra at 20:13, 17 October 2009

2009-10-17T20:13:33Z

Callistra: /* Play in Windowed Mode */

2009-10-17T20:13:11Z

‎Play in Windowed Mode

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 TS2's EPs significantly increase the strain on your graphics chip, particularly the later ones. Uninstalling expansion packs will help increase performance - although if you didn't back up your My Docs/EA Games/The Sims 2 folder before installing the EP, you will lose all your sims/lots/neighborhoods.
-For TS3, uninstalling EPs doesn't help much. The thing which increases strain on a computer playing TS3 is patches, rather than EPS, so you may want to consider reinstalling and not fully patching your game. However, remember that, apart from meaning that you won't get any of the bugfixes included with the patches, this also means that you can't install any EPs which need a newer patch version than the one you decide to stay on, and you won't be able to use any mods or custom lots which are made for later patch versions. This is really only useful as an interim measure, to keep your computer going while you save up to upgrade.
+For TS3, uninstalling EPs doesn't help much. The thing which increases strain on a computer playing TS3 is patches, rather than EPs, so you may want to consider reinstalling and not fully patching your game. However, remember that, apart from meaning that you won't get any of the bugfixes included with the patches, this also means that you can't install any EPs which need a newer patch version than the one you decide to stay on, and you won't be able to use any mods or custom lots which are made for later patch versions. This is really only useful as an interim measure, to keep your computer going while you save up to upgrade. The exception to this rule is Pets, which causes lots of graphical problems with weak computers. If you're having graphical problems and you have Pets, it is strongly recommended that you uninstall Pets.
 For both TS2 and TS3, doing the above will mean that your saved games or neighbourhoods no longer work, and you will have to go back to a backup version from an older patch/previous EP, or start over. If you later upgrade or buy a new computer, you can copy your old saves and neighbourhoods over and keep playing them on the new computer.
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 ====Upgrading====
-By far the best solution to this problem, and the only one that will be a permanent fix, is to upgrade - install an actual graphics card. In many cases, you do not need to buy a new computer in order to install a dedicated card.  You don't need to spend too much on it if you don't want to, just make sure that it's on the list of [http://www.sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:System_Requirements/MTS2_Recommendations#Graphics_Card_Compatibility_and_Recommendations supported cards].
+By far the best solution to this problem, and the only one that will be a permanent fix, is to upgrade - install an actual graphics card. In many cases, you do not need to buy a new computer in order to install a dedicated card.  You don't need to spend too much on it if you don't want to, just make sure that it's on the list of [http://www.sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:System_Requirements/MTS2_Recommendations#Graphics_Card_Compatibility_and_Recommendations supported cards], and that your PSU (the component you plug into the power) has a Wattage at least 100W higher than what is required by any new graphics card you're looking at - the PSU's wattage is on a sticker inside the case.
 If you're not sure what to get, you can get help from the [http://modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=563 Computer Help Forum] - make sure to read [http://modthesims2.com/announcement.php?f=563&announcementid=124 the rules] and all stickies first! Be advised, though, that if you're using a laptop with onboard graphics, you will probably not be able to upgrade to a dedicated card, as laptops often can't be upgraded. Make sure to do your research!

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 Making sure that you unplug your computer first! If you have an area of your house without carpet, especially if you have wood floors, work there.  Make sure you have plenty of space and nothing lying around that could accidentally be knocked or fall into your computer.  Start by vacuuming the fans at the back of your computer, particularly the power supply fan. Keep going until there's little or no fluff coming out of them, it might take a while depending on when they were last cleaned.
-Now you need to figure out how to open your case. For most cases, one of the sides can be removed. You can find information on how to get inside most cases if you do a simple google search, or look on the manufacturer's home page.  Make sure not to touch any of the components inside, and if you think you're likely to brush against something by accident, make sure you're wearing an anti-static strap connected to the case, or are keeping hold of the case with one hand (or foot, if necessary).
+Now you need to figure out how to open your case. For most cases, one of the sides can be removed. You can find information on how to get inside most cases if you do a simple google search, or look on the manufacturer's home page.  Make sure not to touch any of the components inside, and if you think you're likely to brush against something by accident, make sure you're wearing an anti-static strap connected to the case, or are keeping hold of the case with one hand (or foot, if necessary) - and bear in mind that if you do this, you'll need to keep the computer plugged in, but with the power off.
 Once you have the case open, get vacuuming! You need to get the fluff and dust out of the fans, the corners of the case, and off of the motherboard and other bits of circuitry. Don't be shy! You can get up pretty close to the components without having to worry about causing damage. The only things you definitely shouldn't do are drag the nozzle across components, and try to pick the dust out with your fingers. Keep on vacuuming until there's as little dust lying around as possible.  You may also choose to use a can of compressed air to loosen dust that the vacuum may otherwise miss.

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 ====Upgrading====
 By far the best solution to this problem, and the only one that will be a permanent fix, is to upgrade - install an actual graphics card. In many cases, you do not need to buy a new computer in order to install a dedicated card.  You don't need to spend too much on it if you don't want to, just make sure that it's on the list of [http://www.sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:System_Requirements/MTS2_Recommendations#Graphics_Card_Compatibility_and_Recommendations supported cards].
-If you're not sure what to get, you can get help from the [http://modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=563 Computer Help Forum] - make sure to read [http://modthesims2.com/announcement.php?f=563&announcementid=124 the rules] and all stickies first! Be advised, though, that if you're using a laptop with onboard graphics, you will not be able to upgrade to a dedicated card. Make sure to do your research!
+If you're not sure what to get, you can get help from the [http://modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=563 Computer Help Forum] - make sure to read [http://modthesims2.com/announcement.php?f=563&announcementid=124 the rules] and all stickies first! Be advised, though, that if you're using a laptop with onboard graphics, you will probably not be able to upgrade to a dedicated card, as laptops often can't be upgraded. Make sure to do your research!
 ==Related Pages==

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 ====Optimize Your Windows OS====
-Remember to close ALL other programs while you are trying to play The Sims 2. This includes your anti-virus program.  To keep yourself protected, it is recommended you disconnect from the internet as well.
+Remember to close ALL other programs while you are trying to play The Sims 2/3. This includes your anti-virus program.  To keep yourself protected, it is recommended you disconnect from the internet as well.
 Even if you close all programs you know are running, your computer may have other unnecessary processes running which you cannot see. You can use the [http://modthesims2.com/showpost.php?p=1969345&postcount=21 msconfig] command to remove these and speed up your computer even more.
 If your computer does not have all these extra programs and processes to worry about, it can dedicate more of its resources to your game.
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 TS2's EPs significantly increase the strain on your graphics chip, particularly the later ones. Uninstalling expansion packs will help increase performance - although if you didn't back up your My Docs/EA Games/The Sims 2 folder before installing the EP, you will lose all your sims/lots/neighborhoods.
-As TS3 does not currently have EPs, this section does not apply to TS3 users.
+For TS3, uninstalling EPs doesn't help much. The thing which increases strain on a computer playing TS3 is patches, rather than EPS, so you may want to consider reinstalling and not fully patching your game. However, remember that, apart from meaning that you won't get any of the bugfixes included with the patches, this also means that you can't install any EPs which need a newer patch version than the one you decide to stay on, and you won't be able to use any mods or custom lots which are made for later patch versions. This is really only useful as an interim measure, to keep your computer going while you save up to upgrade.
 ====Invest In Better Cooling====

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 * Blurry textures on objects and on the ground
 * Blurry reflections in mirrors
-* Blurry/crunchy thumbnails in the Buy and Build catalog
+* Blurry/crunchy thumbnails in the Buy and Build catalogue
 * Graphics may become distorted and textures may get strange patterns or holes over them. ([http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&q=graphics+card+artifacts&btnG=Search+Images Artifacts])
 * Game crashes to desktop, the colors go weird and the resolution drops, and an error message tells you that your graphics drivers have stopped responding
 * The computer still appears to be running but the screen goes totally black. The computer will not recover and must be crashed.

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 If your computer does not have all these extra programs and processes to worry about, it can dedicate more of its resources to your game.
-If you have a computer running Windows Vista [http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532 this] is a very good tweak guide. A similar guide, somewhat briefer, is available [http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=11119 here] for Windows XP.
+If you have a computer running Windows Vista [http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532 this] is a very good tweak guide. A similar guide, somewhat briefer, is available [http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/xptweaks/supertweaks1.htm here] for Windows XP.
 ====Uninstall EPs====

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 ====Play in Windowed Mode====
 Play your game in [[Game Help:Windowed Mode|Windowed mode]].
 ====Remove or Reduce Custom Content====