I noticed using evga utility that my GPU never really goes past 60% and the GPU stays very cool. Is this more of a CPU based game? I run 1650*1080 GTX285 i7860 4GB ram DH55HC board

This game will tax your CPU as much or more than your GPU depending on what is going on. There are scripts running that can affect multiple cells, all the NPCs have scripts, there are cell activators that have scripts etc etc. Couple that with a game save that starts around 1 MB and grows to 5 MB, this game just chews more data per cycle than most of the ones out there.

That is why it is always best to play under a clean boot as you want as few things as possible using the CPU. Performance and stability increases are to be enjoyed.

This applies to Vista/7 also

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

wow no kidding and good call on the clean boot. I do use win7 64 Im just glad I got my i7 in time for this game any other game hits my gpu 100% almost constantly

....

My dual 5870s never break 40% usage.

I can disable crossfire and get the exact same usage.

Console port FTL. Don't limit my PC hardware dang nab it, USE IT!!!