CTD at 3.1GB

[viking]

Some key posts on this and related threads (experts feel free to note any errors or insights):

• Post #11
• Post #27
• Post #40 (this is where the 500/430 ratio seems to have originated.)
• Post #66
• Post#278
• Post #313
• Post #1 (adjacent thread: Caution about memory optimisers)
• Post #64 (adjacent thread: Caution about memory optimisers)
• Post #68 (adjacent thread: Caution about memory optimisers)
• Post #70 (adjacent thread: Caution about memory optimisers)

Wiki article (draft)

 

Thanks,

STEP

 

OP follows

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First of all I wanted to thank you all for the great work you have done with STEP. Skyrim is the first game I installed on this computer and you guys have made it an AMAZING game. That being said, I have an issue that I hope you can help me solve.

 

My setup:

Vanilla Skyrim

gtx670 w/ 4GB @1080p w/ latest driver

16GB Memory

3770K at about 4GHz

Windows 8 64bit

ENB 149

Ultra settings

Highest available texture/quality

Mod Organizer

Step 2.2.1 + Skyrim Revisited + others

 

I have noticed a post here and there saying that Skyrim can't really address more than about 3.1GB of memory without issues. This seems to jive with my experience, meaning I CTD every time my memory hits that mark, but I couldn't really find anything definitive on the topic. The issue with googling the topic is the pre 1.3 skyrim that couldn't address more than 2gb of memory.

 

My mod list is mostly based on STEP which is why I came here for help, with about ten mods added onto the end (Interesting NPCs, Detailed Cities, Economics, COT, and a couple others). The reason I haven't included my mod list is that it doesn't seem to matter. As long as I keep the memory usage below 3GB I can have pretty much any combination of mods.

 

What I have tried so far (in no particular order):

• resetting ini files
• removing enb
• not using attklt
• only using a new game
• removing all mods and adding one by one until issue crops up
• running as admin
• watching the papyrus log - it seems relatively clean, no obvious errors right before CTD

Yes, I can run STEP just fine without any issues, but I also never get near 3GB of memory. I have tracked VRAM usage as well and have seen a max of 2.7GB/4GB.

 

As an example of where I might run into issues: I start a new character with Alternate Start. I start with Breezehome. Run out of Whiterun, past the Brewry, up the hill to the bandits. Enter the cave (watching memory usage with Elys MemInfo), and it dies right after I see 3GB. I have this same issue not using AS, sitting through the intro, and then running over to whiterun.

 

I'm sorry if this post is all over the place. I have spent more than a week trying to solve this issue, and the only solution I have found is to reduce memory usage. I have got to the point where I can exchange two texture packs and get into the cave without a CTD, but with both I get a CTD. I didn't even think texture packs should even affect CTDs, but I'm relatively new to Skyrim on the PC, so I could be wrong. I also found I could get a bit further with ENB turned off, but would still crash once I got above 3GB of memory. Finally, if I reload a game after a CTD, I can play just fine...until I reach 3GB of memory.

 

I really hope you guys can help. I more than willing to try anything at this point, besides just disabling all of the mods.

[torminater]

My testing results were, that none of the versions fixed the crash issues at Windhelm. So either it's a vanilla game instability bug, or it's memory related, and Boris didn't fix it yet.

 

see here: https://enbdev.com/enbseries/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2138&sid=d29444ee30b1a3b875ca482104072e05&start=80

[exploiteddna]

ive always gotten complete drop of memory when going into skyrim worldspace from a city world. issue for me is always going into some interior from skyrim or city worldspace.

 

What do you mean you get 10 fps across the board?? Do you mean 10 fps less than before, or less than some other ENB version?? Im going to try it myself now, so hopefully its not a big difference in performance loss. Im using 13.7.13 binary right now and my performance is fine, so hopefully it stays that way. Will report back.

[exploiteddna]

I guess Boris found out what was wrong and uploaded v193. I just saw Phinix Natural in my updated files and noticed it it is using the new version, that was quick.

 

I'm going to try it out see if works.

i use the phinix profile sometimes too but the latest profile/update im seeing from him is for the 13.7.13 binary and not the 0.193 binary

[Aiyen]

Other then the memory additions they are the same, so you can just switch the .dll and let it update the ini.

No visual parameters are altered. This as long as it is for version 13.7.13 or above.

[EssArrBee]

I guess Boris found out what was wrong and uploaded v193. I just saw Phinix Natural in my updated files and noticed it it is using the new version, that was quick.

 

I'm going to try it out see if works.

i use the phinix profile sometimes too but the latest profile/update im seeing from him is for the 13.7.13 binary and not the 0.193 binary

I guess he already removed it. Maybe he found some problems or Boris removed the binary, not sure. I kinda want Tapioks to update his ENB now so I can try that one, he usually takes his time on updates though.

[exploiteddna]

im not familiar with that author or profile. Theres a new profile that came out recently from a new author who, like phinix/Kyo/Matso/etc., has a pretty advanced understanding of the shader code and the modded post-processes (i.e. PP 5, 6, and 7). It goes by the name of "Tundra ENB" and I like most of it. It does have this red/orange tint applied during daylight (esp noticeable in the Rift and fall forest areas) that i can't seem to figure out how to remove or lower the intensity of it. But yeah, I think overall its a decent profile that I'll keep in my enb manager for a rainy day :) (~pun not intended)

[EssArrBee]

Tapioks does the Enhanced Shaders ENB for both FNV and Skyrim. I'd link it, but the nexus seems to be uncooperative this afternoon.

[exploiteddna]

oh i know what youre talking about, i guess i just didnt know the authors name. yeah nexus has been buggy all day it seems. I tried to go on this morning and had trouble, then tried again just a few minutes ago and more of the same. oh well.

[Aiyen]

In general if you ask really nicely and have a favorite ENB preset you want updated... give me a pm and I will look into it, it does not take long to convert once you got the hang of it. I do have a bit of a delay time currently due to personal issues, but I guess I am still faster then most of the authors out there! ;)

 

Ofc. going from a version past 180 means that the sun can get all messed up since it was altered radically. However the sun should always be manually edited since it depends entirely on which sunsprite, sunglare, and sun texture you are using.

[Bael]

Aiyen, is there a walkthrough link out to tell you how to manually edit your settings? I'm using the latest Unreal Cinema and only have some minor coloration issues. But the sun is definitely in odd places.

[torminater]

OK, Boris released his ENBooster on the nexus: https://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/38649

It's just config files for his new ENB 1.93, which will only enable memory optimization and stabilization without graphical enhancements. Feel free to try out.

[Aiyen]

Posted by Bael - Yesterday 03:55 AM

Aiyen, is there a walkthrough link out to tell you how to manually edit your settings? I'm using the latest Unreal Cinema and only have some minor coloration issues. But the sun is definitely in odd places.

The best would be if you could get a hold of JawZ pdf guide with full pictures of what most of the options do. It is outdated by now since the current enbseries.ini contains a lot of new entries. However the general gist of curves, intensities etc. is still the same. 

 

Otherwise there is also this forum entry. For some more technical information then the author of Unreal Cinema made this. 

 

In general most info is not super up to date, but it is a good place to start. 

As for the sun then that will always require that you tweak it unless you use one provided by the preset creator. 

[exploiteddna]

i have the jawZ guides (2 PDFs) if anyone needs them. They are definitely outdated and the screenshot compares are pretty bad IMHO but still some useful info if you take the time to read through it.

[DoYouEvenModBro]

I've been out on vacation for a while and just got back to the forums. What is the news on Boris' ENB 1.93? Does it actually fix the 3.1 RAM issue?? I saw a Reddit post with multiple users claiming that it reduced their RAM usage to like 1.9. Can anyone report?

[torminater]

Test it for yourself. Apparently I'm the only one spitting in the bucket.