How can I make my computer run games(The sims 3 and it's components) more smoothly?

[HelenLohov99]

My computer specks are:
2,5 GHz Intel Core i5 quad-core (2nd Gen.)
8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
AMD Radeon HD 6750M 512 MB
Actually, I have an 2011 21.5 inch iMac with both OS X 10.8.4 and Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit( on Bootcamp. )

I made a Bootcamp partition in order to play the Sims 3, with all the expansion packs, all stuff packs, a lot of custom content and mods.
A month ago my game started lugging and running slowly so I deleted the bootcamp partition and made a new one and I installed all games again but it's still working poorly, so I decided to un-install some of my games.I un-installed 2 Expansion Packs and all my stuff packs except 2 of them. But it didn't work!I feel very disappointed because I bought my iMac to play the sims( Don't tell me that it was a stupid decision, I know that it is, but I was 12 when I got it and nobody from my family knows anything about computers and when you are 12 and see an iMac you think that it can handle everything😛 ).

Does anyone know what should I do?
I'm thinking of buying a 16GB(2 slotsx8) ram for my computer so I'll have 20GB RAM in total will it make the games run more smoothly? Can I achieve this without spending any money?

 

[Thegamerguy]

Hi Helen,

I think 8GB RAM is more than enough at this stage of time.

Here are a few steps to speed up your computer free of charge:

1. Check your HDD for the amount of free space you have. You need AT LEAST 15% free for your PC to run smoother.

2. De-Fragmenting
Over time, the data on your hard drive gets scattered. Defragmenting your hard drive puts your data back into sequential order, making it easier for Windows to access it. As a result, the performance of your computer will improve.

3. Uninstall Unneeded Programs
Removing programs that you no longer use can free up space on your computer and speed up your system's performance. However, you need to uninstall the programs properly to see much improvement; deleting them is not enough. Uninstalling doesn't always mean the program is gone though, so check your HDD for remaining files.

4. Stop Programs from starting on Windows boot
One way you can speed up your computer is to prevent programs from launching themselves at start-up. Not only do the unwanted programs delay the start of Windows, they also continue to slow down your computer since they use system resources.
a) Open your Start menu.
b) Click Run
c) In the command screen type "msconfig"
d) In the "system configuration utility", click either "service" or "startup" tab
e) Uncheck all programs that you are no longer using.
f) Click "OK"

5. Check for Spyware and Adware
Spyware is software that allows companies to monitor what websites you visit or even access your computer. Adware is software that displays advertisements. Both use system resources and slow your computer down. Detecting and removing the programs will improve system performance.
Get Microsoft security essentials. It's free and efficient.

Hope this helped!

 

[computertech82]

If you start a NEW world, and it lags, that's different story than lagging with a world you have been playing alot.

I upgraded my system using a SSD drive, and that alone really sped up sims 3 and it's texture loading.

 

[HelenLohov99]

[strike][/strike]

If you start a NEW world, and it lags, that's different story than lagging with a world you have been playing alot.

I upgraded my system using a SSD drive, and that alone really sped up sims 3 and it's texture loading.

Thank you for your reply.
I recently moved my family(since I have TS3: Island Paradise) from Apalooosa Plains to Isla Paradiso and it still lagged, and I also created a new game with only one sim(which sim is a mermaid-fairy-witch-vampire hybrid, I don't know if it makes any difference 😛) in Isla Paradiso and it still lagged like I was playing my game in a 10 years old computer! -.-

I don't know if Apple allows me to buy a SSD for my iMac, since I have recently purchased the 2-year Apple warranty.


And the most annoying part is, when I play the game in Mac OS X it runs PERFECTLY but suddenly it crashes ( like every Sims 3 game which is played on a Mac ) and it doesn't crash like every two hours so I can save it and then reload it, it crashes after 10 minutes of gameplay or so.