I just graduated from this:

Windows Vista 32bit
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Dual Channel 4 MB DDR2 RAM
NVidia GeForce N250GTS Twin Frozr 1G
19” (1280x1024)

To this:

Windows 8 64bit
3^rd Gen Intel Core i7-3770
16GB DDR3 RAM
NVidia GeForce GTX 660 2G
22” (1920x1080)

Turned it on last night. Updated the NVidia Driver. Installed Skyrim, including the HD DLC and HF and DG. For settings Skyrim suggested Ultra High so I went with it.

I played around with it for about 20 minutes and then got a CTD which left me looking at the Windows 8 Start page. No warning message or anything. I was about done for the night so I just shut everything down.

First I just want to say how much I detest Windows 8. I swear it is going to take me years to figure this thing out. I fear that installing mods and such (which I do manually) is going to be a nightmare.

But about the crash, I’m not sure what to think of it or if I should be concerned yet. I figured when I go back in I’ll change AA to 4 samples and Shadow Details to High as these seems to make little difference graphically but help a little on the FPS. But what can I do to help optimize this system to prevent another crash like this? Is this something common with Windows 8 or is there something wrong with my setup? I just want to get this right before I spend hours and hours playing this game.

Thanks.

EDIT: Another thing of note maybe. The PC has like 80 GB on the C drive and another 476 GB on a D drive. I installed the game on the D drive. I didn't know if this was a Windows 8 thing or something weird about my PC.

Just the way the drive was partitioned. In all reality, NOT installing Steam/Skyrim to the default Program Files directory is a GOOD thing. You avoid some complications there. Play some more, and see what happens. Might have just be a fluke..... May want to turn off any 'protection' software running in the background when you play though.

there is nothing here that points towards OS! don't be quick to blame this on windows 8 itself. instead id be looking at settings or drivers.
you don't say if you updated to windows 8 or its afresh install with the new hardware?

Windows 8 itself is somewhat of a shock to get used to..but if you simply ignore the metro interface then its almost exactly the same as windows 7 or even vista...in actions if not in look. ive been running and testing it since beta releases and its been stable and functional all the way..the release version even more so. I have had some issues with hot swaps of motherboards and hardware with it but to be fair its handled them even better than windows 7 did!

a CTD like your describing sounds more like "one of Skyrims" odd little bugs to me than anything major to worry about. ive had it numerous times..just save often. you can spend hours hunting down the cause within your system and it might simply be a bit of odd coding for Skyrim.

general system checking you could try though:
reinstall NVidia drivers...but instead of choosing express install, chose the custom install and then the complete option. which will remove all your old drivers and ensure the entire NVidia drivers set are reinstalled fresh and clean.
don't trust windows 8 drivers: hunt downs specific drivers for your motherboard and install the very latest of them.

change Skyrim settings to HIGH on everything and test; then tweak a single setting at a time upwards if you desire; if your system is unstable then try lowering things like shadows,AA and texture quality which will be the areas where your GPU will be stressed.

Stress test your system: use FURMARK or UNIGINE HEAVEN and benchmark it for awhile. watch out for graphics corruption or flashing textures; either will point to GPU overheating or failing. if you can leave HEAVEN running for an hour or more and you don't notice anything then your system can be pretty much ruled out. same with FURMARK....run the default burn in test; then run it again and again to truly stress test your GPU and hardware....again look for texture crashes and pixel flashes...if it occurs when the card is nice and hot you have your answer..the card is overheating. if you can stress test with no issues 3 or 4 times then chances are your system cam be ruled out again.

Sorry I'll add some more details.

Brand new PC. Came with Windows 8. I am not sure if Windows 8 is updated yet as it wanted me to create a MS account to do it. I finally set up one (found the password for an old one I had as it recognized my e-mail for some reason) but I haven't gone on a told it to update itself yet. I'll get that done first ... if I can figure out how. The NVidia driver is just installed so that should be good.

I used to use Mad Onion or 3D Mark or whatever it's called now. I'll try that again to see what this thing will score. Is it called FURMARK now?

I have no issues with Windows 8 (ignoring the whole horrendous Jekyll and Hyde mess that the UI now is).

Have you cleaned the install with http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/25859? The DLC can cause CTD even on unmodded installs.

One CTD in an Elder Scrolls title is not that unexpected, might want to just monitor the situation before melting your PC with furmark.