On my Core i7 GTX 480 SLI setup, after tweaking the shadows and the FOV, I've finally got this game (maxed out at 2560x1440) looking incredible, and it's now running smoothly too - way more smoothly than Oblivion ever did.

I can even get on horseback and go flying through the trees with not a single stutter or hiccup. The game is beautiful. Just so many little details: the rivers, the streams, the snow being kicked up from snowbanks, the borealis in the sky at night, seeing fish jump from the water, the leaves in the air, those wonderful white skinny trees high up in the alpine areas, the way clouds will hug the mountains, wildlife darting about the lands, the people of Skyrim all going about their business... don't even talk to me about dragons... just amazing, amazing stuff. And running so smoothly!

Shockingly, during my first two hours, I was hugely disappointed because I thought Skyrim looked like Oblivion. What was I thinking? I've just had a quick look at my heavily modded Oblivion and Skyrim utterly destroys it. New Vegas looks like utter garbage in comparison.

Also, I've spent the entire weekend just wandering around Whiterun. Haven't even visited High Hrothgar or any other major place yet.

22 hours in, and I feel like I'm just starting. Amazing stuff here.

I agree the graphics are stunning. it's probably the most beautiful game I've ever played.

You have been wandering around whiterun for 22 hours?

Yup. I've done the side quests, and worked my way through the quests for The Companions, which I still haven't completed. Level 11. 22 hours.

im 25 hours in and i still haven't found a companion that lives long which svcks as they get knocked out twice then die so im keeping my wife/companion at her house

21 hours in and it feels like I am halfway trough the game with all the quests I did already. But then I realize I only did half the quests in Whiterun and Markarth and some quests in some smaller towns. There hare hundreds more quests to do and it's a great feeling.

You mentioned adjusting the FOV. How do you adjust this and what do you suggest using?