Overview
This is a guide on how to make The Sims 3 run smoother, use more ram and fix some bugs on newer gaming PC hardware and systems.
Introduction
Hello!
Welcome to my guide for The Sims 3 and how to improve its performance on newer PC systems. Every step that I have listed are the steps I personally use to make my game run much more smoother on my PC system.
If a step has an “(Optional)” tag in the title means its up to you if you would like to add the tweaks to your game, If it has a “(Performance Booster)” Tag in the title it is recommended that you use the step to get the best results with the game performance.
If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments below and I will be sure to assist in any way that I can!
Happy Simming!!
This guide is intended to be used with game version 1.67 and 1.69, this guide was not made to be used with the game version 1.70 (64 bit Mac Update) . Edit at your own risk if using game version 1.70.
LIKE ANY TYPE OF GAME GUIDE THAT MAKES YOU EDIT THE GAME FILES ALWAYS, ALWAYS BACK-UP YOUR FILES BEFORE STARTING!
Step 1 – Making The Game Recognize Newer GPU Models to fix UI/Game Lag (Performance Booster)
The Sims 3 GPU Add-on Support TOOL
With The Sims 3 releasing back in 2009 and finishing its run in 2014 newer models of GPUs have come out since then but since the game has not been updated by EA due to no more patch support the game will not recognize newer models and believe it or not make you game run slower.
Making the game recognize newer GPU models will benefit in less lag spikes when using CREATE A SYLE/IN GAME UI and general GAMEPLAY performance since the game will use the newer cards benefits since its knows the cards model.
The Sims 3 by default can only recognize cards from gtx 600 series and under if you have any card(s) higher than the gtx 700 series you will need to use the The Sims 3 GPU Add-on Support TOOL to add your GPU to the games list of known GPU cards. (you will need to run the game at least once you will only need to get the main menu then exit)
Download Here The Sims 3 GPU Add-on Support Tool[www.nexusmods.com]
If you are a MAC user and cannot install the tool the user https://www.reddit.com/user/Naus-BDF on reddit has made an easy install file for mac users who cannot run the tool, it also works for windows users! Big thanks again to https://www.reddit.com/user/Naus-BDF for making the file!
Step 2 – Nraas Mods (Performance Booster)
Nraas mods will help your game run smoother and less likely to crash
To Install Nraas you will need basic knowlegde on how to install The Sims 3 mods if you are new please refer to this Site below on how to set up a “Mods” Folder for The Sims 3.
Here are the nraas mods that are needed…
Nraas Error Trap[www.nraas.net] – Error trap prevents the game from crashing when the game hiccups on itself and will notify you in game when it has prevented a crash it also leaves crash logs so you can track down what was going to make your game crash (Download the Steam version).
Nraas Overwatch[www.nraas.net] – Overwatch resets stuck sims and puts them back to their home lot safley will also remove unsued cars that slow down the game, turn off stereos that are not in use on non played sims homes ect.
Nraas Tempest[www.nraas.net] – Has an option to clean up all fallen leaves around the world after fall has ended. (Install only if you have seasons installed.)
Nraas Master Controller [www.nraas.net]– Lets you become more of a god with option to set slider values edit any sims in CAS set skill levels and so on can also be used to reset lots and sims manually even an entire town to fix any issues.
Nraas Master Controller Integration[www.nraas.net] – Makes it so that the “Create A Sim” settings you set under the setting section of master controller apply to the normal “Create A Sim” button example, “new game CAS” or Edit Town CAS”. Using Compact hats, clothing, make-up ect will make CAS Load tremendously faster than it does without. (THIS MOD REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE MASTER CONTROLLER INSTALLED)
Story Progression[www.nraas.net] – Makes the story progression more varied and interesting also gives you a wide array of settings. Want certain sims to never get into relationships? Never want certain sims to age but want the rest of the town too? Want to stop certain carers being acquired by npc sims and townies? Nraas Story Progressions is the mod for you!
Step 3 – Limiting FPS (Performance Booster) (Only Fullscreen Mode)
Limiting the game to only 60fps will increase game performance dramatically. The reason this being is that the engine The Sims 3 runs on is optomized for 60fps and under so limiting the fps to 60 or under will improve the games overall performance.
This is also mainly usefull for hardware released after 2010 thanks to Bufu69 for the info! If you have a graphics card from before 2010 this step may cause recoiling.
~~THESE STEPS WILL BE FOR NVIDIA FOR AMD USERS USING “RivaTuner” Will GIVE SAME RESULTS AS NVIDIA VSYNC!~~
Step 1: Right click the desktop and click on “Nvidia Control Panel“.
Step 2: When the control panel comes up click on the tab “Manage 3D settings“
Step 3: Then click the tab “program settings” and on the drop down window select The Sims 3’s .exe file (ts3.exe and ts3w.exe)
Step 3.5: If the The Sims 3’s .exe files are not in the drop down window click the “Add” button and locate them were you have the game installed and click “Add“.
Step 4: In the little window scroll down until you find the option “vertical sync” turn this option to “ON” for both ts3.exe and ts3w.exe.
Step 5: Press “apply” at the bottom of the window for both of the .exe when applying the vsync setting and close the window after completion.
Step 4 – Making The Game Use More RAM (Performance Booster)
The Sims 3 Is known for chugging along as it uses very little RAM by default but with this simple tweak you can push the game to use more of the RAM on your system.
Step 1 – Locate “Sims3.ini” in “SteamAppscommonThe Sims 3GameBin” and open it in notepad (or notepadd ++ makes things easier to edit and find)
Step 2 – When opened press “Crtl + f” a search bar will appear type in the search bar “MemoryUsageLimit” and press enter.
Step 3 – There you will find that next to “MemoryUsageLimit” there will be the number “20000000” Change this number to “40000000”
Step 4 – Save the .ini file and close it.
Step 4.5 – Making The Game Use More CPU (Performance Booster)
Step 1 – Locate “GraphicsRules.srg” in “SteamAppscommonThe Sims 3GameBin” and open it in notepad (or notepadd ++ makes things easier to edit and find)
Step 2 – When opened press “Crtl + f” a search bar will appear type in the search bar “seti cpuLevelUber” and press enter.
Step 3 – When located Change the numbers 3,2,1 all to the number 3
From This
To This
Step 4 – Save and exit the document.
Step 4.5b – Making The Game Use More Vram (Performance Booster)
Step 1 – Locate “GraphicsRules.srg” in “SteamAppscommonThe Sims 3GameBin” and open it in notepad (or notepadd ++ makes things easier to edit and find)
Step 2 – When opened press “Crtl + f” a search bar will appear type in the search bar “seti textureMemory” and press enter.
Step 3 – When located Change the number that is next to “seti textureMemory” you will see the number “2048” this number is currently set so the game only uses 2GB of vram if you have more replace it with you current amount on your installed graphics card. For example I replaced “2048” with the number “24576” since I have a 24GB card installed into my PC.
Step 4 – Save and exit the document.
Note – If you are on a Mac computer its best to leave the number if it is “32” on windows if the number is “32” it okay to change the amount.
If you are having trouble calculating the amount of gigabytes to megabytes just times the amount of vram you have (in GBs) with 1024. Example “24(gb) x 1024(mb) = 24576(mb)”.
Step 5 – Making Sims Able To Walk Past Each Other At Realistic Distances (Optional)
In The Sims 3 sims love to tap their foot and huddle all at a doorway that could easly have more than one person going throught it at once, this tweak makes it so that sims move more like they do in The Sims 4 when navagating around each other and objects.
Step 1 – Locate “Sims3.ini” in “SteamAppscommonThe Sims 3GameBin” and open it in notepad (or notepadd ++ makes things easier to edit and find)
Step 2 – When opened press “Crtl + f” a search bar will appear type in the search bar “DynamicAvoidance” and press enter.
Step 3 – In the “Config” Catagory change ONLY “DynamicAvoidance_FieldRadius, DynamicAvoidance_InactiveFieldLength, DynamicAvoidance_MinNonIntersectingDistance, DynamicAvoidance_FieldLengthPad, DynamicAvoidance_StopDistanceMultiplier” all to “0.1“
So From This
To This
Step 4 – Save and close the .ini File.
Step 6 – Fixing Improperly Rendered Body Hair & Tattoos on Your Sims (Optional)
For some reason EA made it so that at high settings or with a HQ mod installed sims with body hair or tatoos would have blurry mess on them instead of clear textures this tweak fixes that issue so you can see sims tattoos and body hair in all their non blurry glory!
Step 1 – Locate GraphicsRules.srg in “SteamAppscommonThe Sims 3GameBin” and open it in notepad (or notepadd ++ makes things easier to edit and find)
Step 2 – When opened press “Crtl + f” a search bar will appear type in the search bar “ShaderSkinCompositing” and press enter.
Step 3 – There will be four “ShaderSkinCompositing” some will be set to “True” by defualt replace these with “false” and save the file.
Step 7 – Removing The Horrid Bloom Effect (Optional)
The Sims 3 has the worst bloom effect imho ever and it can lag your game in some instances were there could be tons of light sources creating bloom, disabling this will also make the game not an eye sore to look and and more pleasing to the eye.
Step 1 – Go to SteamSteamAppscommonThe Sims 3GameBin and open the file “GraphicsRules.srg” with Notepad (Or Notepad ++ its easier to edit and find things with)
Step 2 – Once open click “Ctrl+f” a seasrch bar will appear, type in “AdvancedRendering” and press search.
Step 3 – once located Copy the line “prop $ConfigGroup RenderPostProcessEnabled false”
Step 4 – Make a new line under the “on” setting and paste the “prop $ConfigGroup RenderPostProcessEnabled false” under the “prop $ConfigGroup RenderForceMinspecShaders 0” line
Step 5 – Press save and you are done! DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ELSE APART FROM WHAT WE ADDED IN “ADVANCED RENDERING” OR THE GAME WILL NOT START!!
NOTE: When using this step it will also disable some other post processing features such as heat wave lines in the distance on hot days with seasons installed or any objects with illuminated mesh textures will not have any glow anymore. There is currently no workaround for this until the shader files are cracked open so we can fully edit them.
Step 8 – Restricting Store Generated Jpgs (Performance Booster)
With an update to The Sims 3 back in 2011 EA made it so you could browse the online store in game this feature surprisingly slows down the game a lot.
How it slows down your game is that it generates images of the store items everytime you click on the store feature in game then in a folder were the sims 3 stores all your save files the game generates hundred of jpeg files over and over again. Disabling this folder from updating will increase your games performance. The neutorious folder is called “FeaturedItems”.
~~!!You will need ADMIN rights to do this step!!~~
This is how you disable the “FeaturedItems” folder,
Step 1: Locate “The Sims 3” folder in your “My Documents” under “Electronic Arts”,
DocumentsElectronic ArtsThe Sims 3
Step 2: Once in “The Sims 3” Folder find the folder called “Featured Items” and right click on the folder and select properties.
Step 3: Once selecting properties a little window will apear once it has apeared click on the “Security” tab at the top of the little window.
Step 4: After clicking the tab you will see this window
Click on the Edit button to the centre right
Once clicked tick all the boxes in the rectangle below so that “Deny” is ticked for all options.
And then Click Apply and close the ‘Featured Items” properties window.
Step 9 – Cleaning DCBackup Folder (Performance Booster)
When installing things through the launcher the path to those files are saved in this file but of corse there are a lot of files that are not needed and will slow down the game you can delete everything in this folder except for one file and it is called “ccmerged” this file is required the rest can be deleted without any trouble.
The folder should look like this after you are done.
(IF YOU INTEND TO UPLOAD SIMS/LOTS WITH CC TO THE EXCHANGE OR ANY OTHER SITE DO NOT DELETE THESE FILES OR THE SIM/LOTS WILL USE NON CC FILES WHEN EXPORTED!)
Step 10 – Save Game Cleaning (Performance Booster)
ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR SAVE FILES BEFORE USING ANY TOOL
When saving The Sims 3 will actually bloat the save files with unnecessary lines of code slowing down you game when loaded. The tool needs to be used EVERYTIME YOU SAVE when exiting the game.
Regul Save Cleaner[modthesims.info] – This tool is really good for cleaning your saves you get to choose what you want cleaned up in your save file, shows you comparisons of before and after the clean and can even clear chache files for you in one click of a button! You can even select an option to make a backup when cleaned. All in one easy to use tool with nice UI! (It even has a dark/night mode theme for people who like to use dark/night mode UI’s)
Step 11 – Clearing Cache Files (Performance Booster)
In “The Sims 3” folder under the folder “Electronic Arts” the game will generate chache files every time its starts up if never been deleted before the file size over time will become very large and will slow down the game.
The cache files that are safe to delete after everytime playing the game are…
– compositorCache.package
– CasPartCache.package
– scriptCache.package
– simCompositorCache.package
– socialCache.package
Deleting these files before running the game will make the game run smoother.
Regul Save Cleaner[modthesims.info] also includes an option to clear cache at a click of a button see the step above for more infomation!
Step 12 – The Sims 3 World Fixes (Optional) (Only For New Saves!!)
This step is only for new saved games already saved games will crash/break when loading on start up if the new world files are installed on saved games that used the old world files.
When EA was making the worlds for The Sims 3 they missed a lot of bugs on the worlds terrain and path finding which ends up in sims getting stuck and lagging out the game.
Some of the downloads parts are named differently than others thanks to Dratgon for pointing this out! They are still installed the same way just some are named differently they will have to be renamed to be detected.
If you are using Nraas Overwatch the world fixes are not technically needed but you can still download them if you want to.
ONLY DOWNLOAD THE WORLD FILES THAT YOU HAVE INSTALLED FROM EXPANSIONS!
The Sims 3 Base Game – Sunset Valley[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Base Game (Store FREE) – Riverview[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 World Adventures – Al Simhara,Champs Les Sims,Shang Simla[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Ambitions – Twinbrook[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Late Night – Bridge Port[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Pets – Appaloosa Plains[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Showtime – Starlight Shores[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Supernatural – Moonlight Falls[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Universiy Life – Sims University[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Island Paradise – Isla Paradiso[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Into The Future – Oasis Landing (Will Update Link When Town Has A World Fix Mod Made)
ONLY DOWNLOAD THE WORLD FILES THAT YOU HAVE INSTALLED FROM THE SIMS 3 STORE!
The Sims 3 Store – Sunlit Tides[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Store – Lunar Lakes[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Store – Monte Vista[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Store – Hidden Springs[modthesims.info]
The Sims 3 Store –
[potato-ballad-sims.tumblr.com] (Some Minor Changes to the world and with added fixes)
The Sims 3 Store – Roaring Heights (Will Update Link When Town Has A World Fix Mod Made)
The Sims 3 Store – Midnight Hollow (Will Update Link When Town Has A World Fix Mod Made)
The Sims 3 Store – Dragon Valley (Will Update Link When Town Has A World Fix Mod Made)
The Sims 3 Store – Lucky Palms (Will Update Link When Town Has A World Fix Mod Made)
The Sims 3 Store – Barnacle Bay (Will Update Link When Town Has A World Fix Mod Made)
Step 13 – Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks. (optional) (performance)
In this section you will find mods that will fix issues and bugs that were never patched out by EA and The Sims Team even some mods that add some minor tweaks to game play. with no performance impact some may even help performance! The mods in this section are built to work with at least game version 1.67 (retail/Steam) and should have no issue with 1.69 (Origin).
Mods with the icon “🐛” will help the game by bug fixing, and the mods with a “✨” will add some game play tweaks and enhancements to the game with no performance cost!
Base Game Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
BASE GAME COMPATIBLE MODS
🐛 Tile-able Items Shader FIX[modthesims.info] – Fixes lighting shaders on certain tile-able items.
✨ Subtle Build Grid Active Level Only[modthesims.info] – Makes the build and buy grids more easy on the eyes and boost some fps on larger lots with lots of stories and basements.
✨ ‘No Stretch’ Children can Series[modthesims.info] – Not a bug but allows children to do some object interactions that they previously could not do IE play guitar, do laundry ect with animations that do not stretch. (Some downloads of this mod require EP’s but mostly are Base Game)
✨ World Loading Screen Overhaul v2.0[modthesims.info] – Makes it so that all worlds (EA WORLDS) have their own unique loading screens not the vanilla sunset valley one. This mod has no game play fixes or changes but makes the loading screens more unique from one another so purely cosmetic also no performance loss when in use.
✨ Disable Party Invitations and Follow-up[modthesims.info] – Disables the spam of invitations you get when having high charisma in the game can fix some lag issues.
✨ Nona’s No Limo’s[www.simlogical.com] – Makes it so npc’s do not use limo’s when in high levels of any career or celeb status. Limos are known to casue some lag when there are too many in the game world.
🐛 Interaction on sloped terrain enabler[modthesims.info] – This mod will allow sims to interact on sloped terrain and will fix sims getting stuck when trying to interact with objects or other sims on a slighty sloped terrain.
🐛 Base Game Halfwalls FIXED!!![modthesims.info] – Fixes the base game half walls meshes and collision
✨ Variable loading screen[modthesims.info] – No game play fixes or changes but lets you change the main loading screen to any expansion or stuff pack (I personally use the base game option).
✨ http://oneeuromutt.tumblr.com/private/118379593101/tumblr_nnztc0Mynk1t07rfv[oneeuromutt.tumblr.com] – Makes it so any Expansion and stuff pack of your choice has the clothing made to fit pregnant sims, choose accordingly to what packs you have installed.
🐛 Missing/Empty Book Title Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes a bug were some books in game had no titles appearing on them when you hovered the mouse over.
🐛 S-Club ts3 EA Eyeball UVFix – Fixes the UV lighting on the sims eyes so that its facing in the right direction for both eyes and not just a mirrored effect.
Male Version – Will add a link when one is made?
Female Version[www.thesimsresource.com]
🐛 EA Eyeshadow Texture Fix[linna.modthesims.info] – Fixes bad alpha mapping on the eye shadow textures done by EA.
🐛 Muscle Slider Fix for Teens and Elders[linna.modthesims.info] – Fixes the muscle tone sliders not working on teen and elder sims.
🐛 Trait Discovery Fix[modthesims.info] – fixes some traits from expansion packs and base game not being able to be discovered by your sims like other traits that can be. (thanks to kerriplayssims on reddit for this find)
🐛 ‘Feed’ Fish Interaction Fixer[modthesims.info] – fixes an issue were sims will not feed fish on their own when the fish get hungry, there is also an option for maids and butlers to do so also ONLY CHOOSE ONE OPTION!. The butler option will need the late night expansion to work however. (thanks to kerriplayssims on reddit for this find)
🐛 Welcome Matt Deshined Rug[modthesims.info] – Fixes an issue with a base game rug having the wrong specular mapping applied to it making it very shiny.
🐛 Horizontal Clapboard – Fixed[modthesims.info] – Fixes an issue with wonky texture normals on the Horizontal Clapboard wall paint.
✨ Reworked & Improved EA Lights[modthesims.info] – Makes the EA default lighting less harsh on the eyes and a bit more realistic. (should be compatible with all outdoor lighting overhaul mods)
✨ Improved Environmental Shadows[modthesims.info] – Improves the outdoor shadows to look less washed out and a bit more realistic. (should be compatible with all outdoor lighting mods)
🐛 BG Altitute Quantizer Stair Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes a mesh issue when placing the set of stairs inside.
Ambitions Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
AMBITIONS COMPATIBLE MODS (Use Only if You Have Ambitions installed)
✨ Super Hampers[www.simlogical.com] – Auto picks up laundry anywere not the lot. (Note do put it close to the washing machine becasue there is a known bug were if the sim is carrying it to the machine the game will clean it up out of the sims hands back to the hamper)
🐛 Infinite Laundry Buffs Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes a bug were the clean clothing moodlet never goes away.
World Adventures Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
WORLD ADVENTURES COMPATIBLE MODS (Use Only if You Have World Adventures installed)
🐛 Excavation Site Hotfix[linna.modthesims.info] – Fixes the interaction with Excavation Site object.
🐛
[potato-ballad-sims.tumblr.com] – Fixes the distant terrain tree models to have proper transparency.
Late Night Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
LATE NIGHT COMPATIBLE MODS (Only Use if Late Night is Installed)
✨ Dead People Don’t Glow[virtualartisan.blogspot.com.au] – Makes it so vampire have normal skin colour and eye’s there is an option too keep the glowing eyes also.
🐛 Inventor’s Workbench fix for Bridgeport[modthesims.info] – Fixes an issue were you could not make a sim bot in bridgeport using the inventors table (Ambitions is required!!)
🐛 Late Night Plant Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes an issue so that some of the plant objects that came with this EP are in the right buy mode category.
🐛 LN Celeb Fridge Texture Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes an issue with the specular mapping on a fridge that was added by Late Night the fridge now has the proper reflective texture applied.
Generations Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
GENERATIONS COMPATIBLE MODS (Only Use if Generations is Installed)
🐛 Write Thank You Notes Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes a bug were you could not write thank you notes back to people who sent you wedding gifts in the mail.
🐛
[danjaley.tumblr.com] – Fixes the interaction to read a toddler to sleep interaction
🐛 Generations: Fixes For “Natural”*Family Portrait & Dream of the Windrunner Paintings[modthesims.info] – Fixes an issue were you could only use one of the texture variants of certain paintings.
Pets Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
PETS COMPATIBLE MODS (Only Use if Pets is Installed)
🐛 Gallop Fastest Animation Fix[simsasylum.com] – Fixes an issue with horses were their theird animation used for galloping would display/play wrong when they ran at full speed (Registration RequiredFor Download)
🐛 Pet Tombstone Shadow Fix [modthesims.info]– Fixes badly rendered shadows on the pet tombstones.
🐛 Butler & Maid will Feed Pets & Clean All Pets[www.modthesims.info] – Fixes an issue were maids and butlers would not clean the newly added pet objects added in the pets expansion. The butler will need the late night expansion to work, this mod also works fine with Fish Interaction Fixer[modthesims.info] from the base game fixer section.
🐛 Fixed horse tails (no more shiny horses!)[modthesims.info] – Fixes issues with horses being shiny due to specular shininess being set wrong on horses tails.
University Life Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
UNIVERSITY LIFE COMPATIBLE MODS (Install only if you own University Life EP)
🐛 University Student Union / Library Shell Overrides[modthesims.info] – Fixes sims routing into the union building so they use both entrances on either side of the builing and not all try to use the front doors and get stuck which causes lag.
Only use “UNI_FIX_MissingScienceProfessor.rar” on a save that has not gone to university yet not an existing one that has already travelled to the university already and has been saved there, thanks to Pyzel for letting me know!!
Also if you plan to use the mod Nraas GoHere mod you will need to only use wither the union building fix or go here since they have conflicts thanks to Motka for the head up on the issue!
🐛 No More University Life NPC Protests[modthesims.info] – This will fix sims trying to start protest in the ocean and other rondom places that would casue lag.
✨ Safe and Fun Bonfires[modthesims.info] – Makes it so around the world npc sims are all trying to throw potions onto the bonfires.
✨ No Mascot CameraZoom[modthesims.info] – makes it so the game camera does not centre to the mascot everytime they arrive at your house.
🐛 University Life Alpha Omega Door Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes a bug so the door can be changed to any color from the door frames color.
🐛 Throw a Great Party Dreams Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes the “Throw a Great Party” dreams added in university life expansion. (Thanks to Reddit User kerriplayssims for sending this link to me!)
Showtime Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
SHOWTIME COMPATIBLE MODS (Only use if you have Showtime EP)
✨ NoNPCPerformForTips – (This mod has been taken down for the time being when it is re-uploaded i will relink it.) What this mod does it fixes npc’s when they perform for tips they get stuck and can lag the game.
✨ Simport Rewards Unlocked[modthesims.info] – Unlocks the exclusive SimPort Items.
Supernatural Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
SUPERNATURAL COMPATIBLE MODS (Install only if you have Supernatural installed)
✨ No More Zombies Generated At Full Moon [modthesims.info]– Makes it so when its a full moon zombies do not spawn, on some setup the zombies can causee lag.
✨ No Full Moon Lighting Effect[modthesims.info] – Disables the really bad full moon lighting effect that displays during a full moon. (Nraas Overwatch has an option to disable it too in game menu)
🐛 A Proper Fix to the Proper Trait[modthesims.info] – Fixes some bugs and issues with the Proper Trait.
🐛 Money Tree Bug Fix (Gatherer Trait Bug Fix)[simsasylum.com] – there is a chance if sims have the “gatherer” trait that they can not harvest from the money tree if they have harvested other plants beforehand and it corrupting the money tree and sims will no longer be able to use the money tree. (Requires Registration to Download)
🐛 Restoration Spell Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes some interactions with objects with the restoration spell. (thanks to kerriplayssims on reddit for this find)
🐛 Bonehilda Leave The Toddlers Alone![simsasylum.com] – Fixes an issue were Bonehilda would try to tend to toddlers and babies but gets stuck when trying, she used to be able to interact with toddlers and babies but EA broke her in a update patch and never bothered to fix her interactions with them. (Requires Registration to Download)
Seasons Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
SEASONS COMPATIBLE MODS (Install only if Seasons is Installed)
✨ Faster/Slower Leaf Raking[linna.modthesims.info] – Makes raking leaves more fast or slower (only use if you do not want to use nraas tempest since they have a conflict if both installed at the same time)
🐛 No more ugly snowprints[www.modthesims.info] – fixes the ugly miss match of snow textures around certain objects.
Island Paradise Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
ISLAND PARADISE COMPATIBLE MODS (Install Only if Island Paradise is Installed)
🐛 Dive Cave Reset Fix[simsasylum.com] – Fixes a bug were sims would reset upon entering underwater cave rabit holes (Registration required to download and some additional setup required instructions on the mods page)
🐛 Sunbathing Fix[www.simlogical.com] – Fixes sims autonomously sunbathing when it is night or stormy/raining weather, user can still make sims sunbath in these weathers if desired just stops the bugged autonomously interaction.
🐛 Hanging Lantern Fix[www.modthesims.info] – Fixes an issue so sims can pass under the the object and not be blocked off by it.
Into The Future Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
INTO THE FUTURE COMPATIBLE MODS (Install only if Into The Future is Installed)
✨ No TimePortal CameraZoom[modthesims.info] – Makes it so that the camera does not centre on the time portal when it spawns in.
🐛 ITF Perigee Planter Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes the snow placement on the fence during winter (seasons expansion required)
🐛 Opportunity phone call fix (and more)[modthesims.info] – Fixes a bug from into the future were normal opportunities would not appear while in the present after traveling to the future and back. thanks @HETA🌭ZER0 for mentioning this fix!
🐛 Watch Laser Rhythm-a-Con FIX [modthesims.info]– fixes an issue were the object would not ut up the fun meter for sims who were watching unlike other musical items in the game. (thanks to kerriplayssims on reddit for the find)
Store Content Bug Fixes/Game Play Tweaks
Only use these fixes if you have the store content installed from the official The Sims 3 Store
🐛 FIX for Walker and Playpen Reset Bug – V2 by Nona Mena[www.simlogical.com] – Fixes bugs with the playpen and the walker frame for todlers from The Sims 3 Store. (Thanks to Reddit User kerriplayssims for sending this link to me!)
🐛 Amour Perfume Moodlet Typo Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes a type with the gain moodlets from the new objects. (Thanks to Reddit User kerriplayssims for sending this link to me!)
🐛 Vineyard Vittles Dining Table Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes odd animation issues with the table set.
🐛 Banquett Fan Routing Fix[modthesims.info] – Fixes routing issues with the Banquett Fan.
🐛 Canning Station Overhaul[modthesims.info] – Fixes issues with the “Grandma’s Canning Station” object from the sims 3 store while also adding options to can food from expansion packs. (thanks to kerriplayssims on reddit for this find)
🐛 Corn Stalk Fix – Grandpa’s Grove Store Set[modthesims.info] – fixes some issues with the corn object from the sims 3 store, some additional setup is required for this fix more can be found of the mods page. (thanks to kerriplayssims on reddit for this find)
🐛 More Efficient Upgrade Name Fix[modthesims.info] – fixes an issue with the upgrade option on two store objects the The Legendary Wind Raker[store.thesims3.com] and the Day Star 3000[store.thesims3.com]. (thanks to kerriplayssims on reddit for this find)
🐛 Haute Hacienda Fireplace Fixes[modthesims.info] – Fixes some issues with the Haute Hacienda Fireplace[au.store.thesims3.com] from the sims 3 store.
🐛 Now & Then Manor Curved Staircase FIXED![modthesims.info] – Fixes clipping issues when placing the objects next to stairs. Requires the Hang Left/Right Curved Colonial Stair Rail[store.thesims3.com] object from the sims 3 store.
Step 14 – In Game Options (Performance Booster)
The game has some options that are on by default that can slow down the game if turned on. You may turn the off if you like.
Graphics Options (1st tab – Monitor)– Turning the Refresh rate of the game to default setting is the best setting to go for since we have made the graphics card handle the refresh rate in the graphics cards control panel and with The Sims 3 engine the game has to be run at 60fps or under or the game physics engine will start to break resulting stuttering and broken physics.
General Options (3rd tab – Gears) – Turning the options that I have circled in red to off will help the games performance greatly.
Shop Mode option – if you followed the step earlier about restricting the “.jpegs” from generating then the shop mode is useless and can be turned off for a lot of extra performance.
Interactive loading Screens Option – This was a good concept but the final product can actually make loading up your game even longer so disabling this option can make the game load your save file quicker.
Disable Memories – This feature is really good for story telling and legacy save files but it can become very laggy with every sim in town getting constant memories all the time setting this to off will help the games performance greatly. If you like this feature turned on but still want performance I would recommend looking at the mod No (or fewer) automatic memories[modthesims.info] this mod makes it so only important events in your sims life is saved and not useless ones.
Online/Social Options (7th tab – Antenna) – Turning off the options circled in red is highly recommend for performance since in game online stuff in the sims 3 was added poorly and results in a lot of lag on the games engine keeping the any online options off will improve performance greatly.
Advanced Demographics Options (9th tab – Silhouette of Two Sims) – (OPTIONAL) turning the options off that I have circled in red can improve perfromance greatly this just means that sims that are not any of these life states can not be turned into them and sims that are already that life state can not turn other sims into that life state. Do not worry sims that are already say a vampire will not be turned to a human again if turning vampire off ect.
Bonus Step – The Sims 3 Dashboard tool (Performance)
The Sims 3 Dashboard tool is a tool that can detect mods that are corrupt or in conflict with other mods you have installed in your mods folder. Finding out if a mod is corrupt and removing it or resolving conflict issues between mods can improve performance greatly and decrease the chances of a game crash with a lot of mods installed in your mods folder.
You can download The Sims 3 Dashboard tool – HERE[modthesims.info]
Step 1 – Download and extract the program anywhere you like onto your PC once extracted open up the program.
Step 2 – Once the program is open select “File” and then “Scan Folder“.
Step 3 – A window will open up you will need to navigate to your mods folder. This is usually located under “My Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/Mods” Once you have located the “Mods” folder click it.
And then Click “Okay“.
Step 4 – After Dashboard is done loading your mods folder it should look similar to this…
Navigate to the filter option in the bottom left corner and click it and a little window should pop up. After click “conflicts“
Step 5 – All mods that are conflicting will show up (this will be the same for any other filter option you select also keep in mind I only have two conflicts present for the tutorial you may have more and have to look under the “type” section to see which mod is conflicting with what).
Select the mod you would like to remove or the mod you use the least out of the conflicts,
select “action” and then “!!Delete Packages!!“. This will remove the conflicting mod you selected.
Step 6 – Once done sorting out any conflict you might have or any other errors picked up by the tool close the program.