Anyone uses vsync on?

GreyWind · August 2018

If so have you experienced any issues like this when it rains?

I finally decided to install The Sims 3 and started to enjoy it again until this annoying glitch appeared.

MKSizzle · August 2018

I don't know what vsync is? I know this isn't helping, but I am just curious what it is.

GreyWind · August 2018

MKSizzle wrote: »

I don't know what vsync is? I know this isn't helping, but I am just curious what it is.

It helps you keep your frame rate at 60fps. Which means the game runs a lot smoother.

Goulsquash · August 2018

I have mine on, and my puddles look normal. I would check your graphics levels, sometimes when my videocard updates it resets all of my graphics settings to the lowest settings.

igazor · August 2018

I would say that (hopefully) most players with cards over a certain strength level are using vsync. Or at least trying to. Uncapped fps rates will cause graphics glitches, screen tears, lag, crashes, and can ultimately burn out the GPU.

@GreyWind - what's puzzling me is that another (brilliant, by the way) player on MTS got to your thread over there before I did and noted that your graphics card is not recognized by the game and we can see that you are getting the dreaded 32 MB texture memory override when it's really not necessary. He linked you to instructions on how to address both of those things and asked if that helps. Have you tried what he suggested yet or did you need some assistance in doing so?

GreyWind · August 2018

@igazor I forgot to check MTS so I will try this suggestion. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. Also, something I did not mention. I'm running a Windows 10 Insider build and it's on the skip ahead ring which supposed to be very buggy but in reality it's been pretty stable. Perhaps that could be a contributing factor. Will try the MTS suggestion and if that doesn't work, I will downgrade to the retail ring.

igazor · August 2018

Yeah, I would be concerned about Windows versions getting ahead of your graphics drivers but that is certainly a factor to consider while trying different solutions.

SimplyJen · August 2018

Sorry I never got around to your PM. I've been binge watching stuff on Hulu.

If you need help getting your card recognized, I can help too or igazor. I doubt this would make a difference but did you try Nvidia Control Panel before Inspector and did that cap framerate without this graphical issue? Or did you only manage to get v-sync working with Inspector?

GreyWind · August 2018

@igazor Yep tried getting my card recognized and it worked but the rain issue still there. Gonna dowgrade now to a stable build of Windows 10 and see if it doesn't happen there.

@SimplyJen Np

I did tried both, via inspector and the nvidia control panel. Both had the same outcome sadly. My last option is to go back to a normal build of Windows 10.

GreyWind · August 2018

@igazor Sad to report that I downgraded to Windows 7 just to test and

igazor · August 2018

This all still seems pretty unusual to me for an otherwise capable GPU. What kind of setting are you using for Water and Mirrors? Are the other graphics related settings in Game Options on medium or higher for the most part?

If it's not any of that, I wonder if maybe @SimplyJen here or Nitromon back on MTS might have some suggestions for GPU settings outside of the game, in the Control Panel or Inspector, that might help. I'm on an AMD card and have a very different toolset so can only guess as to how to proceed on Nvidia.

SimplyJen · August 2018

I've personally never seen this I don't think... My next suggestion is to do a clean driver install.

Download the latest driver for your card + current OS from the Nvidia website.
Also go ahead and download DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to completely wipe the current installed driver.
Run the program in safe mode as recommended on the site
Choose NVIDIA & Clean and restart
Install the new driver you downloaded from the Nvidia website.

Helpful video:

https://youtu.be/3ulQYC_HP9s

GreyWind · August 2018

Thanks @SimplyJen for the suggestion but I tried that and nothing.

I recorded this while it was doing the glitch.

https://i.imgur.com/cEHgMef.mp4
This only happens when v-sync is on. If I set the fps limiter on the inspector to 60fps it doesn't do it but I get a lot of screen tearing.

igazor · August 2018

Stepping back in with a couple of more suggestions if I may.

--Perhaps try setting the fps limit in Inspector explicitly to 59 or 61 to see if that makes any difference on the screen tears?
--You are playing in full-screen mode? Many players subjected to Win 10's more recent interference (although you did note the issue on Win 7 as well so this may not be relevant) get relief by using Windowed Borderless Gaming. Might be worth adding this to the mix if you have not done so already?
https://westechsolutions.net/sites/WindowedBorderlessGaming

GreyWind · August 2018

igazor wrote: »

Stepping back in with a couple of more suggestions if I may.

--Perhaps try setting the fps limit in Inspector explicitly to 59 or 61 to see if that makes any difference on the screen tears?
--You are playing in full-screen mode? Many players subjected to Win 10's more recent interference (although you did note the issue on Win 7 as well so this may not be relevant) get relief by using Windowed Borderless Gaming. Might be worth adding this to the mix if you have not done so already?
https://westechsolutions.net/sites/WindowedBorderlessGaming

Thanks @igazor I will give this a shot.

GraceyManor · August 2018

Yup, I have this issue as well, and I have V-sync on.
Edit: But not nearly as noticeable as yours.
Not really sure what the cause is, but it doesn't seem to interfere with game play for me.

1need4kaffee · August 2018

I never noticed it until you brought it up, but I have it, too. It appears to be limited to rain puddles for me. Since I haven't installed the weather mod yet, I usually play with rain off because it rains all.the.time. Which is probably why I never saw it until my current game with rain on.

GreyWind · August 2018

Springfairy556 wrote: »

Yup, I have this issue as well, and I have V-sync on.
Edit: But not nearly as noticeable as yours.
Not really sure what the cause is, but it doesn't seem to interfere with game play for me.

Yeah it doesn't affect the gameplay or anything, it's just weird to look at. I've tried nearly everything and still there so I've decided to just ignore it and just keep enjoying the game.

1need4kaffee wrote: »

I never noticed it until you brought it up, but I have it, too. It appears to be limited to rain puddles for me. Since I haven't installed the weather mod yet, I usually play with rain off because it rains all.the.time. Which is probably why I never saw it until my current game with rain on.

Thanks for posting about this. I thought it was my card having problems, wish there was a way to get rid of it.

coco · August 2018

@GreyWind This is a long shot but it might have something to do with a problem I had earlier this year. When light hit my sims hair in CAS, it would look very grainy and pixelated. I fixed it by opening NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings > Restore Defaults.

SimplyJen · August 2018

I'm not sure if it's related to the cards the three of you have. Two of them older and one newer but a budget card. A failing graphics card gives more signs than what we're seeing here. It's safe to rule that out.

@GreyWind You said when you set it to 60fps, the problem goes away but screen tearing happens. It's a long shot but here's what I have to suggest on top of what igazor said...

Nvidia Inspector: Under Sync and Refresh along with Vertical Sync & tweaking Frame Rate Limiter, try these settings:

Triple Buffering on
Vertical Sync Tear Control Adaptive

If the tearing continues with Inspector, try RTSS Rivetuner.
It helps with not only FPS, but smoother gameplay too according to others who use it. For some, it fixed screen tearing when other Nvidia tools couldn't. You will need to keep RTSS Rivetuner open in the background when you play the game in order for it to work. You can also set this to start up with Windows. Set frame rate to your refresh rate (60) application level medium. I've never used it before but you should be able to look up how to use it via Google search.

GraceyManor · August 2018

@SimplyJen
I have Nvidia 1050 ti.Like I said I didn't notice it until the OP pointed it out in mine and its only when I zoom in, at first I thought it was just the ripples from the raindrops making it look like that.

SimplyJen · August 2018

Ah ok then I found an old post. Sorry about the confusion.

I'm offering suggestions to anyone who wants to fix it.

edit to add: I don't have Seasons enabled right now and prefer not to for the sake of the challenge I'm currently doing. I could make a test save to see if the issue appears for me but when I've played with seasons in the past, I would have noticed such a thing. Curious as to why I've never seen this problem before and what causes it. It's difficult to find search results on this exact problem.

Auroraskies · September 2018

Hello!
I bought a new computer recently, with graphics card nvidia geforce 1050Ti, and got the message "your graphics card is not recognized by the game" when I first started up sims 3 (through steam). Since I do not know what I am doing I called the company where I bought the computer and got them access to my computer, the guy did something, and after that I did not get the message again. Does that mean it is fixed? I try to search the net, but I do not speak tech

I have seen multiple descriptions on how to do it (I do not really understand them anyway), but what the computercompanyguy did had not the same level if complexity.
I would be happy for info

SimplyJen · September 2018

@Auroraskies All newer/modern cards will receive this message. It should only appear once. I wonder what the tech guy could have done since there's only one solution for this message besides ignoring it. I'm willing to bet he did not add your card to the games database.

Most of the time, an unrecognized card doesn't do any harm. It just means EA hasn't patched it into the card database so the game doesn't know how to suggest graphics settings for you. The Sims 3 no longer has a team working on it so we haven't received a patch in years (nor will we again for this game).

You can tweak the graphics settings yourself. A GTX 1050ti is capable of High/Ultra settings for Sims. The only thing I would personally lower is the High Detail Lots setting... keep this low somewhere between 1-4. Doesn't matter what kind of computer; this game is much happier when it doesn't have to render/load all of the surrounding areas.

As I said, the card can be added to the database in order to be properly recognized. It's not always necessary and can be confusing to do. I don't normally recommend doing it unless you're experiencing issues or really like editing .sgr files. If it is necessary in this case, I can help you out further in a PM here. In short... don't worry about it unless you're having issues. Are you having issues such as the OP of this thread?

Something I do recommend doing for a dedicated card like yours is to use vertical sync for this game. It locks framerate to your monitors or screens refresh rate. This means your card won't work overtime when playing the game and in return, should help game performance.

First step it's good to know what kind of refresh rate we're working with. (Most common is 60 hz)

Windows search Display Settings
Advanced Display Settings
Display adapter properties
Click the Monitor tab

You should see your monitors refresh rate.

Instructions for Nvidia Control Panel already installed on your computer for Nvidia graphics users.

right-click desktop Nvidia Control Panel

Recreate what you see in the picture.
(Not pictured, listed above Vertical Sync)
Triple Buffering > On

Nvidia Control Panel requires fullscreen mode in order to work.

You can check FPS with the in-game cheat fps on. Small text will appear in the corner. This will let you know if it's working or not.

If you already tried control panel and it didn't work, try Nvidia Inspector.

Download & Install Nvidia Inspector

Look for the small tool icon or green symbol next to Driver Version. Click to launch Nvidia Profile Inspector.

Select Profiles at the top and scroll through the long list to find Sims 3.

Under Sync and Refresh, select Vertical Sync > Force On
(Not pictured, also listed under Sync and Refresh) Frame Rate Limiter > 60 fps *This number should reflect your own refresh rate.

Apply Changes top right corner.

Nvidia Inspector does not require fullscreen mode.

SPARKY1922 · September 2018

Hi @SimplyJen

I came across this thread and hope you don't mind me asking the following question as after reading your post above with the link to RTSS Rivetuner I realised this is the same program on of our techie players advised me to use after my last upgrade to cap fraps rather than using the Fraps program itself..

One of your fellow techie players advised me to download the RTSS Rivetuner some time ago to make sure fraps did not get out of control with my 3 game as opposed to using some other program like fraps however I find some of the info difficult to understand and was wondering if you would mind explaining how to set it up just for that purpose in my game..

I am using windows 7 sims 3 disc based on a hard drive that does not touch the internet so am wondering if it would actually work or require an internet connection? If these sorts of programs do require an internet connection to limit fraps could you please direct me to one that's reasonably easy to understand that doesn't..

I just added my 3 game to my Nvidia 1070 control card via EXE in controls I think it is after the last upgrade when you were helping me out and that appeared to have solved the usual Graphics problem I had but now I am going to start playing properly again I want to be sure my lovely new card is not getting burned out

apologies everyone for going a little off topic but when I saw Rivetuner mentioned I had to ask

Auroraskies · September 2018

SimplyJen:

Thank you so much!
I have refresh rate 60 Hz, and have now set the Nvidia to 'adaptable' (from 'off') - your explanations were really easy to follow

My game works smoother now than with my old computer, but sometimes there is a little lag and 'skips' in the animations. For me it is hard to know if that is inherent in the game; because of my computer system; or just me having the wrong settings. I have most of the graphics, in the game, set on low and middle (except the sims, they are nice to look at

), but I will try out this new nvidia-setting, before I decide if I 'have problems'. I do not have the same problem as GreyWind (my puddles are fine).

Thank you again for answering, and so quickly!

The Sims Forums

Anyone uses vsync on?

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