Maximizing your Skyrim experience. : V

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:13 pm

I'm usually a console gamer, but I play Bethesda titles on PC mostly for the sake of mods.
Oblivion runs fine on my computer, but I highly doubt Skyrim will run just as well.
So the question remains, should I spend loads of cash on updating my PC for TES fifth installment?
Or should I just hope for the best with the vanilla game on the PS3?
But really though.
The PS3 is like, a gaming computer pretty much.
Wtf can't someone make mods available for use on it?

» Tue May 17, 2011 11:42 am

Why can't you use mods on PS3? You have a lot to learn.

But I (and the vast majority) will be playing it on the console. The PC version is better but it's much more of a hassle and I like my big screen/controller environment better personally (and I'm not lugging my compy up the stairs for the sake of a bigger screen). I don't mind the vanilla game, it's less of a hassle. I don't want to download 1m things for Skyrim. Plus, I don't have 5k to spare right now.

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:07 pm

Plus, I don't have 5k to spare right now.

Good thing a competent PC costs nowhere near that.

I'm going to be getting Skyrim on the PC. I like running my games on higher resolutions than 1280x720. That kind of resolution looks horrible on a 1920x1080 TV or monitor.

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:25 pm

Console. Xbox. A good gaming PC isn't a priority for me when I have a perfectly good Elite and 36" in my room.

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:36 pm

PC BABEH, gonna cuddle up with Skyrim and a few other games for the winter, only heat like a Good Rig can Give

» Tue May 17, 2011 3:37 am

PC. How else could I play Quake, Doom, Mechwarrior 2, surf the internet, watch videos, play media, program, and play all my other games on the same platform?

The use one gets out of a good PC (and no, they do not cost 5k. A very high quality PC can be built for around 800-1000 dollars, easy, and you won't have to upgrade for upwards of four years), for me, far outweighs any use for consoles or their perceived usability.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:09 pm

Why can't you use mods on PS3? You have a lot to learn.

But I (and the vast majority) will be playing it on the console. The PC version is better but it's much more of a hassle and I like my big screen/controller environment better personally (and I'm not lugging my compy up the stairs for the sake of a bigger screen). I don't mind the vanilla game, it's less of a hassle. I don't want to download 1m things for Skyrim. Plus, I don't have 5k to spare right now.

5k? I built my computer 3 years ago and spent (little over budget) about $1100. I haven't upgraded anything and I can still run most new games on 'very high.' You just need to buy the right parts. Don't buy a computer from any retail store, they usually svck for gaming.

I obviously play on PC. The controls feel more comfortable and I love the mods. I do admit that lounging on a couch would be nice sometimes

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:30 pm

Console, because I'm kinda poor. But also because I don't want to use mods until I finished EVERYTHING in the game, which, even if the game rock, I'll probably have trouble doing if I have a PC

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:37 pm

Guys, uh, I was just kidding about 5k... seesh. Point was that is is EXPENSIVE

» Tue May 17, 2011 7:31 am

Definitely PC, for both the controls and the ability to mod it to my tastes. As primarily a ranged combat user I find Xbox controls clumsy and as I wasn't a huge fan of Oblivion I expect I'll need to tweak Skyrim.

» Tue May 17, 2011 3:50 pm

PC, without a doubt.

Going to build myself a shiny new machine sometime this summer built specially for Skyrim. I'll spend maybe $1k at the most, and I'll have glorious graphics as well as mods all at my fingertips.
It's funny how people always whine about the cost of PC's, because when you factor in a big screen TV, necessary peripherals, sound system, etc, the total cost of the console experience may be many times more expensive

» Tue May 17, 2011 11:53 am

PC

I don't own a 360 or PS3 and never will.

Resolution, Mods, Mouse + Keyboard, Close up to the Monitor etc.

» Tue May 17, 2011 7:38 am

PC.
I like to sit close to my computer screen, with my big head phones on, in the dark.
...and I am building a new PC this year, because the one I have is 5 years old (the best thing about that one is the 9800gt, but i want to get the 460 gtx)

» Tue May 17, 2011 6:44 am

Good thing a competent PC costs nowhere near that.

I'm going to be getting Skyrim on the PC. I like running my games on higher resolutions than 1280x720. That kind of resolution looks horrible on a 1920x1080 TV or monitor.

I am confused, could you hook up a pc to that tv and play in 1920x1080?

5k? I built my computer 3 years ago and spent (little over budget) about $1100. I haven't upgraded anything and I can still run most new games on 'very high.' You just need to buy the right parts. Don't buy a computer from any retail store, they usually svck for gaming.

I obviously play on PC. The controls feel more comfortable and I love the mods. I do admit that lounging on a couch would be nice sometimes

The way I play on my pc is almost couch like, I sit sideways, leaned back with my legs on the arm of my couch, it close to the same position if I was on my couch, when I play.
I can not even sit at my desk anymore like you would normally sit at a desk like at school, its so uncomfortable.

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:30 am

I am confused, could you hook up a pc to that tv and play in 1920x1080?

The way I play on my pc is almost couch like, I sit sideways, leaned back with my legs on the arm of my couch, it close to the same position if I was on my couch, when I play.
I can not even sit at my desk anymore like you would normally sit at a desk like at school, its so uncomfortable.

I agree with it being uncomfortable. I only like to use computers in the form of laptops as one rests on my lap while I sit up in bed with pillows cushioning my back. It's not good for gaming, but this is the only way I am comfortable use PCs.

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:35 am

So the question remains, should I spend loads of cash on updating my PC for TES fifth installment?

I don't have 5k to spare right now.

What are you both going to buy? A NASA computer?

You can buy a top-notch PC for under 2k. And a nice PC gaming for 600-700.

If you really want to maximize your Skyrim experience, there's no other option than a PC. There's not even a choice to be made, it's just a fact.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:17 am

PC if you have the cash. You want to "maximize" Skyrim's potential but this is not possible with consoles.

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:15 am

PC to maximize your experience; if you dont like kb/m use a gamepad, if you dont like exec chairs hook your rig up to your tv and chill on your couch.

Consoles can only give you a basic experience.

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:29 pm

PC if you have the cash. You want to "maximize" Skyrim's potential but this is not possible with consoles.

You're mostly right.
Ok so after reading some replies I find myself leaning toward upgrading my computer.
I'm guessing Skyrim is going to be like that game Crysis graphics wise.

So for those of you who are computer savvy answer me this:

Ball park estimate of how much I'd probably be spending if I wanted Skyrim to run smoothly with lots of mods and on the highest graphic setting?

» Tue May 17, 2011 9:16 am

Really just depends if ur into using mods.....if yes than pc obviously.......if no than save ur $ and stick with ur Ps3. Personally I will be building a brand new gaming rig this year.....just for skyrim.... :celebration:

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:35 am

Oblivion runs fine on my computer, but I highly doubt Skyrim will run just as well.

Oblivion and Skyrim are targeted for the same hardware regarding consoles, so if Oblivion runs fine in your PC, you do not have to worry about Skyrim, as it would run fine.

But with better PC specs, you would have a better experience with Skyrim, no doubt.

Edit: just buy a new graphic card that supports physics engine and does a better job with the visuals, and you would be fine.

» Tue May 17, 2011 7:45 am

It'd be a waste buying Skyrim for console unless your PC is pretty ancient, they've said the game won't be all that graphically demanding - or implied such when they said it'd be graphically equal across all platforms.

Also a decent computer isn't all the expensive. I'm planning to upgrade soon and from my looking around it looks like it'll only cost ~700$ for a video card, processor, motherboard that would perform close to top end excluding really extreme set ups.

» Tue May 17, 2011 9:26 am

Sell console, buy video card, plug PC into HDTV, use console controller on PC.
And that's why I don't really see the point in consoles.

» Tue May 17, 2011 9:15 am

You're mostly right.
Ok so after reading some replies I find myself leaning toward upgrading my computer.
I'm guessing Skyrim is going to be like that game Crysis graphics wise.

So for those of you who are computer savvy answer me this:

Ball park estimate of how much I'd probably be spending if I wanted Skyrim to run smoothly with lots of mods and on the highest graphic setting?

Probably 700-1000$

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:32 am

There are no mods on consoles because Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo would be idiots to do so. Last thing they need is to have mods blowing up consoles left and right...

PC is you have the money and you enjoy mods.

Consoles if you don't have the money.

Both experiences will be more or less be the same, but PC will always be slightly better.

@OP - You are probably going to spend somewhere around $1000 if you build a high-end gaming computer yourself. If you buy a pre-made one, it will probably cost around $2000. If you buy an Alienware, it will cost over $4000...