Basically I need to make a choice between the Xbox 360 and the PC versions of the game. I don't want this to turn into a really devoted fan war between the two versions but need some help based on my specific situation. Here is the PC I have:

CPU: Intel Q9450 @ 2.66 GHz
GPU: Nvidia 9800 GT
RAM: 4GB DDR3
OS: Windows Vista

I gather I might expect to run Skyrim on Medium settings so basically is it worth getting Skyrim for PC so I can take advantage of the amazing mods that are inevitably going to be released, or should I grab it on xbox as my PC is likely to struggle with it on high settings? Also I don't have any controllers to use with my PC and have heard that Skyrim is more suited to a controller so should I factor that into the equation?

Cheers for any advice guys.

Literally any help would be appreciated.

If you want options, not ultimatums, get it for the PC. It's a no brainer.

Actually you will run it on High at least Skyrim is in no way demanding other it then the poor optimization it has you should be get it on PC best of all worlds. I personally play with a controller it is a bit more smooth but when a decent UI overhaul is finished I will certainly be using a K/M. Could get a USB converter for your current 360 controller that cost $5 and you can use that if you do feel its clunky in it's current state as I do.

The one thing you need to ask yourself is if you want to play it with mods or not. If you don't have plans to use mods whatsoever then go Xbox, if you want to be able to use mods go PC.

I would say PC. Your hardware is decent and can run the game as good as your xbox will at least. Also, you can always upgrade your PC and CK is coming out soon. Plus tons of mods.
You can always use your Xbox controller for PC too.

Hi

Without a doubt PC. I was tempted to go for the X box Version myself, but ended up going PC. Boy am I glad I did! Not only do the modders rectify bugs, and problems with the PC version, but they also allow for really cool stuff to be added to the game. Also when the Creation Kit comes out in January the game will soar to the skies. If you buy the consule version, then you will watch all that happening while waiting for official bug fixes and DLC's. My 2cents anyway :flamethrower:

I initially got it for the PS3, played for 40+ hours and loved it. But, I started wishing I could use some of the mods. I bought it on PC and use it with a wired 360 controller connected via USB to a PC. I've got about 8 hours in on the PC version now. I'm playing on a laptop with the game set at medium settings. The gameplay is so good, I really haven't noticed any huge difference in visuals. I've only tried out a few mods and they're fun. I'm glad I got the PC version. I'll be trading in my PS3 version.

BUT, when I tried to play today on the PC, the game crashed every 10 minutes or so. This is apparently related to the 1.3 update Bethesda released a few days ago. This svcks, but I'm hopeful Bethesda will get it figured out soon.

The bottom line is I recommend the PC version for the mods, but I suggest getting a wired 360 controller and you need to be prepared for the occasional broken patch.

Am I the only one, that really enjoys playing with a mouse and Keyboard? :foodndrink:

I enjoy it too, cannot see any reason to go buy an controller for the game

Agreed. My Skyrim, now that I have managed to get Crossfire working, is not the same Skyrim I bought on 11/11. I've downloaded soooo many texture mods and tweaked my game to look absolutely stunning.



Nope. I did use a 360 controller for a bit, but 98% of the time it has been the KB/M.

Cool...nice to know I am not alone...

It'll look nicer on that 9800gt than you think. When I was running Skyrim on a radeon 4850 (fairly in the same league) is still looked better than xbox, and the mods...I can't say enough about how game changing they are. It adds a truckload of extra value to the game experience. It'll possibly encourage you to upgrade the GPU to a mid-level/budget card, and nice ones can be had fairly inexpensive. The mods, serious.
No brainer. If you didn't have a PC at all I would say Xbox, but otherwise...no brainer imo.

Cheers guys, that's all really helpful. I guess I'll go with the PC if only for the mods because I know from experience how the oblivion mods are amazing.

So long as you aren't buying it on PS3.

Don't make the same mistake I did.

Wait, so the Xbox 360 version looks about as good as my PC will be able to run it? (ie. Medium/High) That seems shocking...

If you get it for the XBox 360 you know it will look amazing and play amazing.

If you get it for the PC then it might look amazing but not play amazing... play amazing but look bad... look bad and play bad...

You just don't know because there are so many variables at work with an individual PC.

So get it for the XBox 360 and enjoy yourself.

If this is anything like "Morrowind" and "Oblivion" before it you'll be able to enjoy yourself with the original game for 100's of hours.

By the time you feel you've done everything and want to MOD, the game should be pretty cheap for PC and you can grab a copy and be sure that there's enough PC patch and MOD support for you to get an experience as good as 360 players are enjoying now.

Azrael
The Nord with the Sword

Considering Beth didn't even try it seems to go beyond Xbox version yes even Ultra looks similar. But thats due to the entire game being DX9 other then its DX11 optimization. Quite frankly its almost as bad as a port as Crysis 2 was when it first released

@Azreal

Such is not true a you cant go lower then 360 in Skyrim without modifying your game.

PC, Your system should do fine on medium-high with distances set to max.

And I do play with mouse and keyboard too. Looking around with a thumbstick feels way to slow for me.

On a sidenote: Why are you still on Vista?

So you're saying the opposite? That one has to run skyrim on Ultra on PC to get it looking similar to the Xbox version? But what you're saying at the end seems to contradict that.



Because I've never bothered to upgrade OS and it was the current one when I bought this computer. It hasn't given me too much grief tbh.

Saying they look similar PC does look better overall due to xAA mainly but it does not look anywhere near as good as it could be. You can't go lower then 360 but the difference between medium and ultra are not exactly noticeable.

Ok I get what you mean, so I could get the PC version looking similar to the 360 version with the PC I've got?

If you are more interest in visual mods (texture upgrades, shaders, and other graphics overhauls), sadly a 9800 wont really allow you to take advantage of most of those, since they are primarily designed to enhance the vanilla game at maximum settings. There are/will be some exceptions to that of course. If you are more interest in gameplay mods (skills, perks, gear and items, additional content/quests, balancing, etc), then the PC might be a good choice even though you wont be playing on max. Keep in mind the 360 will have a 30-day head start on the DLC when it starts flowing. Another thing to note: medium settings on the PC are comparable to how 360 looks.

With that in consideration, decide which platform is more relaxed and enjoyable for you to play on. Average it out and decide

Got to be PC if only for the Mod