What is causing my performance issues?

[tgpomy]

I'll get right to it, I'm using LOADS of mods. Most of them are armor/weapon mods, but there are also quite a few gameplay mods and some graphical mods (though no 4k textures or anything that extreme.) I am also using Phinix Natural ENB.

 

In general, I am having loads of stuttering and sometimes dropping to terrible FPS (5-10) when exploring exteriors. However, indoors I have a smooth 60fps. How do I know if this is CPU or GPU related (or even script related)? I'd like to know before I go out and upgrade to a GTX 970, as that is my last resort to solve this issue.

 

I have a GTX 670 FTW, if that matters. I don't use some features in my ENBs either, no DoF other than Dynavision, no anisotropic filtering, no AA except SMAA, etc..

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Load Order: Ignore any oddly named files that you've never heard of. They are most likely just my own merges of a few armor/weapon mods using the TESVEdit tool.

GameMode=Skyrim

Skyrim.esm=1
Update.esm=1
Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp=1
Dawnguard.esm=1
Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp=1
HearthFires.esm=1
Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp=1
Dragonborn.esm=1
Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp=1
Skyrim Project Optimization - Full Version.esm=1
3rdEraWeaponsMoS.esm=1
ClimatesOfTamriel.esm=1
GameOfThronesArmors.esm=1
Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Main.esm=1
Omegared99-Compilation.esm=1
Solstheim Climate Overhaul.esm=1
ETaC - RESOURCES.esm=1
Weapons & Armor Fixes_Remade.esp=1
Clothing & Clutter Fixes.esp=1
SkyUI.esp=1
Better Dynamic Snow.esp=1
BirdsHFclean.esp=1
ExpandedJewelryCrafting.esp=1
ImprovedFishBASIC.esp=1
Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Climates of Tamriel - default.esp=1
SMIM-Merged-All.esp=1
Skyrim Immersive Creatures.esp=1
Skyrim Immersive Creatures - DLC2.esp=1
Convenient Horses.esp=1
Convenient Horses - Unique Frost.esp=1
Dragon Soul Relinquishment.esp=1
RaceMenu.esp=1
RaceMenuOverlays.esp=1
AC Crusader Armor.esp=1
AesirArmor.esp=1
Andragorn's Armoury.esp=1
Assasin Creed Mod.esp=1
BDYEB.esp=1
blackknight.esp=1
Blindfolds_of_Skyrim.esp=1
bobsarmory.esp=1
Brigandage.esp=1
calyps-razorarmor.esp=1
Cleric Armours - Credo.esp=1
Conan_Hyborian_Age.esp=1
Cloaks.esp=1
Cloaks - Dawnguard.esp=1
1nivWICCloaks.esp=1
1nivWICSkyCloaksPatch.esp=1
Cloaks - USKP Patch.esp=1
Crossbows_Basic_Collection_EN_LL.esp=1
Daedric Lord Armor.esp=1
DragonBoneWeaponsComplete.esp=1
EliteKnightArmor.esp=1
Evil MasterMind Armor.esp=1
fangofhaynekhtnamet.esp=1
Ghosu - Project Flintlock.esp=1
Ghosu - Project Flintlock - Ammo Addon.esp=1
Ghosu - Weapon Pack 1.esp=1
GladiatorArmor.esp=1
gun.esp=1
Hothtrooper44_Armor_Ecksstra.esp=1
Hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp=1
isilNarsil.esp=1
JoOsSkyrimKnightlyArmoryCheat.esp=1
Knight Of Thorns Armor.esp=1
KTAAncientShroudedArmor.esp=1
LordOfWar_TW2.esp=1
LostLongSwords.esp=1
matys knights of the nine armor 2.1.esp=1
Medusa and Drakul Armors.esp=1
matys mithril armor enhanced.esp=1
Northman Armours - Credo.esp=1
Plate Armours - Credo.esp=1
Roman armor and weapons.esp=1
Shields_of_the_northern_kingdoms.esp=1
SkaalHeavyArmor.esp=1
Song General Armor&weapon.esp=1
TCOSS.esp=1
TH3WICK3D1-EzioArmor.esp=1
ThalmorStandalone.esp=1
TheCallOfTheNorth.esp=1
Unique Uniques.esp=1
UniqueBows.esp=1
WarfighterArmory.esp=1
3rdEraWeapMoS-lvlList.esp=1
3rdEraWeapMoS-rareCraft.esp=1
Batcave.esp=1
The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp=1
Vjarkell Castle.esp=1
Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp=1
Immersive Weapons.esp=1
Skyrim Flora Overhaul.esp=1
SFO - Expanded Diversity.esp=1
SFO - Dragonborn.esp=1
Verdant - A Skyrim Grass Plugin.esp=1
Helgen Reborn.esp=1
ClimatesOfTamriel-Dawnguard-Patch.esp=1
CoT-WeatherPatch.esp=1
EnhancedLightsandFX.esp=1
ELFX - Exteriors.esp=1
ELFX - Dawnguard.esp=1
ELFX - Dragonborn.esp=1
ELFXEnhancer.esp=1
dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp=1
Better Vampires.esp=1
Phenderix's Magic Evolved No Perks.esp=1
Apocalypse - The Spell Package.esp=1
BFSEffects.esp=1
Dual Wield Parrying_SKSE.esp=1
DragonFastTravelRedone.esp=1
Dragon Combat Overhaul.esp=1
The Dance of Death - Ultimate Edition.esp=1
dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp=1
dD-DG-DB-Immersive Creatures EBT Patch.esp=1
dD-No Spinning Death Animation.esp=1
HeartBreaker.esp=1
BHWarPaints.esp=1
HothFollower.esp=1
Blaze Of Eventide.esp=1
Reanimate FX.esp=1
Ghosu - Hobbit.esp=1
Gladiator Set.esp=1
GR123 Knights Templar.esp=1
Knight Plate Armor.esp=1
Coldharbour.esp=1
PrvtIBearclawHelm.esp=1
Fixed Conversions.esp=1
Imperial Mage Armor by Natterforme.esp=1
SLN_ElderScroll.esp=1
Arcania_armory_new(base).esp=1
New Compilation.esp=1
Samurai-Cesare-Longstide.esp=1
LonerContractorChrysamere.esp=1
Armor Compilation.esp=1
AshSpawnDishonored.esp=1
UndeadHorsesStlahrim.esp=1
Witcher Ports.esp=1
UrukHaiArmor.esp=1
Space Wiking's Dwemer Exoskeleton.esp=1
3DNPC.esp=1
Populated Dungeons Caves Ruins.esp=1
Populated Forts Towers Places.esp=1
Populated Lands Roads Paths.esp=1
Populated Cities Towns Villages.esp=1
BloodedHeavyArmor_by_GuitunScarfin.esp=1
TheMadMasker.esp=1
ParrotStaffMaskExecutioner.esp=1
WWW.esp=1
FS_UltimateAssortment.esp=1
Saver.esp=1
ScarfEruptSnowelf.esp=1
RSStormLordTroll.esp=1
Lore Weapon Expansion.esp=1
Inigo.esp=1
BosmerArmorMATY743.esp=1
GondorYlgarAuriel.esp=1
Brevi_MoonlightTales.esp=1
Arrow Tweaks.esp=1
konahrik_accoutrements.esp=1
konahrik_accoutrements_db.esp=1
SplashofRain.esp=1
WetandCold.esp=1
WetandCold - Ashes.esp=1
Run For Your Lives.esp=1
CombatDramaOverhaul.esp=1
PluginSpaceSaver.esp=1
SkyforgeSpace.esp=1
Improved Eyes Skyrim.esp=1
Improved Eyes Skyrim - Vamp.esp=1
Chesko_WearableLantern.esp=1
Dark Souls Set 01.esp=1
Thunderchild - Epic Shout Package.esp=1
BGSMerpsGondorianArmament.esp=1
LOTR-GaladhrimGear.esp=1
TH3WICK3D1-BlueStripesCommandoArmor.esp=1
TH3WICK3D1-BlueStripesEliteArmor.esp=1
TH3WICK3D1-ViperAssassinArmor.esp=1
Lord Protector Set.esp=1
Prometheus_No_snow_Under_the_roof.esp=1
UmbraBlades.esp=1
BonemoldExpanded.esp=1
Combo Fixed.esp=1
Complete Crafting Overhaul_Remade.esp=1
aMidianBorn_ContentAddon.esp=1
CCO_SIC_Patch.esp=1
PrvtI_HeavyArmory.esp=1
Port Combo.esp=1
StormcloakCuirassEnhanced.esp=1
HoamaiiGannicusArmor.esp=1
Omegared99-GalleryOfArmor.esp=1
WarmongerArmory_Vanilla.esp=1
WarmongerArmory_DLC.esp=1
WarmongerArmory_LeveledList.esp=1
Non-playable Armor.esp=0
SkyFalls + SkyMills + DG + DB.esp=1
CommonClothes.esp=1
CredoLoZ.esp=1
Black Mage Armor.esp=1
Realistic Teeth Dawnguard Serana Vampire Fix.esp=1
realistic piercing arrows.esp=0
SamuraiMods.esp=1
Painkiller's_Hrothmund's_Axe.esp=1
Rebirth Monster.esp=1
Rebirth Monster - SIC Patch.esp=1
MergedModz.esp=1
ETaC - Complete.esp=1
Immersive Solstheim.esp=1
ETaC - Better Dynamic Snow Patch.esp=1
ETaC - Complete LoS Patch.esp=1
ETaC - Complete ELFX Patch.esp=1
ETaC - Complete NoSnow Patch.esp=1
CollegeOfWinterholdImmersive.esp=1
CWIELnFXPatch.esp=1
CWIDawnDragonPatch.esp=1
Combined Mods.esp=1
Immersive Patrols II.esp=1
Magic of the Magna-Ge.esp=1
NetchDiamondCrusader.esp=1
Perfect Legionnaire - Troops Re-equipment.esp=1
Dawnbreakermysterious.esp=1
DYNAVISION Dynamic Depth of Field.esp=1
M3rges.esp=1
W2_HelmetPack.esp=1
W2_HelmetPack-2.esp=1
EnchantedArsenal.esp=1
HeartOfThunder.esp=1
JKs Skyrim Major Cities.esp=1
RealisticHuskySounds.esp=1
ColdharbourDaedra.esp=1
ImprovedLucien.esp=1
S4ving.esp=1
Mergespls.esp=1
apocalypse.esp=1
NorthernOverlordSet.esp=1
DragonHideRobeArmor.esp=1
RealisticWaterTwo.esp=1
RealisticWaterTwo - Legendary.esp=1
AOS.esp=1
AOS2_CoT3_1_patch.esp=1
AOS2_EBT Patch.esp=1
AOS2_RealisticWaterTwo Patch.esp=1
AOS2_WAF Patch.esp=1
AOS2_WetandCold Patch.esp=1
IHSS.esp=1
Footprints.esp=1
Footprints - Ash.esp=1
ERSO 30 - Better Enemy AI Dawnguard&Dragonborn.esp=1
PNENB.esp=1
PersonalizedMusic_v5.0.esp=1
Automatic Variants.esp=1
Bashed Patch, 0.esp=1

Edited March 7, 2015 by tgpomy

[Balloran]

you'll need to post your load order, and the other system specs at the least, and indicate if you have updated SKSE, are using the memory patch, etc.

[vlaka]

how to ask for help

[jdkzombie]

If memory recalls correctly, arent shadows handled by the CPU, and everything else handled by GPU?

 

What is your uGridstoload set at? Do you have any texture packs that do the same things to the same objects?

 

What are your system specs?

[tgpomy]

Intel i7-3820 CPU @ 3.60 gHz

8GB RAM

64-bit OS

 

Will post my load order when I have time later. I am using ENBoost.

[Sartori75]

I had a 670 and just bought a 980 (this is preliminary) but I see a huge difference in everything i.e. distant terraine if you can afford it I'd go for the 980 card over the 970. I've only had it a day but so far it's doubled my score on furmark test.

Edited March 6, 2015 by Sartori75

[tgpomy]

I had a 670 and just bought a 980 (this is preliminary) but I see a huge difference in everything i.e. distant terraine if you can afford it I'd go for the 980 card over the 970. I've only had it a day but so far it's doubled my score on furmark test.

I just don't want to buy a new GPU and then have the issue be with my CPU. I need to make sure this is a GPU issue, first.

[MotoSxorpio]

Exteriors load up into memory much more than interiors. If you have HD landscape, trees, grass, flora, fauna, dust, snow, clouds, sky, stars...the list goes on, and stacks. Stuttering can be slow graphics card, hdd, cpu, or all of the above.

 

If stuttering is happening while you are standing still, there's a problem.

 

If stuttering is happening during combat, you might have an issue.

 

If stuttering is from running quickly through the wilderness, you have slow hardware of one sort or another.

 

Please expand on your description of stutter, so that other users can narrow down where to look; as yet, everyone has a different idea of what is going wrong.

[tgpomy]

For the most part, stuttering happens when moving and occasionally during combat. It seems like it stutters most or grinds to a complete freeze (for 1-2 seconds) when entering a new area, probably because all of the things in the distance need to load. However, this is strange because my shadow distance is fairly low as is the rest of my fade in distance for objects, actors, etc...

 

I don't use higher than 1-2k textures, either. When I'm on my home PC later today I'll edit this post with my load order. Sorry it's taking so long.

 

Edit: load order added to original post.

Edited March 7, 2015 by tgpomy

[tgpomy]

Bump.