Problems with Oblivion

My problem isn't so much of a problem as I can't determine what settings I should use to get rid of this slightly choppy performance (both in and outside) without sacrificing the game display quality. I do not feel Vista is the culprit, as F.E.A.R. works perfect on all of the highest settings, and F.E.A.R. actually gets hit the hardest when using Vista according to multiple reviews. Aside from that, this problem was present when I had XP x64 installed as well. I generally get 45-55 FPS outside at the lowest, and usually average around 65-75 outside.

Here is my basic system specs:

AMD 5600+ 2.8gHz dual core
4GB DDR2-800 RAM (3GB only on 32 bit OS of course)
nVidia 256MB 8600GTS PCI-E with latest drivers
Creative Audigy 7.1 Sound Card
Vista Ultimate

Some of the basic Oblivion stuff:

1280x1024
AA turned off
HDR/Bloom lighting off
vSync off
All shadows off

Here is my settings for Oblivion (you have to right click this one for some reason or it will say not found):

http://www.ej20.us/matthew/Oblivion_default.ini

Here is my DxDiag results:

http://www.ej20.us/matthew/DxDiag.txt

I have tried the Streamline mod and the quiet feet mod but nether really helps at all. I know my system isn't too great, but I figured I should be able to run Oblivion on the highest res with no problems with this setup.

 

In dont understand the question, the fps looks fine.
btw that setup is amazing lol.

 

Well I know it doesn't have the all aclaimed 8800GTS that everyone tells me I should have bought.

I don't know what the exact problem is. I would expect the game to be perfectly smooth but yet it stumbles every couple of seconds. And the weird thing is, my frame rate doesn't drop when it does.

 

nah, it's a fresh install and everything.

 

Any settings relating to shadows (which you already dealt with) or polygon count (like some details and grass amounts) tend to take a hit on performance. Try the TweakGuides guide on editing the .ini file and optimizing your performance, such as making grass look the same but less dense. I think there are also mods that help with performance, but I can't seem to remember any.
It doesn't seem to matter what kind of system you have, you're going to take a hit here and there.

 

try the OPO mod from planet elderscrolls. I have a low end Pc and Im running Oblivion almost on high settings (I have custom settings that are near high).Plus theres a mod better than streamline its called operation optimization and since your using an nVidia vid card use Qarl texture replacer 3, it uses parallax mapping which is better for 1) performance on nVidia cards, I dont know why but it just is. 2) makes Oblivion look like it should have in the first place.That should help you out a bit performance and graphics wise if that doesnt help then get the Purge Cell Buffers mod.All the mods are at PlanetElderScrolls and in the top rated mods.:major

 

Try hitting the ~ (tilde) key, typing "pcb" (without quotes) & then hitting the enter key next time you're in a dungeon. It should clear the game buffers for you--which might be causing at least some of your problem. (This eliminates the need for the purge cell buffer mod...)

Then just hit the ~ again to close the console command mode & get back to playing an awesome game!

Hope this helps!

P.S. & before you reinstall, you can save your saved games (from within your "My Documents" directory). Then, after reinstall, you can just copy them back into that same directory. You might get a warning message, saying that you have some saved items that mods are no longer installed for. You can either quit the game & reinstall the mods, or merely make a new save, after which the warning message won't appear. Might save you some time...if you want. I have made a few characters & I copy their saved games into individual folders on my x-tra HDD. Whenever I want to switch characters, I just copy that character's saved games into the saved games folder in "My Documents." Has worked for me so far...