Actually, this could just be caused by inefficiencies within the game. The main one I can think of is the fact that the footstep sounds, since they are often used so frequently and can take up a surprising amount of processing power, it can be reasonable to turn it off... they don't add much anyhow. http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=12331 There are numerous other tweaks that you can and should use: http://ballofflame.googlepages.com/theoblivionperformanceproject Although Streamline doesn't work that well with WINE and any which rely on OBSE are not that likely to work. I highly recommend all of the following since they do not reduce graphical quality much at all: Operation Optimization Oblivion Scripts Optimization Oblivion Polygone Overhaul Optimised Distant Land MAX PyFFI - nif optimizer If you have low bandwidth or have lots of mods which effect the models, such as the above ones, run pyFFI yourself if you can execute the simple python commands described in the how-to... I ran it on my entire textures directory without any problems, but it took hours. If you aren't up for that, no biggie, the gains aren't immense. Also, while you are at it I would pick up the Unofficial Oblivion Patch and any other mods you desire, there are tons of them out there!