Sims 3 frame drop issue

[kkaizer85]

I'm currently using DXVK with the following configuration settings:

d3d9.textureMemory = 1
d3d9.presentInterval = 1
d3d9.maxFrameRate = 60
d3d9.samplerAnisotropy = 16

These settings have successfully resolved the infamous Error Code 12 in The Sims 3. However, I've been experiencing serious frame drops when hosting large gatherings or parties in-game (i.e., inviting many Sims to one lot). During these events, the game becomes extremely sluggish and nearly unplayable due to the frame rate drop.

Here are my system specs:

CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU @ 3.00GHz (4 cores, 4 threads)

Additionally, the blog that recommended DXVK also suggested changing the MemCacheBudgetValue in the GraphicsRules.sgr file to 2147483648, based on my graphics card's specifications.

Despite these changes, the performance issue during crowded scenes persists. Is there any way to improve this without sacrificing stability?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

If you use Windows, please check the following page: https://github.com/doitsujin/dxvk/wiki/Windows

Software information

Sims 3

System information

• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
• Driver: 32.0.15.7216
• Wine version:
• DXVK version: 2.6.1

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-7400 CPU @ 3.00GHz, 3001 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)

Apitrace file(s)

• Put a link here

For instructions on how to use apitrace, see: https://github.com/doitsujin/dxvk/wiki/Using-Apitrace

Log files

Please attach Proton or Wine logs as a text file:

• When using Proton, set the Steam launch options for your game to PROTON_LOG=1 %command% and attach the corresponding steam-xxxxx.log file in your home directory.
• When using regular Wine, use wine game.exe > game.log 2>&1 and attach the resulting game.log file.

[K0bin]

That doesn't happen on Windows without DXVK? Sims 3 has a bit of a reputation for technical issues too.

Can you provide a save game and record a video of it the problem (using Nvidia Shadowplay for example)?

[kkaizer85]

You mean save game file?

[K0bin]

Yes.

[FoulPlay]

Hi, please don't change "MemCacheBudgetValue" in GraphicsRules.sgr file.

Because it causes the game to become more and more unstable in my findings with low Video Memory GPUs like your GTX 1060 3GB.

I would revert "MemCacheBudgetValue" back to default. 200MB: 209715200

I have a GTX 1050 Ti 4GB at the moment and that's how I found out about making the game so unstable after a while because it'll make the game use System Memory as a backup.

I'm the one that found out about DXVK and MemCacheBudgetValue can make the game more smoother via that person's blog that they posted my testing from a Discord server. This method were tested on a RTX A4000 16GB at the time.

My apologies DXVK team and kkaizer85 and anyone else for any issues that the method has caused.

[Blisto91]

@kkaizer85 Friendly ping

[izaan22]

I have a GTX 1050 Ti 4GB but it crash on bigger world as try to load still MemCacheBudgetValue -1 to fix it but lag same as this.

[Blisto91]

@kkaizer85 Double friendly ping. And @izaan22 Please try dxvk 2.7