Modding Skyrim: Performance Minded Mod List

A stable, performance minded mod list from 2015 for Skyrim Legendary Edition for players with 1GB video cards.

Introduction

This guide is for Skyrim Legendary Edition and has not been updated since 2015. I would consider it very outdated. Still, it is fun to look back in time and see what it was and what it is now.

My mod list for Skyrim Special Edition is updated and can be found on Google Docs: Skyrim Special Edition Mod List[docs.google.com]

I love the beauty of Skyrim, but often felt left out due to the power of my computer. After several hundred hours of playing and testing different mods I've managed to nail down a list of mods that make Skyrim look amazing, but still playable on a machine with a 1GB video card.

This guide/mod list is geared towards performance minded players or players with lower end rigs. This is my current setup to help gauge what you might expect using the mods in this guide. I hover around 55-60FPS in most areas and will drop to the mid 40s on heavier areas.

NOTE:
If you are using Nexus Mod Manager I highly suggest installing the mods in the order I list them. If using Mod Organizer then order the mods in the order I have them listed below.

This list is a less chatty version of my other guide. The Adventurer's Guide is more detailed and will have many more mods than this guide. This guide is a more slimmed down version trying to cover what I feel are the more important things to cover.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=211652424

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K @ 3.30GHz
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1280MB
RAM: 16GB DDR3 PC3-10700
Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080


Popular Mod Type Exclusions
The following are very popular types of mods that are too performance heavy for this guide.

• ENB mods
  
• SweetFX mods
  
• 2K and/or 4k landscape texture mods
  
• Almost every grass mod
  
• City and town overhauls
  
• Flora overhauls
  
• Insane skin texture mods
  
• NPC doll overhauls

INI Tweaks

The following are the only changes I've made to my Skyrim INI files. These settings come from S.T.E.P.[wiki.step-project.com] or are recommendations from the mod authors for their mods.

Skyrim.ini

[General]
sIntroSequence= ;Disables the intro sequence for a faster startup
fFlickeringLightDistance=8192 ;Helps prevent lighting pop-in

[Display]
;Improves shadow changes as the sun moves through the sky.
fSunShadowUpdateTime=0.25 ;Transition time of sun-shadow movement
fSunUpdateThreshold=1.5 ;Time between sun-shadow movement

[Combat]
;Shift the point of aim to the center of the aiming reticule for arrows and crossbows.[/i]
f1PArrowTiltUpAngle=0.7
f3PArrowTiltUpAngle=0.7
f1PBoltTiltUpAngle=0.7
f3PBoltTiltUpAngle=0.7

[Actor]
fVisibleNavmeshMoveDist=12288.0000 ;allows arrows to hit objects as far as the appear to fly.

[Grass]
iMinGrassSize=120 ;Grass on Steroids setting for boost in FPS.

SkyrimPrefs.ini

[Display]
iMaxAnisotropy = 0 ;Anisotropic Filtering.
iMultiSample = 4 ;Antialiasing.
iPresentInterval = 0 ;disable vsync! - vsync should be handled in enblocal.ini
bTreesReceiveShadows=1 ;Enables shadows rendering on trees.
bDrawLandShadows=1 ;Enables shadows rendering on land.

[Controls]
bMouseAcceleration=0 ;Disable mouse acceleration.

Utilities

Load Order Optimisation Tool - LOOT[loot.github.io]
Assists mod users in avoiding detrimental conflicts by setting the correct load order for the plugins they have installed. LOOT also identifies files that need to be cleaned in TES5Edit as well as other useful information regarding conflicts and compatibility patches. LOOT is the replacement for the outdated BOSS utility.

Load Order # 2 - LOOT by Gopher.

ENBoost[enbdev.com]
Increases performance by redirecting memory allocated to the Skyrim executable to the enbhost executable.

Guide to use: Use the S.T.E.P. ENBoost guide[wiki.step-project.com] for configuration.

Mod Organizer[www.nexusmods.com]
The last mod manager you'll ever use. The learning curve is a little more steap than Nexus Mod Manager, but the isolated mod install feature is a thing of beauty.

Guide to use: Consult the Mod Organizer S.T.E.P. guide[wiki.step-project.com] for assistance.

Skyrim Script Extender - SKSE[skse.silverlock.org]
SKSE is a modder's resource that expands the script ability of the Skyrim game. You have to have this installed to use several of the mods listed in this guide.


Guide to use: Consult the Skyrim Script Extender S.T.E.P. guide[wiki.step-project.com] for assistance in setting up SKSE. In addition to what S.T.E.P. recommends, include the following in the SKSE.ini file:

[Display]
iTintTextureResolution=2048

[Interface]
EnableContainerCategorization=1

Wrye Bash[www.nexusmods.com]
A mod manager with a twist. I use Wrye bash mostly for it's "Bashed Patch" feature. The bashed patch allows you to combine leveled lists. Why is this important? Merged leveled lists allow items from one mod to be distributed throughout the game. Items from a weapons mods could show up in vendor shops and things like that. Wrye bash is fairly easy to install. Just download the standalone edition.

Fixes, Patches, Corrections

Distant Decal Fix	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Unofficial Skyrim Patch	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Unofficial Dawnguard Patch	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Unofficial Hearthfire Patch	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Unofficial Dragonborn Patch	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Appropriately Attired Jarls	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Bookshelves Skript Updated SKSE	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Brawl Bugs Patch	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Clothing and Clutter Fixes	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Cultist Mask Decapitation Fix	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Dragon Stalking Fix	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Enchantment Reload Fix	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Fuz Ro D'oh	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Guard Dialogue Overhaul	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
No NPC Greetings	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
No Spinning Death Animation	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
OneTweak	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Realistic Crime Radius	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Realistic Ragdolls and Force	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Skyrim -Elys- AltF4	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Skyrim Project Optimization	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Smart Souls	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Trade and Barter	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Weapons and Armor Fixes Remade	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

Interface and Main Menu

A Quality World Map	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Better Dialogue Controls	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Better MessageBox Controls	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Immersive HUD	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
KenMOD - Time on loading screen	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Main Font Replacement - Centaur Font	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
No Bethesda Logo In Menu	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
No Menu and Loading Smoke	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
SkyUI	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Map HUD Enhanced - With Time	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
RaceMenu	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
ShowRaceMenu Alternative	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Smaller Cursor	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Thinner Compass	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Unknown Enchants	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

Conflicting Graphics

Bethesda Hi-Res Optimized --UNIVERSAL--	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Bethesda Hi-Res Optimized UHRP --COMPATIBLE VERSION--	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Bethesda Performance Textures - Animals and Creatures (ALL version) + Argonian + Khajiit	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Bethesda Performance Textures - Armor - Clothes - Weapons + Steel Boot Fix + Children Nord Clothes + Tamriel Objects + Character	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Better Dynamic Snow	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Complete Crafting Overhaul Remade Follow mod page instructions closely. Very important.	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Ruins Clutter Improved	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Realistic Smoke and Embers	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
SkyFalls and SkyMills	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Static Mesh Improvement Mod - SMIM	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Skyrim HD 2K Textures - LITE + Dungeons + Landscape + Misc + Towns + Riften	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Enhanced Distant Terrain 2 + Dragonborn	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
A Quality World Map - With Roads	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

Landscape and Environment

aMidianBorn Caves and Mines 1k	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Imperial Forts 1k	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianborn Landscape 1k	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Solstheim Landscape 1k	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Whiterun 1k	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Climates Of Tamriel + Dawnguard Patch + Dragonborn Patch	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Climates Of Tamriel - Weather Patch	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Enhanced Lights and FX + Dawnguard Patch + Dragonborn Patch + SMIM Meshes	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Better Signage - Inns and Shops	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Enhanced Distant Terrain	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
EotW Dawnguard DLC Textures Remastered	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Ethereal Auroras	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Ethereal Cosmos	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Glowing Ore Veins 300	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Grass On Steroids Natural Edition - Vanilla	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
HiRes Legible Road Signs (Worn version)	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Hold Border Banners	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
HQ Snow Texture	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Interior and Dungeon Fog Remover	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
MOUNTAIN OR MOLEHILL	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Point The Way	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Realistic Water Two	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Re-Defined Dungeons 1k	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Remove Underwater Grass and other stuff too	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
RUSTIC FARMHOUSES	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
RUSTIC WINDOWS	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Hybrids Hires Plant and Herb Retexture	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Shooting Stars	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Skyrim Performance PLUS + Rainfall + Disable Aspen Leaves FX + Disable Falling Pine Needles FX	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
The Beauty of Skyrim - Dungeons 1k	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

Characters and Creatures

Amazing Follower Tweaks + AFT NoFriendlySpellDamage	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Armored Skeletons and The Walking Dead	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Convenient Horses	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Deadly Dragons	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Ethereal Elven Overhaul	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Follower Commentary Overhaul - FCO	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Immersive Patrols	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
INIGO	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
No More Blocky Faces	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Populated Cities Towns Villages	Link [erkeilmods.altervista.org]
Populated Dungeons Caves Ruins	Link [erkeilmods.altervista.org]
Populated Forts Towers Places	Link [erkeilmods.altervista.org]
Populated Lands Roads Paths	Link [erkeilmods.altervista.org]
Run For Your Lives	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Sleep Tight	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Sleeping Innkeepers	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Superior Lore-Friendly Hair (1k rough version)	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
TK Children	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
TK Children Head Fix	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
TK Children USKP Patch	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Travellers of Skyrim + Dragonborn Addon	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
When Vampires Attack	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Xenius Character Enhancement	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Xenius Character Enhancement Brows	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Xenius Character Enhancement Dawnguard	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

Clothing and Equipment

aMidianBorn Blade of Woe	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Book of Silence - Armors	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Book of Silence - Dragonborn DLC	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Book of Silence - Unique Items	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Book of Silence - Weapons	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Hide and Studded Hide 2k	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Imperial Light Armor 2k	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Iron Cabals Cut 2k	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Saviors Hide	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Scaled	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Steel	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
aMidianBorn Stormcloak Officer	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Apophysis Dragon Priest Masks	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Better Circlets MD 1K	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Better Shaped Weapons	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Cloaks of Skyrim + Dawnguard	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
EotW Mage Equipment Overhaul	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
EotW Mage Robes of Skyrim + Hearthfire DLC Robes addon	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Gemling Queen Jewelry	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Left Hand Rings	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Left Hand Enchanted Rings	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Lore Weapon Expansion	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Thieves Guild Armor HD revival	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Winter Is Coming - Cloaks	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

Animations and Effects

Alternate Summoning Visuals (NO ESP version)	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
DUST (x256 version)	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Finer Dust	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Plynxs No Motion Sickness Crafting Edition	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
SNOW (x256 version)	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

Clutter and Miscellaneous

Designs of the Nords	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
EOtW Real Golden Septim	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
HQ Paper	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Radiant and Unique Potions Poisons and BOOZE NON GLOW	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Realistic Instruments	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Rens HD Shrines	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Stalhrim of Skyrim	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Soul Gems Differ	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Sweet Mother	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

Sound

Audio Overhaul for Skyrim	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Better Horse Pain Sounds	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Realistic Wolf Howls - more barks than howls	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Smooth blade draw and Sheathe - Full options	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Immersive Sounds - Compendium	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Soultrap Sound Edit - Calm Wind	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Thundering shouts	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

Gameplay

Ancient Spells	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Gildergreen Regrown	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Harvest Overhaul	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Localized Guild Jobs	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Non-Automatic Skill Books (better version)	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Radiance	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Reflection	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Skyrim -Community- Uncapper	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Skyrim Coin Replacer Redux	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Storefront	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
The Paarthurnax Dilemma	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Traps Make Noise	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Vendor Sale Delay - GONE	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

Optional: New Gameplay, Quests, Lands

Frostfall - Hypothermia Camping Survival	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Agent of Righteous Might	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Engelmanns Rest	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Falskaar + Dawnguard Patch	Link [www.nexusmods.com] CoT Patch [www.nexusmods.com]
Luftahraan - Heimfeigr	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Inns and Taverns	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Moon and Star	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Moonpath to Elsweyr	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Ogmunds Tomb	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
The Lost Wonders of Mzark	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
The Shadow of Meresis	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
ThirteenOranges - Faction - Pit Fighter	Link
ThirteenOranges - Faction - Pit Fighter Travels Add-On	Link
ThirteenOranges - Places - Amber Guard	Link
ThirteenOranges - Places - Granitehall	Link
ThirteenOranges - Places - Laintar Dale Hearthfire Edition	Link
ThirteenOranges - Quest - And the Realms of Daedra	Link
ThirteenOranges - Quest - No Mercy	Link
ThirteenOranges - Quest - Sea of Ghosts	Link
ThirteenOranges - Quest - Sorcery	Link
ThirteenOranges - Quest - The Bigger They Are	Link
Undeath	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Windcallers Pass	Link [www.nexusmods.com]
Wyrmstooth	Link [www.nexusmods.com]

[Tacosupreme]

Theron you know there is actually a good guid I found simple in comparison to any video... for example I watched the guide posted to show how to use tes5edit for like an hour learned nothing but I went to this guide and learned how to clean my mods in like 3 minutes
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/50214/?

[Theoran]

Gah. That's my fault mate.

This video will show you what you need to do with Wyre Bash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqbcZSCmJoc

I'll update this list with video links soon.

[A Viltrumite of Sorts]

---Update--- Fixed Skyrim CTD issue
But the confusion with Wyrebash still stands.

[A Viltrumite of Sorts]

SKSE worked fine through Mod Organizer without any of the other mods checked. I do see a couple of red exclamation points though;

-Unofficial Skyrim Patch
-Unofficial Dawnguard Patch
-Unofficial Hearthfire Patch
-Unofficial Dragonborn Patch
-Skyrim Project Optimization
-Clothing and Clutter Fixes
-No Spinning Death Animation
-Skyrim Project Optimization (makes a second appearance on the list for some reason)
-Trade and Barter
-Weapons and Armor Fixes Remade
-Unknown Enchants

On another note, I am unaware of how to use WyreBash.

[Theoran]

SKSE is install in the Skyrim folder and not the data folder right? Trying running SKSE through MO with no mods checked to ensure everything is working as intended first.

After that, enable the fixes mods and look in the right window pane in MO, do you see any red exclamation points?

[A Viltrumite of Sorts]

Since this guide contains a lot of mods, as of today, I successfully made the INI Tweaks, downloaded/installed the Utilities, Fixes, Patches, Corrections, Interface/Main Menu Mods. Eventually I'll have all of the mods in this guide downloaded/installed, just splitting up the process into segments (such as a Tab/Category a day or so).
A couple questions;
1) Do I skip the Conflicting Graphics Tab?
2) Using Mod Organizer, I downloaded, installed the corresponding mods from the two tabs before Conflicting Graphics, and used LOOT to properly edit the load order of them to play. Using Mod Organizer to launch SKSE to launch Skyrim, it crashed to desktop on startup. How do I fix this?
Thanks in advance~Finite

[Theoran]

That's what I love to read and hear. Thanks for the feedback.

[(in)Flavio]

Tnx man!
I´ve already did some of the things you´ve described in this tutorial and it REALLY helped me to get a better experience in the game!

[Theoran]

Updated list:

+ Removed and added many mods after extensive play testing.
+ Updated list to have everything in the correct install order.

[Tio Taveira]

+fav