Looking for some suggestions on tweaks. I have an ENB running, some graphic enhancements, and just installed a few "population" mods. My game is averaging around 35-45 FPS in exteriors and 50-60 in interiors. After adding the population mods, my FPS is the same but the game seems sluggish, barely perceived, but enough that I notice it. Happens outside and inside (where you do not have as many actors).

I figure the issue is the CPU and AI/papyrus processing as my FPS stayed the same. I have not tweaked my default ini files past the ENB required entries. Has anyone experienced tis and has made tweaks to eliminate the issue (other than removing the population mods)?

I have an i5 quad core and 6GB RAM.

I have a GTX760 4GB video card.

So I have the horsepower, I would think, as I ran more intensive population mods (without ENB) in the past, without issues.

Do you have the Stutter Remover?

Have you disabled the Gamepad and the Rumble?

As far as load on the system, NPCs are the biggest hit, so less is more with mods that add NPCs to the game.

1. Have not heard of stutter remover, but the game does not stutter.
2. I have disabled the gamepad and rumble, yes, only other tweak I made.

The NPCs are not scripted but I guess they have to be processed by the CPU anyway. Hmph. Any other ideas to try? Anyone think changing papyrus settings would have any positive impact? Or other CPU tweaks in the ini files?

The Microstutters are what I am talking about that can make the game seem sluggish even when the frame rates should give smooth play.

This requires SKSE, http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/2581/?

Install it, run the game once, then exit out. Then you can modify the Stutter Remover CFG file to clamp the frame rates to something like 40 or 45. The game will be butter smooth, at least it is for me.

However, if the above does not help, just remember, there is a reason why there are as few NPCs in the game as there are, so you will have to remove mods that add NPCs until the performance is where you want it. There is no tweak that will allow more NPCs and a smooth game.

Can you try to run Skyrim Performance nonitor ???

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I thing if your GPU goes above 2GB of VRAM then your population mod's are a bit too much even for an GTX 760.

But if you GPU stays unded the 2GB Vram barrier, then obviously your version with 4GB can't utilize the second 2GB frame buffer properly, so the sluggish behavior.

Meaning that the GTX760 is a native 2GB GPU.*** For using the second half of VRAM you need a resolution at least 3840 x 2160. But then your GPU will not have most probably the extra power to give you the extra frames you want.

I am not saying your GPU is not good, i am saying that your mod's you are using, are obvously a bit to heavy for your GTX 760.

*** Every OEM is free to choose at what configuration he will sell the card to the market. (Therefore the 2GB and 4GB configurations)