Better lod in Skyrim | No Dyndolod

[SgtPow3rs]

Hi!

Any veterans here who know how I can tweak my Skyrimprefs.ini file to get the best LOD/performance in Skyrim? Is ultra settings in the Launcher settings enough?

I know some tweaks can mess up performance, thats why I'm asking :)

[XxzodazZ]

Beth ini crank to max then back off a bit if pc struggles

[SgtPow3rs]

Originally posted by XxzodazZ:

Beth ini crank to max then back off a bit if pc struggles

Ok ok but what about those Skyrimpref.ini setting you can tweak?

[Ozymandias]

BethINI is a tool to manage those ini files. Though there's only so much you can do with ini tweaks.

[SgtPow3rs]

I mean tweaks like these:
https://www.reddit.com/r/skyrimmods/comments/5i8xee/skyrim_se_ini_settings_that_help_with_texturelod/

[SgtScum]

Yeah thats what bethini modifies. There is a preset that goes beyond ultra and you can also dial in lod ranges even further than what bethini allows provided your pc can handle it.

You can try mine if you want since I've tweaked it to push the game engine to its limits on rendering distance. Just make sure to make a backup of the existing ini files.

skyrim.ini

[General]
sLanguage=ENGLISH
sTestFile1=Dawnguard.esm
sTestFile2=HearthFires.esm
sTestFile3=Dragonborn.esm
uExterior Cell Buffer=36
bBackgroundLoadVMData=1
fFlickeringLightDistance=8192
iFPSClamp=60
sIntroSequence=
uGridsToLoad=5
fEncumberedReminderTimer=30
SLocalSavePath=Saves\
[Display]
fLightLODStartFade=150000.0
fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=9999999.0000
fFirstSliceDistance=4000
fDynamicDOFFarBlur=0.4
fDDOFFocusCenterweightExt=2
fDOFMaxDepthParticipation=10000
bEnableLandFade=0
bEnableSnowMask=0
bEnableSnowRimLighting=0
bVolumetricLightingDisableInterior=0
fDecalLifetime=300
fGlobalBrightnessBoost=0.0000
fGlobalContrastBoost=0.0000
fGlobalSaturationBoost=0.0000
fLightLODRange=34816
fShadowDirectionalBiasScale=0.47
fSnowGeometrySpecPower=3.00
fSnowNormalSpecPower=2.00
fSnowRimLightIntensity=0.30
fSparklesDensity=0.85
fSparklesSize=6.00
fSunShadowUpdateTime=0.25
fSunUpdateThreshold=0.05
fWaterSSRIntensity=0.5
iLandscapeMultiNormalTilingFactor=1
bShowMarkers=0
[Audio]
fMusicDuckingSeconds=6.0
fMusicUnDuckingSeconds=8.0
fMenuModeFadeOutTime=3.0
fMenuModeFadeInTime=1.0
uMaxSizeForCachedSound=4096
[Grass]
bAllowCreateGrass=1
bAllowLoadGrass=0
fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance=150000.0000
fGrassMinStartFadeDistance=0.0000
bDrawShaderGrass=1
fGrassFadeRange=14128
fGrassWindMagnitudeMax=125
fGrassWindMagnitudeMin=5
iGrassCellRadius=2
iMaxGrassTypesPerTexure=15
iMinGrassSize=40
[Decals]
uMaxSkinDecalPerActor=60
bDecals=2
bSkinnedDecals=2
[LightingShader]
fDecalLODFadeStart=1
fDecalLODFadeEnd=1.1
fEnvmapLODFadeEnd=1.1
fEnvmapLODFadeStart=1
[Imagespace]
iRadialBlurLevel=2
[GeneralWarnings]
SGeneralMasterMismatchWarning=One or more plugins could not find the correct versions of the master files they depend on. Errors may occur during load or game play. Check the "Warnings.txt" file for more information.
[Archive]
sResourceArchiveList=Skyrim - Misc.bsa, Skyrim - Shaders.bsa, Skyrim - Interface.bsa, Skyrim - Animations.bsa, Skyrim - Meshes0.bsa, Skyrim - Meshes1.bsa, Skyrim - Sounds.bsa
sResourceArchiveList2=Skyrim - Voices_en0.bsa, Skyrim - Textures0.bsa, Skyrim - Textures1.bsa, Skyrim - Textures2.bsa, Skyrim - Textures3.bsa, Skyrim - Textures4.bsa, Skyrim - Textures5.bsa, Skyrim - Textures6.bsa, Skyrim - Textures7.bsa, Skyrim - Textures8.bsa, Skyrim - Patch.bsa
bLoadArchiveInMemory=1
sArchiveToLoadInMemoryList=Skyrim - Animations.bsa
bInvalidateOlderFiles=1
sResourceDataDirsFinal=
[Combat]
fMagnetismStrafeHeadingMult=0.0
fMagnetismLookingMult=0.0
f1PArrowTiltUpAngle=0.7
f1PBoltTiltUpAngle=0.7
f3PArrowTiltUpAngle=0.7
bForceNPCsUseAmmo=1
[Actor]
bUseNavMeshForMovement=0
[Papyrus]
fPostLoadUpdateTimeMS=2000
bEnableLogging=0
bEnableTrace=0
bLoadDebugInformation=0
bEnableProfiling=0
[Camera]
fMouseWheelZoomSpeed=10.00
[Controls]
fDialogueHardStopAngle1P=180
fDialogueHardStopAngle3P=180
fDialogueSoftStopAngle1P=150
fDialogueSoftStopAngle3P=150
fMouseHeadingSensitivityMax=0.0625
fMouseHeadingXScale=0.0200
fMouseHeadingYScale=0.8500
[HAVOK]
fMaxTime=0.01666667
[Interface]
bShowTutorials=0
uMaxCustomItemNameLength=64
[LOD]
fDistanceMultiplier=1.00
[MapMenu]
fMapWorldMaxPitch=90
fMapWorldMinPitch=0
fMapWorldYawRange=400
bWorldMapNoSkyDepthBlur=1
fWorldMapDepthBlurScale=0
fWorldMapMaximumDepthBlur=0
fWorldMapNearDepthBlurScale=0
[Menu]
iConsoleSizeScreenPercent=40
iConsoleTextSize=20
[SaveGame]
iAutoSaveCount=0
[Trees]
bEnableTreeAnimations=1
bEnableTrees=1
bRenderSkinnedTrees=1
fUpdateBudget=1.5
[Water]
bReflectLODLand=1
bReflectLODObjects=1
bReflectLODTrees=1
bReflectSky=1



__________________________________________________


skyrimprefs.ini

[Display]
fShadowDistance=10860.0000
iNumFocusShadow=4
fInteriorShadowDistance=3000.0000
ffocusShadowMapDoubleEveryXUnit=450.0000
iShadowMapResolution=4096
fDynamicDOFBlurMultiplier=0.8000
fProjectedUVNormalDetailTilingScale=0.8000
fProjectedUVDiffuseNormalTilingScale=0.2000
bEnableProjecteUVDiffuseNormals=1
bUseTAA=0
bIndEnable=0
bSAO_CS_Enable=0
bToggleSparkles=0
bSAOEnable=1
bScreenSpaceReflectionEnabled=1
bIBLFEnable=1
bUse64bitsHDRRenderTarget=1
iSaveGameScreenShotHeighWSt=192
iSaveGameScreenShotWidthWS=320
iSaveGameScreenShotHeight=192
iSaveGameScreenShotWidth=256
iShadowMaskQuarter=4
bVolumetricLightingEnable=1
iVolumetricLightingQuality=3
bEnableImprovedSnow=0
fLightLODStartFade=6144.0000
bFXAAEnabled=0
fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd=4600.0000
fLeafAnimDampenDistStart=3600.0000
fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=16384.0000
fMeshLODFadePercentDefault=1.2000
fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault=256.0000
fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance=16384.0000
fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance=12288.0000
fMeshLODLevel2FadeDist=16384.0000
fMeshLODLevel1FadeDist=12288.0000
fGamma=1.0000
bBorderless=0
bFull Screen=1
iSize H=2160
iSize W=3840
iScreenShotIndex=4
bTreesReceiveShadows=1
bUsePrecipitationOcclusion=1
bDrawLandShadows=1
iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame=250
iMaxDecalsPerFrame=800
iNumSplits=2
uBookRatio=2
bForceCreateTarget=0
iReflectionResolutionDivider=1
iVSyncPresentInterval=1
bShadowsOnGrass=1
bVolumetricLightingDisableInterior=0
fLightLODRange=250000
[Imagespace]
bDoDepthOfField=1
bLensFlare=1
[General]
fLightingOutputColourClampPostSpec=1.0000
fLightingOutputColourClampPostEnv=1.0000
fLightingOutputColourClampPostLit=1.0000
iStoryManagerLoggingEvent=-1
bEnableStoryManagerLogging=0
uLargeRefLODGridSize=31
bFreebiesSeen=0
[MAIN]
fSkyCellRefFadeDistance=600000.0000
bGamepadEnable=0
bCrosshairEnabled=1
fHUDOpacity=1.0000
bSaveOnPause=0
bSaveOnTravel=0
bSaveOnWait=0
bSaveOnRest=0
[Interface]
fMouseCursorSpeed=1.0000
bDialogueSubtitles=0
bGeneralSubtitles=0
bShowCompass=1
[GamePlay]
bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=1
bShowQuestMarkers=1
iDifficulty=2
[Controls]
fMouseHeadingSensitivity=0.0125
fGamepadHeadingSensitivity=0.6667
bAlwaysRunByDefault=1
bInvertYValues=0
bGamePadRumble=1
bUseKinect=0
[Particles]
iMaxDesired=6500
[SaveGame]
fAutosaveEveryXMins=0.0000
[AudioMenu]
fAudioMasterVolume=0.2000
fVal7=1.0000
uID7=0
fVal6=1.0000
uID6=0
fVal5=1.0000
uID5=0
fVal4=1.0000
uID4=151039367
fVal3=0.5000
uID3=466532
fVal2=1.0000
uID2=554685
fVal1=1.0000
uID1=1007612
fVal0=0.7000
uID0=94881
[Clouds]
fCloudLevel2Distance=262144.0000
fCloudLevel1Distance=32768.0000
fCloudLevel0Distance=16384.0000
fCloudNearFadeDistance=9000.0000
[Water]
bUseWaterDisplacements=1
bUseWaterRefractions=1
bUseWaterReflections=1
bUseWaterDepth=1
[TerrainManager]
fTreeLoadDistance=390000.0000
fBlockMaximumDistance=393216.0000
fBlockLevel1Distance=362144.0000
fBlockLevel0Distance=308304.0000
fSplitDistanceMult=1.0000
bShowLODInEditor=1
[NavMesh]
fObstacleAlpha=0.5000
fCoverSideHighAlpha=0.8000
fCoverSideLowAlpha=0.6500
fEdgeFullAlpha=1.0000
fEdgeHighAlpha=0.7500
fEdgeLowAlpha=0.5000
fTriangleFullAlpha=0.7000
fTriangleHighAlpha=0.3500
fTriangleLowAlpha=0.2000
fLedgeBoxHalfHeight=25.0000
fEdgeDistFromVert=10.0000
fEdgeThickness=10.0000
fPointSize=2.5000
[Trees]
bRenderSkinnedTrees=1
uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender=1000
[Grass]
fGrassStartFadeDistance=16144.0000
fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance=16144.0000
fGrassMinStartFadeDistance=0.0000
[Decals]
bSkinnedDecals=1
bDecals=1
uMaxSkinDecals=100
uMaxDecals=350
[LOD]
fLODFadeOutMultSkyCell=1.0000
fLODFadeOutMultObjects=30.0000
fLODFadeOutMultItems=30.0000
fLODFadeOutMultActors=30.0000
[LightingShader]
fDecalLODFadeEnd=1.1
fDecalLODFadeStart=1.1

[SgtPow3rs]

Jesus that is a long list, I will give it a short. I just want to push as far as I can till its safe to do so. Like the trees poppin in, if it goes further away that would be great.

[SgtScum]

Worst that can happen is the game might crash or you get poor performance. Also those are the contents of the two ini files so make sure to not get them mixed up. I'll more visibly separate them.

[Altbert]

IMHO, this needs LOD for every environmental mod one has. Example: I have created "Floating Island of Legends" (AFK Mods), but was unable the create mod specific LOD (sofar). If a mod doesn't have mod specific LOD it won't work!

[SgtScum]

Ini tweaks don't work well or at all with some mods yes but the overall effect is still far far better than vanilla.

[Doom Sayer]

If you mod your game graphically this isnt advisable. Also if pc is weak. Like im pretty sure a whole tactic is optimize INI's for performance then load dyndolod enb etc.

[SgtScum]

I have my install heavily modded with graphics overhauls of near every kind and it works perfectly with the ini edits. So much so that there isn't much difference to me in a dyndolod scene and mine. However the neat things like seasons and such are only available with a dyndolod install.

[SgtPow3rs]

I have a 1080 gtx, play the game on 1080p, high settings with ENB and mods. But I optimize it with 60 fps in mind :)

[Doom Sayer]

Originally posted by SgtScum:

I have my install heavily modded with graphics overhauls of near every kind and it works perfectly with the ini edits. So much so that there isn't much difference to me in a dyndolod scene and mine. However the neat things like seasons and such are only available with a dyndolod install.

What specs? I have a 2700x and 3070ti and get drops to 40 fps if i dont optimize my setup a lot. Like had to tweak ini's down, use performance configs of certain mods, got rid skyirm 2020's normal install which is like 4k-8k and switch to 2k 8k due to stuttering it caused.

Another example complex grass is too demanding for me because i want 60 fps with occasional 50-55 fps lows maybe 45 fps if big battle in demanding location. Also had to use performance friendly version of tree mod.

Im guessing my CPU is biggest issue since no AVX-512 and lower single core speed. Mine caps at like 4.15 GHz. Like i know at least sometimes it has to be the issue since i will have no other big program open and get same fps with graphics mods as with none, performance fixing mods and none. Curiously in year or so since i last messed with the game i think it runs faster for no explicable reason.

[SgtPow3rs]

Originally posted by SgtScum:

Worst that can happen is the game might crash or you get poor performance. Also those are the contents of the two ini files so make sure to not get them mixed up. I'll more visibly separate them.

I have used your settings. Not sure but I dont see a huge difference with ultra settings from the Skyrim launcher or Bethini. Do you have comparison shots?

[SgtPow3rs]

I have made myself some comparison shots. It turns out your suggested settings SgtScum isnt the best you can achieve.

Tweaked ini. from Sgtscum
https://i.ibb.co/YZ1NkB3/Ultra-Skyrimpref.png

Ultra settings from Bethini
https://i.ibb.co/J3jx8fD/Bethini-high.png

Ultra distance settings from the Skyrim launcher
https://i.ibb.co/LvRVxS4/Skyrimlauncher-ultra.png

And is there a way to push higher textured trees a little bit more in the distance?