Maxing Havok - Skyrim Spanked!

[MorwynKelm]

There are a lot of people posting ENB/FXAA/SSAO/INI tweaks (I used to be a tweaker then I took a CTD to my INI) it makes sense to have one place to share all of our experiences. Share what you have learned about settings, etc.

 

The goal here is to create a TEMPLATE for INI that is well-formatted and comprehensive. Many settings from FO3 or even Oblivion are obsolete but many remain but are NOT included in the default INIs. Ultimately, this guide should help users finely tune their setup to make the most out of their gear - let's not focus on (all) the limitations of the engine, rather, focus on what is possible.

 

First, a description of what each setting is for AND in which INI and under what section would be helpful. Thoughts?

 

Posting system specs as a reference is a good idea, but let's not get into PC builders' thread, there are plenty of those. ;)

 

On my particular setup, I'm a pretty solid 40-50FPS (uncapped). I can't seem to get stable beyond uGrids=7. I've been able to reach 11 but with no stability. 9 was ok for an hour but I had to roll back to 7 with only the occasional glitch. Full INI's below. I'm running legit Skytim (of course) and I'm finiding it difficult to get Skyrim to use anything more than 3gb and I have tweaked the *hell* out of ini's and installed every HD texture pack I can get my hands on.

 

My custom built liquid cooled rig;

Intel QX9650 @ 4.0Ghz

8GB DDR3 @ 1600Mhz

Radeon 6950 2GB @ 1920x1200

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w223/Bucket_o_puke/baalv72_ext.jpg

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w223/Bucket_o_puke/Mon.png

 

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w223/Bucket_o_puke/ModList.png

 

A few samples...: (Click on each photo for fullview):

 

http://static.skyrim.nexusmods.com/imageshare/images/508163-1327291651.jpg

http://static.skyrim.nexusmods.com/imageshare/images/508163-1327516807.jpg

http://static.skyrim.nexusmods.com/imageshare/images/508163-1327423864.jpg

http://static.skyrim.nexusmods.com/imageshare/images/508163-1327423758.jpg

http://static.skyrim.nexusmods.com/imageshare/images/508163-1327291977.jpg

http://static.skyrim.nexusmods.com/imageshare/images/508163-1327522809.jpg

http://static.skyrim.nexusmods.com/imageshare/images/508163-1327423809.jpg

 

Skyrim.ini

 

[General]

sLanguage=ENGLISH

sLocalSavePath=Saves\

iNumHWThreads=4

bMultiThreadMovement=1

bDisableAllGore=0

bTrackAllDeaths=1

bPreemptivelyUnloadCells=0

bRunHighLevelProcess=1

bUseThreadedBlood=1

bUseThreadedMorpher=1

bUseThreadedTempEffects=1

bUseThreadedParticleSystem=1

bUseThreadedTextures=1

bUseThreadedMeshes=1

bUseThreadedLOD=1

bUseThreadedAI=1

bUseMultiThreadedFaceGen=1

bUseMultiThreadedTrees=1

bBackgroundLoadLipFiles=1

bLoadBackgroundFaceGen=1

bBackgroundCellLoads=1

uGridsToLoad=7

 

[Display]

fShadowLODMaxStartFade=1000.0

fSpecularLODMaxStartFade=2000.0

fLightLODMaxStartFade=3500.0

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=4096

bAllowScreenshot=1

fDefaultWorldFOV=65

fDefault1stPersonFOV=65

fSunShadowUpdateTime=1

fSunUpdateThreshold=1

bPerPixelLighting=1

iPresentInterval=1

bShadowsOnGrass=1

bActorSelfShadowing=1

bMTRendering=0

bForcePow2Textures=0

bForce1XShaders=0

bAllow30Shaders=1

bAllow20HairShader=1

bDoTestHDR=1

bDo30VFog=1

bDoTallGrassEffect=1

bDoTexturePass=1

bDoSpecularPass=1

bDoDiffusePass=1

bDoAmbientPass=1

bUseRefractionShader=1

bUse Shaders=1

bUseSunbeams=1

fMipBias=-0.7500

bSimpleLighting=0

fDecalLifetime=60.0000

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=4096

fSunShadowUpdateTime=1

fSunUpdateThreshold=1

bDynamicWindowReflections=1

bEquippedTorchesCastShadows=1

iMaxDesired=4096

 

[Audio]

fMusicDuckingSeconds=6.0

fMusicUnDuckingSeconds=8.0

fMenuModeFadeOutTime=3.0

fMenuModeFadeInTime=1.0

 

[Grass]

bAllowCreateGrass=1

bAllowLoadGrass=0

iMinGrassSize=20

b30GrassVS=1

bGrassPointLighting=1

 

[GeneralWarnings]

SGeneralMasterMismatchWarning=One or more plugins could not find the correct versions of the master files they depend on. Errors may occur during load or game play. Check the "Warnings.txt" file for more information.

 

[Archive]

sResourceArchiveList=Skyrim - Misc.bsa, Skyrim - Shaders.bsa, Skyrim - Textures.bsa, Skyrim - Interface.bsa, Skyrim - Animations.bsa, Skyrim - Meshes.bsa, Skyrim - Sounds.bsa

sResourceArchiveList2=Skyrim - Voices.bsa, Skyrim - VoicesExtra.bsa

 

[Combat]

fMagnetismStrafeHeadingMult=0.0

fMagnetismLookingMult=0.0

 

[Papyrus]

fPostLoadUpdateTimeMS=512.0

bEnableLogging=0

bEnableTrace=0

bLoadDebugInformation=0

 

[Weather]

bPrecipitation=1

 

[HAVOK]

iNumThreads=8

 

[Animation]

bMultiThreadBoneUpdate=1

 

[Water]

bReflectLODObjects=1

bReflectLODLand=1

bReflectSky=1

bReflectLODTrees=1

bReflectExplosions=1

iWaterReflectHeight=2048

iWaterReflectWidth=2048

bUseWaterDisplacements=1

bUseWaterRefractions=1

bUseWaterReflections=1

bUseWaterDepth=1

 

[Trees]

bForceFullDetail=1

bEnableTreeAnimations=1

 

[TerrainManager]

bKeepLowDetailTerrain=0

bDisplayCloudLOD=1

 

[imagespace]

bDoRadialBlur=1

 

 

SkyrimPrefs.ini

 

[General]

iStoryManagerLoggingEvent=-1

bEnableStoryManagerLogging=0

fDefaultFOV=65

 

[Display]

fShadowBiasScale=0.3000

fInteriorShadowDistance=4000.0000

fShadowDistance=3000.0000

iBlurDeferredShadowMask=1

bFloatPointRenderTarget=1

iShadowMaskQuarter=3

iShadowMapResolution=4096

bFXAAEnabled=0

iMaxAnisotropy=16

fGamma=1.0000

iShadowFilter=4

fDecalLOD2=15000.0000

fDecalLOD1=10000.0000

fSpecularLODStartFade=10000.0000

fShadowLODStartFade=10000.0000

fLightLODStartFade=10000.0000

iTexMipMapMinimum=0

iTexMipMapSkip=0

bTransparencyMultisampling=1

iWaterMultiSamples=8

iMultiSample=8

iShadowMode=3

bTreesReceiveShadows=1

bDrawLandShadows=1

bDrawShadows=1

bFull Screen=1

iSize H=1200

iSize W=1920

fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd=4600.0000

fLeafAnimDampenDistStart=3600.0000

fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=15000.0000

fMeshLODFadePercentDefault=1.2000

fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault=256.0000

fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance=4048.0000

fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance=4844.0000

fMeshLODLevel2FadeDist=10000000.0000

fMeshLODLevel1FadeDist=10000000.0000

iScreenShotIndex=13

bShadowMaskZPrepass=0

bMainZPrepass=0

iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame=64

iMaxDecalsPerFrame=1024

sD3DDevice="AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series"

iAdapter=0

iPresentInterval=1

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=4096

iShadowMapResolutionSecondary=4096

iShadowSplitCount=0

bActorSelfShadowing=1

bUseSunbeams=1

bSimpleLighting=0

bEquippedTorchesCastShadows=1

 

[imagespace]

bDoDepthOfField=0

iRadialBlurLevel=3

 

[Grass]

b30GrassVS=1

fGrassStartFadeDistance=6000.0000

fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance=6000.0000

fGrassMinStartFadeDistance=400.0000

bGrassPointLighting=1

bDrawShaderGrass=1

 

[Water]

iWaterReflectHeight=2048

iWaterReflectWidth=2048

bUseWaterDisplacements=1

bUseWaterRefractions=1

bUseWaterReflections=1

bUseWaterDepth=1

bForceHighDetailReflections=1

bUseWaterReflectionBlur=1

iWaterBlurAmount=2

bUseWaterShader=1

bUseWaterLOD=1

bAutoWaterSilhouetteReflections=1

 

[MAIN]

fSkyCellRefFadeDistance=150000.0000

bGamepadEnable=0

bCrosshairEnabled=1

fHUDOpacity=1.0000

bSaveOnPause=1

bSaveOnTravel=1

bSaveOnWait=1

bSaveOnRest=1

 

[interface]

fMouseCursorSpeed=2.0000

bDialogueSubtitles=0

bGeneralSubtitles=0

bShowCompass=1

 

[GamePlay]

bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=1

bShowQuestMarkers=1

iDifficulty=2

 

[Controls]

fMouseHeadingSensitivity=0.0500

fGamepadHeadingSensitivity=2.0000

bAlwaysRunByDefault=1

bInvertYValues=0

bGamePadRumble=0

bMouseAcceleration=0

 

[Particles]

iMaxDesired=4096

 

[saveGame]

fAutosaveEveryXMins=15.0000

 

[AudioMenu]

fAudioMasterVolume=1.0000

fVal7=1.0000

uID7=0

fVal6=1.0000

uID6=0

fVal5=1.0000

uID5=0

fVal4=1.0000

uID4=0

fVal3=0.0000

uID3=466532

fVal2=0.8000

uID2=554685

fVal1=0.8000

uID1=1007612

fVal0=1.0000

uID0=94881

 

[Clouds]

fCloudLevel2Distance=262144.0000

fCloudLevel1Distance=32768.0000

fCloudLevel0Distance=16384.0000

fCloudNearFadeDistance=9000.0000

 

[TerrainManager]

fTreeLoadDistance=250000.0000

fBlockMaximumDistance=250000.0000

fBlockLevel1Distance=70000.0000

fBlockLevel0Distance=35000.0000

fSplitDistanceMult=1.5000

bShowLODInEditor=0

 

[Trees]

bRenderSkinnedTrees=1

uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender=64

bUseMultiThreadedTrees=1

bEnableTreeAnimations=1

 

[Decals]

uMaxDecals=1024

bDecals=1

bSkinnedDecals=1

uMaxSkinDecals=128

uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor=32

 

[LOD]

fLODFadeOutMultSkyCell=1.0000

fLODFadeOutMultObjects=40.0000

fLODFadeOutMultItems=40.0000

fLODFadeOutMultActors=40.0000

 

[blurShaderHDR]

bDoHighDynamicRange=1

 

[blurShader]

bUseBlurShader=1

 

[Launcher]

bShowAllResolutions=1

uLastAspectRatio=4

 

Edited February 2, 2012 by Morwyn Kelm

[Lachdonin]

My crap ass laptop can barely even load the images... What does that tell you about this things preformance. Maybe i'll try again on my PC...

[MorwynKelm]

My crap ass laptop can barely even load the images... What does that tell you about this things preformance. Maybe i'll try again on my PC...

 

While that's pretty funny, it isn't really helpful lol

[PopReference]

I'm interested in this stuff too. I don't really have the latest greatest rig but I do want to get the most out of what I have. I also find Skyrim won't use all the memory it should be with my modest rig.

 

Their NEEDS to be a comprehensive rundown for the .INIs that's accurate and up to date to help with all the confusing and contradicting guides, that just I've been through.

 

Just for example for the skyrim.ini you posted I noted:

fSunShadowUpdateTime= & fSunUpdateThreshold=, was listed twice under [display].

Also "sIntroSequence= " can be put under [general] to remove the bethseda logo inro movie.

[MorwynKelm]

Good point. I experiment by trial and error what some of the settings go under AND in what file. Sometimes, by removing dupes I get instability. Crazy.

[redneck1st]

Morwyn,

 

Sounds like your running a similiar system as what I'm running on this end. Only difference is the fact that I'm running 16 gigs for ram and 2 2terabit drives in a coolermaster tower. Yes I custom built it about 2 years ago and it still kicks arse.<G>

 

BTW from another buider it looks sweet I'll give you that there. Nice job on it. How long did it take you? :D

Edited February 2, 2012 by redneck1st

[MorwynKelm]

Cool. The ram on my board (Rampage Extreme) is maxed at 8GB. I didn't list drives because it isn't relevant to the thread, really. High-end rigs this thread is intended for have owners that generally understand RAIDs, own SSDs and know how to install drivers. I hope. :)

[Thor.]

I'm running Skyrim smooth as silk with 2 gtx470's, and not to mention maxed out.

 

 

Win 7 pro oem 64bit

momentus HD ssd hybrid as c drive skyrim running on it. 500gb.

Phenom 1100t 3.30ghz

patriot ram ddr3 8gb1866mhz

:biggrin:

http://www.tigerdire...4150&CatId=4534

Asus sabertooth 990fx quad crossfire quad sli motherboard

 

Also running it with fans :thumbsup:

 

http://xsreviews.co.uk/images/Antec-900-2/Antec-900-v2.jpg

runs cool and fast, no fancy water cooling needed.

Edited February 2, 2012 by Thor.

[MorwynKelm]

Include system specs as a reference. We could have an entire forum on PC builds alone, and this isn't it. :)

[gsmanners]

Nice pics. I could use a couple of those for desktop wallpaper. :biggrin: