I'm looking to add a general graphics update for Skyrim and I've come across both these mods. Both look amazing and I was hoping on some community in put on which is better in terms of visual changes v. fps hit and general comparability with other mods. My googlefoo has failed me and I was unable to find anything comparing or contrasting the two.

I use both, Realistic Overhaul first and then overwrite with HD 2K. This way you capture more items re-textures. Or you can do it in reverse.

I originally had Skyrim HD 2k (Full) but I then tried Skyrim Realistic Overhaul. I had a pretty thorough look over both. In my own humble opinion, SRO is better. The landscapes and terrain in particular is fantastic. Also (and i cant speak for everyone else), but Skyrim HD 2k Full svcked up at least 10 more fps than SRO. That was a big difference for me, especially considering I thought the latter was better. SRO also affects more textures than HD 2k. I use the DLC High Res Packs and various individual mods (eg. Dungeons Redefined, Flora Overhaul, item retextures to fill in the gaps). Things have never looked better. So IMHO, go with SRO. It doesnt have the same amount of hype as HD 2k but its a quiet achiever

Skyrim 2K changes more of the original look than Skyrim Realistic Overhaul - stuff like completely using a different type of brickwork on some town roads etc. while Skyrim Realistic Overhaul keeps more to the original looks and design.

SRO has superior landscape textures, at least that's the general consensus (my personal view and STEP also mentions that as well). SRO started off focusing more on landscape textures so that's probably why it feels better (amazing blending for one).

Skyrim 2K however, covers more things, such as clutter, clothes etc.

The handy thing about Skyrim 2k though is that he made his textures available in separate downloadable packs - like the Dungeon pack, or the town pack. SRO is available at full res as pretty huge 1gb+ parts for download. There is a torrent for the entire thing that is 3gb file in the end (I'm seeding it as we speak), it's more reliable for resuming downloads if you can't download all in one sitting. Its low-res pack is easier to download but naturally you only get 1k textures.

So it'll end up being whichever's your preference, in the end. Personally I use the High-res texture pack with the optimized DLC mod since that covers clothes + clutter, and than use SRO.

Skyrim HD 2K seems to have a bloat issue; the author is using DXT3 and DXT5 on textures that have no need for an alpha channel and would do fine with DXT1. Some scrubbing with DDSOpt will be needed with that one.

I do not know if SRO properly DXT'd their textures.

I personally prefer SRO. The author held true to the original textures (which is always a plus to me) and some of his work is just incredible. My personal installation for textures: Skyrim 2k, then Official DLC pack, then SRO. Covers alot of ground and looks fantastic.

I knew there was something I forgot to cover with my latest re-install! Textures!
So thanks for reminding me. By the sounds of things i'll look into SRO.

SRO is saved with proper filters, I still ran DDSOPT on it but it didn't change a lot at all, not necessary. For Skyrim HD it definitely helps a lot performance wise to DDSOPT them.

That's exactly what i do.