can somebody explain this behavior to me? ctd related.

[asmox]

I have a fairly heavily modded game - 458 total mods, 239 of them are plugins, the rest are loose meshes/textures/sounds/animations/fixes/etc.

 

I've spent a lengthy amount of time testing mods, removing things, adding things, shifting things around, tweaking load orders, and generally suffering through instability to get where I'm at currently - which is a pretty playable game. I can play for hours upon hours in a single session without a single CTD anywhere. I tend to only save indoors, generally using unique saves each time, and my save files are currently around 15 MB a piece. I have not added or removed any mods since I started my current playthrough. All an in all, I'm mostly satisfied.

 

However - if I exit out of the game completely, restart it, and then try to load a save - it loads fine, but the moment I try to zone outside, I CTD. This seems to happen to *any* of my saves... I have over 100 of them. Regardless of which I try to use, I CTD when trying to go outside. I'm able to fix this 100% of the time by starting a new game (using LAL), which allows me to zone outside, and then loading one of my real saves afterwards, which then also allows me to zone outside. I can then play pretty much forever till I quit the game, at which point it's rinse and repeat.

 

I thought it might have just been the game choking on texture overload during initial load and caching (but then I'd ask why it doesn't choke on the new game, since I'm loading into the same outside environments), so I tried -

 

1. Dropping all my in-game LOD's to minimum.

2. Turning off my ENB (keeping ENBoost).

3. Disabling VRAM precaching in my enblocal.

4. Disabling many of my heaviest loose texture mods.

 

Made no difference. I still need to start a new game before I'm able to resume with my real saves.

 

If somebody could explain what's happening and what I can do to get around it (if anything), I'd appreciate it.

 

Thanks.

 

edit:

 

my load order -

 

 

 

# This file was automatically generated by Mod Organizer.

Skyrim.esm

Update.esm

Dawnguard.esm

HearthFires.esm

Dragonborn.esm

Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch.esp

Skyrim Project Optimization - Full Version.esm

Falskaar.esm

Wyrmstooth.esp

RSkyrimChildren.esm

hdtHighHeel.esm

TERAArmors.esm

Inn Girls Resources.esm

Lootification.esm

ElderMemories01.esm

Gray Fox Cowl.esm

MolagBalsInferno.esm

NPCs Protected and Uncapped.esp

Cutting Room Floor.esp

Appropriately Attired Jarls Redux.esp

dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp

iHUD.esp

RaceMenuPlugin.esp

RaceMenuOverlays.esp

TMSG.esp

TMSGface.esp

SkyUI.esp

ViewableFactionRanksBothDLC.esp

Better Dynamic Snow.esp

Beards.esp

Brows.esp

EnhancedLightsandFX.esp

Tamriel Reloaded HD.esp

Moss Rocks - Legendary.esp

ELFX - Dawnguard.esp

ELFX - Dragonborn.esp

Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp

Weapons & Armor Fixes_Remade.esp

Wintermyst - Enchantments of Skyrim.esp

Weapons & Armor_TrueWeaponsLvlLists.esp

Atlas Compass Tweaks.esp

ORM-Arvak.esp

GQJ_DG_vampireamuletfix.esp

UIExtensions.esp

AddItemMenu.esp

NIOVHH.esp

ADS.esp

AOS.esp

WM Flora Fixes.esp

Clothing & Clutter Fixes.esp

Invisibility Eyes Fix.esp

CollegeOfWinterholdImmersive.esp

KS Hairdo's.esp

Book Covers Skyrim.esp

Skyrim Immersive Creatures.esp

Helgen Reborn.esp

SkyFalls + SkyMills + DG + DB + FS + WT.esp

SkyrimCoinReplacerRedux.esp

Immersive Wenches.esp

OBIS.esp

Skyrim Immersive Creatures - DLC2.esp

hearthfireextended.esp

SkyFalls DB + FS Small Waterfalls.esp

JKs LITE - Merged.esp

Point The Way.esp

RealisticWaterTwo.esp

RealisticWaterTwo - Wyrmstooth.esp

Oblivion Gates v3 - Skyrim + Dawnguard DLC.esp

RealisticWaterTwo - Legendary.esp

Heimfeigr.esp

Skysan_ELFX_SMIM_Fix.esp

Atlas Legendary.esp

Hateful Wenches.esp

Bring Out Your Dead - Legendary Edition.esp

ChaosDragons.esp

Wyrmstooth - Tweaks and Enhancements - Merged.esp

aMidianBorn_ContentAddon.esp

Complete Crafting Overhaul_Remade.esp

AmazingFollowerTweaks.esp

AFT_NoFriendlySpellDamage.esp

RSChildren_CompleteUSKP.esp

Complete Crafting_TrueWeaponsLvlLists.esp

Immersive Weapons.esp

WeaponsArmorFixes_ImmersiveWeapons_Patch.esp

UniqueWeaponsRedone.esp

Elemental Staves.esp

CCO_SIC_Patch.esp

CWIELnFXPatch.esp

Dead Body Collision.esp

SMIM-FarmhouseFlickeringFix.esp

DeadlySpellImpacts.esp

UltimateDragons.esp

SkyrimImprovedPuddles-DG-HF-DB.esp

NoAnimalsReportCrimes-DG+DB.esp

Paralyze.esp

SMIM-DragonbornTernFix.esp

SMIM-DungeonsCliffsIceSkirts.esp

SMIM-FurnitureChestSnowFix.esp

RealisticWaterTwo - Waves - Falskaar.esp

RealisticWaterTwo - Falskaar.esp

Lore Weapon Expansion.esp

LeftHandRings.esp

aMidianborn_Skyforge_Weapons.esp

7Base Remodeled Armor - Replacer.esp

Tera Armor Level List.esp

Better Vampires.esp

ExplosiveBoltsVisualized.esp

OMageReplacerPack.esp

NPCs Protected Redux - CRF.esp

SMIM-ShackRoofFixes.esp

Vjarkell Castle.esp

Skyrim Flora Overhaul.esp

SFO - Dragonborn.esp

SMIM-ShackRoofFixesDragonborn.esp

Aurora - Standing Stones of Skyrim.esp

RealisticWaterTwo - Waves - Wyrmstooth.esp

RaceMenu.esp

imp_helm_legend.esp

ForgottenCity.esp

ElderMemories02.esp

The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp

PilgrimsDelight.esp

7BO Bikini Armors - Merged.esp

Nicoroshi Creations.esp

PP_Dungeons_Merged.esp

AsianArmorPacksMerged.esp

DX Armors SeveNBase Bombshell HDT TBBP AIO.esp

isilNarsil.esp

Gildergreen Regrown.esp

CCO17ObisPatch.esp

Gray Fox Cowl - Alternative Start.esp

Apocalypse - The Spell Package.esp

7Base Remodeled Armor - Replacer - Dawnguard.esp

7Base Remodeled Armor - Replacer - Dragonborn.esp

SPTConsistentOlderPeople.esp

NPCs Protected Redux - COP.esp

Mage Outfit Texture Overhaul.esp

FNIS.esp

FNISspells.esp

FNISSexyMove.esp

XPMSE.esp

Animated Enchantments.esp

Dread Knight Weapon Set.esp

DawnguardRuneWeaponsFXSReplacer.esp

Chesko_Step418.esp

Soul Gems Differ - NW.esp

Shaydows VampireLord Replacer OVERHAUL.esp

DragonShoutVoice.esp

IHSS.esp

randomthunder.esp

Blaze Of Eventide.esp

Better Stealth AI for Followers.esp

ClamsDropPearls.esp

Convenient Horses.esp

Radiant and Unique Potions and Poisons v2.0.esp

PrvtI_HeavyArmory.esp

Archer's Armory Skyrim.esp

Bijin AIO.esp

Natural Lighting and Atmospherics.esp

Skyrim Particle Patch for ENB - Flame Atronach Fix.esp

Watercolor_for_ENB_RWT.esp

AOS2_DSI Patch.esp

Duel - Combat Realism.esp

Combat Evolved - Core.esp

dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp

dD-DG-DB-Immersive Creatures EBT Patch.esp

AOS2_EBT Patch.esp

AOS2_NLA_DG Patch.esp

AOS2_RealisticWaterTwo Patch.esp

AOS2_WAF Patch.esp

Improved Combat Sounds v2.2.esp

Akavari Katana Re_borne.esp

DK_Armor_By_Hothtrooper44.esp

Ghosu - Weapon Pack 1.esp

FS_UltimateAssortment.esp

KS Hairdos - HDT.esp

Seductress Serana.esp

towConversation.esp

Warmer Magic Lights v2 - Big.esp

CLToggleRadius2x - WML version.esp

Daedric Reaper Armor.esp

TheEyesOfBeauty.esp

Blade & Soul.esp

DF_T33.esp

HDT Piercingsets.esp

Zipsuit.esp

CWINPCOpulentOutfits.esp

OpulentMageUSKPReplacerPatch.esp

Extended UI.esp

Ordinator - Perks of Skyrim.esp

Apocalypse - Ordinator Compatibility Patch.esp

OBISDB.esp

Imperious - Races of Skyrim.esp

LeftHandRings_1stPersonView.esp

SBF DB-Inisiate.esp

SBF Ugor.esp

Halo's Poser.esp

AetherSuite.esp

Merta Black Rose Armor.esp

Complete Alchemy & Cooking Overhaul.esp

CACO-Ordinatored.esp

Ordinator - Dragonborn Perk Respec.esp

LessIntrusiveHUD.esp

Deadly Wenches.esp

Deadly Wenches -Tera Armors Random-.esp

Chesko_LoreBasedLoadingScreens.esp

Facelight.esp

FaceLightPlus.esp

CandlelightToggleDefault.esp

VioLens.esp

A Simple Marriage Mod.esp

_ImoMegane.esp

Dynamic Dialogue Followers.esp

Seren - SC2 Nova.esp

NewVampChainsArmorReplacer.esp

LB Blood of the Divines.esp

Lady Draak.esp

SantaRobes.esp

BCS - CCOR Patch.esp

sextoys-calyps-2.esp

WWW.esp

Angelic_Demonic.esp

FS_AngelsInSkyrim.esp

KTABladeOfWoe.esp

Third Era - Dwemer.esp

FemaleUlfric.esp

CACO_CCOR_Patch.esp

CACO_CoinReplacer_Patch.esp

CACO_Wyrmstooth_Patch.esp

CACO_GrayCowl_Patch.esp

CACO_USLEEP_Patch.esp

Infinite Gold For Merchants.esp

Alternate Start - Live Another Life.esp

TES5EditMerged.esp

LLI.esp

Bashed Patch, 0.esp

EveryBody's Different.esp

Dual Sheath Redux.esp

Dual Sheath Redux Patch.esp

DynDOLOD.esp

[Adarcer]

save size seems pretty big in skse.ini add this line if you have not

 

[General]

ClearInvalidRegistrations=1

also get save game cleaner in search bar to remove bad scripts and garbage that is no longer needed just read the page on what it does

it will make your save smaller

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31724

[jones177]

Hi

 

My game as about the same amount of mods as yours. I run Skyrim Performance monitor & skse memory block log constantly.

When you load from screen & it fails, Skyim is going over the ram limit. Use SPM to test.

 

Ini tweeks alone can put you over the edge with a heavily modded game.

For example, my saves at ugridstoload=5 are fine. If I change ugridstoload=9 I run out of memory before the game can load the save but I can start a new save.

I once tried to use SMB92's (forums member) inis & could not load any of my saves but could start a new game. SMB92's computer had more ram, a more powerful CPU & SSDs.

 

Once you are in game ENB or ENBoost & skse seem to handle the load better.

 

At a certain point in a heavily modded game the type of media you use comes into play. Standard HDs start to bog down on large load-ins. Most are designed to move small amounts of data fast. HDs that are designed for video editing & servers are better suited for the job. WD 5 or 6tb Blacks are good or go SSD. I use Raptors but SSDs are the modern choice.

 

My game will CTD in 30 seconds without the skse memory patch. The reasons is not landscape texture packs but NPCs. For example you use TERAArmors, Tera Armor Level list & Deadly Wenches -Tera Armors Random along with OBIS. 4gb VRAM can easily handle this but it will stress your ram. I keep custom armor, physics & body meshes off spawned NPCs as much as possible to keep ram down. I use CBBE for vanilla races because it has less overhead than UPN. Most of my characters & followers use UPN. I use mods Like MHIYH & "Followers go on Trip" to put my followers into the world with custom armor. That way I have more control how many NPCs are in a cell with custom armor, physics & body meshes. This sort of stuff gets to be important when you have a game like yours & mine.

 

My saves start at 7mb & are about 18mb at level 20 & end up at 28mb. Having issues with saves depends on your hardware.

 

Later

[asmox]

@Adarcer

 

From what I've read, 15 MB is a fairly modest size for a save in a heavily modded game. Brand new games aren't much smaller for me so I doubt save game bloat is the issue - and I believe some of the garbage cleanup functions in that mod have since been baked into the unofficial patches. That said, I may potentially look into some script cleanup in case that's causing problems.

 

I do have that line in my skse.ini.

 

@jones177

 

I think my hardware is solid enough - I have a i7 6700k w/ 16 GB RAM and a 6 GB 980ti, and Skyrim is installed on a ssd. I do actually run Skyrim Performance Monitor but as far as I can tell it doesn't indicate that I'm hitting any caps. RAM utilization is excessively low, unless by "stress" you were referring to stability and not capacity. Example from a crash after loading a save in Breezehome and attempting to zone out into Whiterun -

 

http://imgur.com/ChGUdNK

 

My ini's are almost completely vanilla aside from the tweaks necessary to make ENB work and some miscellaneous items like intro movie removal, fov, camera tweaks, and so forth. I do see your point about NPC's as I'm using Lootification to distribute a lot of custom armor and weaponry and quite a bit of that is HDT-enabled, so perhaps some interaction there is causing certain cells to freak out. However, if that were the case, I don't see why the same cells load fine if loaded after starting a new game. I'm still loading the same resources in the end, right?

 

I'm actually having a lot of trouble trying to recreate this today. Seems I'm able to load into outdoor cells just fine with a variety of saves... been trying to get it to crash and the only one I got was for that perfmon screenshot above. So I guess it's not consistent.

[jones177]

One of the down sides to using a 980 ti is you can use too much RAM. Not VRAM. The limits are not in your hardware but in the game. The limit in my game is 4.1gb VRAM used & then CTD. I am running ENB with "EnableUnsafeMemoryHacks=true & ReduceSystemMemoryUsage=true". Without them I can use more VRAM but get stutter. I do use 1gb RAM more than you do with this ini setup & about the same VRAM. My poor 980 ti runs at 99% most of the time at 1440.

 

On the up side of using a 980 ti I get 50% less CTDs than I did with a 980 on the same game.

 

I use a 980 ti to running Skyrim with ENB at 60fps at 1440 & Fallout 4 at 4k. It is truly worth every penny I paid.

 

Good Luck with your Game.