Sims runs and loads slowly on Pentium 4 3 GHz with DDR - WTF?

[RalphTheCow]

Dell has a bunch of models with AGP and PCi-e slots. Don't blame Dell because you bought the cheapest thing they had

Yes, they do sell them, and you would think that they would make sure that people who need or want them get pointed to them, especially since the cost just a little more. They sure try to point you to every other upgrade. Why not a blurb saying this system is unsuitable for even mild gaming, try a 4700 if you want or need that. It's not just Dell, probably 80% or so of the ones available in stores aren't expandable, but you sure won't see much indication of that. Their main indication is they call the next step up expandable, but I took that to mean more PCI slots. Even my cheap work Dell, GX1 I think it was, computer had a slot.

And I screwed up largely because I was used to Dell and didn't even think that it wouldn't have an AGP slot. It's fine to cheapen them, but the slots should be listed in a more prominent spot. What really hurts is I spent the time 4 years ago to really research, and I have been very happy with my 4100 I bought as a result. I was just in a Christmas rush this year and it slipped my mind to check for a slot. So I'm sure there are many casual computer user customers who don't take the time to visit a site like this who would never have a clue about such things.

 

[Justin216]

From the Sims website:
------
Intel(R) Extreme Graphics (see note below)
82845, 82865, 82915

If you have a non-T&L capable video card, such as Intel Extreme Graphics or Radeon VE series, then you need at least a 2.0 GHz processor.
------

This should cover it. So can anyone tell me how long Pleasantview takes to load on their system?

Oh, BTW, the BIOS options for primary video are auto and onboard, so I'm hoping auto means check the PCI slots first.

Well, your machine does "run" the game...they never said how well....regardless, the graphics card is the problem, but it looks like upgradability is nil

 

[RalphTheCow]

I'm still not so sure it isn't memory, because why would the graphics card affect loading time? I've heard of other cases where upgrading to a gig of memory helped, but that sure is an extreme measure, especailly since it ships with the only two memory slots filled. Arggghhh. Has anyone returned a Dell before? It sure would be nice if it only cost me shipping. I'm still within 21 days. Then I could do it right - PCIexpress and AGP slots (I think) in a 4700 with a gig of memory.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: RalphTheCow
I'm still not so sure it isn't memory, because why would the graphics card affect loading time? I've heard of other cases where upgrading to a gig of memory helped, but that sure is an extreme measure, especailly since it ships with the only two memory slots filled. Arggghhh. Has anyone returned a Dell before? It sure would be nice if it only cost me shipping. I'm still within 21 days. Then I could do it right - PCIexpress and AGP slots (I think) in a 4700 with a gig of memory.

Integrated graphics means it runs slowly.
It also means you have less RAM (because the IG gets its memory from system memory)
So really, it's the integrated graphics fault, because it's slow, AND it takes away from system RAM.

More RAM and a new graphics card would help.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: RalphTheCow
I'm still not so sure it isn't memory, because why would the graphics card affect loading time? I've heard of other cases where upgrading to a gig of memory helped, but that sure is an extreme measure, especailly since it ships with the only two memory slots filled. Arggghhh. Has anyone returned a Dell before? It sure would be nice if it only cost me shipping. I'm still within 21 days. Then I could do it right - PCIexpress and AGP slots (I think) in a 4700 with a gig of memory.

Go for it by all means if possible

 

[thawolfman]

Seriously though...just browsing through this thread, but...

How many times do people have to tell you it's the video card/graphics engine/whatever to make you stop questioning every other component in the machine? sheesh 😛

 

[RalphTheCow]

Well, thawolfman, I was waiting for facts and indisputable evidence. 🙂 So does anyone here run Sims 2 OK with a PCI card and 512 memory, or with IG and 768 or 1024 MB memory? Edit: or both?

I accept that the IG is A problem, but maybe not THE worst problem. But it could very well make the CPU have to hog memory to do graphics calculations, sort of like Lonyo says. I've always just been curious how you spot the bottlenecks in a system. I agree I am a pain.

So I need to find out if more RAM or a PCI card or ideally a system return is the best route for me now.

Another edit:

Just to show that I AM listening, here is a snippet from the AT review that Lonyo linked in the beginning of the thread:
Intel Integrated Graphics: Here's where performance truly matters for Intel graphics - in a game like The Sims 2. This is the type of game that will be played by people who don't come within 100 yards of Doom 3 and who, honestly, shouldn't need to spend even $100 on a video card to play a game like this. How does the 915G fair? It actually plays the Sims pretty well. There is some loss in image quality it seems (just detail), but it's actually not bad at all. If you're building a computer for someone who only plays the Sims, Intel's integrated graphics is actually all you need. 800x600 looks pretty bad, but luckily, the game is playable at 10x7. You may have to turn down the detail settings as there is a bit of stuttering at the highest settings.

But of course the test rig probably had 1 GB of RAM or something. It was half as fast as the best card, so if that translates linearly, it shouldn't cause the horrible performance I am seeing. Oops, it says 915G chipset, probably newer than what I have. So it may not apply.

 

[raildogg]

is that sims 1 or 2?

 

[RalphTheCow]

2. I haven't tried 1 on the new computer yet. 1 runs fairly on the old P3 866 with 256 SDRAM and GEFORCE 2 card.

 

[Porter21]

Video card is bottleneck def. Even i stutter sometimes with a 9800pro.

 

[Tremulant]

Originally posted by: Porter21
Video card is bottleneck def. Even i stutter sometimes with a 9800pro.

Yeah.

I have an Athlon 64 3000+ oc'd to 3200+ spec, 1GB of PC3200 DDR and a 9800 Pro 128MB and the Sims 2 stutters for me too. Especially in the builder or whenever there's a lot on screen.

Edit: But I've heard that the Sims 2 causes even high end machines to stutter. I think it could just be the game itself. However, it still loads and plays fine, it just stutters alittle when there's too much going on.

 

[Jigglelicious]

Are you using the default Windows installation that DELL provided, or did you format and install a clean copy of windows? I've noticed at work where we just got a new Dell, there is a TON of crap thats installed in the system that brings it to its knees. Its a 2.4ghz P4, but it feels like a P2-400 at times. Format the hard drive and install a fresh copy of windows without all that Dell crap. That should speed up loading time significantly.

Btw, a level loads in about 10 seconds for me in the Sims2, give or take depending on its complexity.

 

[drpootums]

My mom has a Compaq with a 2600+, 512 mb's of ram, and Integrated GeForce 4 MX420 graphics. Sims 2 had long loading times and stuttered a lot. It's the video. Go for a trade up or a return if you can.

I also recommend building one (or getting one built through ABSpc or something) if u can get a refund. Definitally up to u, but it's just my recommendation.

 

[mechBgon]

Lonyo, that's Intel's MGA900 onboard video, which has roughly twice the performance of Extreme Graphics 2 even when EG2 has dual-channel DDR. So it's even worse than that chart is making it out to be... way worse, since RalphTheCow has single-channel DDR.

why would the graphics card affect loading time?

Because the graphics card is hogging 64MB of your RAM and also a slice of the memory bandwidth, and you don't have much to start with since the Dementia 3000 uses :roll: single-channel DDR :roll:

I see some good suggestions here:

1) my suggestion: if you're keeping the Dell, double your RAM to 1024MB. This will reduce the amount of disk activity needed.

2) uninstall all the extraneous Dell bloatware or use msconfig to at least ensure it doesn't run on startup (iTunes, Quicktime tray thing, whatever)

3) defrag the hard drive weekly or so


If you need more performance, either go to a 4700 or just build your own. One of the luxuries of building your own is that you can pick the hard drive you want, not the hard drive that Big Brother wants you to have. You could even treat yourself to a HDTach benchie like this one (or faster) if you really want to :evil: And you can opt for AMD if you feel like it. Sims2 benchmark

Building guide by mechBgon, if you're tempted. 🙂

 

[RalphTheCow]

Jiggleiscious and mechBgone, I killed all user processes except for explorer.exe and taskmgr.exe, and the Anti-Virus. That should take care of all the Dell bloatware, shouldn't it?

My problem here is it is going to cost me an extra $500 for a single darn game, since the system is fine for use otherwise. Oh well.