I finally got Skyrim today for the PC, and after over an hour of downloading updates, I was excited to play again (having played on a PS3 before). However, after starting the game, it started lagging quite a bit during the opening sequence. The character creation was incredibly slow, and the actual game play is unplayable, as it runs at about 4 fps.

System specs:

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
System Model: HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook PC
Processor: Intel Core i7-2670QM CPU @ 2.20GHz (8 CPUs)
Memory: 8GB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
Integrated graphics: Intel® HD Graphics Family

Graphics card name: Radeon ™ HD 7470M
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x6760)
Display Memory: 725 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1008 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)



I looked at the configuration for Skyrim, and discovered that it was only picking up my integrated graphics card. After much googling and searching, I found that many other people seem to be having this problem. However, even after setting Skyrim on the high-performance graphics card, it was still lagging. No setting changes I tried fixed it. I switched my bios to fixed graphics, and even forcing the graphics card to stay on didn't fix it.

I've tried turning off vsink, forcing it in the ATI settings...no luck. I've tried a ton of things all day, and I can't get anything to work. If anyone can help, it would be amazing. I love this game, and am really disappointed that it's not working.

And I'd love my money back if it just can't work, since my computer completely meets the requirements.

Neither graphics solution is up to par. As for a refund, you need to talk with who you bought it from. Your computer does not meet the requirements, by the way. The 7470, in its desktop version, is incredibly weak. The mobile version is even weaker.

Did you install Windows yourself, or did it come pre-installed ?

Check the usual stuff. Install the latest drivers for the videocard. Install the latest driver for the motherboard in the laptop. Install the latest DirectX.

But what I'd try first is: remove the two ini files from your User\My Documents\My Games\Skyrim folder.
Then start the game again. The game should now create two new fresh ini files.
Skyrim might have created two ini-files with wrong/bad/inefficient settings, that were meant for the integrated videocard. By forcing two new ini files, you can fix that (if indeed it's the problem).

Edit: I have no idea about low-end videocards. If, as Deaths Soul is saying, your videocard does not meet the minimum spec, that would explain a lot. Sorry.

I realize that the card isn't the best, but I have played many 3D games on it with quite high settings without any problems. I realize that I won't be able to run Skyrim on ultra, but I should at least be able to run it on low with 30 fps. And I can't for some reason.


Sorry, I forgot to mention that I had tried all that. ATI refused to upgrade my drivers, no matter what I downloaded. Windows was pre-installed by HP. I removed those ini files every time I tried a change to make sure the game rescanned for graphics cards. After I forced my computer to use the graphics card, it did recognize the card, but didn't effect performance.