VWD Question : IV

» Tue Dec 13, 2011 12:36 am

I recently finalized a new install of Oblivion that I"m hoping to get a full play through this time, however I had one major stability issue caused by running VWD (RAEVWD) and Better Cities at the same time. After playing with my load, toying with all the settings I can think of, it came down to the fact that I could enable Distant Land and play with an average 20-40 FPS in the exterior (without crashing) assuming I uninstalled Better Cities, or I could install Better Cities and disable Distant Land (and run 30-60 fps).

My question is, can I do anything about that? I've got the 4gb enabler patch (which Oblivion would crash before I even hit 1.8gb of memory usage, let alone more than that), disabling the high quality VWD meshes and turning off RAEVWD and/or Better Cities VWD plugin didn't help. I've got OSR, played with enabling FPSmoothing in Streamline to go with it, tried to track down all the useful OSR and Oblivion.ini configuration settings I could find, but no go. I also tried getting rid of Vibrant Textures and Really Textured Normal Maps.

Am I just screwed by having a huge mod load? I haven't had time to try it (not much free time during the week, especially when a lot of mods means loading oblivion and a save/new game takes 30 seconds), but can I disable large quest mods (stuff like Lost Spires, Heart of the Dead, etc...) or would they have no effect on the world at large when it comes to enabling VWD and not crashing? I'd like to keep Distant Land enabled with Better Cities, and I'm willing to ditch a lot of stuff I've got to make that happen, just not sure if I can even make it happen and how to go about it, or if there are some tweaks I missed that could help make it happen without changing anything.

My mod list, if it matters:

Bain Packages:

Spoiler

-- 000 - Stage 1.7z (00000000) (Not Installed)++ 001 - Unofficial_Patches_Supplemental_v3-3-7.7z (5B415752) (Installed)++ 002 - DLT_OBSE_V2-4.zip (D899C6CF) (Installed)++ 003 - Dungeon_Actors_Have_Torches_1.6.zip (D301C2DB) (Installed)++ 004 - Exterior_Actors_Have_Torches_1-32.7z (39803544) (Installed)++ 005 - Automatic_Timescale_1_1_1.7z (841C1A5D) (Installed)++ 006 - Stealth_Overhaul.zip (AAEA8DE2) (Installed)++ 007 - Alternative_Beginnings-1-2-1.7z (74ACBC8F) (Installed)++ 008 - Harvest_Flora_v3_0_1.zip (647BF865) (Installed)++ 009 - Soulgem Magic 2.0.7z (2C48D6CD) (Installed)++ 010 - Enchantment_Restore_Over_Time.zip (85AB7925) (Installed)++ 011 - Keychain_v5_00-OMOD.7z (6C3187AE) (Installed)++ 012 - Oblivion Stereo Sound Overhaul.7z (7A8C37FE) (Installed)++ 013 - Reneers_Guard_Overhaul_2-55.zip (0A7FFD4A) (Installed)++ 014 - SM_Combat_Hide_V1-2.zip (8D90E176) (Installed)++ 015 - Quest_Award_Leveller.7z (9ED3C3EC) (Installed)++ 016 - Persuasion_Overhaul_v1-43.zip (028F01F1) (Installed)++ 017 - More_Immersive_Sound_Edited_1dot0.7z (304B973D) (Installed)++ 018 - TQP_v3-2-0.zip (BDC2F3A5) (Installed)-- 019 - Stage 2.7z (00000000) (Not Installed)++ 020 - Gates_To_Aesgaard.7z (9F30B385) (Installed)++ 021 - Bartholm v70.zip (9605A25C) (Installed)++ 022 - Companion_Vilja_3-0-2_and_Red_Rose_Manor_1-1.7z (823ED365) (Installed)++ 023 - EiA 1-2.7z (80BDE204) (Installed)++ 024 - Frostcrag_Reborn.7z (8B6E07BC) (Installed)++ 025 - Golden_Crest_v120a.7z (8AEF5B46) (Installed)++ 026 - Hoarfrost_Castle.7z (E44B7126) (Installed)++ 027 - A_Brotherhood_Renewed_1-0-12.7z (367A10AD) (Installed)++ 028 - Faregyl_Village-2-0-4.7z (7BD4443C) (Installed)++ 029 - ImpeREAL_Empire_Unique_Forts_v2_61.7z (9625513F) (Installed)++ 030 - Molapi.7z (CF2F7BA9) (Installed)++ 031 - Vergayun-1-0-7.7z (E3A80433) (Installed)++ 032 - HOD.7z (1817260B) (Installed)++ 033 - AFK_Weye_Version_2_2.rar (0B0EE079) (Installed)++ 034 - Scarlet_Monastery.zip (8FC36E8E) (Installed)++ 035 - Better_Benirus_Manor_BAIN.7z (DAFB5033) (Installed)++ 036 - Better_Benirus_Manor_-_Helping_Hands_v2-01.7z (2E184049) (Installed)++ 037 - Shadowfang_Keep.zip (E34896A6) (Installed)++ 038 - Blood&Mud (Fixed Dial.) 1.0.7z (A3B1EC07) (Installed)++ 039 - Glenvar Castle.7z (FEEF7639) (Installed)++ 040 - Integration - The Stranded Light.7z (F894D38A) (Installed)++ 041 - Ivellon 1-8.7z (64E10D52) (Installed)++ 042 - Kragenir's Death Quest.7z (E9C055C3) (Installed)++ 043 - Kvatch_Rebuilt_1-1.7z (63F1AEFB) (Installed)++ 044 - Lost_Paladins_of_the_Divines_1_0.7z (5D815F79) (Installed)++ 045 - Malevolent.7z (2849251B) (Installed)++ 046 - MIDAS_MAGIC_SPELLS_OF_AURUM_0995a.zip (FC161EC9) (Installed)++ 047 - New_Roads_and_Bridges_Revised.7z (FEAE4EB3) (Installed)++ 048 - RTT_3-0-1.7z (AB072B6F) (Installed)++ 049 - Sentient Weapon II 1-3.7z (782280A1) (Installed)++ 050 - Servant_of_the_Dawn_2.25.zip (FC0944B5) (Installed)++ 051 - Tears of the Fiend.7z (8667502D) (Installed)++ 052 - The Fight for Castle Ravenpride.7z (9BC135FD) (Installed)++ 053 - The_Ayleid_Steps_3-4.7z (B0F1356B) (Installed)++ 054 - LordKain_Adash_Full_v300.7z (0EC0C906) (Installed)++ 055 - The_Lost_Spires_v14.zip (41D2D44C) (Installed)++ 056 - The_Old_Crow_Inn.7z (4A8D1A3F) (Installed)++ 057 - The_Romancing_of_Eyja_v1-4.rar (B6ECF66A) (Installed)++ 058 - Verona_House_Bloodlines_1-2-Fixed.7z (52FC340C) (Installed)-- 059 - Stage 3.7z (00000000) (Not Installed)++ 060 - FCOM-00-OMOBS.7z (BF6A7DB7) (Installed)++ 061 - FCOM-01-Frans.7z (4F7F7134) (Installed)++ 062 - FCOM-02-OOO_Complete_134b5.7z (116318D3) (Installed)++ 063 - FCOM-03-ArmaComplete-Artifacts.7z (C60058D2) (Installed)++ 064 - FCOM-04-Bobs Armory Oblivion 1-1.7z (DDB3C859) (Installed)++ 065 - FCOM-05-Loth_Blunt_Weapons_ver_3-0-1.7z (4A5ADB8A) (Installed)++ 066 - FCOM-06-OWC_1-09.7z (14E99A44) (Installed)++ 067 - FCOM-07-MMM.7z (2678673D) (Installed)++ 068 - FCOM-08-COBL.7z (5DCE7BC4) (Installed)++ 069 - FCOM-09-FCOM.7z (2392367D) (Installed)-- 070 - Stage 4.7z (00000000) (Not Installed)++ 071 - Really Textured Normal Maps.7z (37011D53) (Installed)++ 072 - Diverse Grasses 0.6.zip (2D0082B2) (Installed)++ 073 - RPG-BlackDragons Trees 1.0.7z (1583DB72) (Installed)++ 074 - Vibrant_1-6-5.7z (2DD74501) (Installed)++ 075 - RAEVWD_v1-9.7z (73FB4AA0) (Installed)++ 076 - RAEVWD_SI_Edition_v1-7.7z (211DC158) (Installed)-- 077 - Stage 5.7z (00000000) (Not Installed)++ 078 - All_Natural.7z (423BECF3) (Installed)-- 079 - Better_Cities_Permanent_Resources.7z (E40E8173) (Not Installed)-- 080 - Better_Cities_Resources_5-0-0.7z (C0C30211) (Not Installed)++ 081 - ULComp166.7z (6E191BA4) (Installed)++ 082 - Unique_Landscapes_LODs.7z (80BB4AA4) (Installed)-- 083 - Better_Cities_5-0-6.7z (CA2AA064) (Not Installed)++ 084 - UL_Compatibility_Patches_Compilation_WIZBAIN.7z (96210E5A) (Installed)++ 085 - Animated_Window_Lighting_System_v5-5-4.7z (C81E2E3B) (Installed)-- 086 - Stage 6.7z (00000000) (Not Installed)++ 087 - DarkUId_DarN_16.7z (5D2BFB4E) (Installed)++ 088 - Atmospheric_Loading_Screens_3_65.7z (DE8982A3) (Installed)++ 089 - Elven Map Redux-SI.7z (4DE77D14) (Installed)++ 090 - Enhanced Economy 5.4.7z (2414D180) (Installed)++ 091 - Enhanced Hotkeys 2.3.7z (4B743870) (Installed)++ 092 - Custom_Spell_Icons_v3_1.zip (505891FC) (Installed)++ 093 - Display_Stats_2_0_1.rar (3AA3907A) (Installed)++ 094 - Quest_Log_Manager_1_3_2b.7z (D02D8C5B) (Installed)++ 095 - Map_Marker_Overhaul_3_9.7z (383BEA7A) (Installed)++ 096 - HUD_Status_Bars_4_3.7z (F6A13BD7) (Installed)++ 097 - Dynamic_Map__2_0-.rar (3F4152B6) (Installed)++ 098 - Oblivion_XP_4-1-9a.7z (A2559F7B) (Installed)++ 099 - LessAnnoyingMagicExperienceEV 1,7.7z (5F151FEF) (Installed)++ 100 - Supreme Magicka 0.90.7z (264D3045) (Installed)++ 101 - Race Balancing Project 10,5 - Installation Files Complete.7z (BE912B9F) (Installed)++ 102 - Race Balancing Project 10,5 EV.7z (022A98D4) (Installed)-- 103 - Stage 7.7z (00000000) (Not Installed)++ 104 - Roberts Male Body.7z (74C5CB57) (Installed)++ 105 - EVE_HGEC_BodyStock_and_Clothing_Wrye_Bash_BAIN.7z (4C684974) (Installed)++ 106 - EVE_Stock_Equipment_Replacer_for_FCOM_1_4.7z (761D67A5) (Installed)++ 107 - EVE_for_Francesco_BAIN_Installer.7z (736691AE) (Installed)++ 108 - EVE_for_Oscuro_Oblivion_Overhaul_1_3_BAIN.7z (1FEE0F34) (Installed)++ 109 - EVE_for_Martigen_Monster_Mod_BAIN.7z (C5BFDAE2) (Installed)++ 110 - EVE_for_Armamentarium_BAIN_Installer.7z (2EC6ADAA) (Installed)++ 111 - EVE_for_Artifacts_Beta_055.7z (B925A6FE) (Installed)++ 112 - Body_Seam_Reducer.7z (0F378394) (Installed)++ 113 - Natural_Faces_v95.zip (031CE59E) (Installed)++ 114 - FaceTextures2.rar (ABDD1165) (Installed)++ 115 - IFTv21.7z (7E98DEC4) (Installed)-- 116 - Stage 8.7z (00000000) (Not Installed)117 - ==Last==

I am thinking of ditching Supreme Magicka as well as removing a couple of the quests which have no major impact on exterior cells and are really designed for high level characters (like Lost Paladins of the Divine), but I can't imagine those would make a lot of difference for this issue.

» Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:01 pm

This won't answer your question, but I notice something looking over your install list. Your very fist installed mod is UOPS. However, I see no reference to the original UOP, or any other unofficial patches for that matter. It is certainly possible that you have combined them, or some of them, into one installable package .... I used to do that back in my OMOD days. If that's not the case.... be aware that UOPS is exactly that, a supplement to the UOP (v3.2) and other other unofficial patches depending on your particular installation. You need those installed first, then UOPS afterward so that it overwrites them as needed.

-Decrepit-

» Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:19 pm

If you're using the VWD for Better Cities, did you make a point of not installing the IC VWD from RAEVWD? If you use both you'll have overlap which will likely grind many systems to dust when looking toward the IC.

Beyond that, did you try lowering your uGridDistantCount in your Oblivion.ini file as suggested in the RAEVWD documentation? You also need to make corresponding changes in your Streamline INI file as well.

For example, in Oblivion.ini I have set:

uGridDistantTreeRange=14uGridDistantCount=14

In Streamline's ini I have the following per the Streamline documentation:

SLv.MinDistanceFog to 19000SLv.MaxDistanceFog to 81000

In your OSR ini file see if you've set the following, assuming you're using the latest version of OSR:

bReplaceHeap = 1iHeapAlgorithm = 6  iHeapSize = 1024

» Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:20 am

This won't answer your question, but I notice something looking over your install list. Your very fist installed mod is UOPS. However, I see no reference to the original UOP, or any other unofficial patches for that matter. It is certainly possible that you have combined them, or some of them, into one installable package .... I used to do that back in my OMOD days. If that's not the case.... be aware that UOPS is exactly that, a supplement to the UOP (v3.2) and other other unofficial patches depending on your particular installation. You need those installed first, then UOPS afterward so that it overwrites them as needed.

-Decrepit-

Just to shorten the list a bit I often combine archives into one when a mod has several or, as with the UOPs, when they're all focused on the same thing. Edit: Much like you pointed out and I re-iterated like an idiot before I editted it out.

If you're using the VWD for Better Cities, did you make a point of not installing the IC VWD from RAEVWD? If you use both you'll have overlap which will likely grind many systems to dust when looking toward the IC.

Beyond that, did you try lowering your uGridDistantCount in your Oblivion.ini file as suggested in the RAEVWD documentation? You also need to make corresponding changes in your Streamline INI file as well.

I didn't use the RAEVWD plugin, but I also missed the suggested RAEVWD edits. I'll try that considering I'd raised those considerably above what is suggested. Much appreciated for pointing that out!

» Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:09 am

Also note Better Cities will always cause you to have low fps in cities. The amount of stuff it adds (especially NPCs which the engine hates), coupled with the engine being pretty rubbish anyway, everyone is going to get low-ish fps in cities with Better Cities installed.

» Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:51 pm

Also note Better Cities will always cause you to have low fps in cities. The amount of stuff it adds (especially NPCs which the engine hates), coupled with the engine being pretty rubbish anyway, everyone is going to get low-ish fps in cities with Better Cities installed.

Actually I do just fine on the FPS set. The only time I dip into an area (even with Better Cities and my current setup of RAEVWD) where its unacceptable is around the Waterfront, and even then it only gets as low as 15. Inside the cities I'm easily 30+ 90% of the time. My only problem is the inevitable crash whenever I'm near the exterior of the IC for a couple minutes.