By a wile ago, when do you mean, a wile ago I have been having problems too, from the time the game was updated to 1.9 I guess, it isn't playable at all, picture freezes every few seconds, I can only blame patch 1.9 or Windows Update.
You could format your computer, that is what I do when I can't find any solution. Not the best option, but indeed the one with higher rate of success. (Still not always work)
There is a mod I can't find but I know it exists because I used it. The mod adds the feature when you run and hit an NPC he / she fall down to the floor. Could any one please tell me the name or where caould I find that mod?