Playing original skyrim on an older system

[speaker4thedead97]

I am trying to get an older PC to get better stability running Skyrim. NOT the new Skyrim SE, my system doesnt meet the minimum requirements.

 

Ok in its day, this machine was a monster.

 

The video card: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT

Total available graphics memory: 2431MB

Dedicated graphics memory: 1024MB

Dedicated system memory: 0MB

Shared system memory: 1407

 

Processor: Intel® Core2 Quad CPU Q8300 @ 2.50 GHz 2.50 GHz.

Installed Ram 4GB (3.25GB usable)

 

I know I will never be able to run this on high settings. I set everything to low. I am running default settings on the video card as well as no HD Texture packs.

 

I am running some mods. I run MO so it runs a virtual drive thus keeping my game folder clean.

 

I pay attention to notes on mods, I run through LOOT, I have no errors or even files in my overwrite file. I dont have any ini tweaks or PC bios tweaks. I am having issues not with ctd but with infinite loading screens. I know the mods that are the issue. The ones adding NPCs. I can disable them and run smoothly. But I dont want them disabled. Interesting NPCs dont really give me issues, but when mixed with travelers of skyrim and expanded towns and cities, I start getting infinite loading screens. I know this is because my system isnt a new gaming system. Its old by human terms, archaic in PC time frames. But I have to work with what I have.

 

Now that my novels is over (I thought it wise to share my setup as well as my direct issue,) what are some things I can do do add a little more power from my PC? Are there (still current) INI changes that can help me? Are there advanced BIOS changes I can make? Is there anything I can do? Or am I just SOL and have to buy a new PC or just dont get to use those mods?

 

I have tried to research this on my own but everything I see I can find somewhere else saying its not needed anymore because of changes in updates...

 

Thanks for any constructive assistance.

[TeofaTsavo]

the mod Vanilla Reduced Textures worked well for me, and let me use higher rez textures on bodies, weapons and armors.

[speaker4thedead97]

the mod Vanilla Reduced Textures worked well for me, and let me use higher rez textures on bodies, weapons and armors.

Thank you for your post. However to be honest, graphics are the last thing I'm worried about. I dont care about HD textures. I simply want a stable setup.

 

I have been reading through a lot of old posts and seeing people making INI changes that I'm more conceded with. I want to be able to add more NPCs, and for my system to handle them. I have identified the mods that give me issues. They are ones that add more NPCs. But those are the ones I want the most.

 

So I am trying to find INI changes that can help my system be able to handle the memory issues NPCs present.