Hi, I was just wondering what components I should get to build a new pc that can play skyrim with lots of mods, look very good but has a budget of around ￡500.

Here is where I was planning on buying the components: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=6

I've had a lot of mileage out of my current pc (bought in 2007) which is a Dell XPS 710 with Intel ® Core™2 Quad CPU @ 2.40 GHz 2.39 GHz, 4GB ram, 32-bit Operating system (vista) with a Nvidia Gefore 560 GTX gpu (which is the only thing I've upgraded). How easy is it to improve this in regards to processor, and do you think it can still take a good number of mods as it is?

Thanks for your time and any suggestions!

Here is a relevant budget CPU comparison: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-processor-frame-rate-performance,3427-6.html

For Skyrim alone a CPU with a high clock is recommended. But that might not be first priority in other games.

I would also recommend getting a budget SSD and installing STEAM on it (although this is not essential).

Don't get more than 8 GB RAM. Unless you are doing some serious movie editing or something it's just not necessary. Besides, Skyrim is very crash prone when nearing the limit of 3.1 GB RAM.

If you are planning on running a lot of hi-res textures then I would get a graphics card with 3 GB of VRAM.

If you are planning on overclocking then get a CPU with K after it's model number (for Intel CPUs). But, if you are overclocking you probably already knew that.

Which resolution do you play at/in?

Hey, thanks for the suggestions, I am playing at a screen resolution of 1650x1050.

Ok, if you plan on sticking to that resolution for the duration/lifetime of your new computer then you can get away with a slightly less powerful CPU and GPU. Good for you.

And just a side note - does anyone know if the Intel Core 2 Quad Core Processor Q6600 (8M Cache, 2.40 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB) can deal with a 64-bit operating system (as until I save for new pc, this is something I can improve upon on my current pc pretty much immediately?)

Yes, that CPU is 64-bit. Not sure how it performs in Windows 7 or 8. You can probably find benchmarks.

The minimum requirements for Windows 7 64-bit is a 1 GHz CPU so it should be fine.

Cheers, White (no, I didn't know about k for overclocking, not very knowledgeable about pcs!!!)

I would stay with that quad core CPU (very good CPU) and i would buy a GTX660 GPU with that, and if you are sort of money leave the SSD out.

A normal HDD with either 32 or 64 MB Cache, will do the trick just fine. You doesn't want a SSD to play skyrim fast, you need a good CPU and GPU.

With that GPU, (you should play skyrim at full HD, but i wouldn't install any modes. - if you want mod's you should lower your resolution to 1280x720)

Otherwise you should consider to buy a new CPU as well.

Your Q6600 can deal with Windows 7 or 8 64 bit with easy.....!!!!!!

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for 500 English pounds or 588 Euros.

OK lesson my friend the best i can crank up for about 595 Euros is this:

Mobo: ASUS S1150 B85M-G (B85) SATA3/USB3/VGA/HDMI/DVI (70 Euros) -> http://www.zero1.gr/popup_image.php?pID=293745

CPU: Intel Box s1150 Core i5-4440 Processor 3.1 GHz (170 Euros) -> http://www.zero1.gr/popup_image.php?pID=293421

GPU: 2 GB PCIE nVidia GF GTX760 GIGABYTE GV-N760OC-2GD (260 Euros) -> http://www.zero1.gr/popup_image.php?pID=290853

PSU: 750W CORSAIR Builder CX750M Modular 80 (95 Euros) -> http://www.zero1.gr/popup_image.php?pID=291966

...and leave your HDD the same, believe me it no matters at all !!!!!

For 595 Euros that's a killer PC !!!!!

Thanks for that, awesome work mate!

You're welcome !!!!!!

Hmmm, surely with 2 GB of VRAM he can install some additional mods as well? For example SkyUI and such.

In any case OlafH you can download and install this: http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9080/? (takes a while to download). In short it is the full HD DLC reduced to 1024 textures.

And use the Full 1024 option. That should free some VRAM so that you can install lots of other mods as well. In your resolution I seriously doubt that you will see the difference between the 2048 and 1024 textures anyway. And your game will still look a lot better than vanilla.

Edit: If you install that then disable the whole HD DLC, since this replaces the whole thing.

I forgotten the Ram modules.

2 x 2GB DDR3 1600 MHz Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9AD3B1/2 (CL9) -> 2 x 25 Euros = 50 Euros (Kingston very reliable ram modules)

Go for the one module only 4GB DDR3 1600 MHz Kingston KHX1600C9D3B1/4G (CL9) Blu (44 Euros) -> http://www.zero1.gr/popup_image.php?pID=249044

because you will stick with two memory modules that maybe you never will sell. (2GB modules selling not to well those days)

Dual channel will gain you nothing, maybe 1 frame, and you can buy another 4GB module if you have more money.

Then you will have 8 GB in dual channel mode nevertheless.

So, we get to 542 pounds.

That processor supports 1333/1600 Memory modules, and the Mobo as well...so you are good to go.

But believe me it's worth it......and you will have no problems with lots of mod's either.

Hallo !!!!

Thank you, I love ice cream.

Thanks for your suggestions, much appreciated!