I want to be able to play Skyrim.

• Kollin wrote on 2011-12-16 00:23
  I know nothing of computers though, so I have a few questions.
  
  Since I am not very good with computer mumbo-jumbo, would it be recommended to get better parts for what I have now, buy a new computer specifically for gaming, or build one?
  
  If getting better pieces to upgrade, could you point me to what would be good (I will supply information about what I already have if needed)?
  
  If buying a new computer, could you point out one that would be good?
  
  If building one, can you point out parts that would be good and perhaps a guide for constructing a computer (though on this one I would probably pay someone else to build it)?
  
  It doesn't have to be amazing, running Skyrim on medium setting would suffice for me. I would also prefer it to not be costly. I have no set price range, but I don't want it to be stupidly expensive.
• Niuu wrote on 2011-12-16 00:43
  i have a Intel core i7-2600 Cpu 3,40GHZ
  
  12g ram 1 To space
  
  I Paid like 1500 for it and i can run skyrim on high perfectly fine.
  
  With around 1000 Youd be good for medium seetings i guess
• Mystickskye wrote on 2011-12-16 01:54
  Skyrim is relatively low spec and even the recommended requirements are fairly reasonable.
  
  Your current specs are needed to advise whether you'd be better off upgrading or getting a new system though. Even a new system won't be too costly, I made a mock build on newegg for around $650 and that includes a monitor.
• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2011-12-16 01:58

  Quote from Niuu;694030:

  i have a Intel core i7-2600 Cpu 3,40GHZ
  
  12g ram 1 To space
  
  I Paid like 1500 for it and i can run skyrim on high perfectly fine.
  
  With around 1000 Youd be good for medium seetings i guess

  
  lol no
  skyrim doesnt require enthusiast computers to run the game on ultra
• Jarvan IV wrote on 2011-12-16 02:34
  niuu are you building that computer in 2007?
• Kollin wrote on 2011-12-16 03:30

  Quote from Mystickskye;694127:

  Skyrim is relatively low spec and even the recommended requirements are fairly reasonable.
  
  Your current specs are needed to advise whether you'd be better off upgrading or getting a new system though. Even a new system won't be too costly, I made a mock build on newegg for around $650 and that includes a monitor.

  
  
  Copied from Dxdiag:
  Operating System: Windows Vistaâ„¢ Home Basic (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.110617-0336)
  Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
  System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion
  System Model: FQ453AA-ABA a6683w
  BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
  Processor: AMD Sempron(tm) Dual Core Processor 2200 (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
  Memory: 1918MB RAM
  Page File: 1934MB used, 2149MB available
  DirectX Version: DirectX 11
  Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
  Manufacturer: NVIDIA
  Chip type: GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
  DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
  Display Memory: 825 MB
  Dedicated Memory: 121 MB
  Shared Memory: 703 MB
  Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
  Monitor: HP w1907 Wide LCD Monitor
  Driver Version: 8.17.0012.8562 (English)
  DDI Version: 9Ex
  BGRA Supported: Yes
  
  I leave you to pick out which info is important, because I sure as hell don't know.
• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2011-12-16 03:56
  You need a better processor since 2.0 Ghz is really too slow for Skyrim
  It should be upgraded at least 2.5 Ghz for better skyrim play
  
  some more ram would be nice
  
  the cat doesnt really see anything about the mobo
  
  it's a likely chance you have to buy a new mobo, cpu, and graphic card
  and power supply
• Mystickskye wrote on 2011-12-16 04:02
  Looks like you're just over the minimum specs!
  Minimum Specs
  Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit)
  Processor: Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor
  2GB System RAM
  6GB free HDD Space
  Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM
  DirectX compatible sound card
  Internet access for Steam activation
  
  You said you wanna run at medium though right? There exist some recommended specs and iirc they are for High:
  Recommended Specs
  Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit)
  Processor: Quad-core Intel or AMD CPU
  4GB System RAM
  6GB free HDD space
  DirectX 9.0c compatible NVIDIA or AMD ATI video card with 1GB of RAM (Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 or higher; ATI Radeon 4890 or higher).
  DirectX compatible sound card
  Internet access for Steam activation
  
  These are doable otherwise but probably not feasible on your current hardware. It says quad core but I think the i3-2100 would be fine (failing that there are still things like the Phenom 9**s). Tomshardware ran some benchmarks including the effect the number of cores/threads has on performance and anything above two cores didn't seem to effect their benches. On that note, Skyrim seems to be more CPU intensive rather then GPU intensive (at default settings anyway) so a moderate GPU should suffice. If you can keep costs down here then it won't matter too much about ditching the system entirely and getting a new one should the need arise in the future.
  
  I'll see about putting together a simple list in a bit if Yoorah doesn't have anything to add x3
• Kollin wrote on 2011-12-16 04:06

  Quote from Mystickskye;694345:

  Looks like you're just over the minimum specs!
  Minimum Specs
  Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit)
  Processor: Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor
  2GB System RAM
  6GB free HDD Space
  Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM
  DirectX compatible sound card
  Internet access for Steam activation
  
  You said you wanna run at medium though right? There exist some recommended specs and iirc they are for High:
  Recommended Specs
  Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit)
  Processor: Quad-core Intel or AMD CPU
  4GB System RAM
  6GB free HDD space
  DirectX 9.0c compatible NVIDIA or AMD ATI video card with 1GB of RAM (Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 or higher; ATI Radeon 4890 or higher).
  DirectX compatible sound card
  Internet access for Steam activation
  
  These are doable otherwise but probably not feasible on your current hardware. It says quad core but I think the i3-2100 would be fine (failing that there are still things like the Phenom 9**s). Tomshardware ran some benchmarks including the effect the number of cores/threads has on performance and anything above two cores didn't seem to effect their benches. On that note, Skyrim seems to be more CPU intensive rather then GPU intensive (at default settings anyway) so a moderate GPU should suffice. If you can keep costs down here then it won't matter too much about ditching the system entirely and getting a new one should the need arise in the future.
  
  I'll see about putting together a simple list in a bit if Yoorah doesn't have anything to add x3

  
  
  I might be just over the minimum, however when I tried to run it on my computer the lag was unbearable just at the start menu screen with the dragon symbol. It just outright froze when I tried to start the game. This was with every single setting on the lowest possible.
• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2011-12-16 04:10
  the cat has specs like Kollin actually
  the minimum requirements for skyrim is actually inaccurate
  the frame rate is really low even at low textures
  hence why the cat recommended a better processor
  
  now, Kollin
  we're gonna need a budget
• Mystickskye wrote on 2011-12-16 04:11
  I just posted the minimum for the record seeing as the original statement was medium :p I think high is doable though.
• Yoorah wrote on 2011-12-16 06:47
  Sempron is AMD's ultra cheap/butchered CPU line. Even though it says 2.0GHz, you can't expect much from it! ;(
  Nor can you expect much from that motherboard chipset-integrated graphics processor.
  ...so yeah, it's not surprising that it fails to run the game.
  
  Upgrading that thing would not be worth it; you should build or buy a new prebuilt computer. I would however not recommend you get one specifically for Skyrim. <_< What if some game comes out next year, would you want to upgrade your comp if you had to, then? I'd suggest you spend a bit extra and get a more powerful system. As a guesstimate, a build totalling around $1k is a good balance of performance and "bang for your buck." You can however build a decent system closer to the $600 mark, without it being too crappy.
  
  If you buy from a well-known brand instead, expect to pay quite the premium on a gaming system. I wouldn't recommend it, since it seems like you don't mind building. Alternatively, you could buy it pre-built from a cheap crap-brand like "Ibuypower" or whatever on Newegg, but imo they are ugly as hell. ):
  
  Decide how much you wanna spend, like between $600-1000, or w/e... and someone will look up parts for you to get. I'm too lazy to do it atm. xd
• Kayate wrote on 2011-12-16 06:50
  I thought this was gonna be another arrow to the knee joke.
• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2011-12-16 07:57
  well
  let's get started
  
  Note: the cat will not include monitor, keyboard, speakers, mice and other accessories
  
  The $600-700 build
  
  CPU i3-2100 (2 core 4 thread) $125
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078
  
  Motherboard ASUS P8H61 $65
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131724
  
  Case $60
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
  
  4 GB (2 x 2GB Ram) 4GB $30
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275
  
  6850 $145
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908
  
  500 GB hard drive $100
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152305
  
  400 W power supply $45
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029
• Kollin wrote on 2011-12-16 16:43

  Quote from Yoorah;694530:

  Sempron is AMD's ultra cheap/butchered CPU line. Even though it says 2.0GHz, you can't expect much from it! ;(
  Nor can you expect much from that motherboard chipset-integrated graphics processor.
  ...so yeah, it's not surprising that it fails to run the game.
  
  Upgrading that thing would not be worth it; you should build or buy a new prebuilt computer. I would however not recommend you get one specifically for Skyrim. <_< What if some game comes out next year, would you want to upgrade your comp if you had to, then? I'd suggest you spend a bit extra and get a more powerful system. As a guesstimate, a build totalling around $1k is a good balance of performance and "bang for your buck." You can however build a decent system closer to the $600 mark, without it being too crappy.
  
  If you buy from a well-known brand instead, expect to pay quite the premium on a gaming system. I wouldn't recommend it, since it seems like you don't mind building. Alternatively, you could buy it pre-built from a cheap crap-brand like "Ibuypower" or whatever on Newegg, but imo they are ugly as hell. ):
  
  Decide how much you wanna spend, like between $600-1000, or w/e... and someone will look up parts for you to get. I'm too lazy to do it atm. xd

  
  
  A $600-1000 dollar budget sounds about right. I am going to have to save up anyways regardless of cost.