User:TechAngel85/Sandbox

Template:Notice by frihyland & S.T.E.P. Team

Updated: 4:25:51 14 January 2013 (UTC)

GUIDE FORUM THREAD

Introduction

Texture Resolutions

Video Settings

The Mods

Saved

[edit]

Purpose of the Guide

This Guide exists to help STEP enthusiasts and new comers alike with lower end systems, specifically those who have only 1GB of VRAM, complete a STEP installation with all mods; a full STEP installation. Typically, new comers that are limited to 1GB of video RAM will often get over zealous with the mods; not realizing the effect they have on their systems and often revert back to a Performance STEP install:

Performance STEP:
Core mods only; performance options wherever possible. These recommendations will not be much more that the official recommended system requirements.
"My poor box needs all of the mercy that I can spare it, but I can't do without STEP!"

This; however, is not necessary. In the following sections, you'll learn exactly how to maintain a full STEP installation without stuttering and performance issues.

[edit]

General

[edit]

General

Several settings play a role when modding with limited hardware. Below is a general overview of these settings with recommendations.

Launcher Settings

Video Card Settings

INI Tweaks

[edit]

General

Below is a run down of all the STEP sections and their included mods. Use this guide when downloading the STEP mods. If followed, the recommendations below combined with the other sections of this guide will provide users with a complete STEP installation on only 1GB VRAM.

2.D Fixes

The Fixes section of the guide as no noticeable impact on performance in the game. It is recommended to install all Fixes mods.

2.E Interface

High Quality 3D Map

Install the Med-res Meshes and the 512x or the 1024x Normals. The 512x is recommended as they are still twice the resolution of vanilla normals so don't think you're getting low-res normals by picking the 512x version.

Main Font Replacement

Personally recommend Fertigo Pro. It's very clean and readable. There is no performance impact here. Choose the one you like best.

A Quality World Map

Use the STEP recommended.

2.F Conflicting Graphics

HDDLC Optimized

Install 00 - Core, 01 - Vanilla Secondary Stuff, and 03 - Hybrid + Vanilla NM files

No Stretching

Use the STEP recommended.

Static Mesh Improvement Mod

Install the following options 00, 01, 02 SMIM Barrel No Animation, 03, 04 Farmhouse 3D Ropes No Fade, 05, 06, 07, 08 Pull Lever 3D Rings Lite, 09, 10, 11, 12, 15, 20 Weathered, 21, 22 Half-Sized Weathered, 30, 31

Skyrim HD

Grab the Lite version of everything and don't miss the Riften Lite version under updates.

Serious HD

Install the 1024x version of the main file, update, and optional file.

Tobe's Hi-Res Textures

Use the STEP Recommended 1024x version and don't forget the SMIM patch.

HQ Food and Ingredients

Use the PerformanceRepack.

2.G Landscape & Environment

Snow and Rocks HD

Install the Snow and Rocks HD 1024x version. Do not install the other downloadable files.

AOF Detailed Mountains

Install the 1024x version. Many will argue that with this important texture you should always install the higher resolution version; however, because this texture is everywhere your limited VRAM will thank you for installing the 1024x version.

Enhanced Distant Terrain

Use the 1024x version.

High Quality LODs

Install the Med-res version.

HQ Milky Way Galaxy

Choose the HQ 2K version.

Real Ice All-in-One

Install the 1K version with the STEP recommended options.

High Realistic Tundra Moss

Use the 1K optional Yellow version.

Re-Defined Dungeons

Use the optional file which is the 1024x version.

Skyrim Performance Plus

Use the main files for everything. If you worried about performance around Riften, you can use the optional Aspen Leaves Extreme Performance version.

Trees HD

Use the TreesHD_Skyrim_variation_LOW_NEW version.

Visible Windows

Install the Medium option.

Water

Install the main file and then overwrite with the optional Medium Resolution Add-on.

Whiterun Trellis Redesigned

Use the 512x version. If you test them out and don't like the quality, you could probably go up to the 1024x version without an issue.

2.H Characters & Creatures

Bellyache's Creature Pack

Use the main file, Med Res version.

101 Bugs

Install the LowResolution version. Even the LowRes version is twice the resolution of vanilla for these textures and there is no need to install any larger than the LowRes for such small objects.

Better Beast Races

Use the Lite version of the mod.

Birds of Skyrim

Install the LowerResolution version.

Cover Khajiits

Use the STEP recommended, 1024x version.

Natural Eyes

Get the 128x version. For such small textures nothing bigger is needed.

2.I Equipment

Better Circlets

Use the MD 1K version.

Elemental Staffs

Install the 1K version.

Yuril Rings

Use the Res LW (512x) version of the style of your choosing. Rings are very small objects and 512x resolution is more than enough.

2.J Animations & Effects

Deadly Spell Impacts

Use the Low(512x) version. If you find you have some room for improvement at the end of your STEP install you can upgrade to the Med(1024x) version.

Enhanced Blood Textures

Use the optional 512x Res Textures version. Again, if you have playroom after your STEP install you can upgrade to the optional 1024x Res Textures version.

Realistic Smoke and Embers

Install the RES Medium version.

2.K Clutter & Miscellaneous

Detailed Chests

Use the optional 1024x version of your choosing.

HD Baskets

Install the 512x1024 version

HQ Skyrim Map

Use the optional 1024x1024 version.

Intricate Spider Webs

Use the ISW Medium version.

Ultimate HD Torch

Install the MedRes - 1024x version.

2.L Sound

[edit]

General