Skyrim

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ecremer

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ecremer

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About this mod

This will allow virtually any pc to run skyrim with stability, decent textures and without game breaking CTD\'s. Full guide for tweaks for any level of graphic quality, INI\'s FOR LOW END PC\'s ONLY NOW UPDATED WITH SUPPORT OF NEXUS MEMBERS!!!

Permissions and credits
DON'T FORGET TO ENDORSE IF THE INI's OR THE GUIDE HELPED YOU!!! :)

FULL GUIDE IS FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO IMPROVE STABILTY. YOU CAN USE THESE UTILITIES AND OPTIONS FOR ANY LEVEL OF SKYRIM GRAPHIC QUALITY. INI's ARE FOR LOW END PC's ONLY.
{Full Guide is also a Text File in the main download}

WARNING: YOU USE THESE OPTIONS AT YOU OWN RISK! I've fully tested everything here and so long as you follow my instructions you will be fine. Making mistakes in windows can damamge your system; be careful and if you DON'T know ask me. If you DON'T feel comfortable DON'T do it. REMEMBER people use common sense and Google cuz' Google is your Friend.

Introduction:

If you are like me and have spent hours tweaking you ini and trying performance enhancing mods
only to be defeated by skyrims CPU/GPU guzzling gameplay, you've come to the right place. Are
your settings on low, shadows off, resolution downsized and still feeling the burn of an
inadequate rig? You have three choices; buy a new computer, upgrade your current one OR try
these ini's and the freeware I recommend. Believe me; I've tried EVERYTHING and this was the
only thing that worked.



First of all lets post my specs:

CPU: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E6600 Codename: Wolfdale @3.06GHz
GPU: Intel(R) G41 Express Chipset with 128MBs of Dedicated VRAM
RAM: 2.87 GBs of usable RAM
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1
NOTE: I run Skyrim on windows Vista service pack two compatibility mode. (Right click on
TES5.exe and click troubleshoot compatibility and follow the prompts.)

According the Fraps I NEVER fall below 13fps; even in the middle of the most expansive frays the
popular mod "WARZONES" has to offer. I don't suffer from microstutters, freezes or CTDS; though
I do get the occasional memory spike.

My Mods:

What I DON'T use:
Script Dragon: Never tried it
Skyboost: REALLY wish I could but again not compatible with the new Patch
FPS Limiter: Not necessary for me at least
Background Booster: No effect for me
ENBS: None I've used boost my performance though they will work if you like
4gb Patch: No longer necessary after patch 1.3 I believe.

What I DO use:

Performance Related:
SKSE: EDIT!! Now Compatible with new patch, I will be using it soon. Those who want directions for utilizing game booster+SKSE just message me.
Unofficial Skyrim Patch
Interior and Dungeon Fog Remover
Remove Ambient Interior Fog
Colorful LIghts No Shadows
Skyrim Performance PLUS-Pine Needles, Rainfall, Snowfall and Aspen Leaves FX
Reduced Vanilla Textures

General Gameplay:
Duel Combat Realism
Deadly Dragons
Warzones Civil Unrest

NONE OF MY PERFORMANCE RELATED MODS OR GENERAL MODS ARE REQUIRED TO GAIN A SUBSTANTIAL BOOST!

BOOSTERS I USE:

READY BOOST (Windows Option, For windows 7/Vista)(SUPER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
Ready boost is an option that adds instant RAM (It's not really RAM, it's increased caching space) to your computer. All you need is a compatible USB memory card with at least 4Gbs of space. I use a 16Gb Scandisk. To use plug in your usb, got to "My Computer". Right click on your USB cards icon and go to properties and select the ready boost tab on the top. Select "Use this device" and max out the slider then select apply. NOTE: not all USB cards are compatible google readyboost to find the requirements, it's good to have a USB card that exceeds the 4gb mark because some of the memory in certain cards is NOT usable. For instanse: My 16Gb scandisk has only 14.9Gbs of usable space.
-Thanks to Dhegonus for this option

Game Booster 3: (Newest Beta Version, Freeware) {SUPER-HIGHLY RECOMMEND}

This utility will close all other applications to allow skyrim to take all the CPU/GPU You have
to offer. It also offers numerous other utilities like making videos, recording fps and taking
screenshots. It's Freeware {Not for long though!} Just add the TES5.exe or whatever you use to
launch skyrim to the game box, configure you settings and press boost and launch!

TopWinPrio: (Freeware) {Super-Highly RECOMMEND}

This Utility sets the priorities for you in task manager and will boost ANY active window to
your chosen speed. I personally set mine active Apps to High and my inactive ones to below
Normal. DO NOT USE IDLE OR REALTIME SETTINGS; this could have drastic reprocussions, like an
arrow in the knee for your computer!!! This app runs in the background and BOOSTS EVERYTHING
YOU ARE CURRENTLY USING.

Alternative to TopWinPrio:

CTRL+ALT+DELETE at Skyrim Main menu and open the task manager; find the skyrim process and set the priority yourself. Reputed to cause instability in some cases, though it works fine for me. This will save memory but it can be bothersome at times. It will not work with Game boosters "Launch Game of Desktop" configuration so just leave that box Unchecked.
-Thanks again to Kadath

Ist Quickres Freeware Version: (Freeware) {Highly Recommended}

This Application uses hotkeys to force your monitor to to a smaller resolution even if it isn't
supported. This will drastically reduce the pixelation of my smaller resolution INI and make
the game look a whole lot better while maintaining the performance boost. This runs constantly
and basically merges with you diplay options. To set the hotkeys to your preference, find the
icon in your task bar, right click and go to options; select 640x480 and set your kotkey. Next
select the keyboard tab and find the set the previous video mode hotkey. That is all you will
need. Set it to 640x480 before playing the game with your hotkey and then use your second
hotkey to return to your original resolution!

UTILITIES I USE {Optional}:


NOTE:

Everyone who thinks that Skyrim's performance is solely based upon graphics, mods or ini's; this
will blow you away. Skyrim's performance is not solely based upon it's self-contained options
and subleties. It's also based on you computer's efficiency. You NEED to have an adequate disk
cleaner, defragmenter and prefferably a registry repair utility In order to maintain performance.

CCleaner (Freeware):

Glorified Disk Ceanup that allows you to personalize the amount of deleted info. It work FAR
better that the integrated windows alternative.


My Defrag (Freeware): (Super Highly Recommended)
This utility is unique in that it relocates frequently used files (Like Skyrim) to the beginning of your hard disk making it far less work for your rig to find and load. Depending upon you rig it can subtantially boost performance and decrease load times. This defragmenter is far more powerful and I would recommend running the "System Disk Monthly" the first time and then analyzing and selecting a more appropriate option based on your fragmentation. Running heavy defragments TOO frequently can damage you drive, be careful.
-THANKS TO KADATH!


Smart Defrag 2(Freeware):OUTDATED!!!

Glorified Disk Defragmenter that works FAR faster and does a FAR better job than it's windows
counterpart.



OPTIMIZING WNDOWS:

Step 1: Performance Based PC
Go to Start/Control Panel/System and Security/System/Advanced System
Settings/Performance/Advanced Tab/Performance Settings
-If you followed the path correctly you should be in the performance options menu!
Under the visual effects tab Select "Adjust for best performance" then apply. This should make
you computers interface look older.

-Next Go to the advance options tab at the top you should see a box that says Virual Memory.
Click "change". Now uncheck the box that says "Automatically manage paging file size for all
drives". Select Custom size and size your Intial and maximum paging in relation to your sytem
RAM in MBs. based on this formula.

Safe Formula: Safe for all users

Intial: Your RAM x 1.5 =
Maximum=Intial
For Example:
3Gbs(My RAM)x1.5=4500
Intial=4500
Maximum=4500
-Thanks to Kadath for this Formula

Dangerous Formula: This formula is for advance windows users who have the ability to "fix" memory as having a different values for the maximum and intial paging size can lead to corruption. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
-Thanks to Kadath for this info

Intial: Your RAM x 1.5 =
Maximum: Your RAM x 3 =
Example:
3GBs(My RAM) x 1.5 = 4500MBs (My intial Paging size)
3GBs(My Ram) x 3 = 9000MBs (My Maximum Paging size)

Your computer will need to restart for this to take effect offering you the the perfect chance
to update BIOS.

BIOS:

While in the intial screen press delete to enter BIOS setup. Look for a option to increase you
didicated VRAM; this may vary based on your computer. My maximum is 128MBs which is still very
poor. Increase this to your maximum then save and then save and quit.

Drivers:

Go to Start/Control Panel/System and Security/System
Open the Device manager.
Go down the drop down list of every installed device on your cpu and press the small + next to
it; each of these subcategories has a driver. Right click on them one by one and select update
driver information; now click search automatically for updated driver software. Let it run a
moment and follow the prompts if it finds a better driver.

FFDSHOW:

The FFDshow Codec come with many newer pcs; this codec can cause CTDs and freezing in Skyrim. Uninstall it and be done with it.

Compatibility:

Right click on TES5.exe and select properties; go to compatibility. I run Skyrim in in
comapatibility mode for windows vista Service pack 2, that is up to you but it seems to make the
game more stable. Next select Disable Visual Themes, Disable desktop composition and disable
display scaling on high DPI settings. Last select run this program as administrator. Click
apply. Use these settings (except for windows vista compatibility mode) for whatever you may
use to launch skyrim. SKSE, GAME BOOSTER ETC.

DONE!!!

You may want to try skyrim out now. You may not even need my INI's if you've taken these steps
and you pc is better than mine(NOT SAYING MUCH!!!). Leave all you current settings alone and
launch skyrim. If your game works better then great! Don't bother with these INI's unless you
are still unstable.

INI's: These INI's go in you Skyrim folder located in my documents/my games/skyrim. BE SURE TO
SAVE YOUR ORIGINALS! Also backup mine incase you 1.patch the game 2.Steam does it for you :(
3.you tweak them and screw up 4: you want to try someone else's ini 5.The launcher overwrites
them.

These INI's are made to cater to LOWER END PC's. If you have a middle end rig and my previous
options and utilities didn't help LOWER YOU RESOLUTION BUT KEEP YOUR CURRENT SETTINGS. These INI's degrade graphic quality and resolution for inproved fps and stability. You CAN modify the ini directly to your tastes but the launcher WILL fully overwrite them if used to tweak the ini.
You can modify certain options from the ingame menu.

THIS IS NOT EYECANDY PEOPLE; this is decent looking FUNCTIONALITY!

I will offer support to individuals who message me (and on the comments page to a certain

extent).

I hope this helps;
Best of Luck and Nerevar guide you to stable gameplay Dovahkiin,
ecremer