Optiomizing geforce gtx 460 in Windowed

[grayarea]

Hi all,

 

According to GeForce I should be able to run Skyrim on a GeForce GTX 460 with an average of 40FPS. I've tried running in windowed and full screen and have the same fps of around 19-20something when moving around and in Breezehome or outside the gate of Whiterun it never goes above 20.

 

I tried following the "5 Tweaks" instructions for optimizing my game but this only makes things worse. I have reverted my settings back to their defaults in the NVIDIA inspect tool because with those settings, in Breezehome, I was closer to 10 fps.

 

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong here. I'm testing using FAPS and I've seen the FPS hit 40-60 while running around Whiterun and had a steady 40 in Breezehome after I completely deleted my Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini in my My Games folder in frustration. Of course, I had to try getting my settings back (1920x1080 windowed mode with decent shadows), which lead me back here to post since I can't figure out what is causing such a dramatic change.

 

Admittedly, I've confused myself because I started out just wanting to fix the jagged shadows. I fixed that problem using a post I can't find now, but after deleting my prefs to get the vanilla file back, everything worked a bit smoother with vanilla settings, but changing the shadow setting seemed to start the whole process over again. I did notice the SkyrimPrefs.ini file saves after each session, so I'm not sure if it's some other setting that is causing the issue. I've tried 1024, 2048, and 4096 as shadow settings and that doesn't exactly seem to be the issue.

 

I've also tried using ENB (http://enbdev.com/index_en.html) with Skyrim but I'm not sure if I should use that or have NVIDA's inspector settings handle shading, etc. Help?

 

I'm currently using snug9533's settings since they seem to be closer to what I'd like but without ENB. Settings under the spoiler.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

PC:

Win-7 64 w/12GB RAM

i5 CPU 760 @ 2.8Ghz

 

 

 

SkyrimPrefs.ini

 

[General]

sLanguage=ENGLISH

uExterior Cell Buffer=36

iStoryManagerLoggingEvent=-1

bEnableStoryManagerLogging=0

[imagespace]

bDoDepthOfField=0

iRadialBlurLevel=0

[Display]

iBlurDeferredShadowMask=1

fInteriorShadowDistance=3000.0000

fShadowDistance=2800.0000

iShadowMapResolutionSecondary=1024

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=2048

iShadowSplitCount=2

iShadowMapResolution=2048

fShadowBiasScale=0.2500

iShadowMaskQuarter=4

fShadowLODMaxStartFade=1000.0

fSpecularLODMaxStartFade=2000.0

fLightLODMaxStartFade=3500.0

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=2048

bAllowScreenshot=1

iTexMipMapSkip=0

bFXAAEnabled=1

fMeshLODLevel2FadeDist=10000000.0000

fMeshLODLevel1FadeDist=10000000.0000

fSpecularLODStartFade=1200.0000

fLightLODStartFade=2500.0000

fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=3600.0000

fSunShadowUpdateTime=0.2

fSunUpdateThreshold=2.0

iMaxDecalsPerFrame=30

iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame=10

iAdapter=0

iSize H=900

iSize W=1600

iMultiSample=0

iMaxAnisotropy=8

iPresentInterval=1

bFull Screen=0

bFloatPointRenderTarget=1

fGamma=1.0000

iShadowFilter=4

fDecalLOD2=1500.0000

fDecalLOD1=1000.0000

fShadowLODStartFade=200.0000

iTexMipMapMinimum=0

bTransparencyMultisampling=0

iWaterMultiSamples=0

iShadowMode=4

bTreesReceiveShadows=1

bDrawLandShadows=0

bDrawShadows=1

fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd=4600.0000

fLeafAnimDampenDistStart=3600.0000

fMeshLODFadePercentDefault=1.2000

fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault=256.0000

fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance=2048.0000

fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance=2844.0000

iScreenShotIndex=2

bShadowMaskZPrepass=0

bMainZPrepass=0

 

[Audio]

fMusicDuckingSeconds=6.0

fMusicUnDuckingSeconds=8.0

fMenuModeFadeOutTime=3.0

fMenuModeFadeInTime=1.0

 

[Grass]

bAllowCreateGrass=1

bAllowLoadGrass=0

b30GrassVS=0

fGrassStartFadeDistance=5000.0000

fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance=7000.0000

fGrassMinStartFadeDistance=400.0000

 

[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=500.0

bEnableLogging=0

bEnableTrace=0

bLoadDebugInformation=0

[imagespace]

iRadialBlurLevel=0

bDoDepthOfField=1

[LOD]

fLODFadeOutMultActors=6.5500

fLODFadeOutMultItems=5.9000

fLODFadeOutMultObjects=10.1000

fLODFadeOutMultSkyCell=1.0000

[Decals]

bDecals=1

bSkinnedDecals=1

uMaxDecals=250

uMaxSkinDecals=50

uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor=40

[TerrainManager]

fTreeLoadDistance=40000.0000

fBlockMaximumDistance=150000.0000

fBlockLevel1Distance=40000.0000

fBlockLevel0Distance=25000.0000

fSplitDistanceMult=1.1000

bShowLODInEditor=0

[blurShaderHDR]

bDoHighDynamicRange=1

[blurShader]

bUseBlurShader=0

[Launcher]

bEnableFileSelection=1

bShowAllResolutions=1

uLastAspectRatio=3

[Water]

iWaterReflectHeight=512

iWaterReflectWidth=512

bUseWaterDisplacements=1

bUseWaterRefractions=1

bUseWaterReflections=1

bUseWaterDepth=1

[MAIN]

fSkyCellRefFadeDistance=150000.0000

bGamepadEnable=0

bCrosshairEnabled=1

fHUDOpacity=1.0000

bSaveOnPause=1

bSaveOnTravel=1

bSaveOnWait=0

bSaveOnRest=0

[interface]

fMouseCursorSpeed=1.0000

bDialogueSubtitles=1

bGeneralSubtitles=1

bShowCompass=1

[GamePlay]

bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=1

bShowQuestMarkers=1

iDifficulty=3

[Controls]

fMouseHeadingSensitivity=0.0340

fGamepadHeadingSensitivity=1.9000

bAlwaysRunByDefault=1

bInvertYValues=0

bGamePadRumble=0

bMouseAcceleration=0

[Particles]

iMaxDesired=750

[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=0.1000

uID3=466532

fVal2=1.0000

uID2=554685

fVal1=0.8000

uID1=1007612

fVal0=0.5500

uID0=94881

[Clouds]

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fCloudLevel1Distance=32768.0000

fCloudLevel0Distance=16384.0000

fCloudNearFadeDistance=9000.0000

[Trees]

bRenderSkinnedTrees=1

uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender=40

 

 

 

Skyrim.INI

 

[General]

sLanguage=ENGLISH

 

uExterior Cell Buffer=36

fMasterFilePreLoadMB=200.0000

iPreloadSizeLimit=419430400

bUseThreadedMorpher=1

bUseThreadedParticleSystem=1

bUseThreadedTempEffects=1

bMultiThreadMovement=1

 

[Display]

fShadowLODMaxStartFade=1000.0

fSpecularLODMaxStartFade=2000.0

fLightLODMaxStartFade=3500.0

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=2048

bAllowScreenshot=1

fSunShadowUpdateTime=0.2

fSunUpdateThreshold=2.0

 

[Audio]

fMusicDuckingSeconds=6.0

fMusicUnDuckingSeconds=8.0

fMenuModeFadeOutTime=3.0

fMenuModeFadeInTime=1.0

 

[Grass]

bAllowCreateGrass=1

bAllowLoadGrass=0

 

[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=500.0

bEnableLogging=0

bEnableTrace=0

bLoadDebugInformation=0

iMaxMemoryPageSize=8192

iMinMemoryPageSize=8192

[Water]

bReflectLODObjects=1

bReflectLODLand=1

bReflectSky=0

bReflectLODTrees=1

 

[Camera]

fOverShoulderCombatAddY=0.0000

fOverShoulderCombatPosZ=0.0000

fOverShoulderCombatPosX=30.0000

fOverShoulderPosZ=0.0000

fOverShoulderPosX=30.0000

fOverShoulderHorseAddY=0.0000

fOverShoulderHorsePosZ=0.0000

fOverShoulderHorsePosX=0.0000

 

[Controls]

bMouseAcceleration=0

 

[HAVOK]

iNumThreads=4

 

[Animation]

bMultiThreadBoneUpdate=1

 

[backgroundLoad]

bUseMultiThreadedFaceGen=1

bUseMultiThreadedTrees=1

 

[Decals]

bDecalMultithreaded=1

bForceAllDecals=1

 

 

 

 

[Georgiegril]

Did you look at NVidia's tweak guide for skyrim (not the 5 tweaks one you mentioned) It explains how changes in skyrim settings, NVidia settings and .ini teaks affect quality and performance.

Geforce tweak guide

There are 20 pages of tweaks and also demonstrations of what they do. Go to the "jump to a section" to see the list of topics. They specifically discuss the jagged shadow issue.

Other people's settings may not have the same effect on your specific computer/graphics setup, so at least in my opinion it is better to understand the changes you are making and play around with them until you find what works best for you.

[grayarea]

Did you look at NVidia's tweak guide for skyrim (not the 5 tweaks one you mentioned) It explains how changes in skyrim settings, NVidia settings and .ini teaks affect quality and performance.

Geforce tweak guide

There are 20 pages of tweaks and also demonstrations of what they do. Go to the "jump to a section" to see the list of topics. They specifically discuss the jagged shadow issue.

Other people's settings may not have the same effect on your specific computer/graphics setup, so at least in my opinion it is better to understand the changes you are making and play around with them until you find what works best for you.

 

Thanks, I'm looking at that now. Hopefully it will explain if I should turn off Antialias and Anisotropic filtering in the game and use NVidia's settings or not. I'm still not sure how that works or and if ENB works in tandem with NVidia's settings. I'm trying to get at least 30FPS in 1440x810 windowed.

 

Sigh, yes, I don't know what I'm doing but thanks for the help. :)

[Georgiegril]

It does have the answers you are looking for. If you get stuck on something, though, post again, and I will try to help you. And if I can't someone might.

From looking at your settings, there are some things I could suggest, but I think what you decide to change is a matter of personal taste and how your computer responds.

[Georgiegril]

Also, if you are using ENB, (or considering it) you may want to have a look at the original mod author's website. There is a bunch of info that may help you: ENB

[Brucealso]

I run the EVGA GTX 460 superoverclocked and i have Antialias and Anisotropic filtering turned off in skyrim options and i run ultra settings in Skrim and according to frapps during game play it will range from 35 to 77 fps.

[grayarea]

I run the EVGA GTX 460 superoverclocked and i have Antialias and Anisotropic filtering turned off in skyrim options and i run ultra settings in Skrim and according to frapps during game play it will range from 35 to 77 fps.

 

Strange, I've gotten up to a solid 30FPS now after using an optimized texture pack ( http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9080 ) with AA and Anisotropic filtering turned on and Vsynch turned off.

 

Do you use ENB? More importantly, I'm still trying to figure out the relationship between the Nvidia control panel settings and the game settings. For instance, if I have the control panel set for AntiAliasing x8 and Anistropic x16, but the settings in Skyrim are off for both, don't the settings of the control panel apply? Not sure what's overriding what but it seems the control panel is what I should have controlling these factors, as that's what I have now and the game is running better than before.

 

From what I read, ENB just adds the Anistropic filtering but since I have an Nvidia card, I don't need to use it since it's offered through the control panel. I think 30FPS is still pretty low for my setup (I'd expect at least 40), but I'm ok with this steady frame rate as long as it's smooth and playable.

 

Thanks

[stabbykitteh]

This is based on personal experience - not on any level of expertise. You have been warned :)

 

I also run an i5 (2300 2.8ghz) and a 460 SE 1gb (no overclocking). I'm running at 1600 x 900 fullscreen. I get 30 - 40 fps with very little stutter but not without some compromises. Personally I can't run shadows on Ultra without serious lag and stutter no matter what I do. High runs fine however and considering the performance loss, they really don't look that much better on Ultra. The shadows in the game are just... bad. Though there are some mods that can help with the worst of it. Also, setting ugrids to 7 as recommended by the Nvidia tweak guide does make distances look nicer but causes the game to grind to a halt in certain areas (again, your mileage may vary). I've also not had good luck finding an enb configuration that doesn't cause lag with this card - but someone else may have better advice there.

 

Setting the anti-aliasing through the game (4x is plenty) and forcing anisotropic filtering through the Nvidia control panel (16x) runs smoothly and looks good.

 

Are you running the Official Hi Rez DLC? That would also be a contributor. Either disable it or try Bethesda Hi Rez DLC Optimized. I run the Hybrid version and it's made a world of difference. (edit nvm - you're on that already)

 

Good luck.

[Brucealso]

I think in my Nvidia control panel i have aa and af set to auto but in skyrim i have aa and af turned off and iam running the HD texture pack most times the frapps is showing 70 fps my superoverclocked card is preoverclocked to 876mhz and 1740 mhz and will overclock further if need be as far as ENB i havent touched it.

[grayarea]

I was using ENB and the anti-lag plugin but I noticed they were capping my FPS.

 

Removing them I still only get up to an avg of 30FPS moving or standing still in game which is strange since I have 60 reported by FRAPS on the pause menu and in the intro screen (with vsync turned off the numbers get ridiculous). The highest I've seen was 40 when staring at the ground or sky.

 

I've seen FRAPS report higher before, but with ENB it was certainly worse; like in the teens. I still haven't gotten a stable 40FPS even with a little overclocking to 875 (from 725) which I think it strange.

 

Brucealso, would you mind posting your config? I know turning Anisotropic to performance helped a lot (instead of any of the quality settings) but I know I have to be missing something since no matter what I change, it seems I can't go above 30FPS in gameplay.