The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim PC Specs Revealed [Bethesda Releases Some Tame PC Specifications For The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim]

Posted on TFTS by Eric Abent on Wednesday, 26. October 2011 under: Computer/Console Gaming

Skyrim is nearly here, but for those of you going with the PC version (which is the only way to play Elder Scrolls games, if you ask me), you might be wondering if your rigs can handle the beautiful visuals we’ve seen so far. Well, wonder no longer, because Bethesda has released the minimum and recommended specs for Skyrim, and you can find all of the details posted after the break.

As it turns out, the beauty of Skyrim doesn’t require a really beefed up rig to to be seen. I’m quite surprised to see the specifications myself, but that just means I won’t have to upgrade my video card right away. In any case, here are the minimum and recommended specs for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim:

Minimum Specifications:

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 compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM
DirectX compatible sound card
Internet access for Steam activation

Recommended Specifications:

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 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

So there you have it. Skyrim, apparently, won’t require all that much to run on PC. The fact the system requirements are so low have some people questioning whether the game is shorter than Bethesda‘s letting on. What do you think? Are PC players in for a disappointment with Skyrim, or do you think it’ll look great on PC? Does your PC meet the specifications? Head down to the comments section below to sound off, and keep it tuned right here to TFTS for more news on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim!

MeZombieAndMe
Thankfully these are essentially just what you need to run the game, not run it on max settings. Well yeah obviously that’s not good for the people out there not running a 560 but it hopefully means really good optimization and the ability to effin blow your mind up with insane graphic customizability in the settings. Kinda reminds me of crysis. Playable on low with a crappy pc, but can max out to show off awesome graphics.

Gooseman
Does anyone know how console graphics(mainly the PS3), compare to the minimum requirements of computer games?

S
Minimum reqs on a computer are likely a bit below console versions, graphically speaking. Generally an “average” rig will compare evenly to a console version.
As for those of you complaining about spec reqs, I suggest thinking again. This could simply be a sign that Bethesda actually put some effort into cleaning up the game enough so that you don’t need a top of the line card to run it on medium settings. Just remember Neverwinter Nights 2. You pretty much needed a brand new computer to meet the req specs for that game, and even then it chugged along on medium setttings with framerate drops and everything. Graphically, it was far from impressive anyway.
I’d rather have a game that won’t bog your computer needlessly than one that requires a $4,000 rig to run on high settings. Plus, anyone who plays ES games knows the graphics are never the selling feature anyway.

Delcious.Cake
what do you mean wondering if its a consoile port? they’ve already stated it is!

http://nexus404.com/Blog Eric Abent
So they have! Thanks for pointing that out – I’ve edited the part of the post in question. Sorry about that!

Mac Daddy
Wow this really is a surprise, i was planning on upgrading the video card soon but it looks like my CPU might be the only thing that needs an upgrade to play this game at recommended settings.
Mahendra
I went and upgraded my machine (ie bought a new one) because the specs were so slow in coming … turns out my current machine would meet the minimum specs, but not the recommended specs. Sigh – and the new machine (beastly) just arrived this morning. Should I return the new fancy, and just play at min specs on my old 2-core, or should I keep the new beast and play as the game was intended to be seen?
Enigma
Would I need to upgrade my Radeon 4870 to play on high settings?

scarface68
no
just for ultra high

Dan O.
It had me really, really disappointed when Todd Howard stated in an interview that the advancements in graphics tech since the XBox 360′s release 6 years ago with DX9 hardware only allows for “more pixels”.
More Pixels My ASS!
The amount of new features included in DX11 hardware is light-years ahead of DX9 hardware!
All anyone has to do is look at the current generation of game engine demo’s to see what I mean.
Also, when I run Civilization 5 on my laptop it runs great on DX11, on DX9 its an all-out slideshow. Taking advantage of advanced features allows for better performance!
Metamorphosis121
Actually, assassins creed brotherhood has quite good graphics, and u need 512mb graphics card for that, so i reckon skyrim will meet expectations, for people questioning size, look at hunted: the demons forge, not great graphics….9 gb, remember bf3 has alot of maps condensed with alot of city, skyrim is a big map condensed with grass plains and mountains. Tbh, im not too worried, im just glad it can run on my pc, i might upgrade to more ram later and with the best amd video card
Ross
I’m slightly bothered at the fact that it only takes up 6GB of HDD. Today’s games, with their fancy graphics and detailed imagery, run about 10-12 GB on my hard drive. Unless this new “godly” engine is EXTREMELY efficient, we’ve all been fooled.

Eddie
Luckily, we live in a futuristic world of technology where this thing called “compression” exists, so that files that aren’t being used remain much smaller until they need to be used, thus saving space.

reece
i have a quad core duo and 6g of ram, will my nvidia gt 540m be suitable?
Wow
They say the recommended settings will allow you to play on high settings. YOu’ll need a beefier rig to play on ultra.
Vern
Well. I dont have the cash for a pc. Mines crap. I stick with ps3
An0Nym0us
If i can play crysis 2 on the highest resolution and graphics and it ran perfectly but my video card is below the recommended specs, NVIDIA gt 330m, on what level do you think i’ll be able to play Skyrim?

Michael
You were either playing at 5 or < fps or the game wasn't turning on many of the fancy graphics effects (for some reason, drivers or w/e maybe?) and you were brainwashing yourself to think it looked beautiful. There is absolutely no way that you played at a high res (even 1440×900) and got a playable framerate (30+ FPS) with highest settings in crysis 2.

LordWabbit
“The fact the system requirements are so low have some people questioning whether the game is shorter than Bethesda‘s letting on” what a stupid comment – the system specs are low, so the game must be short? Daggerfall’s system specs are really low compared to todays standards so that game must be short as well.
marz
I rather be able to max out on a medium card than have it barely playable on a high-end one
Greg
I just checking the “can you run it” thing. it said i meet minimum specs but not the recommended specs. I have it on the way for xbox but in all honesty id rather play it on this. should i take the Xbox version cuz itll work better or will it be about the same if i get it for my computer? ( gateway NV50A AMD phenom II X2 N660 with ATI mobility Radeon 4250 500 gb hdd 3.7 GB RAM. if thats gunna look and run bout the same as xbox then ima switch my preorder)
Tinyan
Well when it come to bethesda and elder scrolls they semm to always deliver. Even elder scrolls III was top best in it’s day and skyrim will be no different. . . Unless they brougth anyone from Activion over LOL (jokes)
As far as me runing it I will have no problems. I have an Asus dual core pressor with a nvidia 9800 GS
SO I should be good.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim PC Specs Revealed [Bethesda Releases Some Tame PC Specifications For The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim]

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