Which is better for performance - three ESP plug-ins of 3 MB each or one of 9 MB?

[orangedeal]

I need to make various changes in multiple locations, including creating precombines. All internal locations now took 2 files - 4 MB (and 10 thousand files in PreCombined and VIS folders) and 3.5 MB (5.5 thousand files). Then I will create the archives. Now I'm doing external locations and, as I understand it, plugins will take up no less space, but I'm unlikely to do precombines.

Should I split files to reduce their size? Creation Kit takes longer to open and especially save large plugin files. I did not notice how the game reacts to larger files, so I'm asking for your opinion.

 

I am especially worried about external locations, so that when moving around the map between cells there is no jerking and other things. I just don't know how the game reads these files, but in theory, the larger the file, the longer it takes to search for information in it.

Thank you!

[LarannKiar]

I've never had issues with large plugins (though 9 MB is not that large), so I'd say one 9 MB ESP is better than three smaller.

 

As far as I know, plugins (or at least some part of them) are loaded into the memory right after you open the game (even before one loads save), so there shouldn't be any difference in performance in game. The console returnes values pretty fast if I type "Prid" or "SQV" in the menu, regardless of the size of the form's plugin/master.

Edited November 6, 2022 by LarannKiar

[RoNin1971]

a single file will always load or copy faster as separate ones, the latter will also eat up more HDD space. Although the difference in said case would be like a nano sec. As stated above, they get loaded right after starting the game, before you get to the main menu. So there should be absolutely no difference in performance.

[niston]

Another thing for consideration: Each loaded file consumes a file handle, as the game keeps them open (and locked) while running. So less files equals less handles.

OTOH, separate plugins for separate locations allow for more flexibility on the user's part, if there is otherwise no dependency between them.