So, I'm new to Oblivion and I noticed a new things that I'd already like to change. Namely graphics. However, while reading through these forums I find differing opinions on which graphic enhancements to use so I'd like to ask some questions on the choices I've narrowed down.

Terrain:
- I keep seeing people say to use QTP3 as it is the best, but the preview images (on planetelderscrolls) shows terrain that appears to be too sharp. Is is actually that sharp or do I have an old version? If so, is there a less sharp version? Is there an alternative terrain texture mod I should consider?

Water:
- I've seen 2 versions of water that are touted as the best. Given the preview images I agree that they do a good job, but has anyone compared OBGE Water v. Enhanced Water? Are there any problems with one or other?

Body/Face Textures/Mesh:
- The default faces are very, very terrible. Given the age, so surprise, but I find that it is mostly due to the shape of the faces. I cannot find female & male face mesh mods although I did find textures. What mods are out there for face mesh? What I keep finding are body meshes, and they don't say whether they touch the faces or not. For body meshes I picked HGEC and Robert's Males.
- Do these PC mesh/textures mods also change the NPCs?

VRAM
- I've been reading up on VRD v3.0 and it seems like a good choice for body & face textures, but it says that it requires an additional 400 MB of VRAM. I have only 1 GB of VRAM. Is it still recommended that I use this mod given my 1 GB of VRAM? If it is too much, what is a less intensive (say 2048x2048 textures) alternative? I'm also considering using All Natural Weather, Enhanced Vegetation & Better Cities as well.

Have a look at AmpolX's textures and/or InsanitySorrow's. The latter are certainly as good anyway, and besides, are much easier to find! Try tesalliance.org first. Another colection you might consider is Brittainy's. It is very good, and aims for a different aesthetic again. I cannot determine whether you would like it, so see for yourself! This time, tesnexus.com would be the first place to check.



One of those looks like water; the other does not. You decide!

On a slightly less flippant note, OBGE Water has to be seen (in motion, during play) in order for the full effect to be appreciated. All other water mods... not so much. I cannot speak for the other, but OBGE Liquid Water has no current issues that I am aware of. You would do best asking in the OBGE Liquid Water thread (or even the OBGE thread, at a pinch) for definite answers there. Or, with many mods, you can ask in the "comments" section at the mod download site in question, and the modder(s) might respond.



Hm. Well, I am not sure it is exactly what you are asking for, but I still believe that http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1170609-how-do-i-make-body-seams-as-unnoticeable-as-possible/ might prove to be illuminating. And yes, typically, what affects PCs will affect NPCs as well.



I cannot speak for that mod (I have never even downloaded it, let alone tried it), and I currently use a 2GB graphics card, but - based on my estimations - I would not recommend that mod, no. And watch out for Better Cities, for it can be a FPS killer!

Oh graphics overhauls. I (and anybody else) could say many things, but really the only way to find out is to try it for yourself, and see what your opinion is. I recommend installing any texture overhauls using Wrye Bash and Bain, as that will let you switch between and compare graphics mods with a few clicks instead of hunting through your oblivion folder, trying to delete/paste files. alt3rn1ty's http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=35230 is a great introduction.
I try to stay as true to the mood of the game as possible. I'm sure others can recommend great stuff I haven't even thought of.

Terrain: Just about all of the texture replacers are higher quality and make things "sharper", sometimes more than is necessary. I like QTP3 as it remains true to Oblivion's original colour palette, but http://www.tesnexus.com/modules/members/index.php?id=66583 has made some really nice smaller texture packs that aren't overly sharp or bumpy. There are other texture mods that make the world brighter or gloomier as well.

Water: I haven't found one I like yet so uhh yeah. OBGE water is on my list of things to try out.

Faces: HGEC and Robert's only change the bodies. For faces you want 3 different things: A texture replacer, an age map replacer (basically wrinkles), and something to change the npc's faces into Not Potatoes :cryvaultboy: .
I like to install http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5643 for the age maps and overwrite it with http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9534 for the basic face texture. http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=16843 revamps all of the npc faces in the game to give them a bit more personality (Not Potato Heads), while staying true to their character.
There is another option that makes the npcs sort of anime pretty instead. VRD does a mix and match of a bunch of different mods, but it doesn't change npc faces like TNR. Also I have ignored the beast races just because.

VRAM: is always a problem. If you combine Better cities, VRD and QTP3, you will get a performance hit, especially in cities but it shouldn't be killer. Major graphics overhauls are harmless on their own but the frame rate hit gets exponentially worse for each one you add. To put it another way VRD makes npcs eat fps and Better Cities makes more npcs which eat more fps. RAEVWD eats lots of fps outside. QTP3 makes ALL of them eat more fps. Use Better Open Cities, Unique Landscapes and RAEVWD as well and you will get a pretty slideshow. Any three of the mods I just mentioned should run well together on a modern pc, but each one you add multiplies the frame rate hit. Decide what is important and leave the rest out.

Well, I try what I can, but I'm only emergency staff. :whistling:

For water: I've tried a few mods over the years, but I like Realistic Water v2 the best.

Landscape: I use QTP. A lot of folks will recommend Bomrets, AmpolX, and/or Detailed Terrain. It really boils down to a) what you like, and B) what your system can handle.

Faces: I second Snargle here - get IFT and overlay it with Enayla.

Oh, and another thread well worth perusing is http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1213147-oblivion-the-beautiful/. Plnety of information about various graphics mods, and links too!


Ethatron: Hopefully I have not sent too many that way, hehe. Fellow gamers, the best way is to use the right Rel/Relz thread - really!

Arafel, Snargelfargen,

Thanks for the characters mod suggestions. My humans now look human instead of lumpy ellipsoids and the textures are great. Currently trying to resolve a few bugs (invisible hands!) before I attempt to get beasts and elves updated and then I'll move onto landscapes/architecture.

In my opinion, I prefer QTP3 Terrain texture because it is the most intensive option so far. Graphic of games tends to be intensive, so does Skyrim's.

Here are some graphic enhance mods I collected(except QTP3):

CloudRulerTemple, Arena, and Kvatch
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=40333

Oblivion realm
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=27887

OBGE water
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=37825

Alive Water
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6914

All Natural
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=18305

ImprovedAmuletsAndRings
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=17147

Book_Jackets_Oblivion_High_Res
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5570

Grimbots_Spell_Tomes
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=16247

Improved_Fires_and_Flames
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=38061

High_Resolution_Hay_Bail_Textures
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=27138

High-Res_Varla_and_Welkynd_Texture_Replacer
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=36814

Improved_Fruits_Vegetables_and_Meats
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=10487

Improved_Signs
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=9498

Improved_Sky_Textures
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=7694

Improved_Soulgems
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=4611

Improved_Trees_and_Flora
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8298
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=8500
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=11891

Intoxicant_Improvement
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5297

Realistic_Horse_Eyes
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=6252

Shining_Creatures
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=29735

Soolies_Better_Enchantment_Effects
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=30489

Visually_Improved_Staffs
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=38438

Animated_Window_Lighting_System
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=19628

Darooz artsupplies
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41122

Darooz Trees
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41109

Darooz Upperclass clutter
http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=41108


OBGE water is the best option without doubt. It replaces water shader and the shoreline looks even better than in Skyrim.
Other water mods only change textures, transparency and color of water, it's up to your taste.
Enhanced Water and Realistic Water are good options as well.


If you change mesh/textures for vanilla races, both PC and NPC would be changed.


Since I am the author, I have to say that my VRAM usage barely hits 1 GB so far since I installed VRD, QTP3(full), All Natural, OBGE and other texture mods, but it is very close to 1GB.
It seems 1 GB is a critical value, so I can't guarantee whether 1 GB is enough.
Please beware that VRD is not compatible with the popular MBP++.