I've bought Skyrim today and it runs great! The game has auto-detected my system and it set it on high and I can play well.
The automatic settings are often incorrect, so be aware that you may very well need to back down on settings in some situations, such as multiple light / shadow sources, and especially multiple NPC scripts. Incidentally, have a Very Merry Christmas!
Integrated ATI Radeon 3000 Graphics
AMD Phenom II x6 1035T 2.60GHz
8GB Ram
windows 7 64-bit
After adding the several performance mods (Accelerator and 4gb one), I've managed to get about 20FPS (but as low as 9) throughout the game on the lowest resolution (800x600) with medium settings (no custom). Much better than what I started with, which was the same result but on lowest possible settings. It's playable, but still not to my liking so I've primarily played it on ps3. What I'd like is to run it on is at least my screens resolution (1600x900) on Medium-High settings.
I KNOW the problem is the integrated graphics card. This computer is not even 2 years old and it's my goof that everything is good except the graphics card. What I'd like are suggestions on what graphics card would work well with my other specs? Like I wouldn't want a graphics card that is hampered by too little memory or something. I'm a newb on computer since my previous computer was over 8 years old and I couldn't afford a new one so I never bought games for it (except for command and conquer and I had trouble running C&C3 lol).
Anyways, what's a good graphics card? I perfer it to be under $200 but I'm open to anything lol
You should always seek a part that has been designed with games in mind. Integrated chips of the usual sort do not do that. The AMD series of APUs is different, with nice budget-level graphics built right into a multi-core CPU and accessing the high speed cache RAM and outrun anyone else's onboard chips.
Akk of the Radeon HD cards with names "n670" were intended for games. The HD 5670 and the HD 6670 are still very solid cards today, and I have no doubt that the HD 7670 coming next month will be also. After three years of progress, the HD 4670 is showing its age, if you can find any to buy. All of the ones available with that numbering will run nicely without any change to the power supply in your computer, and are readily available stateside for $70 - $80 (do not buy from Best Buy, where its cost will be over $100).
For really fancy, high speed running, the HD 6970 is way above your budget, as was the HD 5870 last year. Both would require a nice boost in power from a larger power supply, as would the High-Medium Radeon, the HD 6850. Your $200 would cover the Radeon in between those, the HD 5770 / HD 6770 (it didn't change a year ago, just gained a new name), and a medium power replacement power supply, or a Geforce card and its power supply replacement.
You will want a "GTS" or a "GTX" from nVIDIA, not a "GT", and all of their cards draw more current than equivalent Radeons, without really being any faster, just hotter running and somewhat more noisy.
P. S, Be sure to have a Merry Christmas
» Tue May 29, 2012 1:14 am 
