Problem with Oblivion...need recommendations

So it turns out my new system stutters under Oblivion...unless I disable the sound via the INI file.

What should I do? Is there a way to fix this? I'd rather have my sound and not have to buy another sound card (current one is on the motherboard).

 

Are you using your internal sound card? I found out, through helpful information on this forum, the game is really demanding on sound cards. I was using an internal sound card, and the game ran pretty bad no matter high or low settings. Installed my external Sound Blaster, and it runs very good.

 

Quiet Feet mod from tesnexus should fix it.

 

Is it random sttutering or happens at specific events?

 

I'd recommend turning off in game music in your oblivion.ini. Solved my stuttering issues with onboard sound.

 

I've verified that turning off the music and sounds fixes the issue. But then there are two problems:

1) I no longer have any sound
2) Oblivion crashes upon quitting

I've had enough issues with Oblivion recently, and I think this is the last problem I'm dealing with...

I'd hate to have to get a sound card, but it sounds like it might be my only choice. What's relatively cheap, supports XP & Vista, and has quality sound with bass/treble control and drivers? I would prefer ordering from Dell.com or from BB in-store.

 

I didn't realize sound was such a big issue in oblivion. This concerns me since my new laptop is arriving in 4 days and oblivion is the only game I will be playing on it. It's a sager NP9262 with sound blaster compatible 3d audio included. Is that bad or should that hold up for oblivion? I know nothing about sound cards I just bought this laptop because of the video card and I never think about the quality of integrated sound cards.

 

"Quiet Feet mod from tesnexus should fix it."

 

I've never had a problem with laptop sound, and I'm guessing that you will not either.

Oh, and NewEgg would be okay if the card is cheap (I have a $10 off my next order with them from one of their rare screwups).

 

Lemme look that mod up tonight and see...

EDIT: Apparently, it does not yet play well with some mods nor does it work with SI. I cannot (yet) locate an updated version.

It seems like to me that the root of the problem is that my integrated sound just cannot do it and I'd have to dummy down Oblivion a bit to get it working, and make modifications I'm not 100% sure of.

In any event, I'll be looking at both this mod and a sound card for potential fixes.

 

@ Greg:
Do you need to disable the sounds to avoid sttutering or only the music? I have the problem but only with music, all sounds are fine. If that is your problem (music, not sounds), then we are in the same boat.

 

I'll check when I get home...but I think I'm at least just sounds as it usually happens when I'm on horseback.

 

I've confirmed it...the Quiet Foot Mod does significantly aid against my performance woes. But I do not like it...Oblivion no longer sounds real to me in some places...

What's more is that in some parts of the game world there is still stuttering as other sounds loom.

Between this, my known issue with the mobo sound in Vista with at least one game, and the inability for me to control bass & treble I may end up purchasing a sound card in a few weeks here.

 

There is only three options i know of if you still want the footfall sounds on onboard sound that have this problem. Quiet Feet doesn`t fix all the suttering and is a old version.

1. Use "Quiet Feet MAX" from tesnexus.com
2. Lower DX Sound Acceleration Tab to lowest.
3. Lower "iMaxImpactSoundCount" (8) in oblivion.ini

Buying a sound card with hardware audio support should fix the problem completely (SB Audigy or higher)

 

Have you tried updating all applicable drivers, like sound AND video drivers? Are you on XP (I think you are...)?

 

@Gautam: Its on XP, with the latest drivers for audio and video (169.21 if I remember correctly). I had to hunt down the XP drivers, so I made sure I got the latest ones.

@bunbuns:
1) I'm still getting some trouble (not nearly as much), but QFM only brings additional support for SI I think.
2) Yuck
3) That affects all sounds though does it not?

 

1) The QFM should have better mod support as it added fixes for creatures that were not included in the orignal QF. One of them being wolves. Since wolves seem a plenty in the wild this would still cause stuttering, even if you don't see them. QFM also adds a downsampled option so you don't completely loose all the foot sound effects.
2) Not the best option since it introduces sound hiss but it does work.
3) It affects all other sounds like hits and blocks so it does take away from the gameplay experience a bit.

Ideally if it's the desktop system you are using for games then buying a dedicated sound card would be the best solution. Your ears will thank you too

 

Well, once my $200 Dell gift card comes in (came with the system as a promotion) I'll probably buy one. Problem is I do not know which one yet...we'll see.