Out of VRAM?

[Roflcat]

Hey all,

 

Let me first say that I'm a huge fan of STEP!  :D  I got into it at the 2.2.0 release.  I did a fresh install for the 2.2.1 version and everything went very smoothly.  However usually after ~1hr of play some of the textures in my game turn blue/purple or black, and eventually it CTDs. Normally I would assume I have too many high-res textures loaded (I went all 2048x), but is that really the case?  I don't get frequent stuttering.  Why does the corruption only build up over time?  Doesn't Skyrim unload resources it doesn't need anymore?  Why didn't this happen on my 2.2.0 based installation?  What can I do to troubleshoot the issue?  

 

Here is my setup and other info:

 

PC specs:

-win 7 64-bit

-i5-3970k @4.2Ghz

-8GB Ram (can't remember the specs of this sorry)

-Gigabyte GTX 670 OC'ed to some degree

-p8z77-v pro mobo

-750W corsair power supply

-The game is running on a HDD but my OS is running on an SSD

 

Game Specs:

 

-1920x1080 @ ultra all draw distances max no FXAA no AA no AF

-filtering LOD bias set to clamp in NVcontrol panel, all other settings default (texture filtering is high quality globally)

-installed S.T.E.P. version 2.2.1 from a clean game + some other mods not included in STEP (see list below), used texture pack combiner + 90% of optional texture mods supported by the combiner, always choosing up to 2048x where possible

-INI is default + S.T.E.P. tweaks

-Running Phinix ENB which uses an SMAA hook and handles AF

 

Mod list:

 

 

Skyrim.esm

Load Order: 00

Installer:

Modified: 4/10/2012 1:19:10 PM

Size: 243,526 KB

Author: mcarofano

CRC: C665FD56

 

Update.esm

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Installer:

Modified: 11/12/2012 1:58:56 PM

Size: 1,063 KB

Author: bnesmith

CRC: ECA91BE5

 

Dawnguard.esm

Load Order: 02

Installer:

Modified: 4/10/2012 1:08:44 PM

Size: 23,915 KB

Author: bnesmith

CRC: 7FC614C8

 

HearthFires.esm

Load Order: 03

Installer:

Modified: 11/12/2012 3:35:16 PM

Size: 3,380 KB

Author: bnesmith

CRC: C802D71C

 

Dragonborn.esm

Load Order: 04

Installer:

Modified: 18/02/2013 4:03:48 AM

Size: 62,570 KB

Author: rsalvatore

CRC: 2AD396D7

 

Lanterns Of Skyrim - All In One - Main.esm

Load Order: 05

Installer:

Modified: 18/10/2012 8:50:26 PM

Size: 447 KB

Author: MannyGT

CRC: 042A3DE0

 

More Interactive Items.ESM

Load Order: 06

Installer:

Modified: 24/10/2012 5:19:52 PM

Size: 1,122 KB

Author: JustinOther

CRC: E89AB4FB

 

More Interactive Items [Dawnguard].ESM

Load Order: 07

Installer:

Modified: 30/10/2012 12:02:10 AM

Size: 163 KB

Author: JustinOther

CRC: 74F6F3D8

 

More Interactive Items [Hearthfire].ESM

Load Order: 08

Installer:

Modified: 31/10/2012 1:57:00 PM

Size: 54 KB

Author: JustinOther

CRC: B0E2C72B

 

SPIKE.esm

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Installer:

Modified: 21/09/2012 2:42:45 AM

Size: 2 KB

Author: Eck.

CRC: 418D8B2F

 

HighResTexturePack01.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 11/12/2012 3:22:22 PM

Size: 0 KB

Author: DEFAULT

CRC: D596F02A

 

HighResTexturePack02.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 11/12/2012 3:22:22 PM

Size: 0 KB

Author: DEFAULT

CRC: D596F02A

 

HighResTexturePack03.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 18/02/2013 4:09:08 AM

Size: 0 KB

Author: DEFAULT

CRC: D596F02A

 

Brawl Bugs CE.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 12/09/2012 8:44:26 AM

Size: 0 KB

Author: jonwd7

CRC: 0D284ACF

 

fFastTravelSpeedMult_4.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 18/02/2013 12:10:11 PM

Size: 0 KB

Author: Hexaae

CRC: CC1A0B4E

Version: 1.0

 

Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp

Load Order: 0F

Installer:

Modified: 27/01/2013 6:16:35 PM

Size: 4,763 KB

Author: Kivan, Arthmoor

CRC: 75C63682

Version: 1.2.7

 

Unofficial Dawnguard Patch.esp

Load Order: 10

Installer:

Modified: 17/01/2013 3:41:17 PM

Size: 502 KB

Author: Kivan, Arthmoor

CRC: B854A556

Version: 1.1.4

 

Unofficial Hearthfire Patch.esp

Load Order: 11

Installer:

Modified: 17/01/2013 3:33:18 PM

Size: 123 KB

Author: Kivan, Arthmoor

CRC: ED07B97B

Version: 1.0.3

 

Unofficial Dragonborn Patch.esp

Load Order: 12

Installer:

Modified: 13/02/2013 8:25:58 PM

Size: 101 KB

Author: Unofficial Patch Project Team

CRC: 3DA2CF1F

Version: 1.0.1

 

Unofficial High Resolution Patch.esp

Load Order: 13

Installer:

Modified: 8/02/2013 11:14:53 PM

Size: 0 KB

Author: Unofficial Patch Project Team

CRC: 9F2BFB5F

Version: 1.1.1

 

Better Dynamic Snow.esp

Load Order: 14

Installer:

Modified: 14/02/2013 4:54:03 AM

Size: 310 KB

Author: SparrowPrince & Brumbek

CRC: F3204EF1

 

PNENB.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 15/01/2013 2:50:12 PM

Size: 121 KB

Author: phinix

CRC: B8865296

Version: 1.40b

 

BWS.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 19/02/2013 12:25:27 AM

Size: 0 KB

Author: DEFAULT

CRC: D596F02A

 

Clanking Armor.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 12/02/2013 4:22:27 PM

Size: 38 KB

Author: LordSane

CRC: DD039D67

 

StaticMeshImprovementMod.esp

Load Order: 18

Installer:

Modified: 20/03/2012 12:51:17 PM

Size: 2 KB

Author: Brumbek

CRC: 7985AB43

 

Ars Metallica.esp

Load Order: 19

Installer:

Modified: 18/02/2013 7:55:36 PM

Size: 43 KB

Author: Arthmoor

CRC: DAA0CB0A

Version: 1.2.0

 

Ars Metallica - Dawnguard.esp

Load Order: 1A

Installer:

Modified: 18/02/2013 7:58:27 PM

Size: 3 KB

Author: Arthmoor

CRC: BCE2F4A0

Version: 1.2.0

 

Ars Metallica - Hearthfire.esp

Load Order: 1B

Installer:

Modified: 18/02/2013 7:57:36 PM

Size: 7 KB

Author: Arthmoor

CRC: 4D46526A

Version: 1.2.0

 

Ars Metallica - Dragonborn.esp

Load Order: 1C

Installer:

Modified: 18/02/2013 8:00:27 PM

Size: 7 KB

Author: Arthmoor

CRC: B7D8828D

Version: 1.2.0

 

Chesko_WearableLantern.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 19/02/2013 12:32:46 AM

Size: 127 KB

Author: Chesko

CRC: 4B85F657

 

ClamsDropPearls.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 12/02/2012 10:30:16 AM

Size: 1 KB

Author: DEFAULT

CRC: FC8EBCE9

 

DivinePunishmentForArrowsToTheKnee.esp

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Modified: 18/08/2012 1:13:25 PM

Size: 0 KB

Author: toaDime

CRC: 2A44B301

 

Skyrim Flora Overhaul.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 31/01/2013 4:35:10 PM

Size: 6 KB

Author: vurt

CRC: 7BDB696E

 

YngolBarrowButtonFix.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 15/03/2012 1:38:39 PM

Size: 1 KB

Author: DEFAULT

CRC: C03C39C4

 

Footprints.esp

Load Order: 21

Installer:

Modified: 9/02/2013 3:33:39 AM

Size: 113 KB

Author: jonwd7

CRC: BFAF15E8

 

Footprints - Ash.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 9/02/2013 3:37:00 PM

Size: 52 KB

Author: jonwd7

CRC: D3E16A61

 

SkyUI.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 5/01/2013 5:57:36 AM

Size: 1 KB

Author: SkyUI Team

CRC: DDE298BF

 

iHUD.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 10/01/2013 9:13:49 AM

Size: 3 KB

Author: Gopher

CRC: FA3F8DF4

 

DeadlyDragons.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 29/01/2013 4:54:59 PM

Size: 126 KB

Author: 3JIou

CRC: E8F826EA

 

Run For Your Lives.esp

Load Order: 26

Installer:

Modified: 4/01/2013 11:54:07 AM

Size: 224 KB

Author: Arthmoor

CRC: 3043C473

Version: 1.2

 

When Vampires Attack.esp

Load Order: 27

Installer:

Modified: 30/12/2012 11:27:12 AM

Size: 135 KB

Author: Arthmoor

CRC: E2CC6BA3

Version: 1.0.1

 

The Paarthurnax Dilemma.esp

Load Order: 28

Installer:

Modified: 14/11/2012 12:43:29 PM

Size: 23 KB

Author: Arthmoor

CRC: 576390CA

Version: 1.2.3

 

Acquisitive Soul Gems.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 18/02/2013 12:23:31 PM

Size: 13 KB

Author: bluedanieru

CRC: 9886B940

 

Appropriately Attired Jarls Redux.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 4/08/2012 6:25:35 AM

Size: 4 KB

Author: PrinceShroob

CRC: 0EF19B0D

 

Distant DetailHF.esp

Load Order: 2B

Installer:

Modified: 18/02/2013 11:55:30 PM

Size: 27 KB

Author: Kazoomie

CRC: AA619596

 

dynamic fires.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 19/02/2013 12:29:44 AM

Size: 23 KB

Author: woodbyte

CRC: 1D4A64C7

 

Guard Dialogue Overhaul.esp

Load Order: 2D

Installer:

Modified: 30/10/2012 9:09:04 PM

Size: 365 KB

Author: Eck

CRC: F99AC53B

 

More Salt Please.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 21/10/2012 3:29:00 AM

Size: 6 KB

Author: jimmybob

CRC: 96FB0A78

 

More Salt Please - Dragonborn addon.esp

Load Order: 2F

Installer:

Modified: 14/02/2013 12:48:23 PM

Size: 0 KB

Author: DEFAULT

CRC: 1DC75D4C

 

dD-No Twitching Dragon Death Animation.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 24/05/2012 8:18:49 PM

Size: 0 KB

Author: dDefinder

CRC: 49CDAE6D

 

non-leveled items.esp

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Modified: 18/02/2013 3:51:52 AM

Size: 2 KB

Author: Dr. Tran

CRC: ECC5553C

 

SFO - Expanded Diversity.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 31/01/2013 12:54:14 PM

Size: 106 KB

Author: vurt

CRC: 36417532

 

dD - Enhanced Blood Main.esp

Load Order: 32

Installer:

Modified: 18/01/2013 8:55:03 PM

Size: 82 KB

Author: dDefinder

CRC: 264C49AD

 

dD-Dragonborn-Dawnguard-EBT Patch.esp

Load Order: 33

Installer:

Modified: 9/02/2013 11:09:48 AM

Size: 9 KB

Author: dDefinder

CRC: B9DC97BA

 

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Illuminated Spells.esp

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Modified: 1/01/2008 2:20:00 AM

Size: 2 KB

Author: DEFAULT

CRC: 5B0F0BF5

 

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Dungeons.esp

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Modified: 27/01/2013 7:40:34 PM

Size: 37 KB

Author: Sydney666

CRC: CE765B7B

 

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Minor Cities & Town Interiors.esp

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Size: 26 KB

Author: Sydney666

CRC: 6604FCFC

 

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - Major City Interiors.esp

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Modified: 27/01/2013 8:41:24 PM

Size: 1,112 KB

Author: Sydney666 and Daemon White

CRC: 3DA69E57

 

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - 3.5 Weathers.esp

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Modified: 26/10/2012 5:24:58 PM

Size: 268 KB

Author: Realistic Lighting 3.5

CRC: 08DAA895

 

Realistic Lighting Overhaul - 3.5 Dawnguard Weathers.esp

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Modified: 26/10/2012 9:53:42 PM

Size: 11 KB

Author: Realistic Lighting 3.5 Dawnguard Patch

CRC: D24D357B

 

dD - Realistic Ragdoll Force - Reduced.esp

Load Order: 34

Installer:

Modified: 18/04/2012 5:43:07 PM

Size: 0 KB

Author: dDefinder

CRC: AFCAAEAB

 

Apocalypse - The Spell Package.esp

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Installer:

Modified: 19/02/2013 12:33:57 AM

Size: 909 KB

Author: Enai Siaion

CRC: A80198CF

 

BFSEffects.esp

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Installer:

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Size: 38 KB

Author: pauderek

CRC: 2A7C575F

 

DeadlySpellImpacts.esp

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Installer:

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Size: 21 KB

Author: isoku

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MMOConjurationChanges.esp

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Installer:

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Size: 20 KB

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MMOIllusionChanges.esp

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MMOAlterationChanges.esp

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Size: 28 KB

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MMODestructionChanges.esp

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MMORestorationChanges.esp

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Realistic crime report radius.esp

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Enhanced Soul Trap.esp

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dD-No Spinning Death Animation.esp

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SPTConsistentOlderPeople.esp

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Author:

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Follower Trap Safety.esp

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WATER.esp

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WATER Plants.esp

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WATER DB.esp

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WATER DB Waves.esp

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Realistic Lighting, non-leveled items and the divine punishment mod are disabled everything else is enabled.

[NiennaNenmacil]

Since I've last posted I have not had any more instances of black or purple textures, other than when I was actually missing the textures from the game files. I am still crashing however, and the only thing I can tie it to is my VRAM. It's maxed constantly, and it's making the game unstable. The crashes are completely random, or so it seems, and they always happen outdoors in heavily wooded areas. I don't get stuttering however, and I've never gone over 3GB of system RAM used. My RAM is always relatively low when I crash, but it's gone well above and been fine, so I'm fairly confident it's my VRAM.

 

I've installed a few more mods since last time, but nothing graphical. Nothing I would've expected to jack up my VRAM usage. I've even optimised all of my textures and my 2GB are still used up. It runs fine after uninstalling my TPC file. I'm going to stop using the TPC entirely however, because it seems I now need a bit more control over which textures I use. I've got the SRO file, but only the 4K version, and there isn't anywhere to get the lite version from what I understand. Going to try to trim down my texture files and my tree mods to keep myself under my VRAM cap. A new GPU will probably be my next upgrade hehe.

[MontyMM]

AFAIK, vram itself isn't implicated in causing crashes, just stuttering and lousy performance. Have you increased your ugrids settings above 5?

[NiennaNenmacil]

I have not.

[MontyMM]

That's interesting - that reducing your texture load improves stability, when RAM and ugrids are not a factor. Do you run from an SSD?

[NiennaNenmacil]

Also no. I had moved Skyrim to my SSD through Steam Mover, but I had a lot of trouble with different programs, including Steam and the Steam Mover, forgetting where Skyrim was. I had to move it back when Steam decided to redownload Skyrim and I had no way of running it.

 

I suppose I can reinstall Steam to my SSD, I was just reluctant to do that because of the limited space there, and thus not being able to have many Steam games installed at once. In any case, when it was on my SSD for that brief period, I didn't seem to notice any significant increase in stability. But that may change now with the adjustments I've made since then.

[MontyMM]

I did some testing way back when, where I mirrored my whole system onto an SSD and a two regular HDDs (to reduce the risk that a faulty HDD could taint the results.) There was no doubt in my case - the HDDs would CTD the game regularly, especially when travelling through the woods, whereas the SSD was almost entirely stable. I'm not aware of anyone else repeating the experiment, but my suspicion is that sometimes the engine demands a large texture load, and that some HDDs do not respond quickly enough.

 

I'd say it's worth a try, though of course the perennial problem with Skyrim is pinning down which of the many gremlins may be responsible for each crash.

[torminater]

You can now select user-specified install paths for your games with steam. No need for Steam mover.

[NiennaNenmacil]

You can now select user-specified install paths for your games with steam. No need for Steam mover.

Ah, I didn't know that, thank you. I'll see about moving it back then.

[NiennaNenmacil]

Yeah, I'm really not sure what's going on with this. With Extreme STEP, plus a couple extra textures from the TPC (including 4K SRO), and a whole whack of extra gameplay mods, I crash often. Anywhere between 5 mins and 40 mins depending on where I am. I remove the TPC file and I have no signs of instability. I played for 2 hrs 15 mins last night with no crashing and I was around the wooded areas in Falkreath. However, even with the few textures I have, I'm am averaging 1600 MB of VRAM use, and it did max out at 2 GB once, albeit very briefly. I have the creature/armor textures, and a couple of the clutter textures, but almost none of the environment textures and I do not have the official Hi Res DLC enabled. That usage seems high to me.

 

If I get around to it today, I will do a fresh install on my SSD, and I will actually do the benchmarking as I reinstall STEP and my other mods to see where my VRAM is getting used up. It could be that with my experimenting I've got some files leftover somewhere, so things could be different once I clean up the Skyrim folder.

[DoYouEvenModBro]

Post has been deleted

[torminater]

Maxing out VRAM you'll experience stuttering when swinging your camera around fast. or when running through a open world space.

[Kelmych]

... and crashes when spell effects and dragon attacks cause a rapid increase in VRAM need.