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Skyrim texture mod recomendations

2

2is

Diamond Member
Just bought skyrim off a steam sale and I know there are tons of different texture/lighting mods available for this game. Just wondering what would be a good one for me to use. I'm not looking for the absolute highest resolution textures, but something that's an improvement over the default ones while not exceeding my 2GB VRAM @ 1200p.
 
I'd recommend that you take a look over at the Skyrim Nexus and search by categories, there's really a lot of texture mods out there. Some will be for clothing only, some for the ground, some are just for trees or flora, some are for the indoor clutter, and there's some compilation packs and so on. If not for Nexus you can also check the Steam Workshop for Skyrim, there's a good number of mods there too (some of which are at Nexus, and vice versa).
 
I would check out thirteenoranges mods on the workshop, not texture mods, but they are good.
 
Honestly the official texture pack is probably plenty good.

In any case I recommend signing up for a free account at the Nexus, and searching by category for Textures and Meshes.
 
Skyrim Nexus has an obnoxious amount of mods. I literally spent about 6 hours looking around trying to find what I wanted. Unfortunately what I picked out probably won't work for you, as I was looking for the absolute best without regard to the performance, and I believe several of the mods specifically stated to not even try them without top of the line specs and a whole lot of memory. Plus I don't have access to that computer at the moment to look up which ones I downloaded.

Either way, just browse through the Nexus, you can sort the mods by category, and popularity, so pick a category and look through the more popular mods. Theres quite a few mods that only affect certain areas or types of graphics (like fire animations, trees, etc) that do quite a bit for the overall look and feel of the game without requiring much.

EDIT: I just saw the specs in your sig, if thats the rig you are running Skyrim on, I wouldn't worry too much. You've got me matched or beat on everything except I've got 4GB on my 680. I don't know how much of a difference that will make, but I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. I picked up pretty much every graphical improvement mod out there and the game runs as smooth as it did un-modded.

Also, do yourself a favor and pick up the Nexus Mod Manager. Its a free download, but you have to make an account. It is sooooo worth it though.

If you don't use it, you have to do the manual installs, which usually involves a lot of manually moving files around and placing them in the correct place, making modifications to .ini's, etc. Then you have to figure out the correct load order for the mods on your own which can be quite a pain in the ass as it sometimes involves a lot of trial and error, lots of desktop crashes, corrupted save games.

With the Nexus Mod Manager, almost every major mod has a link on their download page to download using that, and it allows you to activate/deactivate any mod at will, and it can auto-sort your load order for you. If you only get one or two mods, its probably not that big a deal, but its no skin off your back to use it, so why not?

EDIT EDIT: Bah, I tried to go to the Nexus site to see if I could locate a couple of the more useful ones I picked out, but its apparently under maintenance. Definitely do pick up the official HD texture pack, as some of the mods require/recommend it in addition to the mods themselves. Its listed as a DLC pack in Steam, but its free. You do have to go to the Skyrim store page and specifically tell it to add to your game or it won't download it.
 
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I've been using the Skyim HD 2K textures. I only have 1GB of VRAM and it runs fine. Some other mods I think are well worth it:

Skyrim Mesh Improvement Mod - Updates a lot of meshes to make them look way better. Things like chain links and ropes now actually have 3 dimensions rather than 2. Improves lots of furniture pieces.

Skyrim Script Extender - Required for a lot of mods to run.

SkyUI - The default interface is ATROCIOUS. As in how the hell did Bethesda think that the way to view inventory items they gave us was acceptable for an RPG? This fixes that. Also introduces the MCM menu which lets you configure other mods a lot easier.

Unofficial Patches - There's an unofficial patch for Skyrim and each DLC that contains bug fixes.

Those are the ones that I consider mandatory. From there you can delve into all sorts of things like lighting enhancements (Ultra Realistic World Lighting, Real Lighting Overhaul, Enhanced Light and FX), water enhancements (Pure Water or WATER), immersion mods (Wet and Cold, Winter is Coming, Frostfall, Splash of Rain, Immersive Weapons, Footprints) and ways to improve gameplay (Convenient Horses).
 
aMidianBorn Book of Silence at Skyrim Nexus for armors and regular weapons.

Unique uniques for unique weapons.

World textures? Plenty here, don't remember too well...
 
crownjules said:
I've been using the Skyim HD 2K textures. I only have 1GB of VRAM and it runs fine. Some other mods I think are well worth it:

Skyrim Mesh Improvement Mod - Updates a lot of meshes to make them look way better. Things like chain links and ropes now actually have 3 dimensions rather than 2. Improves lots of furniture pieces.

Skyrim Script Extender - Required for a lot of mods to run.

SkyUI - The default interface is ATROCIOUS. As in how the hell did Bethesda think that the way to view inventory items they gave us was acceptable for an RPG? This fixes that. Also introduces the MCM menu which lets you configure other mods a lot easier.

Unofficial Patches - There's an unofficial patch for Skyrim and each DLC that contains bug fixes.

Those are the ones that I consider mandatory. From there you can delve into all sorts of things like lighting enhancements (Ultra Realistic World Lighting, Real Lighting Overhaul, Enhanced Light and FX), water enhancements (Pure Water or WATER), immersion mods (Wet and Cold, Winter is Coming, Frostfall, Splash of Rain, Immersive Weapons, Footprints) and ways to improve gameplay (Convenient Horses).
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all of these. I've only ever used SKyrim HD with most of the additional meshes mentioned here. It works great (also on only 1gb VRAM).

Also, you can't really play Skyrim without SKyUI, imo. It is the single most important mod for PC. As mentioned, you first have to install SKSE, and for many of these mods to work fully, you just have to load the game through SKSE, instead of through steam. Some have particular install processes and load orders that you need to fiddle with to make sure there are no conflicts--make sure the patches and Skyrim HD are near the top, with the various other meshes and re-textures installed and loading after HD (or the official texture pack, if you prefer). There is also one that simply improves the Linen textures. I find this to be very useful, because so much of the dungeon environment is covered with linens, and the base texture is pretty terrible, and Skyrim HD doesn't do much for this. It also effects the various flags you will find throughout.

Added to the Immersion mods, You should get Climates of Skyrim and Sounds of Skyrim.

Frostfall & Wet and Cold add another dimension to the game that really should have been an official part of the game. It seems a bit complex at first, and maybe annoying, and while it has seemingly no impact in parts of the map (the beginning areas), it drastically alters the way you plan your travels to certain parts of the world--head far enough north, get caught in a blizzard, and you will die in minutes if you don't have the provisions to get to your destination and back. Cloaks of Skyrim also works well with these two, but it does add more clutter to the world, if you find that to be a problem.

I'll also recommend UFO, or Ultimate Follower Overhaul. This has a bit of a complex install protocol, so be sure to read all the notes before installing it. It allows better management of your followers, and even grouping. (though more than one follower is generally OP). Also adds functions for horse control and allows followers to get their own horses.
 
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It takes a little while, but well worth it - http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/20801/?

Also, even if you don't choose to use a ENB. This link has a great list of mods to use to improve the look and feel of the vanilla game.

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/30936/?

I use this enb with the Texture pack combiner along with a ton of other 4K and up texture mods and the game is drop dead gorgeous... I use the highest quality ENB preset and FPS an drop as low as 32-33 FPS @ 1080P but usually stay in the 50's.

I don't use SkyUI, I know.. I know. I tried it and didn't like it. I guess I got so used to the original.
 
Face2Face said:
It takes a little while, but well worth it - http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/20801/?

Also, even if you don't choose to use a ENB. This link has a great list of mods to use to improve the look and feel of the vanilla game.

http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/30936/?

I use this enb with the Texture pack combiner along with a ton of other 4K and up texture mods and the game is drop dead gorgeous... I use the highest quality ENB preset and FPS an drop as low as 32-33 FPS @ 1080P but usually stay in the 50's.

I don't use SkyUI, I know.. I know. I tried it and didn't like it. I guess I got so used to the original.
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D: OMG--how do you find anything in your inventory? Also, when was the last time you tried it? There have been very many significant improvements, and the current version is great. Item sorting is just so easy (though it doesn't stay--unless I am missing something. Meaning, every time I open the menu, I have to re-sort, Kinda of annoying, but no big deal.)

I couldn't live without the group slotting function and all the improvements done to the favorites UI.
 
zinfamous said:
D: OMG--how do you find anything in your inventory? Also, when was the last time you tried it? There have been very many significant improvements, and the current version is great. Item sorting is just so easy (though it doesn't stay--unless I am missing something. Meaning, every time I open the menu, I have to re-sort, Kinda of annoying, but no big deal.)

I couldn't live without the group slotting function and all the improvements done to the favorites UI.
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😀 It's probably been 4-6 months since I tried it? I am not going to defend the original UI, it's pretty horrible when trying to find something. I guess after playing the game over 200hrs + using it, it just became the norm for me and didn't welcome the change. I don't play the game as much anymore, but next time I fire her up I will give it another try and see if I can learn to love it ()🙂
 
Don't know how much you are into modding, but a good start and suggestions from Gopher is here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DlYarj-DdhDG41roBVJfNCqvO5MmKP

RCRN texture mod
Need Script extender
Also look into tweak guides for your vid card/in game settings
Easiest if using Nexus Mod Manager

From Strinjam:
I took his suggestions and ran with them
Overhauls and Lighting:
Project Reality - Climates of Tamriel - Weather - Lighting - Audio
Project Reality - Climates of Tamriel - V3
Note: Install Climates of Tamriel BEFORE Installing RCRN.
If using RCRN or any other FXAA-Injector/ENB mod, turn off any on-screen display programs and monitoring tools such as Fraps, ATI Tray Tools, MSI Afterburner, GPU-Z, etc.


[FONT=&quot]AFTER RCRN:[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
Enhanced Lights and FX
Enhanced Lights and FX - SMIM Meshes (install AFTER Static Mesh Improvement Mod)
Remove Ambient Interior Fog
RCRN v36 and Revamped exterior fog Compatability Patch (Important!! Don't forget!!)
Environment Textures / meshes:
Skyrim HD - 2K Textures
HD Enhanced Terrain
Skyrim Flora Overhaul
Static Mesh Improvement Mod (Install before mods in bold)Better Dynamic Snow
Ultimate HD Fire Effects
Ultimate HD Fire Effects - SMIM Meshes (install AFTER Static Mesh Improvement Mod)
W.A.T.E.R. - Water and Terrain Enhancement Redux
Ruins Clutter Improved
Lightning during Thunderstorms
Lanterns of Skyrim - All in One
Enhanced Night Skyrim - Color Galaxy (install after ALL texture and environment mods)
Characters:
MacKoms Real Skin for Men
Dimonized UNP female body
SG Female Textures Renewal (install after Dimonized)
ApachiiSkyHair
Pretty Lips V2
Natural Eyes
Ethereal Elven Overhaul
Companions:
Extremely Beautiful Lydia - Mage (If you install, do it before SG Female Textures Renewal, or his texture file will cause neck seams on everybody)
Lydia is Less Sarcastic
UFO - Ultimate Follower Overhaul
Armor:
Immersive Armors
Tribunal Robes and Masks
Improved NPC Clothing - High Res
UI:
A Quality World Map
Categorized Favorites Menu
Immersive HUD
SkyUI
Misc:
Wearable Lanterns (BEST MOD EVER!!!!)
Unofficial Skyrim Patch
Deadly Spell Impacts
DUEL - Combat Realism

Anyway, use as much or as little as you want.

The Wife


[/FONT]
 
Stringjam said:
I rolled pretty hard the first time I saw that! 🙂

(Oh, and Wearable Lanterns is still the best Skyrim mod ever... 😉 )
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OK, I guess I do need to try it. looked interesting, but it didn't strike me as something I needed.

Though with the lighting setting I have chosen, it has been damn difficult to see in most places.
 
wow... lots of information to swallow. Didn't know there were so many options out there... I've got some studying to do!
 
I *highly* recommend looking at STEP (http://wiki.step-project.com/STEP:Guide), it's an excellent guide to not only texture/graphics mods, but also modding in general.

My top pic for overall world texture replacers would be Skyrim Realistic Overhaul (SRO), as it's a big jump in def, optimized (much more so than the Beth HD pack), and remains true to Vanilla. I also have used several parallax packs that have SRO variants.

Beyond that, ENB will probably be the second biggest graphics boost.
 
zinfamous said:
OK, I guess I do need to try it. looked interesting, but it didn't strike me as something I needed.

Though with the lighting setting I have chosen, it has been damn difficult to see in most places.
Click to expand...


Yeah, same here. Very dark in the dungeons, and most of the time I'm toting a bow. Nice to have a lantern stuck to my belt so I can actually see where I'm going without putting the bow down.
 
Gonna have to get that lantern one. The first time I saw a lantern I picked it up because duh, what the hell do you use lanterns for? Light! But Bethesda just considers them clutter. 🙁

Unfortunately, Nexus is going through a major backend overhaul and their shit is all messed up.
 
SLU Aequitas said:
I *highly* recommend looking at STEP (http://wiki.step-project.com/STEP:Guide), it's an excellent guide to not only texture/graphics mods, but also modding in general.

My top pic for overall world texture replacers would be Skyrim Realistic Overhaul (SRO), as it's a big jump in def, optimized (much more so than the Beth HD pack), and remains true to Vanilla. I also have used several parallax packs that have SRO variants.

Beyond that, ENB will probably be the second biggest graphics boost.
Click to expand...

Do this first. It's a step by step (no pun intended) guide to make your skyrim not suck. I just started playing skyrim a few days ago and even with my limited exposure, I can tell the mods have made even the most basic things awesomely better by about 1000x.

(fuck the default inventory in skyrim, what a piece of shit)
 
Fallen Kell said:
Well, you might want to look at a previous thread for some more info:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2337886&highlight=skyrim

Also, I would not install any ENB or lighting mods other than RCRN. It is probably the most stable, and playable lighting mod (as well as looking good enough without performance hit). The ENB's and other lighting mods were really designed for taking staged screenshots, and not everyday playability.
Click to expand...

Completely disagree. Depending on the ENB used, there is varying amounts of performance hits, however using ENB is about more than just making your game look good--it also increases game stability (especially with texture memory management).
 
My experience has been similar to Fallen Kell. I've tried over 20 ENBs and nearly all of them caused too big of a performance hit for me to use. Even at good frame rates I would get stuttering issues. Disabling AO would get rid of stuttering, but then it looked terrible, so what was the point?

RCRN got me great results with great performance.

If you know of any great looking ENBs that run really well, please let me know. I'm always up for trying new stuff!
 
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