Unofficial "Will my PC run Skyrim" thread #7

Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 5:55 pm

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1215172-unofficial-will-my-pc-run-skyrim-thread-6/

If anyone had a question from the previous thread that did not get answered before the post limit lockdown, feel free to repost it here.

This thread is the catch-all discussion thread for questions concerning computer hardware and its capability of running The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Please post all system spec queries here, as all other threads on this topic are liable to be closed.

The general rule of thumb here is that we are comparing the systems you post with the official system specs for the Xbox 360, which is the platform the game is primarily being designed for. These specs (in basic) are:

CPU: IBM Xenon @3.2GHz (Three cores)
Memory: 512Mb DDR3 (this memory is shared by the CPU and GPU and is bandwidth-accelerated by an onboard eDRAM chip)
GPU: Xenos graphics chip @ 500MHz
>DirectX 9.0c
>Shader Model 3.0
>No dedicated VRAM (it shares the system RAM)

What this means is that although the game will likely not be very demanding graphically (at least, before factoring in the increased texture resolutions and various other graphics features the PC gamers will get), it will likely put a heavy load on the CPU, and it is recommended to have at least a quad-core, although dual cores will probably not have too much issue so long as they have a reasonable clock speed (about 2.8 GHz on a modern dual-core should do).

We then take into account the fact that the game will likely not be as well optimized on the PC due to varying hardware setups. We also take into account the different optimization techniques required for PC setups due to the existence of, for instance, dedicated GPU memory. This means we are expecting Skyrim to require a decent processor of at least dual-core architecture with a reasonably fast clock speed, and GPUs with at least a 512Mb dedicated framebuffer and reasonable core clocks and memory clocks, as well as at least 4Gb of system RAM. If you meet these requirements, you should be able to run Skyrim; maybe not at the highest graphics settings without incurring a large performance hit, but you should be able to run it.

MODS EDIT:
General notice to begin with: at this point the system requirements are not yet known. Anything is speculation and conjecture at this moment. Asking about the requirements can yield an educated guess at best.

- From now on we're going to use this as the system requirement and speculation thread for both PC-systems and laptops.

- People can post questions related to their system in this thread.

- We'll also use this thread for general speculation regarding the anticipated and expected system requirements; be it minimum, recommended and optimum.

- This thread can also be used to ask about possible and potential upgrades that people plan or may want to make.

- Other threads will be closed and referred to this one. Once this reaches 200 posts, we'll continue in a new one and leave a link to the old thread.

- Once the official system requirements have been made public by Bethesda, we can change the topic to 'Will my system run Skyrim?'.

- Since this is unofficial, there are no guarentees and the administration may decide to change the course of this thread.

- We will appreciate it if you could link to this (and any subsequent) thread in new threads people make about hardware requirements. And, that you use the report fuction to report these new threads to the moderators.

Ok, let's see how it goes.

Thanks in advance.

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Rik Douglas
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 3:30 pm

I conveniently stumbled across this thread. I want to get into the realm of PC gaming starting with Skyrim. I've found these two setups and I'm curious if you folks can let me know if either can run Skyrim on higher settings.

1.)
AMD CPU HDZ955FBGMBOX Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2GHz AM3 125W
ASRock AM3 processors AMD 770-140W 4DDR3/ATI CrossFireX motherboard M3A770DE
Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1 GB DDR5 DL-DVI-I/SL-DVI-D/HDMI/Dual Mini DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 100314-2SR

and

2.)
Intel Core i5-2500 Processor 3.3GHz 6 MB Cache Socket LGA1155
MSI LGA1155/Intel H67/SATA3/DDR3/A&GbE/ATX Motherboard MSI PH67S-C43 LGA1155/Intel H67/SATA3/DDR3/A&GbE/ATX Motherboard
Galaxy Geforce GTX560 Ti GC 1 GB DDR5 Video Card 56NGH6HS4IXZ

I'll likely be adding 8GB of ram to either build (along with the other components of course).

I don't need to max it out but as long as I can run Skyrim and maybe The Witcher 2 in 1920x1080 with some higher settings I'll be happy.

Thanks a lot!
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Emmi Coolahan
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:04 pm

Of the two options I would go for the 2nd setup. You won't need 8gb for gaming 4gb will be more than enough, so you can save yourself some money there. If you want to reinvest the money upgrade the i5 2500 to the i5 2500k.

You will be able to run Skyrim on High settings
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Kat Ives
 
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Post » Mon Aug 08, 2011 3:49 am

I'm sure my PC will run the game ok but will it be able to run it on max settings?

INtel Core i3 processor 550 (3.20GHz)

Memory: 4MB DDR3

Graphics: 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5450

I don't know where to find out what version of DirectX I have, if someone could tell me where to look?
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Ash
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 4:30 pm

guessing thats 4GB not MB xD

5450 is a very low card tho
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Jennifer Munroe
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:11 pm

I'm sure my PC will run the game ok but will it be able to run it on max settings?

INtel Core i3 processor 550 (3.20GHz)

Memmory: 4MB DDR3

Graphics: 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5450

I don't know where to find out what version of DirectX I have, if someone could tell me where to look?

No chance. You'll be on the lowest settings and the lowest screen resolution. Why would you buy a business PC such as yours is, and then try to run a game with it?

You'll need to buy a real gaming graphics card unless that's a laptop, in which case you need a real gaming laptop instead.
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Ross
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 11:32 pm

You can't put graphics cards in laptop? I really am an amature but thought graphic cards could go into laptops.
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Lynne Hinton
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 4:54 pm

Laptops are welded shut, typically. I'm sure you could get one in if you try hard enough, but is it really worth that amount of trouble, or that risk?
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Sabrina garzotto
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:27 pm

Laptops are welded shut, typically. I'm sure you could get one in if you try hard enough, but is it really worth that amount of trouble, or that risk?


Nope lls.
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Mason Nevitt
 
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Post » Mon Aug 08, 2011 3:18 am

guessing thats 4GB not MB xD

5450 is a very low card tho


Yep, sorry 4GB. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to all this but I take it I need a new graphics card, a software update won't cut it?
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lucile davignon
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 4:20 pm

yep even a 9600 would be better and its cheap now days
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Emma Louise Adams
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:56 pm

Laptops are welded shut, typically. I'm sure you could get one in if you try hard enough, but is it really worth that amount of trouble, or that risk?

Laptops although they have their uses only really have one advantage over a desktop and that is that you can carry it around. In every other respect a desktop PC is better. It is much easier to upgrade, because the hardware isn't as small or awkward to access.

Then there is the fact that repairing a laptop is more difficult that a Desk top. If for example you were to do something silly like spill a can of coke over your laptop every component inside could be damaged whereas if you were to do the same thing and spilt a drink over your desktop PC all you would have destroyed and need to replace is the keyboard rather than the whole system.

A desktop PC is also more powerful than a laptop because at the end of the day there is a limited space to fit hardware into a laptop, where as there is more room in a desk top PC.

I would recommend to anyone, unless you actually need a laptop for work to invest in a desktop instead. Still that's not to say a laptop can't play any of todays games at very high settings, it's just a matter of whether the potential trouble of a laptop is worth it?
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Betsy Humpledink
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 11:29 am

No chance. You'll be on the lowest settings and the lowest screen resolution. Why would you buy a business PC such as yours is, and then try to run a game with it?

You'll need to buy a real gaming graphics card unless that's a laptop, in which case you need a real gaming laptop instead.


I play Oblivion on ultra high settings and on 1600x900 screen resolution with no problems. I also downloaded S.T.A.L.K.E.R. SoC yesterday and play that on max settings too, although I did find that there was a bit of lag, when I turned on Dynamic Lighting, so I switched it off.
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JERMAINE VIDAURRI
 
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Post » Mon Aug 08, 2011 12:30 am

I play Oblivion on ultra high settings and on 1600x900 screen resolution with no problems. I also downloaded S.T.A.L.K.E.R. SoC yesterday and play that on max settings too, although I did find that there was a bit of lag, when I turned on Dynamic Lighting, so I switched it off.

I would expect to run very high with an HD 5450. My GPU, a 9800gtx, is approximately 450% faster and I'm not even expecting to run on max. However, if you want to upgrade there are some cheap cards now. For instance, the HD 6870 (which is on par with the gtx 560 TI) is about $180, which is fairly cheap for such a fast card.
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Cameron Wood
 
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Post » Mon Aug 08, 2011 1:24 am

I would expect to run very high with an HD 5450. My GPU, a 9800gtx, is approximately 450% faster and I'm not even expecting to run on max. However, if you want to upgrade there are some cheap cards now. For instance, the HD 6870 (which is on par with the gtx 560 TI) is about $180, which is fairly cheap for such a fast card.


So you're saying I could run it on max settings?

I know Oblivion is 5 yrs old but I've heard mention more than once that you still need a good PC to run it on max and my PC does that just fine plus the graphics are better on my PC compared to the 360 version, which I own too. So surely Skyrim will look better on my PC compared to the 360 version?
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mike
 
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Post » Mon Aug 08, 2011 3:56 am

I'm curious as to what I should be able to run. I'm looking to get upgrades, particularly my CPU, but I currently have:

Processor: Intel® Core™2 Quad CPU Q8300 @ 2.50GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5670

Monitor is 1920x1080.
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Elizabeth Lysons
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 2:29 pm

I'm curious as to what I should be able to run. I'm looking to get upgrades, particularly my CPU, but I currently have:

Processor: Intel® Core™2 Quad CPU Q8300 @ 2.50GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5670

Monitor is 1920x1080.


Your probably looking at solid medium settings with that setup. Also your GPU is holding you back more than your processor, so if you plan on upgrading anything get a new GPU just make sure your PSU can handle it.
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Umpyre Records
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 11:28 am

I'm sure my PC will run the game ok but will it be able to run it on max settings?

INtel Core i3 processor 550 (3.20GHz)

Memmory: 4MB DDR3

Graphics: 1GB ATI Radeon HD 5450

I don't know where to find out what version of DirectX I have, if someone could tell me where to look?

No chance. You'll be on the lowest settings and the lowest screen resolution. Why would you buy a business PC such as your and then plan to run a brand new game with it?

You'll need to buy a real gaming graphics card unless that's a laptop, in which case you need a real gaming laptop instead.

We're discussing a game that isn't here yet, and the current minimum Radeon for FO-NV is still as good as your business card. For Oblivion, yes, medium settings, surely, that's a five year old game, after all, although the official requirements were total GARBAGE.
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Chloé
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 11:53 pm

I'm curious as to what I should be able to run. I'm looking to get upgrades, particularly my CPU, but I currently have:

Processor: Intel® Core™2 Quad CPU Q8300 @ 2.50GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5670

Monitor is 1920x1080.

Your probably looking at solid medium settings with that setup. Also your GPU is holding you back more than your processor, so if you plan on upgrading anything get a new GPU just make sure your PSU can handle it.


If you were to upgrade I would go for the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121391 personally, but it would cost around the $140 mark so it depends on how much use you will get out of it, as to whether you should make an investment like that. If not much then what you have may well suit you.
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Erin S
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 4:22 pm

No chance. You'll be on the lowest settings and the lowest screen resolution. Why would you buy a business PC such as your and then plan to run a brand new game with it?

You'll need to buy a real gaming graphics card unless that's a laptop, in which case you need a real gaming laptop instead.

We're discussing a game that isn't here yet, and the current minimum Radeon for FO-NV is still as good as your business card. For Oblivion, yes, medium settings, surely, that's a five year old game, after all, although the official requirements were total GARBAGE.


I didn't buy my PC for this game, I've had it quite a while. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to play Skyrim on 1600x900 screen resolution, not the lowest, as I play other games on that setting. As for max settings, I don't know, maybe medium - high. Just one question though, is my PC set up better than a 360?
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sophie
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 10:13 pm

yes.. but thats not sayin much 360 graphics will should be equal to Low on PC of course I don't think you play with any AA at all if you do max Oblivion which xbox doesn't have either so ya
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Mackenzie
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 9:14 pm

I didn't buy my PC for this game, I've had it quite a while. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to play Skyrim on 1600x900 screen resolution, not the lowest, as I play other games on that setting. As for max settings, I don't know, maybe medium - high. Just one question though, is my PC set up better than a 360?


I'm pretty sure there's no way you'll be able to play on medium to high settings with that GPU. As for your question the PC medium settings is usually equivalent to the consoles. The ATI 5450 is a low end card and you probably shouldn't hope for anything more than low settings if that.
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Emerald Dreams
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 5:47 pm

The Radeon video graphics card closest to the 360 was was the X1950 ("Pro" model, I believe).

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=625&card2=466

The HD 5450 is well below that one in overall performance, although it does beat it in shader operations.

It wasn't designed for gaming, but it has acquired various aspect of the more advanced generations as time has passed, such as the many shader processors that the HD 4n00 and HD 5n00 generations added. It should be able to run an elderly game such as Oblivion, although not as well as the XBox360.
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Margarita Diaz
 
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Post » Sun Aug 07, 2011 8:27 pm

Your probably looking at solid medium settings with that setup. Also your GPU is holding you back more than your processor, so if you plan on upgrading anything get a new GPU just make sure your PSU can handle it.


Really? I thought the 2.5Ghz was a bad thing.
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Tha King o Geekz
 
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Post » Mon Aug 08, 2011 3:48 am

Anything above 2 GHz is OK for CPU speed, maybe not ideal, but not bad. Don't worry too much about that.
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Jennie Skeletons
 
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