Intermittent lag/slowdown during gameplay

[grumpy_otter]

I have defragged, cleared cache, have no custom content. When I play, the game will intermittently slow down to a snail's pace, then it will pick back up for a short time, then lag again. Lag only seems to happen during gameplay--moving to neighborhood screen or other lot is fine. Lot size does not seem to matter--it happens no matter how small. So I did the system specs thing and was hoping someone could suggest something I haven't tried. Thanks!

I should mention that this is a recent problem--I played this game (with all EPs) on this computer for a long time and the lag only started about a month ago.

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/9/2012, 19:46:52
Machine name: OWNER-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120330-1504)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion
System Model: AY747AA-ABA p6310y
BIOS: BIOS Date: 11/12/09 14:45:05 Ver: 5.13
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 630 Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 5888MB RAM
Page File: 1519MB used, 10253MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9100
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9100
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0847&SUBSYS_2A9E103C&REV_A2
Display Memory: 2927 MB
Dedicated Memory: 239 MB
Shared Memory: 2687 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: SONY HMD-A400
Monitor Model: HMD-A400
Monitor Id: SNY0A90
Native Mode: 1280 x 1024(p) (75.025Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.15.0011.8640 (English)
Driver Version: 8.15.11.8640
DDI Version: 10
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/18/2009 05:41:00, 9490944 bytes

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_103C2A9E&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5938 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 9/15/2009 15:08:00, 2004128 bytes

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 812.8 GB
Total Space: 942.7 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD10 EADS-65P6B0 SCSI Disk Device

Drive: D:
Free Space: 1.6 GB
Total Space: 11.0 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD10 EADS-65P6B0 SCSI Disk Device

Drive: E:
Model: ATAPI DVD A DH16AAL SCSI CdRom Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), , 0 bytes


I think that is the info to post?

Any ideas appreciated--thanks!

[HoneySunrise]

Not sure if this helps but I find that my game tends to lag a little when I have a TON of custom content installed or if the lot I'm playing on is HUGE or has a lot of Sims visiting...

[grumpy_otter]

I have no custom content, and it doesn't seem to matter what size the lot is. But thanks!

[Mootilda]

I often get lag when the game is generating a new townie. Do you notice that the lag occurs just before a visit?

[grumpy_otter]

It lasts quite a long time; almost 7-8 minutes real time so I am not sure if the visitors are the problem, but I'll watch to see if that could be it.

I also checked my processes while it was running--it takes up massively more room than anything else, but I don't know if there is a way to make it more efficient.

The neighborhood isn't huge--about 7 families and a small shopping center with about 5 businesses. I also deleted a large neighborhood I am not using right now.