ive just hit level 19 at about 25 hours, ive only done the first oblivion gate...and thats it as far as the main quest goes, i dont really have any huge mods either, just a few really basic ones that i found i prefer, ie; being able to buy lock picks, and the harvesting one where things dissapear when you pick them, ive left all the graphics and everything alone, because to be honest, it doesnt bother me LOL