Okay so, I think I am posting in the correct area since it is not actually a hardware problem, it is more so an opinion! I can't quite handle ultra graphics it is a little laggy. Skyrim recommends me to play on high but even then I find it to not be perfectly smooth. I want to know that sweet spot that you would recommend! Yes I know your computers probably can handle ultra graphics, yeah yeah! Mine can't.

RAM: 8GB

Windows 7 64 bit

Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GT 530
Total memory 4062(I think that's a mistake on my computer)

I have tried using recommended, I have tried doing it manually, but I can't find that nice spot. Does anyone know any tricks or mods to get the thing to max performance and max graphics that my computer can handle?

Try and see if this guide helps you or not.
It shows what each graphics option does and how it affects the performance.

http://www.geforce.com/Optimize/Guides/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-tweak-guide

My graphics card is "GeForce GT 530" and the page you sent me says it requires "GeForce GTX 550 Ti or GeForce GTX 260" So do I have above the "GTX 260" one or do I have under the "550 Ti" one? I would hope that it is the above GTX 260 because I can play Skyrim as smooth as a playstation game on Medium.

Your card is below GTX 260.

No kidding! That would explain why some games weren't as smooth as my old computer when I thought my old computer was worse! XD I might get my graphics cards changed over! Are you 100% sure about this, seems odd I can play this game on medium smoothly if mine is worse then minimum.

You should be able to run it maxed out. I have a GT555 with 6 gb of ram and an i7 2.9 ghrz quad on my alienware laptop. And I can max it out just fine. Maybe if yours is a laptop, try plugging the power cable in.

It's a desktop and what's even more surprisingly is I have a i7 3.4gHz, so besides your graphics being slightly better then mine, correct me if I'm mistaken but my computer is slightly better and yet I can't max it out, this is so strange...

Did you try the 4 gig ram patch?

i read somewhere that skyrim only uses 2 gb ram. might look at that
there are some workarounds to fix it

you can't play it very well because your videocard is a HUGE bottleneck. The 530's are litterally the worse videocard you can have. The 260 is in fact a LOT better despite being generations behind the 530.

Upgrade your videocard to a 560 1 or 2 gb an you will be set for this game. Get the 2 gb and you will be able to download high res texture packs as they are made.

Finding that sweet spot is all about experimentation. Each PC is unique and something that works for others might not work for you even on very similar configurations.

So use the guide that guy linked in the first reply, change something, test, change something else, repeat.

Happy tweaking.

Skyrim is a more CPU-Centered game.. you didn't mention your CPU.

Skyrim tells me to set graphics to low. When I set everything to high I get >40FPS.

This is on a 8800GT and Q6600 2.4 and running custom .ini files from the nexus.

I would look into some custom .ini files.

I think that settles it, my ancient graphics card was an 8800GT and that was forever ago literally years ago, if you can run it on 30+ FPS and I can barely run it at 19, it's as the person said above me can't remember the name, my graphics card is just a bottle neck. Looks like I'll need to upgrade.

My CPU is:

Intel® Core™ i7-2600 CPU @3.40GHz, 3.40GHz

I'm not very educated in CPU's I hope that's an at least decent one, because I only got this computer recently... Graphics cards are easy and always be replaced, but a CPU I might as well get a new computer.....

my 8800GT handles "high" just fine and the framerate is around 40 or so

Your CPU is good. But I'll be honest with you your graphics card is POS.

Don't understand why you'll buy such a great CPU with a such a [censored] graphics card.
But anyways, get a gtx560ti or above(gtx570, gtx580, etc) and you'll be all fine.

I think maybe even your old 8800gt can run games better than the gtx530.

I actually have a GEFORCE GTS 450 in my old computer.

Would you recommend that?

Still surprised at how well this card handles 'modern' games. I kinda assumed I would need to update a few years back but it's sill rocking!

Yes the 450 will be better then the 530 for a DX9 game like skyrim

It's really the 2 last numbers that show what tier your video card is. Only when a new generation comes up it kinda gets whacky

So a 480 is better then a 560
a 450 is better then a 530
But a 580 is better then a 480
And a 570 is probably really close to a 480.

So a new generation above is better... but doesn't mean no matter what it's better.

As for you i7 2600, you have one of the BEST cpu's available. It is JUST your videocard holding you back. Even your 450 won't "max" but it will be loads better then the 530 if i know my math right. Although I don't really look into anything less then #60 series for nvidia (460-480 and 560-590)

personally 570 and 580's are over rated. By the time a game comes out that needs them, the 600 series will be out.

http://www.geforce.com/Hardware/GPUs/geforce-gts-450/specifications

yeah your 450 blows the 530 away

gtx 450
GPU Engine Specs:
192CUDA Cores
783 MHzGraphics Clock (MHz)
1566 MHzProcessor Clock (MHz)
25.1Texture Fill Rate (billion/sec)
Memory Specs:
1804 (3608 data rate) MHzMemory Clock
GDDR5Memory Interface
128-bitMemory Interface Width
57.7Memory Bandwidth (GB/sec)

http://www.geforce.com/Hardware/GPUs/geforce-gt-530-oem/specifications

the 530 doesn't even have 100 cudas lol.

gts 530
GPU Engine Specs:
96CUDA Cores
700Graphics Clock (MHz)
1400Processor Clock (MHz)
11.2Texture Fill Rate (billion/sec)
Memory Specs:
Up to 898MHzMemory Clock
1 GB or 2GB DDR3Standard Memory Config
DDR3Memory Interface
128-bitMemory Interface Width
28.8Memory Bandwidth (GB/sec)

What graphics card would you recommend to max out Skyrims graphics to play smoothly with at least above 30 FPS?

that 450 paired with your i7 will probably run it pretty damn well honestly; I mean look at the huge differences; twice texture fill rate, double the memory bandwith, DDR3 vs DDR5 for the 450. The 450 is an actually graphics card, the 530 is just so you can watch movies or something lol. just compare the videocards size, i bet the 450 is a lot bigger then the 530.

Personally I get average 50-60 fps (lowest with fraps fps test was 45) with just a 945 deneb 3ghz and gtx 460. I have FXAA on, 4x AF, 0 MSAA 1920x1080 resolution, Ultra setting, and all details an LOD maxed out.

So a 560 will max the crap out of this game, any ati guys want to chime in what they use to max it out?

Note by max I mean AF 4-8x, FXAA on, every setting on ultra, or farthest setting for details, and MSAA either off or 4x on 1080p.

I really see NO REASON to have 1080p, 16 AA when I can't even see a [censored] jaggy with 1080 P and just FXAA on with 2x MSAA.

Nvidia have never been the best at numbering their cards. But like someone else said further up, usually go with the last 2 digits and you'll be sorted.

I notice you've posted about 3 times and I just want to say "Thank you very much!", it has helped me a lot and unbelievably I've learn't a lot from everyone here especially you! So thank you so much guys, you have been an amazing help!