Huge frame drops when loading new exterior cells

[BoSoxBry]

Hey guys, so sometimes when I load into a new exterior cell, whether it be from fast travelling or whatever, my FPS will go down to around 10-12 for 10-15 seconds, at which point it will stabilize and go back to normal. Now, this doesn't happen all the time, and generally happens a few seconds after the load when I start looking around.

 

I thought maybe it had something to do with LODs, but it just happened in Whiterun as well? Could it be I've reached my VRAM limit, or would that just cause a crash? 

 

2x GTX 980 4GB SLI

4k Resolution

I7-3770k OC @ 4.3ghz

24 GB DDR3

 

On a side note, I am getting some serious CPU bottlenecks. Any tips on how to lessen the load on my CPU?

 

Mod List and Load Order :

 

[spoiler=Mod List]# This file was automatically generated by Mod Organizer.
+Dynamic Distant Objects LOD - DynDOLOD
+Wearable Lanterns and Campfires Output
+Frostfall Output
+FNIS Output
+Fores New Idles in Skyrim - FNIS
+Better Shaped Weapons
+DSR Output
+Dual Sheath Redux
+STEP Core + Extended + SRLE + Realvision ENB Bashed Patch
+Prisoner Cart Fix
+HDT Physics Extension Output
+RealVision ENB
+Skyrim Subsurface Scattering Patch for ENB
+Skyrim Particle Patch for ENB
+RealVision Flora Patch
------------------------------------Patches---------------------------------------
+Enhanced Lights and FX
+Lightning During Thunder Storms
+True Storms
+Climates of Tamriel - Weather Patch
+Supreme Storms
+Climates of Tamriel
----------------------------------Weather & Lighting----------------------------
+Realistic Room Rental Enhanced
+VioLens - A Killmove Mod
+iNeed - Food, Water and Sleep
+Frostfall
+Campfire - Complete Camping System
+Bathing in Skyrim
+Respectful Guard Animations
+Relationship Dialogue Overhaul
+Immersive Patrols
+Holidays
+Even Better Quest Objectives
+Wiseman303's Trap Fixes
+Wet and Cold
+Traps Make Noise
+Timing Is Everything
+Thieves Guild Requirements
+The Notice Board
+The Paarthurnax Dilemma
+The Choice Is Yours
+Skyrim Community Uncapper
+Skyrim Coin Replacer Redux
+SM Drop Lit Torches
+Provincial Courier Service
+Oblivion Gates
+Not So Fast - Main Quest
+Non-Essential Children
+No NPC Greetings
+Lock Overhaul
+Hearthfire Extended
+Gildergreen Regrown
+Follower Trap Safety
+Face to Face Conversation
+Extensible Follower Framework
+Dual Wield Parrying
+Convenient Horses
+Come Together and Out of the Way
+Clams Drop Pearls
+Bring Out Your Dead
+Better Stealth AI for Followers
+Auto Unequip Ammo
------------------------------------Gameplay-------------------------------------
+Realistic Wolf Howls
+Ultra Realistic Crossbow Shoot Sounds
+Ultra Realistic Bow Shoot Sounds
+Thundering Shouts
+Smooth Blade Draw and Sheath
+Lower Sounding Thieves Guild Door
+Improved Combat Sounds
+Improved Horse Steps
+Heart of the Beast
+Dragons Shout with Voice
+Audio Overhaul for Skyrim 2
+Better Weapon Swing Sounds
+Better Horse Pain Sounds
+Better Animal Footsteps
------------------------------------Sound-----------------------------------------
+Vivid Landscapes - Birthsigns
+White Phial Replacer
+Sweet Mother
+Super Realistic Ore
+Soul Gems Differ
+Skyrim Redesigned
+Stunning Statues of Skyrim
+Skeleton
+Silly Level of Detail - Wine Cellar
+Septim HD
+Rustic Potions and Poisons
+Rustic Nordic Murals
+Rustic Elderscroll
+Rustic Dragon Corpse
+Rugnarok
+Ren's HD Shrines
+Realistic Instruments
+Realistic HD Baskets
+Radiant and Unique Potions and Poisons HD
+Pilgrims Delight
+Not Really HD Keys
+N-R HD Display Case
+Intricate Spider Webs
+HQ Paper
+Horncandles
+HD Sacks
+HD Ore And Ingots
+HD Linens
+Gemling Queen Dragon Claws
+Enchanting Candle Meshes Improved
+Dragon Glyphs HD
+Detailing the Eldrich - Higher-Res Riekling Architecture
+Dark Brotherhood Tenets Restored
+Book Covers Skyrim
+Better-Shaped Talos Statue with Greatsword
+Better Shadowmarks
+Barenziah's Glory
+The 418th Step
----------------------------------Clutter & Miscellaneous-----------------------
+Word Wall Learning More Glorious
+Immersive Animations
+Dragon Soul Absorb More Glorious
+Soul
+Wonders of Weather
+Skyrim Performance Plus
+Smaller Ice Spike and Ice Spear
+Skyrim Enhanced Camera
+Running With Bows
+NoMaaM Breathing Idles
+Improved Weapon Impact Effects
+HDT Breast And Butt Physics
+HDT Physics Extensions
+Enhanced Blood Textures
+Enchantment Effect Replacer
+Dual Wield Blocking Animations
+Drops
+Deadly Spell Impacts
+Dawnguard Rune Weapons FXS
+Faster Get Up Stand Up Animation
+Better Turn Animation
+Animated Weapon Enchants
+Animated Prostitution - Skyrim
+Animated Clutter
----------------------------------Animations & Effects--------------------------
+Winter Is Coming - Cloaks
+Wearable Lanterns
+JaySuS Swords
+Immersive Armors
+Cloaks of Skyrim
+aMidianBorn Imperial Light and Studded
+Ultimate HD Torch
+TDN Vampire Armor Retexture
+Rustic Forsworn
+Rustic Clothing
+Not Really HD Mask of Clavicus Vile
+Nightingale Prime HD
+Mage Outfit Texture Overhaul
+Greatsword Sheaths and Scabbards Redux
+Skyrim Weapon De-LARP-ification Project
+Improved Foot Wraps for Females
+Gemling Queen Jewelry
+Elemental Staffs
+Dragonborn Mages Robes Retexture Pack
+Dawnguard Crossbow Explosive Bolts Visualized
+aMidianBorn Book of Silence
+aMidianBorn Blade of Woe
----------------------------------Clothing & Equipment-------------------------
+Myst's RaceMenu Presets
+Better Male Presets
+RS Children Overhaul
+Seranaholic
+Bijin NPCs
+Bijin Warmaidens
+Bijin Wives
+Inhabitants of Skyrim - NPC Overhaul
+Vampire Lord Retexture
+Underworld Dawnguard - Vampire and Werewolf Eyes
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+Mature Skin and Sporty Sexy Sweat
+Face Pack for UNP Body
+UNP Female Body
+ApachiiSkyHair
+Wispmother
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+Troll
+Dawnguard Rewritten - Arvak
+PondFish and Salmon Replacer
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+Hagraven
+Giant
+Female Vampires Have Fangs
+Draugr
+Cover Khajiits
+Brows
+Better Beast Races
+Bellyaches HD Dragon
+Bellyaches Creatures
+Beards
+83Willows 101BugsHD
----------------------------------Characters & Creatures------------------------
+aMidianBorn Imperial Forts
+Vivid Landscapes - Castle Volkihar
+Vivid Landscapes - Imperial Forts
+Hold Border Banners
+Visible Windows
+Enhanced Distant Terrain
+The Ruffled Feather
+Whiterun Trellis Redesigned
+Skyrim Improved Puddles
+Point The Way
+Lanterns of Skyrim
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+High Quality LODs
+HiRes Legible Road Signs
+HD Stone Quarry and Clay Deposit
+HD Enhanced Terrain
+HD Dark Brotherhood Door
+Footprints
+Farmhouse Chimneys
+Enhanced Night Skyrim
+Embers HD
+Deathbell HD
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+aMidianBorn Solstheim Landscape
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+HD and Replacement Ivy
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----------------------------------Landscape & Environment--------------------
+A Quality World Map
+High Quality Food and Ingredients
+Tobe's Hi-Res Textures
+HD Misc
+Skyrim HD
+Static Mesh Improvement Mod
+Ruins Clutter Improved
+SkyFalls and SkyMills
+Ultimate HD Fire Effects
----------------------------------Conflicting Graphics---------------------------
+moreHUD
+A Matter of Time
+Extended UI
+Smaller Cursor
+Viewable Faction Ranks
+SkyUI
+Skyrim Skill Interface Re-Texture
+RaceMenu
+Main Menu Spinning Skyrim Emblem
+Main Font Replacement
+Lore-Based Loading Screens
+Time on Loading Screen
+Immersive HUD
+High Quality 3D Map
+Easier Lockpicking
+Disease Descriptions
+Better MessageBox Controls
+Better Dialogue Controls
------------------------------------Interface--------------------------------------
+XP32 Maximum Skeleton Extended
+Realistic Ragdolls and Force
+Complete Crafting Overhaul Remade
+Weapons and Armor Fixes Remade
+Trade and Barter
+Smart Souls
+Skyrim Project Optimization
+Ragdoll Paralysis
+No Spinning Death Animation
+NARC - No Animals Report Crimes
+Invisibility Glitch Eyes Fix
+Improved Closefaced Helmets
+Guard Dialogue Overhaul
+Fuz Ro Doh
+Enchantment Reload Fix
+Distant Decal Fix
+Cutting Room Floor
+Consistent Older People
+Clothing and Clutter Fixes
+Bowlegged Jump Fix
+Appropriately Attired Jarls
+Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch
------------------------------------Fixes-------------------------------------------
+PapyrusUtil - Modders Scripting Utility Functions
+Skyrim Script Extender
+Cleaned Vanilla ESMs
+Optimized Dragonborn Textures - HD
*Unmanaged: Dragonborn
+Optimized HearthFires Textures - HD
*Unmanaged: HearthFires
+Optimized Dawnguard Textures - HD
*Unmanaged: Dawnguard
+Optimized Vanilla Textures - HD

 

 

[spoiler=Load Order]# This file was automatically generated by Mod Organizer.
Skyrim.esm
Update.esm
Dawnguard.esm
HearthFires.esm
Dragonborn.esm
Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch.esp
Skyrim Project Optimization - Full Version.esm
Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Main.esm
ClimatesOfTamriel.esm
ApachiiHair.esm
ApachiiHairFemales.esm
ApachiiHairMales.esm
AP Skyrim.esm
EFFCore.esm
notice board.esp
Campfire.esm
RSkyrimChildren.esm
Cutting Room Floor.esp
Appropriately Attired Jarls Redux.esp
Skyrim Flora Overhaul.esp
ELFX - Exteriors.esp
Verdant - A Skyrim Grass Plugin.esp
Hothtrooper44_Armor_Ecksstra.esp
Hothtrooper44_ArmorCompilation.esp
Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp
Weapons & Armor Fixes_Remade.esp
Weapons & Armor_TrueOrcish&DaedricWeapons.esp
Clothing & Clutter Fixes.esp
NARC.esp
Weapons & Armor_TrueWeaponsLvlLists.esp
dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Realistic.esp
XPMSE.esp
iHUD.esp
Chesko_LoreBasedLoadingScreens.esp
RaceMenu.esp
RaceMenuPlugin.esp
SkyUI.esp
ViewableFactionRanksBothDLC.esp
IcePenguinWorldMap.esp
Footprints.esp
83Willows_101BUGS_V4_HighRes.esp
Beards.esp
Brows.esp
ORM-Arvak.esp
Elemental Staves.esp
GQJ_DG_vampireamuletfix.esp
DawnguardRuneWeaponsFXSReplacer.esp
WondersofWeather.esp
Radiant and Unique Potions Poisons and Booze.esp
Soul Gems Differ.esp
DragonShoutVoice.esp
ADS.esp
WetandCold.esp
EnhancedLightsandFX.esp
BetterQuestObjectives.esp
TheChoiceIsYours.esp
Book Covers Skyrim.esp
EmbersHD.esp
RealisticRoomRental.esp
AOS.esp
Invisibility Eyes Fix.esp
aMidianBorn_ContentAddon.esp
Complete Crafting Overhaul_Remade.esp
imp_helm_legend.esp
Complete Crafting_TrueWeaponsLvlLists.esp
ExplosiveBoltsVisualized.esp
Mage Outfit Texture Overhaul.esp
Animated Weapon Enchants.esp
Paralyze.esp
DeadlySpellImpacts.esp
dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp
dD-Dragonborn-Dawnguard-EBT Patch.esp
fallentreebridges.esp
NPC_Overhaul_V_2_.esp
SPTConsistentOlderPeople.esp
SkyrimCoinReplacerRedux.esp
SkyFalls + SkyMills + DG + DB.esp
RRR_ELFX-Patch.esp
hearthfireextended.esp
TradeBarter.esp
Holidays.esp
Point The Way.esp
Thieves Guild Requirements.esp
Oblivion Gates v3 without Markers - Skyrim + Dawnguard DLC.esp
SMIM-Merged-All.esp
Bring Out Your Dead - Legendary Edition.esp
Immersive Patrols II.esp
SkyrimImprovedPuddles-DG-HF-DB.esp
Frostfall.esp
FarmhouseChimneys.esp
PilgrimsDelight.esp
The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp
HoldBorderBanners.esp
FarmhouseChimneysCRF.esp
iNeed.esp
BlockSparkles.esp
Gildergreen Regrown.esp
notice board - dragonborn patch.esp
HFE-CRF-Patch.esp
Chesko_Step418_SN.esp
AOS2_DSI Patch.esp
AOS2_EBT Patch.esp
AOS2_IWIE Patch.esp
AOS2_WAF Patch.esp
IHSS.esp
Improved Combat Sounds v2.2.esp
Auto Unequip Ammo.esp
Better Stealth AI for Followers.esp
ClamsDropPearls.esp
Nausicaa's Tweaker.esp
Convenient Horses.esp
Dual Wield Parrying_SKSE.esp
Lock Overhaul.esp
NonEssentialChildren.esp
NotSoFast-MainQuest.esp
SMDropLitTorch.esp
TimingIsEverything.esp
Traps Make Noise.esp
WetandCold - Ashes.esp
WM Trap Fixes.esp
BetterQuestObjectives-CRFPatch.esp
BetterQuestObjectives-DBForevertoMisc.esp
BetterQuestObjectives-NECPatch.esp
BetterQuestObjectives-PaarDilemmaPatch.esp
Dual Sheath Redux.esp
Real Roads.esp
SkySight-Simply-Bigger-Trees-Slower-Branches.esp
Skyrim Particle Patch for ENB - Flame Atronach Fix.esp
ClimatesOfTamriel-Dawnguard-Patch.esp
ClimatesOfTamriel-Dragonborn-Patch.esp
CoT-WeatherPatch.esp
TrueStorms.esp
TrueStorms-CoT-WeatherPatch.esp
Supreme Storms - Cot Version.esp
CoT-WeatherPatch_DB.esp
CoT-WeatherPatch_Snow-40.esp
CoT-WeatherPatch_SupStorms.esp
TrueStorms-SupremeStorms-CoT.esp
mintylightningmod.esp
MintyLightningMod_COT_Patch.esp
RSChildren_CompleteUSKP.esp
Babette.esp
TheEyesOfBeauty.esp
Bijin Wives.esp
Bijin Warmaidens.esp
Bijin NPCs.esp
Serana.esp
DD_Dawnguard Additions.esp
DD_Dragonborn Additions.esp
Disease Descriptions.esp
No NPC Greetings.esp
dD-No Spinning Death Animation Merged.esp
Moss Rocks.esp
Extended UI.esp
AMatterOfTime.esp
AHZmoreHUD.esp
EFFDialogue.esp
UIExtensions.esp
towConversation.esp
DSAMG - Greybeard Fix.esp
DSAMG - Miraak Music Fixes.esp
GuardAnimationsGDO.esp
Chesko_WearableLantern.esp
Bathing in Skyrim - Main.esp
Bathing in Skyrim - Realistic Room Rental.esp
Bathing In Skyrim - Followers Only.esp
VioLens.esp
Sundys_Male_Presets.esp
FNIS.esp
RSChildren_PatchNEC.esp
Immersive Citizens - AI Overhaul.esp
RealisticWaterTwo.esp
RealisticWaterTwo - Legendary.esp
AOS2_RealisticWaterTwo Patch.esp
Watercolor_for_ENB_RWT.esp
Relationship Dialogue Overhaul.esp
ELFXEnhancer.esp
Provincial Courier Service.esp
RDO - EFF v4.0.2 Patch.esp
RDO - Cutting Room Floor Patch.esp
Bashed Patch, 0.esp
Dual Sheath Redux Patch.esp

 

[Greg]

I think your best bet may be to use Skyrim Performance Monitor to watch VRAM usage to see it might be hitting the VRAM cap while loading all the meshes and textures. I suspect you'll see some stuttering in some areas while walking/sprinting if you're hitting the VRAM cap. This is typically more of an issue with Windows 8/8.1/10 due to the 4GB VRAM cap where Windows 7 can expand VRAM well beyond 4GB.

[BoSoxBry]

During these massive frame stalls, I have had VRAM usage anywhere between 3.3 GB and 3.9 GB, the latter pushing the cap but that doesn't seem to be the cause since it still happens with lower usage as well?

 

One spot in particular this happened was on the path overlooking Ivarstead on the way up to High Hrothgar. Core 1 on my CPU goes into the 80's% and GPU Usage will drop during these moments. Now, when CPU usage reaches the 80s is when I start to see frame drops during regular gameplay, to the 50's and 40's, but not to this degree.

 

Perhaps there is simply too much strain on my CPU from LODs/shadows? I am perplexed as to why my GPU usage would drop though as well during these stutters.