User:TechAngel85/Sandbox

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

Updated: 9:53:47 13 January 2013 (UTC)

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.

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General

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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

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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.

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