Performance, Baseline or Extreme STEP?

[AddictedxGamer]

Hey, everyone!

 

So, I'm following through the latest version of the STEP Guide in order to try and finally have a stable and (mostly) problem-free experience playing modded Skyrim.  I've been following through the guide, installing the listed mods (I've only installed Core Mods so far) and letting them overwrite when asked to, and it's been relatively simple.  Well, aside from the problems I've been having getting mods to download from the Nexus that is, but that's not any fault of the STEP Guide.  

 

Anyways; I've only been installing the suggested versions of mods to complete the "Baseline STEP" version, but suddenly I realized that my machine is relatively powerful.  I could probably (possibly, maybe) be running the highest quality mods where available in order to complete the "Extreme STEP" version.  Before I uninstall all the active mods in the Nexus Mod Manager, I thought I'd post here to see what the experts think.  

 

Here are my system specs.

 

Motherboard: MSI Gaming Z87-G45

CPU: Intel Quad-Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz

GPU: Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB

RAM: 8GB DDR3

SSD: Samsung 840-Series 250GB (also have a 2TB Seagate internal HDD and a 3TB Seagate external HDD)

 

Do you guys think I should be going for the "Extreme STEP" version?  Note that I plan to run an ENB as well; Seasons of Skyrim "No DOF" version, most likely.  Before starting the STEP guide I was toying around with lowering my Shadow Detail in the Skyrim Launcher to achieve acceptable shadows and stay above 50 FPS with the ENB enabled.  I found that dropping the Shadow Detail to Medium and adjusting iBlurDeferredShadowMask to 3 (from 1) and fShadowDistance to 8000 (from 2500) gave me great FPS (55-60 in most outdoor areas) and kept the shadows looking decent enough.  I don't pay much attention to what the shadows look like, as long as they're there.  

 

Oh; I wasn't running any mods other than the Bethesda Hi-Res DLC Optimized (Hybrid + Vanilla Normal Maps) at the time of those tweaks, so that 55-50 FPS could come down with all the STEP mods installed.  I want my game to look nice, but I want my FPS to be up there too.  When it starts to drop I can really notice it, and it ruins the experience for me.  

 

Perhaps I should stick with the "Baseline STEP" version after all?  Or do you think with the aforementioned Shadow Detail settings I could still run Extreme Step with the also aforementioned ENB without losing too much FPS?  I could always install everything and find out, but I'd rather not use that much time doing so if you guys know my FPS will tank.

 

Thanks!  Sorry if this post was a bit long; I can't ever seem to create short posts.    

Edited July 3, 2014 by ADD1CTED_GAM3R

[Vaportrails]

If I could give one piece of advice before doing anything else:

 

1) Get rid of the Nexus Mod Manager.

 

Start using Mod Organizer just like the guide instructs. I know that people like Gopher have videos on how to use Nexus Mod Manager and how to install and setup. And it is a pretty easy tool to use. However, Mod Organizer is the tool that the STEP group is going with and supporting. And more importantly, IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING IN HOW EASY IT IS TO MANAGE MODS! 

 

So, my advice, is as follows:

(disclaimer: I don't have nearly the experience most of the others on this forum have so you may want to wait to hear from them first)

 

1) Start from scratch by uninstalling everything including Skyrim. Including uninstalling the Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini in your Documents folder

2) Uninstall Nexus Mod Manager

3) Start going through the 2.2.8 guide (which will have you install Mod Organizer)

    a) I personally would start using the 2.2.9 guide as it's nearly ready to be released from what I understand. However, use at your own risk since it is in a state of flux until release day.

4) Your system looks good and so you THINK you'll be able to use all the High Quality versions of all the mods. However, throwing an ENB into the mix will have a significant performance impact. I would start with Baseline stuff and then add on from there.

    a) And that's the beauty of Mod Organizer. It's incredibly easy to get through the STEP install, test your setup, decide you want to get Higher Quality versions, go download them, and install over your existing versions.

 

With all this said, I want to say again that you should wait for someone with more knowledge to come along (or a Staff member) to answer your questions. I've been playing Skyrim for years now but only just got into the STEP community within the last 3 to 4 months or so.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Vaportrails

[AddictedxGamer]

I've never used the Mod Organizer because I've never felt the need to.  The Nexus Mod Manager has never given me any reason not to use it.  Why does STEP not support its use?

 

EDIT: I've done some reading within the STEP Guide and it seems they no longer support the Nexus Mod Manager because it lacks features that the Mod Organizer has.  Specifically, features that help to make the process of following the STEP Guide easier and more complete.  I'll look into installing and learning to use it.

 

Is there an ETA on when the new version of the STEP Guide will be officially released?  I'm hesitant to follow it because it isn't ready yet, but at the same time, I'd hate to complete the guide and any STEP Extensions only to have to do it all over again in a week, haha.  

Edited July 3, 2014 by ADD1CTED_GAM3R

[EssArrBee]

NMM does not handle file overwrites properly. You can't install updates correctly. Wrye Bash and MO let you fix this problem, Wrye Bash with annealing and MO with mod isolation. STEP is to complex for NMM, maybe in future updates NMM will be better at file overwrites because they want to create a mod isolation system with profiles like MO, but until then STEP cannot support it.

 

This is not to say that smaller mod installations are okay with NMM. It services many games from many different types of game engines and that is probably its biggest strength and probably biggest weakness. It's kinda like Windows where it can do a lot of different things, but no of them really well and WB and MO are like some Unix based OS that is a bit more narrowly focused, but does those few things it focuses on really well.

[AddictedxGamer]

NMM does not handle file overwrites properly. You can't install updates correctly. Wrye Bash and MO let you fix this problem, Wrye Bash with annealing and MO with mod isolation. STEP is to complex for NMM, maybe in future updates NMM will be better at file overwrites because they want to create a mod isolation system with profiles like MO, but until then STEP cannot support it.

 

This is not to say that smaller mod installations are okay with NMM. It services many games from many different types of game engines and that is probably its biggest strength and probably biggest weakness. It's kinda like Windows where it can do a lot of different things, but no of them really well and WB and MO are like some Unix based OS that is a bit more narrowly focused, but does those few things it focuses on really well.

Thanks for the information!  I'm currently looking into installing and getting to know the Mod Organizer.  

 

I have two more questions though, and surely it's better to post them here than make a new thread (or threads) for them.

 

1) Is there an ETA on when the 2.2.9 (apparently being named 2.3.0) STEP Guide will be officially completed and released?

 

2) Am I supposed to be installing the STEP:Core mods at the qualities suggested?  I have been so far, but my initial question in this thread was whether or not I could and should run Extreme STEP instead of Baseline STEP, but then I saw this in the STEP Guide.  Notice: Baseline (referenced throughout this guide) is the STEP:Core 'Baseline' mods install (see mod tables) and adherence to all of the instructions in this guide, nothing more, nothing less.  Does that mean that the STEP:Core mods should be installed at the suggested quality?

 

Thank you!  

[DoubleYou]

2.2.9 should be released soon. We don't work with ETAs, but I'd guess this week or next week.

 

I'd recommend baseline. If you find a texture that looks like it needs upgrading, then upgrade it to the HQ version. Baseline generally is enough.

[AddictedxGamer]

2.2.9 should be released soon. We don't work with ETAs, but I'd guess this week or next week.

 

I'd recommend baseline. If you find a texture that looks like it needs upgrading, then upgrade it to the HQ version. Baseline generally is enough.

Okay, thank you!

 

Another thing I'm wondering (Oh, god; another question :O_o:) is how things work with STEP:Core and STEP:Extended.  I know that you first go through and install all of the STEP:Core mods, marked by a green bar next to the name of the mod.  That completes STEP:Core.  To complete STEP:Extended, do I then go back to the top and install all of the mods not marked with a green bar?  Then if I want to install any STEP Packs, I follow the instructions on each individual pack's Wiki page.  Right?

 

Sorry.  I'm new to STEP and don't want to make any mistakes.

[Barthanes]

If your using Modorganizer you can install Core & Extended at the same time. Just don't activate the Extended's mods. Create a STEP Core profile in MO and install all the STEP Mods. Only activate the mods for Core. Then copy the STEP Core Profile and Call it STEP Extended and activate the remaining mods. Basically create profiles for all the Packs you want to use. That's the easiest way to do it I've found.

[AddictedxGamer]

If your using Modorganizer you can install Core & Extended at the same time. Just don't activate the Extended's mods. Create a STEP Core profile in MO and install all the STEP Mods. Only activate the mods for Core. Then copy the STEP Core Profile and Call it STEP Extended and activate the remaining mods. Basically create profiles for all the Packs you want to use. That's the easiest way to do it I've found.

That does sound like an effective way of doing it.  Thanks!

 

What I'm still wondering is whether or not what I mentioned is correct or not...  Are the mods that aren't marked by the green bar (indicating a Core mod) the mods that complete the Extended Step, or is there a separate page for that?  I know the STEP Packs that you can install for bonus content have their own pages and instructions, so I don't know if STEP Extended operates the same way.

[EssArrBee]

No, all the non-green bar mods are extended. They make up the whole sum of STEP Extended. We designed STEP Extended to be installed with STEP Core. In 2.3.0 we will put Extended on a separate page and make it into a pack.

[Barthanes]

I read somewhere that extended would eventually be its own pack but I could be wrong. You are correct. Mods flagged with the green bar are STEP core. Unflagged is STEP Extended

[AddictedxGamer]

No, all the non-green bar mods are extended. They make up the whole sum of STEP Extended. We designed STEP Extended to be installed with STEP Core. In 2.3.0 we will put Extended on a separate page and make it into a pack.

That's what I figured.  The guide says that the mods marked with a green bar are for STEP:Core, so I knew they were essential, but didn't know for sure about the other mods.  My assumption was that they did in fact make up STEP:Extended though.  I guess I didn't make that clear in my last post.    

 

Thanks for the information!  

 

Oh; do you happen to know how different STEP 2.3.0 will be from the current version?  If it's going to be a massive overhaul, I might wait until it's released to follow the guide.  That way I'm not doing the entire process more than once in a short period of time, haha.  Then again, I could use the practice if I'm going to switch from the Nexus Mod Manager to the Mod Organizer (which I probably will).

 

I read somewhere that extended would eventually be its own pack but I could be wrong. You are correct. Mods flagged with the green bar are STEP core. Unflagged is STEP Extended

This was confirmed by EssArrBee in the post above yours, but thanks for posting anyways!  

[EssArrBee]

Do not wait for 2.3.0. We are going to release 2.2.9 soon, wait for that or just go to the step guide page and replace the Guide with 2.2.9 and use that page. It is almost finished and no major changes will happen. don't use the STEP patches with 2.2.9. New ones will come out when we launch it.

 

STEP Extended will be spun off as a pack and the guide will just be STEP Core and we will probably have a larger section for packs than the one we have toward the botton of the guide right now.

[AddictedxGamer]

Do not wait for 2.3.0. We are going to release 2.2.9 soon, wait for that or just go to the step guide page and replace the Guide with 2.2.9 and use that page. It is almost finished and no major changes will happen. don't use the STEP patches with 2.2.9. New ones will come out when we launch it.

 

STEP Extended will be spun off as a pack and the guide will just be STEP Core and we will probably have a larger section for packs than the one we have toward the botton of the guide right now.

Wait, what?  It says at the top of the 2.2.9 Guide that it will be officially unveiled as STEP 2.3.0...  That's why I was asking if I should wait for 2.3.0 to be released.  If 2.2.9 and 2.3.0 are two entirely different versions, you may want to have that point clarified at the top of the 2.2.9 page.  

 

Anyways; I should just follow the 2.2.9 Guide instead of the current "Official" version?  If nothing big is changing, then I don't see the harm in using it, other than that I'd have to wait for the new STEP Patches to come out upon the official release.  Seeing as I need practice with the Mod Organizer, I may just follow the current version (2.2.8) and then update to 2.2.9 once it's officially released and replaces 2.2.8.

 

I like the idea of having STEP:Extended come out as a STEP Pack rather than be hosted on the same page as STEP:Core.  It will be less confusing for newcomers to STEP (such as myself).  

[phazer11]

To clarify: the current supported version of STEP is (STEP v2.2.8). ESRB was mentioning that we are finalizing the changes to the guide from v2.2.8 to v2.2.9 which should be out pretty soon (as early as next week and I don't see it taking more than a month but that's not a definite) I think we've ironed out a lot of the issues and they are reflected in the 2.2.9 guide; however I would not use 2.2.9 if you're a new user (at least until it is finalized).

[AddictedxGamer]

To clarify: the current supported version of STEP is (STEP v2.2.8). ESRB was mentioning that we are finalizing the changes to the guide from v2.2.8 to v2.2.9 which should be out pretty soon (as early as next week and I don't see it taking more than a month but that's not a definite) I think we've ironed out a lot of the issues and they are reflected in the 2.2.9 guide; however I would not use 2.2.9 if you're a new user (at least until it is finalized).

Alright, thanks!

 

I'll stick with 2.2.8 until 2.2.9 is the official, currently supported version.  

 

EDIT: Is there some sort of e-mail notification system for when the new version is released?  Sort of like how I can subscribe to e-mail notifications to let me know when AMD releases a new driver for my video card.

 

EDIT 2: Just so I understand completely, this is how the process goes, correct?

 

1) Install and activate the STEP:Core mods in the Fixes category in the order they're listed.

2) Run BOSS or LOOT to sort the Load Order

3) Benchmark the game

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 for each remaining category

5) Install and activate the STEP:Extended mods in the Fixes Category in the order they're listed.

6) Run BOSS or LOOT to sort the Load Order

7) Benchmark the game

8) Repeat steps 5 through 7 for each remaining category

9) Create a Bashed Patch

10) Follow any remaining applicable steps in Step 3 of the guide

 

Is that right?  Seeing as it says "Benchmark" after each category, I'm assuming you're supposed to let BOSS or LOOT organize everything so you don't crash.

 

Sorry to be such a pain, guys.  I just don't want to mess this up, as this could be the key to finally having a relatively problem-free time playing Skyrim!  Every other attempt at playing with mods has been riddled with crashes, and I want this time to be the one that lets me enjoy a modded Skyrim!  

Edited July 4, 2014 by ADD1CTED_GAM3R