Performance Issues... Pease Help!

[Codizzle17]

I'm running Skyrim on my Dell Vostro 3500 and I can't seem to get a stable and smooth game running. I have an Nvidia GeForce 310M graphics card (not sure if it's good or bad) and have all of my in game settings turned all the way down.

 

My system info is:

 

Intel i5 CPU M 430 @ 2.27GHz 2.26 GHz

 

4 GB of RAM

 

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

 

I'm new to computer hardware and the meaning behind it all so if my questions or descriptions don't make sense feel free to correct me and asks me questions and I'll answer to the best of my ability lol.

 

So what I'm basically trying to ask is what would YOU recommend I try (besides buying new hardware, I can't afford that atm).

 

I am running a fair amount of mods (149 plugins to be exact), but I am currently going through and disabling ones I can part with lol. I have also gone through the Skyrim Tweak Guide and it has helped, but I still have a lot to be desired :/

[Rennn]

That graphics card is very bad. :/

 

We'll need a list of your plugins. You might be running some mods that are known to hurt performance. I suppose you could take a screenshot of your mod list with the print screen button, to save time.

Do you use any HD textures mods or ENB presets? If you do, get rid of them.

Edited March 15, 2014 by Rennn

[Codizzle17]

That graphics card is very bad. :/

 

We'll need a list of your plugins. You might be running some mods that are known to hurt performance. I suppose you could take a screenshot of your mod list with the print screen button, to save time.

Do you use any HD textures mods or ENB presets? If you do, get rid of them.

 

I figured it was a bad one... any recommendations for a better one that will work with my laptop? One that isn't too expensive?

 

And I don't run any HD textures or ENBs

 

Here is my plugin list:

 

These plugins are recognised by BOSS and have been sorted according to its masterlist. Please read any attached messages and act on any that require action.

• Skyrim.esm Active
• Update.esm Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
• Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
  • Note: If you using version 2.0 of the unofficial patches but you see this message you need to download this file: userlist.txt. After the download you need to copy this file to your 'BOSS\Skyrim\' folder or add the contents of this file to an already existing userlist.txt. Just ignore this message after updating any preexisting userlist.txt or copying the file to your 'BOSS\Skyrim\' folder.
• Dawnguard.esm Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
• Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
• HearthFires.esm Active
• Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp Active
• Dragonborn.esm Active
• Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev}}
• Skyrim Project Optimization - Full Version.esm Active
• ClimatesOfTamriel.esm Active
• JSwords.esm Active
• SPIKE.esm Active
• Brawl Bugs CE.esp
• Weapons & Armor Fixes_Remade.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev, Stats}}
• CCO_WAFTrueWeapons_Patch.esp
• Clothing & Clutter Fixes.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev, Stats}}
• Better Dynamic Snow.esp Active
• Improved Combat Sounds v2.2.esp Active
• Chesko_WearableLantern.esp Active
• Dual Sheath Redux.esp Active
  • Requires: Java Runtime Environment 7 update 17+
• FishingInSkyrim.esp Active
• Hunterborn.esp Active
• Hunterborn_Dawnguard-Patch.esp Active
• Immersive Battles.esp Active
• Immersive Brigands.esp Active
• Immersive Dawnguard.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Relev}}
• Immersive Dragonborn.esp Active
• Immersive Factions.esp Active
• Immersive Mercenaries.esp Active
• Immersive Patrols.esp Active
• Immersive Travelers.esp Active
• Immersive Werewolves.esp Active
• Skyrim Immersive Creatures.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
• Skyrim Immersive Creatures - DLC2.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
• Skyrim Flora Overhaul.esp Active
• WetandCold.esp Active
• WetandCold - Ashes.esp Active
• WetandCold - Holidays.esp Active
• JSwords_Load_Screens.esp Active
• SkyUI.esp Active
• iHUD.esp Active
• Cloaks.esp Active
• Cloaks - Dawnguard.esp Active
• 1nivWICCloaks.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Relev}}
• 1nivWICSkyCloaksPatch.esp Active
• Hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
• imp_helm.esp Active
• imp_helm_imp.esp Active
• imp_helm_dawn.esp Active
• imp_help_dbrn.esp Active
• imp_guard_helm.esp Active
• isilNarsil.esp Active
• JSwordsDistributionBalancePlugin.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
• Lore Weapon Expansion.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
• Lore Weapon Expansion - Daedric Crescent.esp Active
• Lore Weapon Expansion - Goldbrand.esp Active
• LostLongSwords.esp Active
• Unique Uniques.esp Active
• Dr_Bandolier.esp Active
• Dr_BandolierDG.esp Active
• BandolierForNPCMasterFile.esp Active
• BandolierForNPCsWIC_V2.esp Active
• BandolierForNPCsCheaperBandoliers_BalancedWeight_Dawnguard.esp Active
• Smithing Perks Overhaul_Remade.esp Active
• Complete Crafting Overhaul_Remade.esp Active
• CCO_SIC_Patch.esp Active
• Equipping Overhaul.esp Active
• HarvestOverhaul.esp Active
• HarvestOverhaulCreatures.esp Active
• Convenient Horse Herding.esp Active
• OBIS.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
• OBISDB.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
• Run For Your Lives.esp Active
• When Vampires Attack.esp Active
• The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp Active
• SkyrimCoinReplacerRedux.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev}}
• Babette.esp Active
• BlockSparkles.esp Active
• GrassOnSteroids_NaturalEdition_SFO.esp Active
• Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp Active
  • Note: Do not clean. "Dirty" edits are intentional and required for the mod to function.
• WeaponsArmorFixes_GuardDialogueOverhaul_Patch.esp Active
• Headtracking.esp Active
• OpenFaceGuardHelmets.esp Active
• SFO - Expanded Diversity.esp Active
  • Note: Uninstall old version of Skyrim Flora Overhaul if using SFO - Expanded Diversity.esp
• SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&Predators.esp Active
• Convenient Horses.esp Active
  • Note: Do not clean. "Dirty" edits are intentional and required for the mod to function.
• dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp Active
• dD-Dragonborn-Dawnguard-EBT Patch.esp Active
• dD-DG-DB-Immersive Creatures EBT Patch.esp Active
• EnhancedBlood-ImprovedCombatSounds.esp Active
• wizDynamicThings.esp Active
• CampingKitNorthernRanger.esp Active
  • Note: Use only one CampingKitNorthernRanger esp.
• SoS - The Dungeons.esp Active
  • Note: Do not use the Crash Fix ESP for this mod. It is flagged as a master and is only meant as a last resort for fixing crashes.
• SoS - The Wilds.esp Active
  • Note: Do not use the Crash Fix ESP for this mod. It is flagged as a master and is only meant as a last resort for fixing crashes.
• SoS - Civilization.esp Active
  • Note: Do not use the Crash Fix ESP for this mod. It is flagged as a master and is only meant as a last resort for fixing crashes.
• ClimatesOfTamriel-Sound.esp Active
• Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Dungeons.esp Active
• Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Dawnguard Interiors.esp Active
• Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Major City Exteriors.esp Active
• Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Major City Interiors.esp Active
• Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Minor Cities and Town Interiors.esp Active
• ClimatesOfTamriel-Dawnguard-Patch.esp Active
• ClimatesOfTamriel-Dragonborn-Patch.esp Active
• ClimatesOfTamriel-Nights-Level-4.esp Active
• SoS - The Dungeons-PatchRLODungeons.esp Active
• SoS - The Dungeons-PatchRLOMajorCityInteriors.esp Active
• SoS - The Wilds-PatchCoT.esp Active
  • Note: Use only one Sounds of Skyrim - The Wilds and CoT patch.
• SoS - Civilization-PatchRLOMajorCityInteriors.esp Active
• SoS - Civilization-PatchRLOMinorCities.esp Active
• SoS - Civilization-PatchCoT.esp Active
  • Note: Use only one Sounds of Skyrim - Civilization and CoT patch.
• RealisticNeedsandDiseases.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Delev, Relev}}
  • Requires: RND_Water-Patch.esp
• HarvestOverhaulCreatures_RND_Animal_Loot_All_DLC.esp Active
• RND_Dawnguard-Patch.esp Active
• RND_HearthFires-Patch.esp Active
• RND_Dragonborn-Patch.esp Active
• Hunterborn_RND-Patch.esp Active
• RND_USKP-Patch.esp Active
  • Bash Tag suggestion(s): {{BASH: Relev}}
• Improved Closefaced Helmets_Legendary.esp Active
• Order My Items.esp Active
• dovahkiinrelax.esp Active
• FNISspells.esp Active
• The Dance of Death - Ultimate Edition.esp Active
• dD-No Spinning Death Animation.esp Active
• HarvestingAnimation.esp Active
• Animations.esp Active
• PipeSmoking.esp Active
• vImmersiveBeds.esp Active
• vImmersiveBeds - HFDG.esp Active
• Beards.esp Active
• Brows.esp Active
• TheEyesOfBeauty.esp Active
• The Eyes Of Beauty - Elves Edition.esp Active
• AmazingFollowerTweaks.esp Active
• Alternate Start - Live Another Life.esp Active
• dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp Active
  • Note: Ragdolls will conflict with other mods that change the skeleton.nif. Check Custom Skeleton Replacers for compatibly with other skeleton.nif.
• TTYM - Think to Yourself Messages.esp Active
• getSnowy.esp Active
• WATER.esp Active
• WATER Plants.esp Active
• WATER DG.esp Active
• WATER DB Waves.esp Active
• Bashed Patch, 0.esp Active
• Dual Sheath Redux Patch.esp Active

[Rennn]

You generally can't upgrade laptop graphics cards. In rare cases, high end gaming laptops allow you to replace the graphics card, but not yours.

 

WATER and the Skyrim Flora Overhaul are both large framerate drops.

Better Dynamic Snow can be a framerate drop on weak PCs.

Grass on Steroids can be framerate drop depending on how you tweak it. The author claims it increases fps, but that's uncommon and doesn't seem to work out for most people.

 

Just so you know, checking the 'object detail fade' box increases fps outdoors slightly.

[velve666]

I would recommend parting with your mods that add more detail that would eat up your resources on that GPU.

 

There is an alternative though that I myself use I'm using quite a weak GPU on my laptop as well, its called HIALGOBOOST, I will post the link when the nexus is back online, but it allows me to play most settings on high with most of the graphics enhancements youre using as well, including flora overhaul and some texture mods.

 

Give it a try the only negative is that in most instances it will pixelate the edges to give you a smooth framerate, a slight negative considering your graphics card is little more than an onboard GPU.

[Dhegonus]

get the skyrim configurator, select every option that says "threaded", optimize your textures using ordenator which is on this site under optimization or something like that.

 

Unpark your cpu, basically all 4 or 4 processors set aside some of their power/work rate to one side for specific tasks, what unparking does is disable that feature (will NOT harm your computer) and free up some more processing power, you'll also want to slightly edit your ram cache, so the memory can then ram can effectively be more efficient.

 

Use hialgoboost, then us a borderless window mod (gave me 5 extra fps) and a mod called "colourful lights" or something to that effect, it basically alters the shadows in indoor cells so if anything, you get an fps gain indoors, great if you run RLO which doesn't not like your cpu at times.

 

There are also loads of ini tweaks, like lowering the quality of shadows, which is a must for lower end computers, but if you get rid of them completely, shading on hair etc will just look highly odd. Avoid any and all ENB's, they re pretty much reserved for those who have a medium-high to high computer, anything else and it will just punish you.

 

use razor's game booster, it will disable all useless background windows processes and therefore give your game more umpfh...

 

i mean there are many many many things you can do, the best place to start is google and look into optimizing your laptop for gaming. What i did, i used to get 5 fps in skyrim, get a solid 30 fps now and i have an intel hd chipset :)

[jaxonz]

Thanks Narcissistic for the great advice. I've been struggling with this for a bit on my Dell Precision Mobile 4600 (fast i7 8 core, 16 GB, SSD, Nvidia Quadro 1000M).

 

Best improvement removing ENB from the mix, just using straight HiAlgo, and that borderless window patch is MAGIC (using OneTweak). NVidia controll panel for Ambient Occlusion and Anisotropic Filering (skyrim thinks we're doing no filtering).

 

Running most of the STEP mods + about 20 and now pretty darned smooth (20-30 FPS... not great but definitely playable).

 

One must say that Skyrim is not written to exploit modern capabilities, so even with low FPS, I'm also seeing low CPU and GPU loads. Pretty frustrating as I'm sure it could still perform better if it would just make better use.