Graphics Guru Needed

[Redcor]

I would like to be able to run Skyrim on max settings with every HD texture mod known to man loaded up without hiccups.

 

I will include my specs and the question is can I upgrade my rig ? and if so with what ? or should I start from scratch with a new machine. I have $$ but no real cpu experience aside from swapping cards and adding fans. I can build a car from the ground up but pc building eludes me.

 

As it stands now when I monitor in-game with EVGA precision X when I go into my house with about 4-5 followers walking around and tons of HD armor sets on display and being worn, the memory usage goes up over 2500-2700 and it shudders and crashes. If I turn down to high settings fps is still low and some armor texture do not load randomly.

 

I have all the HD graphics that I can find loaded up as well as optimizer ect.. and about 60 mods (they all work fine together)

I do not use an ENB just overlay adjustments.

 

Any help would be super appreciated

.**** I would especially like to hear from those that do run maxed out with HD textures and can have 4-6 followers running with them and maintain good FPS. ****

 

If this is a pipe dream please let me down easy..lol

 

If needed I can provide screenshots or EVGA precision X in-game display right before I crash.

 

Specs :

 

 

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System Information

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Time of this report: 1/27/2013, 04:14:22

Machine name: HAL2

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120830-0333)

Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: MSI

System Model: MS-7681

BIOS: BIOS Date: 02/14/11 17:44:16 Ver: 04.06.04

Processor: Intel® Core i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.4GHz

Memory: 8192MB RAM

Available OS Memory: 8174MB RAM

Page File: 3441MB used, 12905MB available

Windows Dir: C:\Windows

DirectX Version: DirectX 11

DX Setup Parameters: Not found

User DPI Setting: Using System DPI

System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)

DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled

DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

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Display Devices

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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670

Manufacturer: NVIDIA

Chip type: GeForce GTX 670

DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC

Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1189&SUBSYS_26783842&REV_A1

Display Memory: 4042 MB

Dedicated Memory: 1994 MB

Shared Memory: 2047 MB

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

Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor

Monitor Model: W2286

Monitor Id: GSM5721

Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.883Hz)

Output Type: DVI

Driver Name:

[imperistan]

This is very strange. With that setup (presuming the rest of your rig is equivalent) you should be running what you say you are without much of an issue.

 

Unless I'm missing something it may very well be one of two things:

 

1. Skyrim is just being a troll like that. (It happens)

 

2. Your hardware is messed up. (Worst case scenario)

 

Seeing what Precision is telling you will help me see whats going on with it though. (AS well as get a general idea of what mods you're running)

 

 

What may have to happen if its number 1, is just a clean re-install of the game (and as a precaution, updating your graphics card drivers if they aren't already lastest)and optimizing how you install your mods.

 

If its number 2, then you'll have some bigger issues than running Skyrim modded.

Edited February 17, 2013 by imperistan

[Redcor]

OK, here are some shots of EVGA, my mod list (I use Boss for load order ) , and a log file from me running around in the problem area. (the custom house with 5 followers inside wandering around )

 

I also have studdering trouble in cities that I have the "beautiful" mod on.

 

Here is a shot of the EVGA right after a crash :

 

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/shogun72/evgagrab.png

 

Here is the log as I ran around the problem area :

 

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/shogun72/log1.png

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/shogun72/log2.png

 

Here are my mods and load order :

 

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/shogun72/mods1.png

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/shogun72/mods2.png

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/shogun72/mods3.png

 

When I'm in this area , witch is pretty taxing it seems to have some trouble loading "immersive armors" from the mod at random but sometimes its others as well

as you can see they either don't load or come out really dark like the dwarven armor there. Onetime everything was dark inside and outside was like mostly black.

 

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/shogun72/ScreenShot12.png

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/shogun72/ScreenShot11.png

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/shogun72/ScreenShot13.png

 

 

Sorry, for some reason it won't let me show images though photobook and I don't know another way to post them so you can see them without searching the link.

 

Thanks for the help.

[imperistan]

I seem to see two different lighting mods that may or may not be playing nice with each other. Try disabling those to see if any thing improves.

 

Going by the looks of those screenies, it may very well be that you're maxing your vram and the game crashes as a result. Try going back to some vanilla textures and see if this helps. (If it does, I'll give you some decent upgrade ideas) I'd also suggest turning off AA if you have it on. (At that res you really don't need it)

 

As for the armor problem, verify that they installed correctly (IE, manually install over whats in your Data Files). If that's fine/doesn't fix it, I'd check to see if the files are corrupted. (Redownload and reinstall is the simple way of doing this)

 

Presuming the above doesn't fix it, see below.

 

 

First thing I'd suggest is to invalidate your BSA's if you haven't. I have a feeling that the High Res pack might be stopping mod textures/models from loading.

 

I'd also verify integrity in Steam. Right click on the game in Steam > Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity.

 

Those two should make certain that it isn't something silly causing this.

 

 

If those are all fine/done, and it still is causing issues, then what I would do is to do a clean reinstall, and check that the game is running right without any mods. If it is, then it is definitely mods that are causing this. If it isn't, then its hardware.

 

Presuming its the mods, start adding on your basic graphics mods first. IE, just texture and model improvements. Then, check the game again. If its not working at this point then its probably some corrupted files and/or files not being installed correctly. (If you're using NMM this could be a possibility) OR, its hardware, as touched on above.

 

If its still fine, then go on to lighting and other graphics mods. Then check again. And then go for everything else. And keep going like this until you restore all of your mods. If its fixed at this point then obviously some of the gears and cogs got gummed up as you installed your mods. If its not, then its hardware. (or Skyrim just being an insufferable ass no matter what you do)

 

 

NOW, presuming its hardware, and upgrade would probably do well, both because your card probably can't handle all of the mods, but also because its very possible you're card is dying. Particularly if you're overclocking it (Which seems to be the case). The 670 is a good card, and frankly on its own it should be taking on the game fairly well even with mods.

 

With what you have now (and not knowing the logistics of your case), I would suggest getting a second 670 and going SLI. That should take a lot of the load off and make easier to keep your mods going. However, SLI can also be problematic on its own, and I'd only recommend it if you have the room in your case and can't find a good single-card solution.

 

Single card wise, going to a 680 (or, if you have no budget, the GTX Titan) should be a fair upgrade that will handle the game easily. This would be a good option just because single card solutions, though weaker than SLI, generally just run more efficiently despite the power loss, and not only that, if your card really is dying, then going for a second one won't help, and you'll end up buying a third one.

 

And of course, if it is the card dying, you could just replace the 670 with the same one and then invest in some better cooling if you haven't already if you're going to keep overclocking. (I don't know what kind of gamer you are or what you want out of it, but with a 670 overclocking is overkill for most games)

[Redcor]

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. I will get cracking on your list and see what works out.

 

I don't overclock and have no idea how to do it.

 

"First thing I'd suggest is to invalidate your BSA's if you haven't." <--what is this ? I will google and see if I can answer but your will be better.

 

I have AA maxed so i will kill that. what about FXAA ?

 

What about ini. settings?

 

Thanks again I'll get to work on it now. If you ever need car, firearm, or self-defense (I taught in the military) advice don't hesitate to send me a pm.

[Redcor]

OK, I killed all my texture mods, 56 in total, plus the "Combined" texture mod that has over 50 of the best included and it works perfect and sails at 40-61 fps and no stuttering. I have all the other mods running.

 

However I reeeaaly love having all the HD textures so what do I need to do to keep them ? You mentioned vram ? and upgrade ideas ?

 

Thanks Again Sir

[Redcor]

Another question : is this a worthy upgrade to replace my card ? EVGA GeForce GTX 680 FTW+ 4GB w/Backplate Video Card

I got a friend that would sell me one for 400.00

[imperistan]

Okay good, it was just the textures then.

 

VRAM is basically the amount of actual textures your card can keep displaying at once. And once you're displaying enough textures that your VRAM maxes out, your game crashes because its trying to load textures that your card can't take on. This is why Precision showed your usage spiking as the game crashed.

 

Now, as far as HD textures (and models go for that matter) goes, what I would do if you aren't going to upgrade, is this (in this order):

 

1. Unpack all the High Res Pack .bsa's (I can tell you how to do this if you don't know how) into the Data files. This will give you a base to work with for high res and will cover whatever your mods miss.

 

2. Start with the essentials. SMIMM and Skyrim HD are basic essentials. IF you can run these two fine, you can start adding more until you hit your limit. (Which reasonably should be just before you start getting the crashes again)

 

3. Then, go for your NPC/PC textures.

 

4. After those two, go for your armor, clothing, and weapon textures.

 

5. Then whatever else tickles your fancy.

 

Personally, I wouldn't recommend texture compilations like the Combined mod you were talking about. While they're certainly interesting, they're less customizable and often dropping that many HD textures into the game without knowing exactly what all is getting a new texture can help eat up your vram unnecessarily.

 

Going about it in this way lets you get an idea of what all you can run, and also allows you to pick and choose what you can and can't live with visually. Some textures are fine in vanilla. Others, not so much. So if you aren't going to upgrade, you'll be able to tailor your texture selections to what works best for you visually and performance wise.

 

 

 

If you are going to upgrade, however, then I definitely suggest at least a 3-4GB 680 (or some AMD equivalent. But I don't know AMD GPU's so you'll have to get a rec from someone else if you want to switch to AMD) as a bare minimum. The reason for this is that with all the texture mods you're running, you'll need at least another gb of vram to keep the game stable with them. My 580 has 3GB of vram, and it runs Skyrim extremely easily, and I have twice the texture content you do. This was why I was concerned it might have been your card dying.

 

This is a good one to go for if you have a lot of room in your case (IE, its a full or super tower): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121705

 

Go for this one if its a smaller case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130798

 

SLI of couse is also an option. In that case, I'd find your exact card and get yourself another one. You can mix and match cards, but its easiest to just find your specific card and just get another one. Not only will you be assured that they will play together nicely, but it will also help keep SLI working as best as it absolutely can.

 

SLI is a cheaper option, at the cost of less than perfect quality. (though micro stuttering isn't too hard to ignore)

 

EDIT: If you can get that card for 400, go for it as long as its in good condition. Indeed, it was the one of the ones I suggested anyway xD

Edited February 18, 2013 by imperistan

[Redcor]

Nice, Thanx a ton for the advice. I will go for the new card since that's the one thing I know how to do myself. Is the one for the bigger case superior in any way ? I'm sure i got room. I may buy a new one instead of mt friends to make sure It fresh and good.

 

Do you have a list of all the textures you use ?

 

Any instructions you have on optimizing textures would be much appreciated. I will grab a new card in the morning and get crackin.

 

Also, what do you know about solid state drives ? worth playing with ?

 

Thanks again, like I said if you ever need advice from my area of expertise or even a game on steam, let me know. So few people take the time to help folks out and it would be my pleasure to buy you a game or whatever.

 

Like the viking pic btw... that's my thing to as you can see from my avatar

 

I run a big Nord and just found this great spot for his hold. http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28839/?tab=3&navtag=%2Fajax%2Fmodimages%2F%3Fuser%3D0%26id%3D28839

[imperistan]

The only real difference is that the first one has a better cooling attached to it, so if you have a big case you'll get better temps' because the extra fan won't mess up your air flow. But if you have a smaller case, the other one won't mess with your air flow too much.

 

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I pretty much pack whatever high quality textures that fit the look I like that i can find on the Nexus. A lot of it though is my own textures.

 

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It helps with load times and can help stop drops in FPS, but it isn't necessary. Granted though most of the good ones aren't very expensive, so if you can spare the cash for one it wouldn't hurt whatsoever to go for one.

 

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Pretty much just do what I said. Go through and pick and choose. Certain things don't need to be HD to still look great, so its worth it to save the space and the FPS by skipping those textures that turn out to work that way for you.