GTX 970 For Skyrim 300+ Mods?

[Maximan]

Hello,

I'm in the market for a GPU and my eyes are set on the GTX 970. Despite the whole 3.5GB issue I honestly don't mind it at all. What I want to know is can a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming Edition handle Skyrim with over 300+ mods? Specifically, the mod list is right here.

http://wiki.step-project.com/User:Neovalen/Skyrim_Revisited_-_Legendary_Edition

The mod author gives full instructions on what to do. Usually there is a performance version of texture mods which I will choose as to save VRAM and increase performance. He uses a GTX 980 so a 970 shouldn't be too far off from that. I also plan to merge that mod list with another one, here.

http://wiki.step-project.com/Pack:Explorers_Guide

My only concern is if I can handle all of these mods plus a few others of my choice (that don't affect performance) at 1080p 50+ FPS. I will turn settings down to Medium if I have to. Again, I have no issues choosing performance variants of re-textures. All help is appreciated. My specs are:

-Intel I5-4690k
-8gb Corsair Vengeance Pro RAM
-Phanteks PH-TC14PE
-ASUS ROG VII Hero Motherboard
-NZXT H440
-128GB Crucial SSD
-EVGA NEX 750B2 PSU
-Windows 8.1

I also plan to purchase another 128GB SSD to RAID.

Thank you!

 

[RCFProd]

I'd be surprised if someone can accurately answer this.

How are your loading times going to be like with 300+ mods?

 

[Lag]

I have the gtx 970 and play Skyrim with about 135 mods or so, and most of them are content mods. If you are talking about 300+ graphical and texture mods, then no. Because Skyrim has that pesky 3.2GB ram limit, and will have trouble running. But if the majority of mods is content, then it should be fine.

 

[Maximan]

I'd be surprised if someone can accurately answer this.

How are your loading times going to be like with 300+ mods?

I've actually played with all of these mods before on Intel HD 4600 graphics. With all settings on low and at 720p I was getting 7 FPS average. My loading times were about 10 seconds less than compared to a normal HDD with vanilla Skyrim which to me is quite great. If I RAID I'm pretty sure loading times will be significantly faster. The space it took up at the time was near 60GB so I wasn't surprised when loading screens took quite a while.

 

[Jose Luis Lopes]

1- I recommend getting one 250gb SSD instead of 2x128 as the change of failure and total data lost is doubled in RAID (assuming you talking in RAID 0)
2- It depends higly on the mods, but I would say that at these setting, you can expect 1080p 60 fps

 

[Maximan]

I have the gtx 970 and play Skyrim with about 135 mods or so, and most of them are content mods. If you are talking about 300+ graphical and texture mods, then no. Because Skyrim has that pesky 3.2GB ram limit, and will have trouble running. But if the majority of mods is content, then it should be fine.

Actually, I'm using ENBoost which has an option in the ini file to remove the 3.2GB issue. You just put in your number of VRAM (in megabytes) + System RAM (megabytes) and subtract by 2048 megabytes and you put the final calculation where the ini specifies.

1- I recommend getting one 250gb SSD instead of 2x128 as the change of failure and total data lost is doubled in RAID (assuming you talking in RAID 0)
2- It depends higly on the mods, but I would say that at these setting, you can expect 1080p 60 fps

I already have my system set up, so I do have a 128GB SSD. Are you suggesting that I use a 256GB SSD separately? If that's the case then that isn't a problem

 

[Maximan]

I have the gtx 970 and play Skyrim with about 135 mods or so, and most of them are content mods. If you are talking about 300+ graphical and texture mods, then no. Because Skyrim has that pesky 3.2GB ram limit, and will have trouble running. But if the majority of mods is content, then it should be fine.

Actually, I'm using ENBoost which has an option in the ini file to remove the 3.2GB issue. You just put in your number of VRAM (in megabytes) + System RAM (megabytes) and subtract by 2048 megabytes and you put the final calculation where the ini specifies.

1- I recommend getting one 250gb SSD instead of 2x128 as the change of failure and total data lost is doubled in RAID (assuming you talking in RAID 0)
2- It depends higly on the mods, but I would say that at these setting, you can expect 1080p 60 fps

I already have my system set up, so I do have a 128GB SSD. Are you suggesting that I use a 256GB SSD separately? If that's the case then that isn't a problem

 

[azathoth]

I'd be surprised if someone can accurately answer this.

How are your loading times going to be like with 300+ mods?

I tried it, and honestly the load times for a cold loading scenario are MISERABLE at first. The initial load off of a 7200RPM HDD took a good few minutes. After the initial first ingame loading, it really only takes a few extra seconds to load areas afterwards.

 

[Lag]

I have the gtx 970 and play Skyrim with about 135 mods or so, and most of them are content mods. If you are talking about 300+ graphical and texture mods, then no. Because Skyrim has that pesky 3.2GB ram limit, and will have trouble running. But if the majority of mods is content, then it should be fine.

Actually, I'm using ENBoost which has an option in the ini file to remove the 3.2GB issue. You just put in your number of VRAM (in megabytes) + System RAM (megabytes) and subtract by 2048 megabytes and you put the final calculation where the ini specifies.

Edit: That doesn't remove the issue, it just offloads some of the texture load to the gpu instead of the RAM to alleviate the RAM usage.

 

[Maximan]

I have the gtx 970 and play Skyrim with about 135 mods or so, and most of them are content mods. If you are talking about 300+ graphical and texture mods, then no. Because Skyrim has that pesky 3.2GB ram limit, and will have trouble running. But if the majority of mods is content, then it should be fine.

Actually, I'm using ENBoost which has an option in the ini file to remove the 3.2GB issue. You just put in your number of VRAM (in megabytes) + System RAM (megabytes) and subtract by 2048 megabytes and you put the final calculation where the ini specifies.

That doesn't remove the issue, it just offloads some of the texture load to the gpu instead of the RAM to alleviate the VRAM usage.

Two years back I seen somebody with a Titan hit 5GB of VRAM. I assumed that ENBoost eliminated that issue but I'm realizing that in a way that wouldn't make sense because it's an engine limitation. Hm, alright.

I'd be surprised if someone can accurately answer this.

How are your loading times going to be like with 300+ mods?

I tried it, and honestly the load times for a cold loading scenario are MISERABLE at first. The initial load off of a 7200RPM HDD took a good few minutes. After the initial first ingame loading, it really only takes a few extra seconds to load areas afterwards.

Well, that's good to know, an SSD should take care of that then

 

[Jose Luis Lopes]

1- I recommend getting one 250gb SSD instead of 2x128 as the change of failure and total data lost is doubled in RAID (assuming you talking in RAID 0)
2- It depends higly on the mods, but I would say that at these setting, you can expect 1080p 60 fps

I already have my system set up, so I do have a 128GB SSD. Are you suggesting that I use a 256GB SSD separately? If that's the case then that isn't a problem
[/quotemsg]
In that case case I think RAID 0 2 of them is the best solution to your system, but I recommend making backup of the SSDs to somewhere (another HDD or an external one) in case of failure because if one fails you lose the data from both, but it will improve the loading times if you put the game on the SSD

 

[Maximan]

1- I recommend getting one 250gb SSD instead of 2x128 as the change of failure and total data lost is doubled in RAID (assuming you talking in RAID 0)
2- It depends higly on the mods, but I would say that at these setting, you can expect 1080p 60 fps

I already have my system set up, so I do have a 128GB SSD. Are you suggesting that I use a 256GB SSD separately? If that's the case then that isn't a problem

In that case case I think RAID 0 2 of them is the best solution to your system, but I recommend making backup of the SSDs to somewhere (another HDD or an external one) in case of failure because if one fails you lose the data from both, but it will improve the loading times if you put the game on the SSD
[/quotemsg]

If that's the case would purchasing two SSD's, one 128GB and one 64GB, be a good idea? I'm thinking about RAIDING the two 128GB SSD's and putting heavy loading time games on there (Skyrim and GTA 5) and using the smaller 64GB for boot. Also, I'll purchase a 1TB HDD for general games/storage. Is that a good move?

 

[Jose Luis Lopes]

1- I recommend getting one 250gb SSD instead of 2x128 as the change of failure and total data lost is doubled in RAID (assuming you talking in RAID 0)
2- It depends higly on the mods, but I would say that at these setting, you can expect 1080p 60 fps

I already have my system set up, so I do have a 128GB SSD. Are you suggesting that I use a 256GB SSD separately? If that's the case then that isn't a problem

In that case case I think RAID 0 2 of them is the best solution to your system, but I recommend making backup of the SSDs to somewhere (another HDD or an external one) in case of failure because if one fails you lose the data from both, but it will improve the loading times if you put the game on the SSD

If that's the case would purchasing two SSD's, one 128GB and one 64GB, be a good idea? I'm thinking about RAIDING the two 128GB SSD's and putting heavy loading time games on there (Skyrim and GTA 5) and using the smaller 64GB for boot. Also, I'll purchase a 1TB HDD for general games/storage. Is that a good move?

[/quotemsg]
You can use the raid config for boot and put skyrim, SSD aren't mechanical so it shouldn't matter that much.
Never saw someone doing that but it is an option I think...

 

[Maximan]

1- I recommend getting one 250gb SSD instead of 2x128 as the change of failure and total data lost is doubled in RAID (assuming you talking in RAID 0)
2- It depends higly on the mods, but I would say that at these setting, you can expect 1080p 60 fps

I already have my system set up, so I do have a 128GB SSD. Are you suggesting that I use a 256GB SSD separately? If that's the case then that isn't a problem

In that case case I think RAID 0 2 of them is the best solution to your system, but I recommend making backup of the SSDs to somewhere (another HDD or an external one) in case of failure because if one fails you lose the data from both, but it will improve the loading times if you put the game on the SSD

If that's the case would purchasing two SSD's, one 128GB and one 64GB, be a good idea? I'm thinking about RAIDING the two 128GB SSD's and putting heavy loading time games on there (Skyrim and GTA 5) and using the smaller 64GB for boot. Also, I'll purchase a 1TB HDD for general games/storage. Is that a good move?

You can use the raid config for boot and put skyrim, SSD aren't mechanical so it shouldn't matter that much.
Never saw someone doing that but it is an option I think...
[/quotemsg]

Alright, that sounds good, I'll put only Skyrim and GTA 5 on it because of the ridiculous load times on both games. So will the Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming Edition card do the trick? I'm overclocking as well.

 

[4745454b]

I'd be surprised if someone can accurately answer this

This has actually been answered in his other threads on this very subject. This is Tommyturners other account. This is at least the 4th or maybe 5th time he's asked this.

 

[assassin445522]

I have the gtx 970 and play Skyrim with about 135 mods or so, and most of them are content mods. If you are talking about 300+ graphical and texture mods, then no. Because Skyrim has that pesky 3.2GB ram limit, and will have trouble running. But if the majority of mods is content, then it should be fine.

i think there are programs that force games to use more ram, and ik you can do it manually most games but idk how to

 

[Lag]

I have the gtx 970 and play Skyrim with about 135 mods or so, and most of them are content mods. If you are talking about 300+ graphical and texture mods, then no. Because Skyrim has that pesky 3.2GB ram limit, and will have trouble running. But if the majority of mods is content, then it should be fine.

i think there are programs that force games to use more ram, and ik you can do it manually most games but idk how to

As I said earlier. There are programs that offload some of the load from the RAM over to the VRAM to help the game stay under 3.2GB RAM usage, enboost for example. But you cant' make a 32-bit application to magically use 8GB RAM. I at least haven't seen any methods for this.

 

[Maximan]

Alright, can we please "rewind" the thread back to it's original topic? I know I started this whole RAM conversation and such but all I want to know is if I can handle all of these mods together with a 970? How will the FPS sustain if I turn settings and AA down?

 

[Lag]

Alright, can we please "rewind" the thread back to it's original topic? I know I started this whole RAM conversation and such but all I want to know is if I can handle all of these mods together with a 970? How will the FPS sustain if I turn settings and AA down?

With 300+ mods or so (if you can get it stable), could give you anywhere from 30-60 fps depending on how many of them are graphic mods. As i assume not all of them are graphic mods, you should be fine, but I would go with an 980 if you can, to avoid the microstutter that will surely present itself with that many mods. Because you are also storing alot of textures in you VRAM, and it will fill up quickly with that many mods, therefore I cannot in good conscience recommend the 970 for skyrim. Hope this helps

 

[Maximan]

Alright, can we please "rewind" the thread back to it's original topic? I know I started this whole RAM conversation and such but all I want to know is if I can handle all of these mods together with a 970? How will the FPS sustain if I turn settings and AA down?

With 300+ mods or so (if you can get it stable), could give you anywhere from 30-60 fps depending on how many of them are graphic mods. As i assume not all of them are graphic mods, you should be fine, but I would go with an 980 if you can, to avoid the microstutter that will surely present itself with that many mods. Because you are also storing alot of textures in you VRAM, and it will fill up quickly with that many mods, therefore I cannot in good conscience recommend the 970 for skyrim. Hope this helps

Thank you. Everybody in here gave me an appropriate answer I was looking for and I thank you all for that!