For those asking about their system (PC) : V - Skyrim

» Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:44 pm

@Thorn When it comes down to gaming laptops, Asus are good, but MSI are better. Sorry im not sure where to go if your in australia.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152230 is what you want, although you will have to find someone who sells it in australia. Btw, its like half the price even though its better :/ not sure why.

I have never seen the MSI laptops on sale here in Australia

Looking at its components, it would be slower than the new Asus G73 I linked to for these reasons. GTX285M (MSI) compared to GTX460M (Asus G73), I7 740QM (1.73 gighz, MSI) compared to I7 2630 QM (2.0 gighz, Sandy Bridge,Asus). Also the Asus G73 is running 1TB Hybrid Solid State Drives which apparently are VERY fast looking at the reviews?

Correct me if I am wrong I was just comparing the specs between the 2, the Asus G73 is the latest in its gaming range only came out this year. full HD display and a Blue-Ray writer too.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 1:46 pm

I have:
Genuine Intel® CPU 2140 @ 1.60GHz
3GB 1593 MHz DDR3
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX+

I'm complete noob in computer things, but what I understand is that I especially need a new CPU and maybe more RAM,
because when I look to the DA2 configuration utility it says:
Total: 2,99 Gt Available: 1,59 Gt Used: 1,39 Gt
But I don't know does that mean anything.
Is my GPU ok?

I think its saying GB, not GT, and Im 100% sure its talking about your ram, as it says 2.99 (ie, 3).
Your ram is actually okay, and your GPU should be able to run skyrim very high, maybe even max graphics, depending on what the textures are like.
But yes, your cpu is pretty weak. Do you know what socket your motherboard is? Also, where do you live?

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 1:57 pm

I have never seen the MSI laptops on sale here in Australia

Looking at its components, it would be slower than the new Asus G73 I linked to for these reasons. GTX285M (MSI) compared to GTX460M (Asus G73), I7 740QM (1.73 gighz, MSI) compared to I7 2630 QM (2.0 gighz, Sandy Bridge,Asus). Also the Asus G73 is running 1TB Hybrid Solid State Drives which apparently are VERY fast looking at the reviews?

Correct me if I am wrong I was just comparing the specs between the 2, the Asus G73 is the latest in its gaming range only came out this year. full HD display and a Blue-Ray writer too.

Sorry for the double post. Yes you are right about the CPU, the asus one is better. I didnt realise that it had a 1 TB SSD though, sorry.
On the GPU, nvidia's branding system is : the first number is how NEW it is. The 2nd and 3rd number represents how quick it is. Overall, the 460m is a little slower than the 285, but still good gpu.
After looking at it a bit more, It is actually quite a good buy, considering the 1tb SSD. Go for it if you have the cash for it. It should run skyrim very high, if not max. If your getting this purely for skyrim
(well obviously, it does more than just play skyrim) then hold off for another 6 months and see if there are any better laptops for the same price then.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:58 am

I think the OP has it about right. Nice job!

I have an 8600 GT w/ 256 megs of Ram, 3 GB of system RAM, and a 2.3 ghz duo core processor. I've been feeling like my system will be able to run the game at minimum settings at best. With that in mind, I'll likely be buying Skyrim on my Xbox 360.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:25 pm

I think the OP has it about right. Nice job!

Thanks bro :]

Bear in mind that these are all at a 1400x900 resolution though, if you have a higher resolution screen then the specs will be higher.

Edit : Just saw your edit.

Bearing in mind the trailer is 360 graphics (PC's will be a little better) how did your 8600GT perform with oblivion? It gives me an idea about its capabilities.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 9:39 am

I dont want to sit with a PC on the verge of breaking down with BSOD's (Portal 2 - Batman Arkham City) and set Everything on Low as possible.

When i see a Game that needs this or that, i Double the size of the Maximum Requirement.

I will Patiently wait till November and Save my Money for the i7-960 LGA2011 and a Leadtek Graphics Card 580 even though by November Skyrim will probably Require for Max Req. the Geforce 590 and the i7-980 LGA2011.

This is my PC now

Operating System

Windows   64bit Service Pack 1 build 7601System Manufacturer: INTEL_       System Model: DP35DP__               BIOS: Default System BIOS          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E8500  @ 3.16GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.2GHz             Memory: 4096MB RAMAvailable OS Memory: 4026MB RAM          Page File: 1519MB used, 6533MB available        Windows Dir: C:\Windows    DirectX Version: DirectX 11---------------Display Devices---------------          Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260       Manufacturer: NVIDIA          Chip type: GeForce GTX 260           Display Memory: 2636 MB   Dedicated Memory: 879 MB      Shared Memory: 1757 MB       Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)       Monitor Name: SyncMaster 2232BW/2232GW/2232GW Plus,SyncMaster Magic CX2232GW(Digital)      Monitor Model: SyncMaster       Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.883Hz)       -------------Sound Devices-------------            Description: Speakers (High Definition Audio Device) Default Sound Playback: Yes Default Voice Playback: Yes            Driver Name: HdAudio.sys         Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514 (English)     ------------------------Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives------------------------      Drive: C: Free Space: 416.8 GBTotal Space: 476.8 GBFile System: NTFS      Model: ST3500418AS ATA Device      Drive: D:      Model: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH20NS10 ATA Device     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), , 0 bytes

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 7:38 am

I think its saying GB, not GT, and Im 100% sure its talking about your ram, as it says 2.99 (ie, 3).
Your ram is actually okay, and your GPU should be able to run skyrim very high, maybe even max graphics, depending on what the textures are like.
But yes, your cpu is pretty weak. Do you know what socket your motherboard is? Also, where do you live?

Thanks for the answers.
No, I don't know what socket my motherboard is. I live in Finland.

I probably will take my computer to the local combuter shop and ask them if they can put a new cpu in. That's how I upgraded my computer the last time.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:01 am

Thanks bro :]

Bear in mind that these are all at a 1400x900 resolution though, if you have a higher resolution screen then the specs will be higher.

Edit : Just saw your edit.

Bearing in mind the trailer is 360 graphics (PC's will be a little better) how did your 8600GT perform with oblivion? It gives me an idea about its capabilities.

It runs Oblivion on the highest graphics settings...with the exception of when grass shadows are on. I turned that off but everything else is turned on/set to high. I run the game at 1280/800 resolution and I have AA set to X2...though I could probably go higher. I just never bothered to.

With these settings, I typically see no slow down other than what you may normally see when it's loading trees in and etc on occasion. Usually, it's a smooth game-play experience.

So just to make it easier and in one post, here are my system specs:
Windows Vista
Intel Duo Core E6550 2.33 ghz processor
3 gigs of RAM
Nvidia 8600 GT w/ 256 Megs of RAM

My guess is my system will run Skyrim but it won't necessarily be pretty. But, with things turned down to low, I bet the game will play smoothly in most situations.

However, I still think my xbox is the way to go for me. It will probably look nicer and play smoother than my PC will be able to handle.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:06 pm

Dave. LOTS of unnecessary info lol. Anyhow. Your current comp should run it very near max.
Also a game wont give your bsod's or breakdowns lol! If your comp cant handle it the game will just close. You have a GTX 260 and a dual core, your computer is very capable of playing most games very high.

@vezner thanks for the feedback.

@grinder Good idea

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:52 am

Sorry for the double post. Yes you are right about the CPU, the asus one is better. I didnt realise that it had a 1 TB SSD though, sorry.
On the GPU, nvidia's branding system is : the first number is how NEW it is. The 2nd and 3rd number represents how quick it is. Overall, the 460m is a little slower than the 285, but still good gpu.
After looking at it a bit more, It is actually quite a good buy, considering the 1tb SSD. Go for it if you have the cash for it. It should run skyrim very high, if not max. If your getting this purely for skyrim
(well obviously, it does more than just play skyrim) then hold off for another 6 months and see if there are any better laptops for the same price then.

I have a Asus GTX285 for sale if anyone wants it

Yeah it is new and very fast apparently the more I read about it, 2,400 AUS is expensive but how much would a top of the range desktop cost anyhow? I know my GTX285 cost me 700 dollars AUS a year ago when I bought it and that wasn't including the new PSU I needed to run it which is now dead!

Skyrim should look very nice hopefully I might be even able to plug the laptop into my 52 inch Sony Bravia FullHD screen and play Skyrim in 52 inchs and in 1920X1080 and surround sound? Now that should look pretty nice? Just need a wireless mouse and keyboard?

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 4:58 am

Dave. LOTS of unnecessary info lol. Anyhow. Your current comp should run it very near max.
Also a game wont give your bsod's or breakdowns lol! If your comp cant handle it the game will just close. You have a GTX 260 and a dual core, your computer is very capable of playing most games very high.

What does keep Crashing my PC and is my Hard Drive, Memory, Power Supply good enough, or do they need to be Upgraded aswell.

So Portal 2 and Batman Arkham City will work with this PC and when do you think i can start Upgrading.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:22 am

What does keep Crashing my PC and is my Hard Drive, Memory, Power Supply good enough, or do they need to be Upgraded aswell.

I cant do much with ''why did my PC crash'', could be anything. What is the crash like? Is is a blue screen? Whats the error code?

Edit : and yes it should play portal 2 and batman on high/max graphics.

@thorn

Yes you should be able to plug it in to your TV with your moniter cable, and you can have the wireless keyboard and mouse on your table :] Bear in mind though that if you run it at 1920x1080 you wont be able to have the graphics as high as 1400x900
A desktop with a GTX 285 would be much quicker. You must think if you really need a laptop or not if you are just going to use it at home. If your just at home, have your desktop by your TV or something xD You can rebuild your desktop with a strong processor and using that 285 etc with the money you may or may not spend on that asus laptop. Im not saying dont get the laptop im saying have a good think if it would be worth it to have a quicker but immobile desktop.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:24 pm

People gotta keep in my this thread is just speculation like every other PC requirements threads...

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 4:03 am

People gotta keep in my this thread is just speculation like every other PC requirements threads...

Well, I'm basing it on the actual gameplay trailer, which shows actual gameplay, and my 5 years of experience in computers and 11 years experience of gaming.
Of course, we will never know for sure until it is released. Its not really speculation or rumours, I'm basing it on what the gameplay trailer showed us.
I'm just trying to give people a good idea on what the specs are expected to be for skyrim.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 5:56 am

AMD athlon 64 x2 core 2.1ghz
1gig ram
nvidia geforce 6150SE
windows vista

Well? what ya think?
Time to buy new in november?

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 8:03 am

Why are you saying that Skyrim will have dx10 ?
Dx 10 was a lie.
"dx 10 features" are dx9 features that are locked to only run on Vista but can be enabled on any Windows XP computer with some easy modding.
Dx10 features are features that can run on any dx9 windows xp computer,and the only reason they are locked is because Microsoft bribed developers to make those features Vista exclusives so they can sell more Vista copies.

Enabling the dx10 features of Crysis on my WinXP computer required only a text editing software (e.g. wordpad),to change the words "false" to "true" at some parts of a .txt file.

There is no direct X 10.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 5:50 am

AMD athlon 64 x2 core 2.1ghz
1gig ram
nvidia geforce 6150SE
windows vista

Well? what ya think?
Time to buy new in november?

That 6150 GPU wont even stand a chance. The CPU is fine. Perhaps get another 1GB of ram and a Nvidia GTS 450 / ATI 5770 when the time comes?
...are you running a laptop by any chance?

@alith When I talk about direct X, I'm talking about the cards capabilities not the software. Ie, a GT 250 is a DX10 card. It will mainly be a console port, and most games like these are DX10.
Of course, I could be wrong, it might be DX11. I mean, it def wont be DX9, not with the new engine and the gameplay trailer graphics.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 2:47 am

Check Sig For Video and RAM.
Good Ol' Intel Pentium 4 3.0 ghz
ATI 5770 Video Card Thingy (Thanks Donkey For Makign Me Remember What I have!) 512 MB
1 GB RAM
Windows 7
NOTE: Can Run Alot Of New Games With Medium-High Graphs!

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:55 am

A very nice thread, this is exactly what i needed and if you don't mind i got a couple more questions for you.

I'm looking to buy a new computer in about 4 months to play Skyrim, Battlefield 3, Crysis 2 and future games on. I've been browsing the internet for a computer that could run these games at the highest possible graphics with no computer lag whatsoever . The only two things i managed to find were some sites where you had to choose your own components, and since i'm a noob at those things i have no clue where to begin, and the alienware site. Currently me and my brother are thinking of buying one of those since they said it was able to run Crysis 2 on max graphics. The downside is it'll cost me 4000€. A friend of mine told me that although they're great computers, you're basically paying 2k extra for a couple of fancy gadgets and neon lights.

So if you have any idea, what would the specs of such a computer cost me if i didn't buy it from alienware but rather from a store that assembles them for me? And if you have any idea where i can find such a store (i live in belgium

) you're welcome to answer that too. Oh... And if it's possible to assemble an even better computer than one of those 4k alienware ones then feel free to tell me what i have to buy.

I'm sorry mate, but if you're paying 4000 Euros you're doing something wrong. Im on a 1200 euro machine, ran the crysis demo on max effect, as did bulletstorm.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 5:11 pm

That 6150 GPU wont even stand a chance. The CPU is fine. Perhaps get another 1GB of ram and a Nvidia GTS 450 / ATI 5770 when the time comes?
...are you running a laptop by any chance?

ha ha... nope an e-machine mid tower. JUNK LOL

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 4:47 pm

I'm sorry mate, but if you're paying 4000 Euros you're doing something wrong. Im on a 1200 euro machine, ran the crysis demo on max effect, as did bulletstorm.

Yeah, he WAS gonna buy an alienware *gulp* I think I sorted it out though, I told him to go on amazon.
No offense to you ownzor but your a bit a of a nub xD

@Jemon that should be fine for near max graphics

@john If its a mid tower and not a laptop then it could be that you just need a graphics card upgrade, another gig of ram and your good to go.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 1:27 pm

There's litterally no way you can tell requirements or speculate based on a trailer.

Look at Oblivion. Ugly as hell, and you need a beast?

Indeed, it all matters how optimized the game is. And we can nowhere near know how optimized the game is.

Still, if a game is very optimized, developers tend to add more "good graphics stuff", as they can "afford it" (performance wise).

The solution is: simply wait until the system requirements are revealed. You only lose in buying a new computer or upgradomg this early (assuming you're intending to play Skyrim and not any other new game before its release). Wait as long as you can, because prices are always lowered the longer you wait.

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 2:34 am

ha ha... nope an e-machine mid tower. JUNK LOL

You think THATS Junk? I mean my NORMAL PC runs very good, cause I can't get one (Parents... Meh)
But the specs I will write nwo are from my OTHEr PC (I mainly do things on the one from my previous post)

Intel Phoenix thingie (That's what it says on the sticker) 2.0 ghz
486 MB RAM
I dunno the name of the Video but I think it Was a Nvidia one.... But I know its 128 MB XD
Windows XP

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 4:25 am

@Jemon that should be fine for near max graphics

Hooray for Old Granpa! That's My PC's nickname. He is here for about 7-6 years!

» Sun Mar 28, 2010 2:19 pm

Indeed, it all matters how optimized the game is. And we can nowhere near know how optimized the game is.

Still, if a game is very optimized, developers tend to add more "good graphics stuff", as they can "afford it" (performance wise).

The solution is: simply wait until the system requirements are revealed. You only lose in buying a new computer or upgradomg this early (assuming you're intending to play Skyrim and not any other new game before its release). Wait as long as you can, because prices are always lowered the longer you wait.

I'm just giving people a rough idea. And I also said, wait half a year or so if your upgrading just for skyrim. Upgrading NOW for a game coming out in 8 months is stupid.