first and foremost I recommend OpenMW, an opensource version of the game that runs a helluva lot smoother on modern systems. Nearly all content adding mods are supported with this version. With this, you no longer need to worry about having your computer resolution not being supported, the several unofficial patches, or the morrowind graphics extender. You can learn more about it here:
https://openmw.org/en/
Run Faster - even with the steed starsign bonus this game is slow as hell to start off with. Frustratingly slow. This makes your movement speed bearable. Do keep in mind that it also boosts all NPC speed as well, but considering how slow-paced the game is in general I wouldn't worry about that too much. I recommend either the Faster or Fastest run speeds.
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/42796?tab=files
Delay DB Attack V2 - without this mod, every time you sleep you'll be attacked by a relatively powerful Assassin. This attack triggers the Tribunal expansion. But with new characters, you're far too weak to stand a chance against this enemy without cheesing the AI. This mod will delay the assassin/start of the tribunal expansion until you reach a certain point in the main quest.
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/14891
Optional (yet still recommended for a vanilla playthru)
GCD Leveler - Personally I'm not a fan of the heavy restrictions old rpgs place on classes. I like to use the GCD mod which kinda changes the levelling system to something more like skyrim. "GCD changes Morrowind's levelling system to make it seamless. Limits are removed from skills and attributes, and skill gain is slowed down exponentially to preserve game balance. Skills influence attributes, health and magicka directly. Characters remain diverse throughout the game, with strengths and weaknesses dependent on initial skill choices, skill increases and racial factors."
https://www.moddb.com/games/morrowind/addons/galsiahs-character-development
Watercolored Morrowind: Replaces the textures with a more watercolored variant. This is my favorite graphics "overhaul", as it maintains the aesthetic of the original game but just touched up a smidge.
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/43375/
If the combat isn't to your liking
The combat is entirely based on dice rolls. When starting out, it's common to miss an enemy right next to you with your spear up to ten times in a row without landing a single hit. Your hits connect more and more often as your skills are raised. If that isn't to your liking, this mod makes it so all hits connect if they're within range. This applies to both you and NPCs... honestly I wouldn't recommend it. I don't play this game for its combat. No one should tbh. But here it is should you want to try it
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/23746
Avoid MGSO
this was a big graphics overhaul that came out in the early 2010s. You may see people recommend this mod. Fuck those people. It changes the art style to the point of not even being recognizable and it's fairly dated looking today. Again, the watercolor mod utilizes the original assets but freshens them up for todays players.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. There's around five other mods that you'll need to use to get this running as lovely as can be on a modern system, but you won't need any of those if you choose to use OpenMW.
Hope this helps!
