Unexpected Low FPS

[Mutnutknhumptah]

I've been playing for a while and only recently noticed how my FPS seems to drop from 60 down to about 30 in the wilderness. I remembered this "ENB" mod I kept hearing about and how it improves performance and visuals at the cost of no FPS and decided to install it. It dropped it even further to 20.

 

Am I doing something wrong? I'm just not sure anymore.

 

Specs:

Win 7 x64

ATI Radeon HD 6950

3770k Intel i7

16GB DDR3

 

Mods (Maybe the cause is here? Not even sure anymore.)

 

 

Skyrim.esm=1

Update.esm=1

Dragonborn.esm=1

ApachiiHair.esm=1

ClimatesOfTamriel.esm=1

moonpath.esm=1

HighResTexturePack01.esp=1

HighResTexturePack02.esp=1

HighResTexturePack03.esp=1

FixedEyeAdaption.esp=1

Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp=1

Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp=1

Unofficial High Resolution Patch.esp=1

Chesko_Frostfall.esp=1

RevampedExteriorFog.esp=1

ADS.esp=1

Improved Combat Sounds v2.2.esp=1

Further Dark Dungeons for ENB.esp=1

Weapons and Armor fixes - Hacks.esp=1

Chesko_WearableLantern.esp=1

Chesko_WearableLantern_Candle.esp=1

here there be monsters.esp=1

Lanterns Of Skyrim - Around Cities_bright.esp=1

Radiant and Unique Potions Poisons and BOOZE.esp=1

Character Creation Overhaul.esp=1

RaceMenu.esp=1

RaceMenuPlugin.esp=1

SkyUI.esp=1

1nivWICCloaks.esp=1

Complete Crafting Overhaul.esp=1

BetterDarkBrotherhood.esp=1

Hunting in Skyrim - No Perks.esp=1

moonpath_questdata.esp=1

CCO - Oblivion Carry Weights.esp=1

CCO - Permanent Birthsigns.esp=1

TwoRings.esp=1

SoS - The Dungeons.esp=1

SoS - The Wilds.esp=1

SoS - Civilization.esp=1

ClimatesOfTamriel-Dragonborn-Patch.esp=1

ClimatesOfTamriel-Dungeons-Hazardous.esp=1

ClimatesOfTamriel-Interiors-Warm.esp=1

SoS - The Wilds-PatchCoT.esp=1

SoS - Civilization-PatchCoT.esp=1

Imp's More Complex Needs.esp=1

Apocalypse - The Spell Package.esp=1

Better Stealth AI for Followers.esp=1

DeadlyCombat.esp=1

Dual Wield Parrying_SKSE.esp=1

ACE BYOG.esp=1

ACE Speech.esp=1

CCO - Dynamic Skill Progression.esp=1

ACE Archery.esp=1

ACE Archery Dragonborn.esp=1

ACE Armor.esp=1

ACE Enchanting.esp=1

ACE Magic.esp=1

ACE Melee.esp=1

ACE Smithing.esp=1

ACE Synergy.esp=1

HothFollower.esp=1

Amanda.esp=1

Lyla.esp=1

Michelle.esp=1

Misha.esp=1

AmazingFollowerTweaks.esp=1

CCO - Diverse Races And Genders.esp=1

ethereal_elven_overhaul.esp=1

Blacksmithforge water fix Vanilla.esp=1

Blacksmithforge water fix DB.esp=1

ASIS-Dependency.esp=1

ASIS.esp=1

DeadlyCombat_ASIS_Patch.esp=1

Edited September 29, 2013 by Mutnutknhumptah

[HeyYou]

Are those the Beth high res packs? If so, replace them, there are modder created packs that are better, without quite the performance hit.

 

Does your frame rate slowly drop as you play, or does it tank immediately when you step outside?

[vlaka]

what enb are you using?

[Mutnutknhumptah]

I think I was trying to use TrueVision and SkyRealism ENBs (Not at the same time). I fixed it to an extent, having turned everything off I also deleted the Skyrim-specific CCC profile that the STEP thing told me to make, and it runs fine without ENB now.

Though during their use I had some strange problems. I saw enormous rectangles under the ground that were really translucent, no idea what was going on.

 

I would think my specs could handle ENB though.

 

What are some good modder-created replacements for the official high-res packs?

[Rennn]

Are those the Beth high res packs? If so, replace them, there are modder created packs that are better, without quite the performance hit.

 

 

That's just not correct.

 

The HD DLC has average resolutions of 1k-2k. My 2GB of VRAM hits 900MB to 1GB of use.

 

Most HD mods (including HD 2k) have average resolutions of 2k-4k. My 2GB VRAM hits 1.1GB to 1.4GB of use with only HD 2k. You're looking at about a 20% greater impact on VRAM with just a single modder created HD overhaul.

 

If I combine Serious HD, HD 2K, WATER, Flora Overhaul, and SMIM, my VRAM fluctuates widely from 1.3GB of use to a full 2GB, and causes stutter (and occasionally crashes). That's almost a 100% increase in required VRAM over the HD DLC.

 

 

The HD DLC is lower resolution ofc than modder packs, but it also fits the style better and is easier to run.

All my tests were run on 2GB GDDR5 VRAM and 8GB DDR3 RAM at 1600mhz, with 16x Nvidia AF and 4x Nvidia SSAA at 1080p.

Edited October 4, 2013 by Rennn

[Georgiegril]

While I absolutely support what Rennn is saying for his rig, personally I have encountered stuttering and lagging with the hi-res packs. The creator of SMIM would probably agree with Rennn--theres something the SMIM site that says basically that anyone would be a fool not to use the high-res packs.

 

I have a much worse than average GPU, though, just 512MB VRAM, and I use the low-res options for any texture mods, and selectively apply them. I also use a texture optimizer.

Maybe the difference is that the Bethesda hi-res options do not allow for selectivity (without taking the time to do so manually.)

 

Personally I find SMIM, WATER, and Vurt's Flora work extremely well as I apply them. I do not use SMIM rocks but do use a mod cailled Six Rugged Rocks. I don't use the ice options in WATER and use Real Ice and Snow, dark option instead.

I use SMCO for optimization.

 

Ultimately, I think everyone has to fiddle around to find the combination of mods and settings that performs the best for their specific computer environment and to their specific tastes. I know there are mods available that optimize and/or selectively apply the hi-res textures. I have not tried them but they may be worth checking out.

 

Also, what you are seeing may not be related to mods/DLCs at all, but rather due to a change in your .ini or prefs.ini settings, or your graphics driver settings.