What are the system requirements for playing The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion at it's highest possible graphical quality? I just ask because i am planning on buying myself a new, desktop gaming computer.

And if anyone here can direct me to any examples or name any good computers that would also be most appreciated.

Thank You

How much are you willing to spend in your currency? And are you willing to build it yourself or buy it prebuilt? And what else is needed besides the tower, like speakers, monitor, keyboard/mouse?

Well, i am willing to spend anything up too ￡850, i will not be requiring any speakers, monitor, mouse or keyboard as i have these from my previous computer.

Can you build one yourself? Or will you need a pre-assembled PC?

There are two answers to this:

For vanilla oblivion, any PC you can buy today with non-integrated graphics will run the game with every slider max'd out.

For modded oblivion (let's assume with quarl's texture pack 3) you should aim for a near 3ghz processor and a 1gb graphics card of at least Nvidia GTS250 or ATI 5770 power. <- With your ￡850 budget you can comfortably exceed this so go for a 5850 ati (preferably) or nvidia 460 (1gb version not the 768mb).

- In fact (just had a quick look online) there are PC builders who will make you a bare bones (i.e. no monitor etc) PC with a 3.06ghz i7 processor, 1TB hard disk and an ATI 5850 for around your asking price, so aim for this spec. Nevermind I looked at the price sans VAT, you'd need to drop it down to a core i5 or phenom II to hit your price range.

CPU architecture trumps CPU clock speed, to some extent. I wouldn't bother looking at clock speed, unless you're into overclocking, perhaps.* These days, the speeds are all pretty good, even at the low end (e.g., Athlon II or i3). Architectures are also all quite nice, though some outweigh others. Personally, I'd be tempted with either an i5 from Intel, or Phenom II from AMD.

* But even then, multiplier is the thing...


Anyway, you're much better off building your own. It's not very difficult, and people on forums and elsewhere should be willing and able to help if necessary. But if you want to pay someone to build for you, make sure you pick the best possible parts at good prices, then sure, hand over the extra $50 or whatever it is.

Graphics card requirements depend on, among other things, the resolution at which you will play. Of course, the mods you'll insist on using, and/or things like AA and AF, have a huge impact as well.

I make do with an HD5870 (overclocked by me, but only a hundred MHz or so), and an overclocked e8400 (an old CPU, yes), running at 4GHz. I run a lot of graphics mods, to put it mildly, including effects such as those from OBGEv2. Never have issues with FPS, suffice it to say.

So, perhaps that will give you an idea or two. If I was buying (i.e., building) new right now, it would be an i5 760 (overclocked), at least a 1GB GTX460 (OCd by me - these are amazing when boosted a bit) - or maybe something pricier, a fast SSD for OS and apps, a nice HDD for storage, a Corsair PSU (like I have now, but with more power), a Black Pearl case, and a Dell high colour gamut monitor. But that might go over your limit, so - given your budget - I'd adjust to taste.

There are several very low margin build it for you PC makers in the UK e.g. pcspecialist and overclockers. The latter will even sell you overclocked systems like an i5 at 4ghz.

It's not like the US where you are stuck with the big brands or building it yourself. On the other hand component costs are cheaper in the US but that's another story, blame the WTO and be grateful that at least you don't live in australia.

By the way, it runs on full specs ( + 4 x AA) perfectly well - no flicker at all - with both my 9600GSO (768mb), and HD4850 (512mb)......
Incidentally, my system specs are as follows:-

Core 2 Quad Q9550
5GBs DDR2
9600gso 768mb
22" monitor - 1680 x 1050
Win 7 home premium x64