Gaming PC, Hardware, and the world of Skyrim

[TechRookie16]

When Morrowind was released I had a decent pc to run the epic RPG. When word of Oblivion's release debuted, I immediately began building a new PC. Now with the release of Skyrim, it is time once again to build a new PC. Money isn't a real issue, but I don't think I would spend over $2,500 for a new desktop, nor would I think it would really be necessary. I probably won't build another PC for another 5-6 years (Or until the next Elder Scrolls is released and I have a constant erection that won't go away)

Here is my issue, I want to run Skyrim at absolutely max graphics- looking as smooth as possible. The demands of Skyrim, I figure if I can do that, then my PC will be capable of running really anything for the next couple of years. If I purchase a high-end PC (but build within the $1,000-1,200 range) I'm thinking that it will have no problem running Skyrim on max. If I go all out and purchase the GTX 580 and run it with the Intel Core i7- 2600, is there going to be a notable difference. I understand that the more expensive PC would be faster. But is there a cutoff where it's just overkill and you can't notice a difference.

I'm kind of cheating but I've been reading over this website night and day and also comparing to other "build your custom PC websites" and I would build my computer similar to these 2 builds.

http://www.build-gaming-computers.com/gaming-desktop-computer.html

I would either build towards the mid-range or build the dream pc.

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I'm not sure if I'm really clear on what I'm trying to say so I'll try to make an example: (sorry if this is overkill in itself, lol) but say PC 1 cost $1,000 and PC 2 cost $2,000. Let's make up a range of performance and say 1-100 and PC 1 performs at 60 and PC 2 performs at 80. But maximum performance for Skyrim only requires a 45, is it a waste to upgrade to the PC 2 or will you still be able to notice differences. I hope that makes sense.

Thanks

 

[HybridSquirrel]

the mid-range build is twice as much as the budget build? Madness.

 

[TechRookie16]

No the mid-range is 1,000- the dream PC is around 2,000ish

 

[modestninja]

It's usually better to build a mid-range computer every 2 years than to build an ultra-high end computer every 5 years. There are severely diminishing returns the higher you go up the chain.

I'd stick with the 2500K, 560Ti/6950 (or if you want to push your budget 570/6970). For more than double the price, you aren't getting that much more performance from the high end build.

Where you will notice the difference is in a couple years when the hardware you bought now starts showing it's age and you still have that extra grand to build a new PC that will be much better than the current high end build.

 

[wanderer27]

I'm about on the same track as you.

I built my current system around Oblivion time, and the only thing I've upgraded is the CPU & Graphics card.

The CPU I bought used - it replaced the original 3700+ (939 Socket).
Graphics card replaced a GTX 7800 - performance a little better, but lower temps and power.

Right now I'm kind of hanging out to see if BD is going to be a star or a dud (dud I'm suspecting) before I start building an entirely new system.

First, we're all still waiting to see what the requirements for Skyrim are going to be. I'm not really suspecting that they'll be as dramatic a leap as Oblivion was over previous games, but who knows?

Secondly, sad to say, I'm not really as thrilled about this new Elder Scrolls as I was about Morrowind or Oblivion.
They had (may still have) some bugs that they just never addressed.
I'm one of the first (if not the first) ones to encounter the "Frozen" Spell effects bug. They never did fix that, there was a Community hack that finally resolved (temporarily) the issue.
They nuked a lot of stuff in Oblivion too - Alchemy, Flying, Consolitis, etc.

I'm still looking at picking the game, but I may end up waiting for a GOTY Edition or something (especially with all the DLC they'll be doing).

Still going to be building a new rig, but it might be worth waiting a bit more to see what the actual demands are going to be.


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[Monster_Munch]

I'm still running a single Sapphire 5870 Vapor-X. Hopefully it will handle Skyrim on max settings, it struggles with some of the newer DX11 titles with tessellation enabled but everything else is very smooth.

 

[TechRookie16]

Well wanderer, I agree with you as far as graphics demands not being the game changer Morrowind to Oblivion was, but I've read time and time again this game is going to be so much more detailed. Every article I've read has been similar to this:

http://www.boomtron.com/2011/09/the-elder-scrolls-iv-skyrim-better-than-oblivion-in-every-way/

Infact I don't think I've read one negative review of the demo's yet. But ya I never even upgraded my CPU or graphics card so it's wayyy overdo.

 

[wanderer27]

Well wanderer, I agree with you as far as graphics demands not being the game changer Morrowind to Oblivion was, but I've read time and time again this game is going to be so much more detailed. Every article I've read has been similar to this:

http://www.boomtron.com/2011/09/the-elder-scrolls-iv-skyrim-better-than-oblivion-in-every-way/

Infact I don't think I've read one negative review of the demo's yet. But ya I never even upgraded my CPU or graphics card so it's wayyy overdo.

Well, even the Mid-range Graphics cards today are pretty beefy, as are the CPU's.

Someone said it best on another thread - that Console compatibility is kind of holding back PC Title requirements.


On a positive note, I do seem to recall that they're supposed to be using a new Game Engine (not GameBryo thank God), so that may help.

I've only read a few of the older Articles on Skyrim, so I'm not sure what they've added or removed this time around.
I'm thinking they've merged some skill sets, so that too me is more "dumbing down", and it sounds like Combat may be more difficult for an old fart like me
I never did get the hang of Oblivions "Power" attacks . . .


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[Skott]

I'd say a 2500k, 4GB RAM and a 6950 (or it's nVidia counterpart) or better GPU will probably do the job, especially if the rig is overclocked. However, people really need to stop asking about Skyrim specs though until they release minimum and recommended specs. Until then it is all speculation and no one knows for sure.

 

[TechRookie16]

I know I've mentioned Skyrim heavily in my PC update but I feel like the mid-range and max would both run it fairly well on all max settings. My question was at a certain point do you stop noticing improvement. For instance running Crysis 2 on the high-end compared to the mid. I believe they could both run it in maximum mode but would you notice a difference between the two?

 

[HumblePie]

It's usually better to build a mid-range computer every 2 years than to build an ultra-high end computer every 5 years. There are severely diminishing returns the higher you go up the chain.

I'd stick with the 2500K, 560Ti/6950 (or if you want to push your budget 570/6970). For more than double the price, you aren't getting that much more performance from the high end build.

Where you will notice the difference is in a couple years when the hardware you bought now starts showing it's age and you still have that extra grand to build a new PC that will be much better than the current high end build.

^ pretty much this to a point.

I having been upgrading my system just about every year or two like clockwork for the last decade or more. It's much easier to buy some quality pieces that will last a LONG time like a case and power supply. Then buy higher mid range performance pieces without wasting cash on the absolute top-end parts with minimal performance gains over the next tier down. It also depends on what deals you can find at the time.

Typically I spend about $600-$800 in upgrade parts every 2 years. BUT to offset that I sell my old parts off for about $400-$600. This way I don't spend much over all or many times break even. I end up with bigger jumps in performance every few years with minimal cash investment.

 

[Sulaco]

I don't think you can compare the Oblivion release to the Skyrim release. I remember having to upgrade my 6800 Ultra at the time to a Radeon X1900XT to get the best framerate possible. But I don't see anything like that happening this time around.

When Oblivion was new, it was technically a console port, but the console's were BRAND NEW, and on par with any of the PC hardware, making it truly cutting edge.

Skyrim is clearly meant and able to run on the same consoles, and PC hardware has long since surpassed them.

Also, nothing in any of the videos or images looks terribly demanding or impressive. I'm sure it will be a good-looking game, but it's not going to a hardware crusher.

 

[Skott]

I know I've mentioned Skyrim heavily in my PC update but I feel like the mid-range and max would both run it fairly well on all max settings. My question was at a certain point do you stop noticing improvement. For instance running Crysis 2 on the high-end compared to the mid. I believe they could both run it in maximum mode but would you notice a difference between the two?

How do we answer that when the game doesn't exist yet? We have to wait for the specs at the very least and probably actual retail in game play/reviews.

 

[RebelCapitalist]

When Oblivion was new, it was technically a console port, but the console's were BRAND NEW, and on par with any of the PC hardware, making it truly cutting edge.

Skyrim is clearly meant and able to run on the same consoles, and PC hardware has long since surpassed them.

Also, nothing in any of the videos or images looks terribly demanding or impressive. I'm sure it will be a good-looking game, but it's not going to a hardware crusher.

This is what I'm thinking as well. Was watching the videos and what came to my mind was Uncharted 2/3 on the PS3. It seemed to be of that level, which would suggest that a major PC rebuild isn't required.

Of course, that was just a video, so who knows what the PC version will be capable of.

 

[SMOGZINN]

As for your main question, it really matters on the resolution you wish to play at, and that matters on what monitor you are going to run it on.

Assuming you are running at at least 1920×1080 then yes you will always see a performance improvement, but a small one. The question is not if there is a performance improvement, it is whether that improvement is worth the large jump in price. The answer is normally no unless you are running at very high resolutions or have money to burn. And the answer is always that you are better off saving that money and upgrading sooner, because the $200 you spend now for a 10% increase in speed would probably net you a 40-50% increase in speed in 2 years.

As for Skyrim, like others have said it is made to run on the current gen of consoles so it can not be that demanding. What they can do is add very high detail textures for the PC version, so I would imagine that GPU and GPU memory will be much more important then CPU for that specific game. But really that is just my guess.

 

[JasonCoder]

Honestly if you're only building the PC for Skyrim here is your absolute best path: by a 360 and a 42" LED LCD.

The PC version won't scale on hardware like you'd expect a game to if it's anything like the last couple of ES games.

 

[Mike Gayner]

Wrong forum.

 

[TechRookie16]

Blaah screw console gaming.

 

[modestninja]

Honestly if you're only building the PC for Skyrim here is your absolute best path: by a 360 and a 42" LED LCD.

The PC version won't scale on hardware like you'd expect a game to if it's anything like the last couple of ES games.

But then you miss out on all of the mods that will make the game playable. ES -mods is way less fun.

 

[RebelCapitalist]

But then you miss out on all of the mods that will make the game playable. ES -mods is way less fun.

Agreed. This is one of the main reasons why I gave my consoles to the kids and went back to all PC. Completed Fallout 3 a few times on PS3 then Xbox then bought GotY for PC on a deal, added mods and never looked back. Went right off and ordered Oblivion after that. It's amazing what you miss by being a console player.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

No the mid-range is 1,000- the dream PC is around 2,000ish

mid-range now days is like 600 max...l2 build.

 

[aigomorla]

any recient processor today can run any game.

Ultimately its down to the experience you want.

do you want the eyefinity bling blingness with 3 monitors?
Do you want the 3d aspect with shutter glasses?

What type of experience do you want? This is what should be the ultimate price tag.


Now if your gaming on a 21 inch LCD, max resolution 1680x1050, your not going to need all that gpu power. Even up to 24 inches, most games today dont have problems.

If your going past 24, or ur going multi monitors, then your going to want power to your gpu's.


A system designed to run multi monitors in eyefinity or stereoscopic 3d will typically cost 2-3x more then a mid grade gaming machine because of the extra monitors required + power house GPU's.


Also this post belongs in general hardware...

 

[StinkyPinky]

I thought Skyrim was just using a heavily modified version of the Gamebryo engine? A 2500k/6950 will murder Skyrim.

 

[JSt0rm]

I thought Skyrim was just using a heavily modified version of the Gamebryo engine? A 2500k/6950 will murder Skyrim.

No. New engine. I speculate its some kind of id engine.

 

[Rifter]

I usually go high end mobo CPU and RAM and then plan to run at least 2 probably 3 diferent GPU setups through the system in its lifespan. I find this gives me good value for the money without buying a new comp every 2 years i get 5 years+ out of the same system and always have high end GPU setups, you can afford high end GPU's when you dont spends the cash on a whole system so often.

Like with my current i7 930 @ 4.2Ghz i have no concerns in the CPU department till at least Ivy is released.

I started off with a 4890, went to SLI 460's, and will probaby go to either the 7000 series or whatever Nvidia next GPU is still on this system and run them for 1-2 years before i consider a whole new comp.

So i would go with the high end setup to start.