Video card upgrade for Skyrim

[staarkethia]

I have a system I built about 3 years ago that hasn't seen much use lately, but following the release of Skyrim and after playing it I feel like I'm going to need an upgrade.

Current system:
CPU: Q6600 @ 3.2ghz
RAM: 2x2GB DDR2
Motherboard: Asus P5Q Pro
Video Card: ATI HD4870 1GB @790/1070
PSU: Corsair 750W

It Currently runs the game at high settings with a couple sliders turned up, normally see 30-60fps in the wild but in cities(especially Markath) I'm getting anywhere from 15-25fps. Ideally I'm looking to run Ultra@1680x1050 but I also want a card with enough room to install future texture packs for the game(textures are really bad even on Ultra).

Is the rest of my system up for it? I was looking at getting a 2GB 6950, but the amount of issues I've had with my ATI card make me wary(always renders shadows poorly in many games in a banded looking way, seems to always have FPS breaking bugs in new games, insane mouse lag in Skyrim)

Thanks for any advice.

edit: Any ETA on the next round of video card refreshes? Money is somewhat of an issue(or I would build a new system), I'm looking to spend $200-250.

 

[Leyawiin]

A GTX 560 Ti would be a nice upgrade for you, but remember, much of the slow downs you experience in towns and cities are CPU related.

 

[staarkethia]

I get 15fps in cities because of my CPU? Really?

 

[happy medium]

turn down the graphics settings and try it, if its still slow its your cpu ,but I doubt it.

Do you have the latest drivers?

 

[staarkethia]

turn down the graphics settings and try it, if its still slow its your cpu ,but I doubt it.

Do you have the latest drivers?

30-60fps in markath on low.

Running Catalyst 11.10.

 

[DesiPower]

That looks like a good card, 256-bit and DDR5... why don't you get another one and crossfire, you mobo seems to support it. On your current mobo and CPU, IMHO, might be a bottleneck for 69xx or 560...

 

[lehtv]

You might be able to improve FPS by turning down some settings while leaving others on high/ultra. Instead of 4xAA, use 2xAA and FXAA. Or even 0xAA + FXAA. Turn down object fade distance to like 1/4, it doesn't matter a lot visuals wise but will improve FPS quite a bit (on my PC, I get 5-10 fps better compared to full slider). You might just be able to wait until a HD 7850 2GB which should be better bang for buck than 6950 2GB or 560 ti. 78xx should be out pretty soon, there have been rumours of a December release but don't hold your breath. Jan/Feb is probably more likely. If you don't want to wait, 6870 or 560 Ti for your resolution, and if you plan on upgrading to 1080p then 6950 2GB.

 

[kmmatney]

I get 15fps in cities because of my CPU? Really?

I really can't imagine its your cpu. At least I hope not, because my cpu is probably similar in gaming power.

 

[staarkethia]

That looks like a good card, 256-bit and DDR5... why don't you get another one and crossfire, you mobo seems to support it. On your current mobo and CPU, IMHO, might be a bottleneck for 69xx or 560...

I had crossfire setup(2x XFX HD4870's) but in my experience most games I play seem to run WORSE with crossfire on, and a few months ago one of the HD4870's started idling at 105C+ and is no longer usable(still need to exchange it with XFX's lifetime warranty).

But everything I've read says Skyrim doesn't work with CF, did this change?

 

[happy medium]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/skyrim-performance-benchmark,3074-9.html

This game clearly relies on CPU power, and you need a Sandy Bridge-based Core i3 at 3 GHz or a Phenom II at 3.5 GHz to provide a minimum 30 FPS. Bear in mind that we're using the ultra detail setting here, and processing requirements drop significantly as you start stepping back. So, you can make due with a less potent chip when you dial in detail options appropriately.

 

[staarkethia]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/skyrim-performance-benchmark,3074-9.html

This game clearly relies on CPU power, and you need a Sandy Bridge-based Core i3 at 3 GHz or a Phenom II at 3.5 GHz to provide a minimum 30 FPS. Bear in mind that we're using the ultra detail setting here, and processing requirements drop significantly as you start stepping back. So, you can make due with a less potent chip when you dial in detail options appropriately.

But which settings are hitting the CPU? Nothing should be dependent on CPU if they're all graphics settings.

 

[happy medium]

But which settings are hitting the CPU? Nothing should be dependent on CPU if they're all graphics settings.

Yes graphical settings do make a difference.

I just read this .....

"Gamers at the entry-level side of the spectrum should be happy to learn that a GeForce GT 430 or Radeon HD 5570 delivers a 35 FPS minimum frame rate at 1680x1050 using medium details. As settings drop, so do CPU requirements. So, any dual-core processor running at 2 GHz or more should be ample."

AND...

"Skyrim simultaneously taxes CPU and GPU resources. So, if you’re looking to run at ultra detail settings using 1920x1080 and texture transparency AA, you need a Sandy Bridge-based CPU

Read this page..
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/skyrim-performance-benchmark,3074-10.html

A 5770 (=or slower than your 4870) can easily run Skyrim on high settings with a Sandybridge cpu. SAndybridge gives better minimums.

 

[tweakboy]

He doesn't need a Sandy, He needs to OC that chip more. to 3.6Ghz , then skyrim will take at most 70 percent of CPU power @ 1080p, so we have power thats idle..... Your GPU will thank you too. gl

 

[toyota]

He doesn't need a Sandy, He needs to OC that chip more. to 3.6Ghz , then skyrim will take at most 70 percent of CPU power @ 1080p, so we have power thats idle..... Your GPU will thank you too. gl

he does need Sandy, and overclocked, if he wants to average 60fps or more on Ultra settings.

at least its not as bad as GTA 4. I swear almost every setting in that game relies on cpu power. there are lots of places in that game where I am in 30s on mostly maxed settings and lowering to 800x600 makes only a 1-2 fps difference.

 

[staarkethia]

He doesn't need a Sandy, He needs to OC that chip more. to 3.6Ghz , then skyrim will take at most 70 percent of CPU power @ 1080p, so we have power thats idle..... Your GPU will thank you too. gl

My Q6600 needs 1.5v+ to get over 3.4ghz stable, the stock VID is 1.325v, I got stuck with a really shitty CPU.