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My Game Keeps Flickering
andrevivey92
Posts: 30 Member
Hi my name is Dre and I am having an issue with the Sims 3. Recently when I go to play my game in full screen mode, it does this uncontrollable flickering. I have already uninstalled and reinstalled the game but the issue still isn't fixed. Understand that I am operating on the lowest graphics possible so I don't think that's the issue.
I had a similar issue with the Sims 4 where the screen would tear, but that was easily resolved by checking what I think was vertical rendering or something like that. There is no option to do that with Sims 3.
Below is a video displaying the issue.
https://youtu.be/49r2o5tyiJo
I had a similar issue with the Sims 4 where the screen would tear, but that was easily resolved by checking what I think was vertical rendering or something like that. There is no option to do that with Sims 3.
Below is a video displaying the issue.
https://youtu.be/49r2o5tyiJo 
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Comments
The feature you are referring to is called Vertical Sync, or V-Sync for short. Since TS3 has no in game option to enable V-Sync, it will need to be enabled via your video graphics driver control panel. Which graphics device are you using?
Thank you for your quick reply. My response is late because I have been busy.
I don't know much about computers, but I am using Intel(R) HD Graphics 4400 and the driver version is 20.19.15.4835
.
Your video card is integrated with your processor. it's not designed to run 3d games like the sims. It's designed for light computer tasks. You won't have a Vsync option for intel cards .The sims 3 does not have vsync.
How many and which ep's are you trying to run on the sims 3? Some ep's are more powerful than others and may be straining your video card. Screen tearing can happen when a video card can't render the game properly because the computer hardware is too weak for the game.
The large color coded chart might better help users to better understand what is going on with with the game when one has Intel integrated chip and not a graphics video card that meets the game specifications.
Scroll down and search - Intel HD 4000 at this page. It doesn't name your chip specifically but from the chip numbers there, you can get an idea of the hardship your computer is having --- and how, by limiting your game a bit more to just a few expansions which are named on the chart, you might get better playability. It could also prevent the computer from burning out too quickly and becoming a brick.
http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_System_Requirements
The yellow areas of Maybes on the chart range quite a bit and it may seem surprising that it does, but this is because each component that makes up a computer's hardware contributes to the power of the overall system. So the parts you may have heard of such as the amount and type of RAM, the CPU's build and purpose (some are not built for gaming). all these and other parts supply functionality that helps complete the picture of a computer's ability to play the game.
ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ ☆★☆ My Page ☆★☆ ᴼ -♞- ᴼ Ⅰ ❤ TS3❣
The Intel 4400 is also used in desktops according to Intel, but as can be seen via the chips listed above and below its range, it already falls below the specifications for TS3 even with a better CPU in a Desktop.
Many Simmers to whom I've shown the original chart immediately gain a better understanding of the importance of their hardware.
Thanks so much for all you do for our community and making your point.
The core issue that should not be forgotten, is that specifications for TS3 have been based on Desktop performance.
ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ ☆★☆ My Page ☆★☆ ᴼ -♞- ᴼ Ⅰ ❤ TS3❣
Some with an Intel HD 4000 series for integrated graphics are fortunate enough to get all TS3 with all 11 EPs running just fine on medium graphics settings on a desktop with a strong enough processor and plenty (more than 4 GB) of RAM hence the yellow "Maybes" on the chart. Of course, "just fine" is subjective and they clearly will not be able to push their games as far or for as long as those with dedicated cards can.
On a laptop with similar sounding specs, maybe so but usually only with the earliest few of the EPs.
With a weaker processor and not enough RAM in either case, not so much and even base game only might be questionable, if they can even get that going. As already said, different players' experiences and expectations will vary. This all pretty much does agree with what the charts are saying.
We don't yet know anything about the OP's hardware specs other than the integrated graphics chip series.
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Weirdly though, I played TS3 plenty of times on this laptop and I played with all expansions with little issues other than occasional lag.
S3 simblr: http://simplysimming.tumblr.com/
S4 simblr: http://simlogic.tumblr.com/
Heat could be an issue. Are you on laptop? As your saves get larger the game could become more problematic. An integrated video card will have issues with this game especially if your trying to run all eps.
Looking at your video are you playing IP? That world is very messed up and needs to be fixed before playing. You do also need a good computer to run it. ( I'm not seeing the flickering in the video like Simplyjen stated above )
Can you post your computer specs please
windows key + R key will open your run box in the lower left hand corner of your computer. In the runbox type DxDiag, hit ok ,let it load and save. The DxDiag will be saved in a text file in your documents folder. Please upload the DxDiag text file to https://pastebin.com Once you upload the DxDiag to pastebin, you can post the pastebin link with your DxDiag here. Thanks
I don't have a good video of the flickering....I thought I did.
The flickering did happen similarly with the Sims 4 but that stopped....but it's also happening with the Sims Medieval as well.
Sadly, I uninstalled all EPs and this issue is still occurring with just the base game.
S3 simblr: http://simplysimming.tumblr.com/
S4 simblr: http://simlogic.tumblr.com/
Okay, thank you.
file:///C:/Users/andre/Documents/DxDiag.txtfile:///C:/Users/andre/Documents/DxDiag.txt
Alternatively you could paste the text of the report into responses here, but that would require doing so section by section as the full report would be far too long to fit into one response. Usually that's more difficult, not easier though.
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Sorry, when I put the file into the pastebin "new paste" box it took me to a page with that URL.
https://pastebin.com/qrNFD4qn
The processor (CPU) is not strong enough to run much more than the TS3 base game plus maybe two or three of the earliest EPs all on the lowest graphics options settings. For most players, LateNite and those that came after wouldn't even startup on that one, you were fortunate to get that far and further with it for a while. Not sure about TS4, possibly base game only? Others here can correct me on that. It is too tight on RAM at 4GB, as we already knew it does not have a dedicated graphics card, and I'm scratching my head over this to be honest, it has way too small a hard drive for much other than cloud based file access and you are already running out of space on C. There is a much higher capacity E drive showing up, which is great for other file related uses and storage, but it appears to be an external USB connected drive. You can't really run games like TS3/4 externally, so that doesn't help in this case.
As far as sims games go, I do think this one could handle TS2 very well if that's any consolation and if you can free up more space on the C drive to work with. It's of course a much older game but it still has a loyal following.
What I've described above is what we would expect this computer to handle. In many cases, players' experiences vary. But that you could run TS3 with all EPs for a while doesn't mean that you should or it would be expected to continue being able to do so at any level of acceptable playability.
I hope you can find a stronger computer on which to play, if one is within reach. Pricetags should never really be the total determining factor, but to do a comparison this looks like an under $350 (US Dollar) laptop if it were new. New ones that are strong enough to run the entire game would start at $900, much higher for high capacity Solid State Drives (SSDs). Desktops run cheaper and don't need as much power in their components to achieve the same performance.
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@andrevivey92 I agree with what igazor is saying. That laptop is more like a tablet and meant to be used with cloud storage and cannot handle playing the sims 3 and 4. It would be even worse with your laptops weak hardware playing on an external USB. Do you have another computer to play on? If not I suggest thinking about investing in a computer that meets requirements . The sims 3 is a complete game and the sims 4 is not complete. The games complete have the same requirements though the games are programmed differently . If you have a computer that meets requirements to play the whole sims 3, that same computer should survive all future add ons for the sims 4 . These games do require a mid range gaming desktop. Laptop hardware is weaker than desktop hardware. You need a higher end gaming laptop to equal the game's requirements on desktop
If your interested in a computer that meets requirements, someone in tech sims 3 or 4 can help you with that.
Sorry for the bad news
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I had been able to run TS3 with no issues whatsoever for a couple of years and then I came back to the game after not playing for a while and suddenly had that awful flicker. I'm running the Intel 4600 chipset, SSD, faster processor and more RAM but same idea.
Anyway, long story short, after reinstalling, enabling v-sync (which can be done on the Intel chipsets, you can google it because apparently I can't post a link), removing mods and EPs and all that stuff I still had the flicker.
On a hunch I clicked to disable fullscreen mode in the game's graphics settings. NO MORE FLICKER! The game is windowed now but still fills the available screen and I don't mind a bit. Maybe that helps you, or anyone else having this issue with these chipsets - I hope so!
I'm pretty sure the issue was from a recent Windows or Intel update. Best of luck.
But the OP on this thread was running the game on a 1.7 GHz i3 U-series processor and a weaker integrated chip, in addition to only 4 GB of RAM. Pushing TS3 too hard on that hardware set was never going to yield a good result and could stand to overheat and damage their laptop. It was just not made for the kind of stress that this game, even without all the heavy EPs, puts them under.
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I had this issue too, it was almost like coloured tv static appeared in lines across my game. My game did not used to have this issue!
I fixed it by rolling back my graphics card driver. Just thought I’d leave a note incase anyone else has this issue...
I have an intel core i5-6500 CPU @ 3.20GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.2GHZ with 8 GB ram iMac running win 10 pro 64 on bootcamp, with an AMD Radeon R9 M380 graphics card.
To rollback go to device manager, find the card (mine was under display adapters), double click it, click on driver, then click on roll back.