The Sims 4 is a detailed and immersive game that can sometimes be quite demanding on your computer. If you’re experiencing lag or slowdowns while playing, there are a few things you can do to speed up the game. In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make The Sims 4 run faster. We’ll cover a variety of methods, from simple tweaks to more advanced solutions. So whether you’re a new player just starting out or a seasoned veteran looking to improve your performance, there’s something for everyone in this guide.
One of the simplest ways to improve the performance of The Sims 4 is to reduce the graphics settings. You can do this by going to the game’s options menu and selecting the “Graphics” tab. From here, you can adjust the quality of the game’s graphics, the resolution, and the anti-aliasing settings. If you’re experiencing lag, try lowering the graphics quality to “Medium” or “Low”. You can also try disabling anti-aliasing to see if that helps. Additionally, you can try reducing the game’s resolution to make it run faster.
Another way to speed up The Sims 4 is to close any unnecessary programs that may be running in the background. These programs can take up valuable resources that could be used by the game. To close unnecessary programs, press the “Ctrl + Alt + Del” keys and select “Task Manager”. From here, you can see a list of all the programs that are currently running on your computer. Right-click on any unnecessary programs and select “End Task”. Additionally, you can try restarting your computer before playing The Sims 4 to see if that helps improve performance.
Clear Cache Files
Cache files are temporary storage spaces used by the game to store certain data for faster access. However, oftentimes, these files can become cluttered or outdated, leading to performance issues. Clearing the cache files can significantly improve game performance. Here’s how to do it:
Locate the Cache Files
The cache files are located in the following directories:
| Windows | macOS |
|---|---|
Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\cache |
~/Library/Caches/com.ea.sims4 |
Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\cachestr |
~/.cache/com.ea.sims4.cachestr |
Delete the Files
Delete all the files in the cache and cachestr folders. Note that custom content or mods may also have their own cache files. If you use custom content, you may need to clear their cache files as well.
Once you’ve cleared the cache files, restart The Sims 4 and check if the performance has improved. Clearing the cache files regularly can help keep the game running smoothly and efficiently.
Install Performance Mods
Mods are a great way to improve the performance of your game. There are a number of different performance mods available, each with its own unique set of features. Some of the most popular performance mods include:
MC Command Center
MC Command Center is a comprehensive mod that offers a wide range of features, including the ability to optimize your game’s performance. MC Command Center can be configured to automatically delete unnecessary files, clear your cache, and perform other tasks that can help to improve your game’s performance. For example, the mod may disable certain Sim autonomies, reduce the number of Sims in the world, or remove unneeded objects and clutter from lots.
Sims 4 Studio
Sims 4 Studio is a tool that allows you to edit and create custom content for The Sims 4. Sims 4 Studio can be used to create new objects, clothes, and hairstyles, as well as to edit existing content. The program provides a detailed tutorial that walks you through the process of merging and fixing your CC in a comprehensive way. Additionally, it can be used to reduce the file size of your custom content, which can help to improve your game’s performance.
FPS Limiter
The FPS Limiter mod is a simple mod that limits the number of frames per second that your game can render.
| Setting | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 30 FPS | Lowers the number of frames per second your game renders. |
| 60 FPS | Sets your game to render 60 frames per second. |
| Unlimited | Removes any frame rate limit and allows your game to render as many frames per second as possible. |
By limiting the number of frames per second that your game can render, you can help to reduce your game’s graphics load and improve performance.
Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers can lead to poor performance in The Sims 4. Here’s how to update your graphics drivers:
1. Determine Your Graphics Card
To find out what graphics card you have, press Windows Key + R and type “dxdiag” in the Run dialog box. Click “OK” to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
2. Download the Latest Drivers
Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download the latest drivers for your card. Select your card model and operating system to find the appropriate driver.
3. Install the Drivers
Once you have downloaded the drivers, run the installation wizard. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the drivers.
4. Optimize Graphics Settings
After updating your drivers, you can further optimize The Sims 4’s performance by adjusting your graphics settings. In-game, go to “Options” > “Graphics”. Consider the following optimizations:
| Setting | Recommended Value |
|---|---|
| Window Mode | Fullscreen |
| Resolution | Your monitor’s native resolution |
| Anti-Aliasing | Off or low |
| Terrain Detail | Medium or low |
| Sim Detail | Medium or low |
| Object Detail | Medium or low |
| Lighting Quality | Low |
| Visual Effects | Low or off |
Disable Background Programs
Closing unused background programs can free up your computer’s memory and processor resources, improving The Sims 4’s performance. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to disable background programs in Windows 10:
Step 1: Open Task Manager
Press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” to open the Task Manager window.
Step 2: Identify Unnecessary Programs
Click on the “Processes” tab and sort the processes by “Memory” or “CPU” usage. Identify any programs that are using a significant amount of resources and that you don’t currently need.
Step 3: Disable Programs
Right-click on the unnecessary programs and select “End task.” Repeat this process for all programs you want to disable.
Step 4: Restart The Sims 4
Once you have disabled the background programs, close and restart The Sims 4 to see if there’s an improvement in performance.
Step 5: Check for Performance Improvement
Play The Sims 4 for a while and observe if the loading times and gameplay are smoother. If there’s a significant improvement, you may need to keep these background programs disabled when playing the game.
Additional Tips on Disabling Background Programs
Consider using a third-party program, such as Autoruns, to manage and disable background programs more easily. You can also configure Windows to automatically disable certain programs at startup by opening the “Task Manager” and navigating to the “Startup” tab.
| Resource | Amount of RAM Saved |
|---|---|
| Windows Search | 10-20 MB |
| Cortana | 10-15 MB |
| Antimalware Service Executable | 5-10 MB |
Use a Game Booster
Game boosters are software programs that can improve the performance of your games by optimizing your system’s settings. There are many different game boosters available, so you’ll need to do some research to find one that’s right for you. Once you’ve installed a game booster, you’ll need to configure it to work with The Sims 4. This usually involves selecting the game from a list and then clicking a button to optimize your settings. Some game boosters also offer additional features, such as the ability to monitor your system’s performance or adjust the game’s graphics settings. Here are 7 popular game boosters for The Sims 4:
| Game Booster | Features |
|---|---|
| Razer Cortex |
|
| Wise Game Booster |
|
| AVG TuneUp |
|
| GameFire |
|
| IObit Game Booster |
|
| MSI Afterburner |
|
| EVGA Precision X1 |
|
Reinstall the Game
1. Back Up Your Saves
Before you start the reinstallation process, make sure to back up your Sims 4 saves. You can find your saves in the following locations:
- Windows: Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4\saves
- macOS: ~/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/saves
Copy the entire “saves” folder to a safe location on your computer.
2. Uninstall The Sims 4
Once your saves are backed up, you can uninstall The Sims 4. Here’s how:
- Windows: Open the Control Panel and go to “Programs and Features.” Find The Sims 4 in the list and click “Uninstall.”
- macOS: Open the Finder and go to the Applications folder. Find The Sims 4 and drag it to the Trash.
3. Delete Remaining Files
After uninstalling The Sims 4, there may still be some leftover files on your computer. You can delete these files manually by following these steps:
- Windows: Open the File Explorer and go to the following location:
- C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 4
- macOS: Open the Finder and go to the following location:
- /Applications/The Sims 4.app/Contents
- Windows: Open the Origin client and go to the “My Games” tab. Find The Sims 4 and click “Download.”
- macOS: Go to the Origin website and click “Download” under The Sims 4.
- Windows: Open the Origin client and go to the “My Games” tab. Find The Sims 4 and click “Update.”
- macOS: Go to the Origin website and click “Update” under The Sims 4.
- Open the Origin client and go to the “Application Settings” menu.
- Click on the “Origin In-Game” tab.
- Uncheck the “Enable Origin In-Game” box.
- Resolution: Lower the resolution to reduce the number of pixels the game has to render.
- Graphics Quality: Set the graphics quality to “Low” or “Medium.”
- VSync: Disable VSync to reduce input lag.
- Open the Origin client.
- Click on the “Origin” menu in the top-left corner of the client.
- Select “Application Settings”.
- Click on the “Origin In-Game” tab.
- Uncheck the “Enable Origin In-Game” box.
- Click on the “Save” button.
- Remove any unnecessary custom content.
- Reduce the graphics settings.
- Close any unnecessary programs that are running in the background.
- Install the game on an SSD (Solid State Drive).
- You have too much custom content installed.
- Your graphics settings are too high.
- You have other programs running in the background that are taking up system resources.
- Your computer does not meet the minimum system requirements for the game.
- Follow the tips above to make the game load faster.
- Disable any unnecessary mods or custom content.
- Update your graphics drivers.
- Overclock your CPU or GPU (if you are comfortable doing so).
Delete the entire “The Sims 4” folder.
Delete the “Resources” folder.
4. Reinstall The Sims 4
Now you can reinstall The Sims 4. Here’s how:
5. Install the Latest Updates
Once the game is installed, make sure to install the latest updates. Updates can improve performance and stability.
6. Disable Origin in Game
Origin in-game overlay can cause performance issues for some players. You can disable it by following these steps:
7. Adjust Graphics Settings
If you’re still experiencing performance issues, you can try adjusting the graphics settings in-game. Here are some settings that can improve performance:
8. Use a Mod to Boost Performance
There are several mods available that can help improve the performance of The Sims 4. Here are a few popular options:
| Mod | Description |
|---|---|
| Faster Loading Times | Reduces the loading times of the game. |
| Sims 4 Cleaner | Removes unnecessary files and caches from the game. |
| The Sims 4 Performance Booster | Applies various tweaks and optimizations to improve performance. |
Keep in mind that some mods may conflict with each other or cause other issues, so use them at your own risk.
Disable Origin In-Game Overlay
The Origin In-Game Overlay is a feature that allows you to access Origin features while playing a game.
However, this feature can sometimes cause performance issues in The Sims 4. To disable the Origin In-Game Overlay, follow these steps:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Origin In-Game | Enables the Origin In-Game Overlay. |
| Display Origin Friends | Displays a list of your Origin friends in the Origin In-Game Overlay. |
| Display Game Invites | Displays game invites in the Origin In-Game Overlay. |
| Display Chat Notifications | Displays chat notifications in the Origin In-Game Overlay. |
| Display Performance Monitoring | Displays performance monitoring information in the Origin In-Game Overlay. |
How To Make The Sims 4 Run Faster
The Sims 4 is a popular life simulation game that has been enjoyed by millions of players around the world. However, some players may experience performance issues with the game, such as lag or slow loading times. If you are experiencing these issues, there are a few things you can do to try and improve the performance of The Sims 4.
One of the most common causes of performance issues in The Sims 4 is having too many custom content installed. Custom content can include new objects, clothing, hairstyles, and other items that can be added to the game. While custom content can add new and exciting content to the game, it can also slow down the performance of the game, especially if you have a lot of it installed.
If you are experiencing performance issues, one of the first things you should do is try removing some of your custom content. You can do this by going to the Mods folder in your The Sims 4 directory and deleting any custom content files that you no longer want to use. Once you have removed some of your custom content, try restarting the game and see if the performance has improved.
Another thing that can help improve the performance of The Sims 4 is to reduce the graphics settings. You can do this by going to the Options menu in the game and clicking on the Graphics tab. From here, you can adjust the graphics settings to lower levels, which can help improve the performance of the game. However, keep in mind that lowering the graphics settings will also reduce the visual quality of the game.
Finally, you can also try closing any unnecessary programs that are running in the background. This can help free up system resources and improve the performance of The Sims 4. To close unnecessary programs, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Task Manager. From here, you can see a list of all the programs that are currently running on your computer. Select any unnecessary programs and click on the End Task button to close them.
By following these tips, you can help improve the performance of The Sims 4 and enjoy a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
People Also Ask
How to make Sims 4 load faster?
There are a few things you can do to make Sims 4 load faster:
Why is Sims 4 so slow?
There are a few reasons why Sims 4 might be slow:
How to make my Sims 4 game run smoother?
There are a few things you can do to make your Sims 4 game run smoother: