Solution for low FPS 60 to 30 on AMD machines

[DrEllert]

So hi there,

Here are my rig's specs:

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System Information

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System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.

Processor: Intel® Core i7-4930K CPU @ 3.40GHz (12 CPUs), ~3.7GHz

Memory: 32768MB RAM

Available OS Memory: 32688MB RAM

Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit

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Display Devices

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Card name: AMD Radeon R9 200 Series

Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Display Memory: 20417 MB

Dedicated Memory: 4073 MB

Shared Memory: 16343 MB

Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

---------------

(My card is R9 290X 4GB the regular one that came out in 2013, not the sapphire one)

So my problem was that even when I played on high settings (which the game advised via the "reset" option) it had this weird known issue: indoors (dungeons, houses, ruins etc.) the game ran smoothly even on ultra settings. But when the Dragonborn comes out... the FPS drops low. Low as in 30 fps (from 60 silky-smooth fps).

I watched at least 3 videos about how to solve the problem on NVidia rigs, but no hope for us red-AMD weirdos. So I decided to tweak a-bit and play around the game's and driver (AMD Radeon settings AKA the new catalyst control center AKA Crimson 16.9.2). After a while, I discovered a magic solution that worked.

I walked right on Dormammu and said "I've came to bargain!"

Nah JK. So here's my solution:

1. go to: My Files\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition\SkyrimPrefs.ini

2. Ctrl+S and search for iVSyncPresentInterval

3. Change the value to 0 (it was =1 so change it to =0) and of course SAVE!!!!!

4. Now open you blood-red AMD Radeon Settings. Go to Gaming, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition.

5. In "Wait for Vertical Refresh", change it to "Always on".

6. Now feel free to play the game without it stuttering to low FPS! In my case it reaches about 100-200 FPS and never drops, yay me. Even on ultra BTW.

7. For those who're afraid from high FPS (in the regular edition, FPS higher than 60 made indoor items fly around and get whacky) you can turn "Frame Rate Target Control" on, and choose about 60-70 FPS (depends on your functioning in game).

Hope this helps anyone, and tip from the doctor? Don't kill Paarthurnax he's awesome.

Doc out.

 

[goranpaa]

Hmm, I do not get this! I have tried all the tips I have found about the uneven framerates including this. I have even unparked the cpu cores but no cigar. :sad:

 

First, I belived the jumpy fps = between 45 - 29 fps about was because I did run the Skyrim Springtime mod. But it's about the same when running the vanilla, snowy one.

And I do not have any graphic mod that exceed 2K. I have the Godrays set to low and the game settings, set to high. And only the 64 bit rendering target ticked in the launcher.

 

Now, in the loading screen I get like 250 fps according to Fraps. But as soon as I get into the game it self the fps drop like a brick of led. Not in interiours though. There i get 58 fps steady wich I have capped the fps to.

 

i'm totally out of ideas now. I have a Sapphire Nitro 380 4gb card btw. an AMD FX6300 CPU 3.5 Ghz, 16 gb of RAM and 2 x SSD hdd's and a 1080 P monitor.

 

Actually I had slightly better framrates with the hard modded Oldrim. :sad:

Edited November 18, 2016 by goranpaa

[DrEllert]

Hmm, I do not get this! I have tried all the tips I have found about the uneven framerates including this. I have even unparked the cpu cores but no cigar. :sad:

 

First, I belived the jumpy fps = between 45 - 29 fps about was because I did run the Skyrim Springtime mod. But it's about the same when running the vanilla, snowy one.

And I do not have any graphic mod that exceed 2K. I have the Godrays set to low and the game settings, set to high.

 

Now, in the loading screen I get like 250 fps according to Fraps. But as soon as I get into the game it self the fps drop like a brick of led. Not in exteriours though. There i get 58 fps steady wich I have capped the fps to.

 

i'm totally out of ideas now. I have a Sapphire Nitro 380 4gb card btw. an AMD FX6300 CPU 3.5 Ghz, 16 gb of RAM and 2 x SSD hdd's and a 1080 P monitor.

 

Actually I had slightly better framrates with the hard modded Oldrim. :sad:

 

I'm sorry to hear! :(

 

Can you please export your mods list?

 

In case you're not sure how: open the NMM, go to plugins tab, and on the left side of the window you'll see a symbol of a sheet of paper with arrow coming out of it.

 

What I got from your PC hard is as follows (?):

 

CPU: AMD FX6300 CPU 3.5 Ghz

RAM: 16

GPU: Sapphire Nitro 380 4gb

 

Also a few general questions (so I can deduce better):

 

1. Is there any other program (except for steam, CCC\AMD Radeon Settings) that works in the background?

 

2. Have you tried playing the older version of skyrim with the same mods? Did you try to play other high-graphical games?

 

3. Have you tried to disable all the mods, and maybe try a new save\new game?

 

4. Last but not least, did you try to clean your mods via SSEEdit, LOOT & Save game script cleaner? It has nothing to do with FPS drop, but at this case, it might.

 

If there're still issues, keep posting.

[goranpaa]

 

Hmm, I do not get this! I have tried all the tips I have found about the uneven framerates including this. I have even unparked the cpu cores but no cigar. :sad:

 

First, I belived the jumpy fps = between 45 - 29 fps about was because I did run the Skyrim Springtime mod. But it's about the same when running the vanilla, snowy one.

And I do not have any graphic mod that exceed 2K. I have the Godrays set to low and the game settings, set to high.

 

Now, in the loading screen I get like 250 fps according to Fraps. But as soon as I get into the game it self the fps drop like a brick of led. Not in exteriours though. There i get 58 fps steady wich I have capped the fps to.

 

i'm totally out of ideas now. I have a Sapphire Nitro 380 4gb card btw. an AMD FX6300 CPU 3.5 Ghz, 16 gb of RAM and 2 x SSD hdd's and a 1080 P monitor.

 

Actually I had slightly better framrates with the hard modded Oldrim. :sad:

 

I'm sorry to hear! :sad:

 

Can you please export your mods list?

 

In case you're not sure how: open the NMM, go to plugins tab, and on the left side of the window you'll see a symbol of a sheet of paper with arrow coming out of it.

 

What I got from your PC hard is as follows (?):

 

CPU: AMD FX6300 CPU 3.5 Ghz

RAM: 16

GPU: Sapphire Nitro 380 4gb

 

Also a few general questions (so I can deduce better):

 

1. Is there any other program (except for steam, CCC\AMD Radeon Settings) that works in the background?

 

2. Have you tried playing the older version of skyrim with the same mods? Did you try to play other high-graphical games?

 

3. Have you tried to disable all the mods, and maybe try a new save\new game?

 

4. Last but not least, did you try to clean your mods via SSEEdit, LOOT & Save game script cleaner? It has nothing to do with FPS drop, but at this case, it might.

 

If there're still issues, keep posting.

 

 

Ok. here are the list.

 

GameMode=SkyrimSE

 

Skyrim.esm=1

Update.esm=1

Dawnguard.esm=1

HearthFires.esm=1

Dragonborn.esm=1

RSkyrimChildren.esm=1

Unique Flowers & Plants.esm=1

ApachiiHairFemales.esm=1

Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch.esp=1

WhiterunHoldForest.esp=1

Cutting Room Floor.esp=1

SOTFull.esp=1

AsharaPrinceOfTheWoods.esp=1

Bandanas of Skyrim.esp=1

CLARALUX - SSE.esp=1

Verdant - A Skyrim Grass Plugin SSE Version.esp=1

RealisticWaterTwo.esp=1

MoreColorfulCritters.esp=1

GloriousEnviroments.esp=1

Friendlier Taverns.esp=1

Beautiful Cities.esp=1

BirdsOfSkyrim_SSE.esp=1

BetterDocks-MP-DLC-Compatible.esp=1

MrBs-UniqueLoot-SE.esp=1

skyBirds_SSE.esp=1

Koreha Garden.esp=1

SkyTEST-RealisticAnimals&Predators.esp=1

Insects Begone - Spiders.esp=1

Dr_Bandolier.esp=1

Black Mage Armor SE.esp=1

BulkArrows_DG.esp=1

Capes&Cloaks.esp=1

ReShapedDBGear.esp=1

Day Night City Lights.esp=1

Point The Way.esp=1

JKs Whiterun.esp=1

SMIM-SE-Merged-All.esp=1

Vivid WeathersSE.esp=1

Darkwater Crossing.esp=1

DunmerRangerArmor.esp=1

DisableHDREffects.esp=1

Enchanting Freedom.esp=1

ethereal_elven_overhaul.esp=1

FaceMasksOfSkyrim.esp=1

Golden Rings Of Craft.esp=1

Island Hobbit Home.esp=1

Whiterun Gate Restoration.esp=1

MilkSSE.esp=1

fallentreebridges.esp=1

Inncreased Food.esp=1

Insects Begone - Dawnguard - Spiders and Chaurus.esp=1

Insects Begone - DragonBorn Spiders and Ashoppers.esp=1

ScoiataelBows.esp=1

Jump250.esp=1

DrSKnapsacks.esp=1

LightArmorClothing.esp=1

More Weapons Please.esp=1

No BS AI Projectile Dodge (Magic and Arrows) - Immersive Projectiles Nondetection of Enemies.esp=1

No Falling Damage.esp=1

No Magic Ninja Dodge - No DLC.esp=1

NoRadialBlur.esp=1

RLO - Adaptive Interiors Vanilla Weathers Patch.esp=0

NB-FurHoods.esp=1

InigoPerkPointGiver.esp=1

Quieter Dungeons and Caves.esp=1

GreyRatReplacer.esp=1

Realistic AI Detection SE - Low Interior, Low Exterior.esp=1

dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp=1

RichMerchantsSkyrim_x10.esp=1

Realistic Nighteye - Original.esp=1

RSChildren - Complete.esp=1

ScopedBows.esp=1

ScopedBows_ArrowTweaks.esp=1

ScopedBows_EagleEyeTweak.esp=1

SilentSneakAttack.esp=1

Shaggy125 cheat ring and amulet.esp=1

Skyrim Unlimited Rings And Amulets.esp=1

Sneak Tools Vanilla Hoods.esp=1

Sneak Tools Vanilla Masks.esp=1

TGBowsDrawFasterv2-0.esp=1

Travel Master.esp=1

Mors Feminine Females - All.esp=1

EEO - USSEP Patch.esp=1

RSChildren_PatchUSSEP.esp=1

zzArmormashups.esp=1

Vivid Weathers Utilities.esp=1

CliffsideCottage.esp=1

LakeHaven.esp=1

Trees in Cities.esp=1

Waterwalking Ring.esp=1

Shor's Stone.esp=1

Ducks and Swans.esp=1

morthal.esp=1

Marnya.esp=1

TestingHall.esp=1

Tundra Quagmire.esp=1

EeveeFox.esp=1

OreMerchant.esp=1

RiftenShack.esp=1

EasierRidersDungeonPackSSE.esp=1

JKs Whiterun exterior.esp=1

RingOFNighteye.esp=1

Sneak Tools.esp=1

mcCampingLite.esp=1

Shoo_SummonBlacksmith.esp=1

Vampire and Werewolf Potion.esp=1

Fox_breathe_low.esp=1

NMNEB.esp=1

RoomsAndFood.esp=1

MerchantsInstantRestocking.esp=1

Open Cities Skyrim.esp=1

Alternate Start - Live Another Life.esp=1

LeftHandRings.esp=1

SummerSets-Trees.esp=1

Skyrim Flora Overhaul.esp=1

Skyrim Better Roads - All In One - Merged.esp=1

HoddminirGrassPlants.esp=1

BirdsAndFlocks_SSE.esp=1

seekers sight realistic retexture - farmhouses.esp=1

seekers sight bridges overhaul - se.esp=1

Critical Mastery.esp=1

Pacifist Mini-Mods Collection.esp=1

No World Map Fog.esp=1

coveredcarriages.esp=1

NoFog.esp=1

Always Clear Weather.esp=1

JetDwemerBows.esp=1

BosmerElderShadowArmor.esp=1

KS_Hairdo's_Lite.esp=1

InnCredible.esp=1

Seashells.esp=1

No NPC Greetings.esp=1

ExpandedCarriageService.esp=1

yourwalkspeed.esp=1

Faster Arrows and Bolts Without Gravity.esp=1

FPSBoost.esp=1

SpringtimeForSkyrim.esp=1

 

No, no such program running except for the latest Crimson AMD driver SSE profile. Clean installation via the DDU, driver uninstaller tool.

 

I have tried old Skyrim. I get 6-8 more fps in it with about the same mods installed.

 

I get a good fps in Dishonored for example.

 

Yes, I have tried disable all the mods but that does not make any real difference.

 

Yes, all the mods and DLC's are clean and sorted with LOOT.

 

I want to add, that I have tried running a game booster =ASUS Tweak only for the cause of shutting down some programs. No real fps inprovement there.

 

In Radeon Pro, I have tried all 3 Vsync settings availiable. On: normal, double Vsync and dynamic. + Triple buffer only. Nope no go!

 

Thank you very much for trying to help me out.

Edited November 18, 2016 by goranpaa

[DrEllert]

Also I know it sounds irrelevent but I try to help the best I can. What windows bit version are you running? I assume 64bit (because you mentions you have 16 RAM right?)

 

If other games work, and the FPS difference is minor from old skyrim and SE... I tend to assume that skyrim is the issue (and luckily, not hardware- which means there can be a solution that doesn't cost money).

 

And you mentioned that you tried to tweak a little around the V-Sync\Virtual Refresh like I did (opening skyrimprefs.ini, changing the value from 1 to 0 and saved, and turned on and off the AMD Radeon Settings).

 

Hmm. I know I'm asking all this annoying questions but it makes my job much easier. Per chance the FPS limiter is set to low FPS by mistake? Maybe try to reset the game's settings (both in-game and in AMD's?)

 

And last but not least, let me quote my fav show... "Did you try to turn it off and on again?" Maybe restarting your rig might solve something that interrupts Steam or the game itself.

 

Hope this works. Otherwise I hope some other wise user would drop a useful advice.

[goranpaa]

Also I know it sounds irrelevent but I try to help the best I can. What windows bit version are you running? I assume 64bit (because you mentions you have 16 RAM right?)

 

If other games work, and the FPS difference is minor from old skyrim and SE... I tend to assume that skyrim is the issue (and luckily, not hardware- which means there can be a solution that doesn't cost money).

 

And you mentioned that you tried to tweak a little around the V-Sync\Virtual Refresh like I did (opening skyrimprefs.ini, changing the value from 1 to 0 and saved, and turned on and off the AMD Radeon Settings).

 

Hmm. I know I'm asking all this annoying questions but it makes my job much easier. Per chance the FPS limiter is set to low FPS by mistake? Maybe try to reset the game's settings (both in-game and in AMD's?)

 

And last but not least, let me quote my fav show... "Did you try to turn it off and on again?" Maybe restarting your rig might solve something that interrupts Steam or the game itself.

 

Hope this works. Otherwise I hope some other wise user would drop a useful advice.

 

 

I'm very greatful for your effort trying to help me all that you can.

 

Yes, it's Windows 7 64 Pro.

 

Yes, I have tweaked the ini settings for Vsync as adviced. And have turned on and off the AMD settings.

 

No problems, Just ask away. Hmm, the strange thing is, that after have read what you said i upped the fps limiter in the driver SSE profile from 58 to 70 fps. Now I at least get between 45 - 52 fps for most of the time :- 0 :smile: The tests that I have done have been in the Rift area I might add.

 

I have'nt so far restarted the rig though. But will try this too.

 

Oh, I might also add that I have had the Windows power setting in the control panel set to high performance all the time.

Edited November 18, 2016 by goranpaa

[DrEllert]

 

I'm very greatful for your effort trying to help me all that you can.

 

Yes, it's Windows 7 64 Pro.

 

Yes, I have tweaked the ini settings for Vsync as adviced. And have turned on and off the AMD settings.

 

No problems, Just ask away. Hmm, the strange thing is, that after have read what you said i upped the fps limiter in the driver SSE profile from 58 to 70 fps. Now I at least get between 45 - 52 fps for most of the time :- 0 :smile: The tests that I have done have been in the Rift area I might add.

 

I have'nt so far restarted the rig though. But will try this too.

 

Oh, I might also add that I have had the Windows power setting in the control panel set to high performance all the time.

 

 

Okay that is one good thing to know! (about the rift thingy) I'll also try go there myself and update as well. You see I just started a new character (Argonian, first time OMG) and I haven't left Whiterun yet (I'm a noob, lvl 7 T_T ) So I'll see if I have the same FPS drop.

 

 

EDIT:

 

I tried going there myself, until my game crashed (but that's a problem for another time). Most of the time the FPS lasted between 55-65, with occasional short fall to 45. Luckily for me I even had the chance to fight a thief and a few wolves without dying, and the battles went fine. It was about 54-56 FPS, so there's the Rift for you.

 

Also just now saw someone posting about having bad FPS too at the Rift and the Reach so I'll see to that as well.

 

EDIT 2:

 

Also forgot to mention, if I save a place and then reload the save... the game runs smooth and okay (tried it in the rift). Hope this helps man\woman\whatever you define yourself!

Edited November 18, 2016 by DrEllert

[goranpaa]

 

 

I'm very greatful for your effort trying to help me all that you can.

 

Yes, it's Windows 7 64 Pro.

 

Yes, I have tweaked the ini settings for Vsync as adviced. And have turned on and off the AMD settings.

 

No problems, Just ask away. Hmm, the strange thing is, that after have read what you said i upped the fps limiter in the driver SSE profile from 58 to 70 fps. Now I at least get between 45 - 52 fps for most of the time :- 0 :smile: The tests that I have done have been in the Rift area I might add.

 

I have'nt so far restarted the rig though. But will try this too.

 

Oh, I might also add that I have had the Windows power setting in the control panel set to high performance all the time.

 

 

Okay that is one good thing to know! (about the rift thingy) I'll also try go there myself and update as well. You see I just started a new character (Argonian, first time OMG) and I haven't left Whiterun yet (I'm a noob, lvl 7 T_T ) So I'll see if I have the same FPS drop.

 

 

EDIT:

 

I tried going there myself, until my game crashed (but that's a problem for another time). Most of the time the FPS lasted between 55-65, with occasional short fall to 45. Luckily for me I even had the chance to fight a thief and a few wolves without dying, and the battles went fine. It was about 54-56 FPS, so there's the Rift for you.

 

Also just now saw someone posting about having bad FPS too at the Rift and the Reach so I'll see to that as well.

 

EDIT 2:

 

Also forgot to mention, if I save a place and then reload the save... the game runs smooth and okay (tried it in the rift). Hope this helps man\woman\whatever you define yourself!

 

Thanks for the information. Maybe it's the Rift area that are kind of flaky performance vise then? I will try your way of saving. I'm a guy. :smile:

Edited November 18, 2016 by goranpaa

[goranpaa]

II have tried some other areas and ended up with like 45 fps average. I guess I have to settle for that until I find a better soloution then.

[DrEllert]

You know, just suggestin' - maybe it's a driver's issue. What's your driver's version? maybe you should update? Mine is 16.9.2