I'm not sure if this is even where to post this, if not, direct me the right way?

Hello,
As the title says my Skyrim is running 8-10 fps, maybe a max of 12.. lmao. Which is really really awful and I don't own the patience to deal with it to even play anymore. Which is unfortunate since I love Skyrim and have many more things to do in game! I'm wondering if there's any way to improve it or if I'm just doomed because my graphics card/processors are intel (or maybe my computer just really blows)?

Specifically my graphics card info goes -
Intel? HD Graphics
Chip Type: Intel? HD Graphics (Core i3)
Approx. Total Memory: 1696 MB

System Info -
OS Name - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
System Manufacturer - Dell Inc.
System Model - Inspiron 580.
Processor - Intel ? Core ? i3 CPU 550 @ 3.20 GHz, 3192 Mhz, 1 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date - Dell Inc. A07, 11/13/10
SMBIOS Version - 2.6
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) - 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory - 3.80 GB
Available Physical Memory - 2.41 GB
Total Virtual Memory - 7.80 GB
Available Virtual Memory - 5.69 GB
Page File Space - 4.00 GB

SkyBoost helped amazingly, or the difference was greatly noticable but I never fraps it to see what the actual FPS was for it. But I'm guessing 20-30 with it and TESVAL going. With the Skyrim updating on steam now, though, SkyBoost takes ages to update (not even sure if it's being worked on.) It's very sad! Not being able to play So if there's any way to improve my failure of FPS, please do share the ideas! And if I'm just screwed because of Computer/Intel then.... buy me a new computer, please. LOL!

SkyBoost is not being updated as what it did was done officially in 1.4.

Also, your system is weak. You'd do better with a real GPU instead of an integrated one with decent power. Also, your CPU is holding things back as well.

Can I buy a better one?

Yes. However, seeing as how yours is a Dell, you'll have PSU issues and space issues.

That's what I figured. At least, I'd looked up at some point into getting a better graphics card but, since it's Dell there was an issue with it or something - don't remember exactly, was just scanning through some forums on it. What kind of issues exactly?

You'll need a new PSU as the current one is likely not powerful enough for an actual card and your case likely has too little room for a card.

So, for a 'real' GPU I'll need a new PSU? xD

Just give up with that PC.
Buy a cheap 360 w/ skyrim and enjoy the game.

And likely a new case.

Haha. I have a 360, but I am in love with Mods available for Skyrim D:
-sigh- So complicated though. I guess I'll settle with forever doomed.

Get a new PC. That PC is hopeless. even if you upgrade it (e.g. new psu, gpu), its gonna overheat because...dell...
I heard you can build your own desktop under 600-800 for a great one.
Or you can settle with a laptop but laptop overheats.

There's nothing fail about Intel. There's fail in your reading skills.
Please read the minimum system specs. You can find it here: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1369386-unofficial-will-my-pc-run-skyrim-thread-59-w-hardware-guide/

Minimum Specs (For running Skyrim on "Low" settings at 1920x1080 resolution)
Processor: Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor
Direct X 9 compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM

Your CPU is not a Dual Core. It is a single-core CPU.
Your "videocard" is not a real videocard. E.g. it doesn't have any dedicated video-ram. So it certainly doesn't have 512MB of vram.

Not meeting minimum specs by a long shot -> no reason to complain the game hardly runs on your system.
There is no surprise.

No. 600-800 (dollars or euros) can get you the backbone of a great gaming PC.
You still need to spend some more on components that are necessary, but will have less impact on your framerates. Some people can maybe re-use those components from an older PC. Some people need to buy them from scratch.

The backbone of any gaming PC:
1) CPU (any i5-2000 series or i5-3000 series is nice. I recommend an i5-3570K for $250).
2) Motherboard. (any Z77 mobo from ASRock, Asus, Gigabyte or MSI is fine. I recommend an ASRock Z77 Pro3).
3) 8GB of DDR3 RAM ($50).
4) A decent videocard. Nvidia gtx560ti for $220 is the baseline. AMD 7850+ is nice. If you got enough money, $400 for a gtx670 is the bomb.

So the price for this is something like $650 (when you pick a gtx560) to $800 (if you pick the gtx670).

Then the "fluff".
5) A PSU. Need to make sure it can deliver enough power.
6) A case. Or re-use the case of your old PC.
7) HDD. Anything from 500GB to 2TB. Won't impact your framerates. Maybe loading times.
8) Mouse, keyboard, speakers, etc. All very personal.
9) Monitor. Can be expensive. You might reuse your old monitor.
10) Operating System. Win7 64-bit is recommended these days.
11) DVD-writer. Only $25, but you need one.

PSU, case, DVD writer = ~$150.
Monitor = $150 - $250.
Mouse, keyboard = highly variable.
OS = no idea.

Note, these prices are only indications. Check your favorite webshop for the exact prices. Note, US prices usually don't include taxes and shipping.

If that is one of the so-slender "Slim" type cases, to add a game-capable video card to it, you need better air flow, more internal capacity, and a far better power supply (I looked it up, and it appears to be a totally AWFUL case). Only a standard type case will offer the air flow improvement, and the capacity.

The fact of the matter is that Dell and HP have jumped the gun by about ten years with their so-small cases, when it comes to gaming PCs. Current technology for PCs certainly is moving toward greater compactness, and AMD is about two years ahead of Intel when it comes to combining CPU and GPU and keeping the heat signature low, as well as minimal power requirements. So far, however, the usable APUs are only borderline as gaming systems, and the latest Desktop CPUs, the Bulldozers, have problems in games, so the "Trinity" APUs may also have similar problems.

Here's a usable mid-tower case, for a reasonable $75, with a decent 400 watt power supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119255

. . and here is a Gigabyte HD 6670 that will work with this game and with that 400 Watt PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125430


I have never heard of any Intel i3 with a single core. AFAIK, all of them are dual-core processors. There is a tiny NetTop (Atom) processor with one core called an "n550", but those are totally unrelated to the i3 series, and do not run above 2 GHz, at most.

OK, here's a benchmark. It apparently does have dual cores:

http://community.futuremark.com/hardware/cpu/Intel+Core+i3-550+Processor/review

Its not Intel fault. Its yours. When you buy a game read the specs at the back of the box. Compare to it your your so call dell cra.... I mean your pc.

Most of the time those dell pc are over priced and poorly made.

Go to a computer shop and tell the bloke behind the desk or counter " I want you to build a pc for me. I have such and such dollars and I want it to run this game with lot of change to spare. In other words able to upgrade for the future"

Its lot cheaper to get someone else build a pc then to get those crap........ pre made computers.

and let him experience no mods, crap controls and freezes due save problems?

Nice advice there, but wrong forum.

The Intel i3 550 is a dual core with Hyperthreading (4 threads): http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-%284M-Cache-3_20-GHz%29

That Dell has a PCIe x16 (low profile) slot available and a 300W PSU so it should allow you to add a somewhat powerful graphics card.

I cannot confirm absolute compatibility, but the Radeon 6670 (low profile) ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102958 )should run on your power supply. Double-check the +12V rating on the power supply. The Radeon should only use 66W under load, so depending on the other hardware in computer, 300w should be enough.

Is your Inspiron 580 a "slimline" case or a regular case?

http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-580/pd

If its the skinny one in that page you've got a problem as far as any upgrading goes. If its the standard tower case you have quite a few options.