Breaching RAM Limit No Matter the Uninstallation

[GoodGuyA]

I'm sure many are aware by this point about the 3.1 GB issue that has arisen for Skyrim. I've been remodding, and attempting to be very aware of this issue, trying to note where this problem occurred. I have reached the limit, but in a rather unusual way compared to that video. What happens for me is that my 1GB VRAM is reached, then over 2GB in RAM will crash it. Another unusual issue is that if the RAM exceeds 2.4 GB (.7 VRAM, 1.7 RAM) when I am starting my character via Random Alternate Start then it will crash. Sometimes it makes me unable to go on, other times it doesn't.

 

Regardless though, I just want to get rid of that added RAM, since I can assume that it was just something I had installed breaching the limit. I seemed to start breaking the limit after I installed a group of mods that modified some overworld things, but I found that uninstalling them will kept my game on the same road to ruin. So I uninstalled some more. Then even further back. It seems that no matter what I do, I can't shed this RAM problem. Hell, I went and uninstalled Automatic Variants because I knew it to be a RAM hog, and absolutely zero effect. At least, I believe that I uninstalled it, but several of the remnants remained, even after taking care to follow all those instructions.

 

At this point I feel like I'm uninstalling mods that I want to play that don't even remotely effect the problem like this. I don't think it's a mod conflict issue, as I've been keen on checking pages and constantly Wrye Bashing (as well as using Automatic Variants before uninstall). However, it is about 137 mods now (after uninstallations) so I could just be too in over my head with it. Can anyone shed some light on this issue? Might it simply be improper removal and struggling to emulate a missing file, or are certain mods more RAM heavy than others? Thanks in advance!

[GoodGuyA]

Okay, so the constant patterns I am recognizing are a rather consistent reach in RAM usage.

 

When I being the game, the RAM will slowly climb from 300 all the way up to 1500 once it reaches the character select screen, at which point the VRAM will rocket from 300 to 700. If I change sex, it has a 50% chance of climbing the RAM to the volatile 1700 which will immediately crash Skyrim.

 

When exploring, it takes a while for enough content to stream in with it, but it will eventually climg up to 1000MB VRAM and 1900 RAM, which is stable for a little while bu will inevitably crash.

 

I've continued to uninstall mods with absolutely zero fluctuation, which worries me a great deal. Any insight out there to this issue? Here's my mod list from Wrye Bash for clarity's sake:

 

Active Mod Files:

 

00  Skyrim.esm
01  Update.esm
02  Dawnguard.esm
03  HearthFires.esm
04  Dragonborn.esm
05  Falskaar.esm
06  ApachiiHair.esm
07  ClimatesOfTamriel.esm
08  LorecraftESM.esm
09  mannyBlackRock.esm
0A  mannyDragonhead.esm
0B  Sanctum of the Fallen.esm
0C  WinterholdDestruction.esm
0D  Solstheim Climate Overhaul.esm
0E  HighResTexturePack01.esp
0F  HighResTexturePack02.esp
10  HighResTexturePack03.esp
11  Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp  [Version 1.3.2c]
12  Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp  [Version 1.2.3]
13  Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp  [Version 1.1.1]
14  Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.4]
15  Unofficial High Resolution Patch.esp  [Version 1.1.2]
16  Chesko_Frostfall.esp
17  ClimatesOfTamriel-Sound.esp
18  CLARALUX.esp
19  CLARALUX-DG-Patch.esp
1A  CLARALUX-HF-Patch.esp
1B  TradeBarter.esp
1C  Birdsofskyrim.esp
1D  Dead Body Collision.esp
1E  Immersive Battles.esp
1F  Immersive Brigands.esp
20  Immersive Dawnguard.esp
21  Immersive Dragonborn.esp
22  Immersive Factions.esp
23  Immersive Patrols.esp
24  Immersive Travelers.esp
25  Book Covers Skyrim.esp
26  Book Covers Dawnguard.esp
27  Book Covers Hearthfire.esp
28  Lorecraft - Cooking.esp
29  Lorecraft - MCraft.esp
2A  Lorecraft - Vanilla.esp
2B  Radiant and Unique Potions and Poisons v2.0 non glow.esp
2C  Skyrim Immersive Creatures.esp  [Version v6.1]
2D  Skyrim Immersive Creatures - DLC2.esp  [Version v6.1]
2E  Convenient Horses.esp
2F  Dragon Soul Relinquishment.esp
30  WetandCold.esp
31  WetandCold - Ashes.esp
32  SkyUI.esp
33  iHUD.esp
34  Cloaks.esp
35  Cloaks - Dawnguard.esp
36  1nivWICCloaks.esp  [Version 2.3]
37  1nivWICSkyCloaksPatch.esp  [Version 2.3]
38  DragonbornArmorFix.esp
39  Dr_Bandolier.esp
3A  Dr_BandolierDG.esp
3B  Lorecraft - Bandolier.esp
3C  BandolierForNPCMasterFile.esp  [Version 4.0]
3D  BandolierForNPCsWIC_V2.esp
3E  BandolierForNPCsCheaperBandoliers_BalancedWeight_Dawnguard.esp
3F  HarvestOverhaulDawnguardDragonborn.esp  [Version 2.0]
40  HarvestOverhaulSalmonRoe.esp
41  HarvestOverhaulCreaturesDawnguardHearthfireDragonborn.esp
42  DeadlyDragons.esp
43  ERSO 03 - Mighty Dragons DB.esp
44  DeadlyDragonsArmory.esp
45  ERSO 03.5 - New Dragon Loots.esp
46  ERSO 04 - Mighty Odahviing.esp
47  ERSO 04.2 - Mighty Durnehviir.esp
48  ERSO 06 - Wait More Time Dragon Encounter x3.0.esp
49  ERSO 07 - Mighty Dragon Priests.esp
4A  ERSO 09 - Vendor Trainer Quest-giver protected USKP.esp
4B  SkyRe_Main.esp
4C  SkyRe_Combat.esp
4D  SkyRe_CraftingFix.esp
4E  SkyRe_EnemyAI.esp
4F  SkyRe_EnemyScaling.esp
50  SkyRe_HarvestOverhaulDawnguardDragonbornPatch.esp
51  SkyRe_StandingStones.esp
52  SkyRe_Survivalism.esp
53  CornerofTheSkyrim.esp
54  MzarkWonders.esp
55  WheezesDungeonPack1.esp
56  Wyrmstooth.esp  [Version 1.7]
57  AchieveThat.esp
58  SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&Predators.esp
59  ExpandedWinterholdRuins.esp
5A  Helgen Reborn.esp  [Version 104]
5B  RealisticRoomRental.esp
5C  RRR_Hearthfire-Patch.esp
5D  RRR_Dragonborn-Patch.esp
5E  ClimatesOfTamriel-Dawnguard-Patch.esp
5F  ClimatesOfTamriel-Dragonborn-Patch.esp
60  ClimatesOfTamriel-Dungeons-Hardcore.esp
61  ClimatesOfTamriel-Interiors-Cold.esp
62  ClimatesOfTamriel-Nights-Level-7.esp
63  DragonbornAscendant.esp
64  DragonbornAscendantDawnguardExpansion.esp
65  DragonbornAscendantDragonbornDLCAddon.esp
66  Dual Wield Parrying_SKSE.esp
67  DragonCombatOverhaulDragonborn.esp
68  Locational Damage.esp
69  No Skill Limit.esp
6A  3DNPC.esp
6B  RealisticNeedsandDiseases.esp
6C  RND_Dawnguard-Patch.esp
6D  RND_HearthFires-Patch.esp
6E  RND_USKP-Patch.esp
6F  RND_Dragonborn-Patch.esp
70  ApprenticeOfThuum.esp
71  UFO - Ultimate Follower Overhaul.esp
72  UFO - Dawnguard AddOn.esp
73  UFO - Heartfire AddOn.esp
74  My Home Is Your Home.esp
75  CompanionValfar.esp
76  Follower Trap Safety.esp
++  moveit.esp
77  Random Alternate Start.esp
78  RAS - Riverwood CharGen.esp
79  SkyRe_Races.esp
7A  Purewaters.esp
7B  PurewatersDG.esp
7C  PurewatersDB.esp
7D  RND_PureWaters-Patch.esp
7E  Bashed Patch, 0.esp
7F  ReProccer.esp
80  ReProccerNONPLAYERfix.esp
81  ReProccerDragonborn.esp
82  Solstheim Climate Overhaul - COT compatibility.esp
83  TimingIsEverything.esp
84  Civil War Overhaul.esp
85  Lorecraft - dawnguard.esp
86  Lorecraft - Frostfall.esp
87  SotF No World Spawn v2 Beta.esp

 

Edited July 21, 2013 by GoodGuyA

[GoodGuyA]

I have solved the character start up issue thanks to a user in the chat who pointed me to this mod right here. However, it has not prevented rather random crashes when wandering the overworld. To be fair, I have mosty been crash testing the game, running from hold to hold on horse and foot to see when the game will inevitably break down. However, my most recent crash was in the swamps outside Solitude, having used the wait function, then started to go forward when the game shut down. That is certainly not playable conditions, and as far as I can tell my RAM usage was not breaching the limit. I know the RAM limit is one of the problems, but I might have a new one arising. Here's the updated load order. Any further advice?

 

Active Mod Files:

 

00  Skyrim.esm
01  Update.esm
02  Dawnguard.esm
03  HearthFires.esm
04  Dragonborn.esm
05  Falskaar.esm
06  ApachiiHair.esm
07  ClimatesOfTamriel.esm
08  LorecraftESM.esm
09  mannyBlackRock.esm
0A  mannyDragonhead.esm
0B  Sanctum of the Fallen.esm
0C  WinterholdDestruction.esm
0D  Solstheim Climate Overhaul.esm
0E  HighResTexturePack01.esp
0F  HighResTexturePack02.esp
10  HighResTexturePack03.esp
11  Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp  [Version 1.3.2c]
12  Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp  [Version 1.2.3]
13  Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp  [Version 1.1.1]
14  Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp  [Version 1.0.4]
15  Unofficial High Resolution Patch.esp  [Version 1.1.2]
16  Chesko_Frostfall.esp
17  ClimatesOfTamriel-Sound.esp
18  TradeBarter.esp
19  Birdsofskyrim.esp
1A  Dead Body Collision.esp
1B  Immersive Battles.esp
1C  Immersive Brigands.esp
1D  Immersive Dawnguard.esp
1E  Immersive Dragonborn.esp
1F  Immersive Factions.esp
20  Immersive Patrols.esp
21  Immersive Travelers.esp
22  Book Covers Skyrim.esp
23  Book Covers Dawnguard.esp
24  Book Covers Hearthfire.esp
25  Lorecraft - Cooking.esp
26  Lorecraft - MCraft.esp
27  Lorecraft - Vanilla.esp
28  Radiant and Unique Potions and Poisons v2.0 non glow.esp
29  skyBirds - Airborne Perching Birds.esp
2A  Skyrim Immersive Creatures.esp  [Version v6.1]
2B  Skyrim Immersive Creatures - DLC2.esp  [Version v6.1]
2C  Convenient Horses.esp
2D  Dragon Soul Relinquishment.esp
2E  WetandCold.esp
2F  WetandCold - Ashes.esp
30  SkyUI.esp
31  iHUD.esp
32  Cloaks.esp
33  Cloaks - Dawnguard.esp
34  1nivWICCloaks.esp  [Version 2.3]
35  1nivWICSkyCloaksPatch.esp  [Version 2.3]
36  DragonbornArmorFix.esp
37  Dr_Bandolier.esp
38  Dr_BandolierDG.esp
39  Lorecraft - Bandolier.esp
3A  BandolierForNPCMasterFile.esp  [Version 4.0]
3B  BandolierForNPCsWIC_V2.esp
3C  BandolierForNPCsCheaperBandoliers_BalancedWeight_Dawnguard.esp
3D  HarvestOverhaulDawnguardDragonborn.esp  [Version 2.0]
3E  HarvestOverhaulSalmonRoe.esp
3F  HarvestOverhaulCreaturesDawnguardHearthfireDragonborn.esp
40  DeadlyDragons.esp
41  ERSO 03 - Mighty Dragons DB.esp
42  DeadlyDragonsArmory.esp
43  ERSO 03.5 - New Dragon Loots.esp
44  ERSO 04 - Mighty Odahviing.esp
45  ERSO 04.2 - Mighty Durnehviir.esp
46  ERSO 06 - Wait More Time Dragon Encounter x3.0.esp
47  ERSO 07 - Mighty Dragon Priests.esp
48  ERSO 09 - Vendor Trainer Quest-giver protected USKP.esp
49  SkyRe_Main.esp
4A  SkyRe_Combat.esp
4B  SkyRe_CraftingFix.esp
4C  SkyRe_EnemyAI.esp
4D  SkyRe_EnemyScaling.esp
4E  SkyRe_HarvestOverhaulDawnguardDragonbornPatch.esp
4F  SkyRe_StandingStones.esp
50  SkyRe_Survivalism.esp
51  bhabhilon.esp
52  CornerofTheSkyrim.esp
53  MzarkWonders.esp
54  WheezesDungeonPack1.esp
55  Wyrmstooth.esp  [Version 1.7]
56  AchieveThat.esp
57  SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&Predators.esp
58  ExpandedWinterholdRuins.esp
59  Helgen Reborn.esp  [Version 104]
5A  WhiterunAlivePiano.esp
5B  RealisticRoomRental.esp
5C  RRR_Hearthfire-Patch.esp
5D  RRR_Dragonborn-Patch.esp
5E  ClimatesOfTamriel-Dawnguard-Patch.esp
5F  ClimatesOfTamriel-Dragonborn-Patch.esp
60  ClimatesOfTamriel-Dungeons-Hardcore.esp
61  ClimatesOfTamriel-Interiors-Cold.esp
62  ClimatesOfTamriel-Nights-Level-7.esp
63  DragonbornAscendant.esp
64  DragonbornAscendantDawnguardExpansion.esp
65  DragonbornAscendantDragonbornDLCAddon.esp
66  Dual Wield Parrying_SKSE.esp
67  DragonCombatOverhaulDragonborn.esp
68  Locational Damage.esp
69  No Skill Limit.esp
6A  3DNPC.esp
6B  RealisticNeedsandDiseases.esp
6C  RND_Dawnguard-Patch.esp
6D  RND_HearthFires-Patch.esp
6E  RND_USKP-Patch.esp
6F  RND_Dragonborn-Patch.esp
70  ApprenticeOfThuum.esp
71  UFO - Ultimate Follower Overhaul.esp
72  UFO - Dawnguard AddOn.esp
73  UFO - Heartfire AddOn.esp
74  My Home Is Your Home.esp
75  CompanionValfar.esp
76  Follower Trap Safety.esp
77  CerwidenCompanion.esp
++  moveit.esp
78  Random Alternate Start.esp
79  RAS - Riverwood CharGen.esp
7A  SkyRe_Races.esp
7B  Purewaters.esp
7C  PurewatersDG.esp
7D  PurewatersDB.esp
7E  RND_PureWaters-Patch.esp
7F  Bashed Patch, 0.esp
80  ReProccer.esp
81  ReProccerNONPLAYERfix.esp
82  ReProccerDragonborn.esp
83  Solstheim Climate Overhaul - COT compatibility.esp
84  TimingIsEverything.esp
85  Civil War Overhaul.esp
86  Lorecraft - dawnguard.esp
87  Lorecraft - Frostfall.esp
88  SotF No World Spawn v2 Beta.esp

[prod80]

Happen to run on Vista/7/8 32bit version?

 

If you are on any of those systems under 32bit, then open cmd.exe (command prompt) as administrator and run this command, then reboot your system;

bcdedit /set increaseuserva 3072

Don't do this under 64 bit!

[GoodGuyA]

Happen to run on Vista/7/8 32bit version?

 

If you are on any of those systems under 32bit, then open cmd.exe (command prompt) as administrator and run this command, then reboot your system;

bcdedit /set increaseuserva 3072

Don't do this under 64 bit!

Afraid it is a 64 bit system, though thanks for the try.

 

I run an Nvidia GT 650M (yes, it's a laptop) with 8GB memory as well as a Readyboost 16GB flash drive. I know RAM amount is irrelevant in this situation, but perhaps the loading of things is an issue?

[prod80]

 

RAM exceeds 2.4 GB (.7 VRAM, 1.7 RAM)

 

Just read this now... in the process explorer or some other monitoring software it will show the full amount of RAM used under the tesv.exe, this includes the mirrored VRAM. So when you say, 2.4GB, do you mean that performance monitoring says tesv.exe is using 2.4GB or does it show tesv.exe as 0.7GB and another piece of software shows VRAM at 1.7GB?

 

The game will crash at 3.1GB RAM used ... regardless of how much VRAM is used. High res textures influence RAM usage because the game is DirectX9 and as such mirrors VRAM into RAM, except for the things your videocard does in hardware which eat away VRAM as well (like Anti Aliasing).

 

So unless your tesv.exe memory usage says it is exceeding 3.1GB your problem lies somewhere else, most likely in your mods. The game engine runs perfectly fine until that limit... so you really have to exceed it for it to crash (I frequently hit 2.8-3GB RAM usage and had no issues with it).

[GoodGuyA]

 

 

RAM exceeds 2.4 GB (.7 VRAM, 1.7 RAM)

 

Just read this now... in the process explorer or some other monitoring software it will show the full amount of RAM used under the tesv.exe, this includes the mirrored VRAM. So when you say, 2.4GB, do you mean that performance monitoring says tesv.exe is using 2.4GB or does it show tesv.exe as 0.7GB and another piece of software shows VRAM at 1.7GB?

 

The game will crash at 3.1GB RAM used ... regardless of how much VRAM is used. High res textures influence RAM usage because the game is DirectX9 and as such mirrors VRAM into RAM, except for the things your videocard does in hardware which eat away VRAM as well (like Anti Aliasing).

 

So unless your tesv.exe memory usage says it is exceeding 3.1GB your problem lies somewhere else, most likely in your mods. The game engine runs perfectly fine until that limit... so you really have to exceed it for it to crash (I frequently hit 2.8-3GB RAM usage and had no issues with it).

 

Well as it comes to the character creation issue, that has been resolved, and I think it was more about the climb because when I (miraculously) got some RAM to go down, the character creation screen would still crash if the RAM and VRAM climbed like it had. I did mean that it was .7 GB VRAM (which is my usual constant whilst in game) and 1.7 GB RAM. Mainly whilst in game whilst VRAM can climb to 900, it hovers around 600.

 

I do however think you may be right about it not being a RAM issue. I have very rarely seen RAM reach 1.9 GB (where VRAM also hits 1 GB by default) and usually it does not crash around there. I have seen it crash at far lower values, like recently. Thank you a lot for that. I hadn't really considered it since I got the (false) notion that the RAM added up. Hence, the question is a new, but familiar one:

 

What is breaking my game? (mod list as above)

[prod80]

There's a few mods in there that can cause problems... troubleshoot only on new game, not existing save.

You have a lot of mods that influence spawning and/or trying to influence the same objects... 'compatible' or not doesn't matter... a lot of conflicts is a bad thing

 

examples of some mods I saw crashing games;

 

2C Convenient Horses.esp

 

1B Immersive Battles.esp
1C Immersive Brigands.esp
1D Immersive Dawnguard.esp
1E Immersive Dragonborn.esp
1F Immersive Factions.esp
20 Immersive Patrols.esp
21 Immersive Travelers.esp

 

78 Random Alternate Start.esp

 

57 SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&Predators.esp <-- especially this one!

 

16 Chesko_Frostfall.esp

 

2E WetandCold.esp
2F WetandCold - Ashes.esp

 

29 skyBirds - Airborne Perching Birds.esp
2A Skyrim Immersive Creatures.esp [Version v6.1]
2B Skyrim Immersive Creatures - DLC2.esp [Version v6.1]

 

7F Bashed Patch, 0.esp (when not done right will crash the game)

 

85 Civil War Overhaul.esp

 

88 SotF No World Spawn v2 Beta.esp --> no idea what this is, but might conflict the hell out of all your spawning mods.

[rhowington]

I agree with prod80, dump all of the mods listed and add the ERSO's. A laptop isn't a desktop especially when it comes to cooling. Be selective and understand what type of machine you are playing the game on. The same goes for low end desktops. Use mods with your equipment in mind.

[GoodGuyA]

By jove, I think you've done it! I was naturally suspicious of the Immersive Patrols because of how many esms it had, but also because the mod itself was rather old. I've never had issue with SkyTEST, though I'm not naive enough to think that there couldn't be a problem. As soon as I deactivated Immersive Patrols though, everything seemed to be a lot better. It made a lot of sense too. When I was checking out Falskaar I had an Immersive Patrol pass by outside, and when I reloaded the autosave and tried to go outside, it crashed. Doing my marathon without Immersive Patrols, I experienced no crashes. Thanks a ton prod! I'll refer back to the list if anymore troubles arise, but I think the inevitable crashes have been soled. Jolly good job!