I plan on enchanting a sword with frost. I will likely have several perks invested into one handed... i'm just curious how effective it can be?

You will be most effective with this weapon against humanoids, since you can sap their stamina and cause a slow (if you combine with ice magic esp)

Draugr however are resistant to frost and will not slow from it.

All dwarven automotons are immune to frost.

Falmer are not immune but will not be slowed.

In short- yes it will work, but relatively speaking frost is the weakest enchant- dont let that discourage you though, i use frost as well- fpr style points.

Just bring a fire weapon along for draugr or dwarven ruins.

thanks, I think i may dual wield katanas ... one frost, one fire. I was looking on the usep and saw a katana with lighting running along its blade, that sounds pretty cool.

That katana is in the MQ- has bonus damage v dragons. It will be all you need for dragons if you go one handed.

nice. I know with those types of weapons they are scaled, any adivce on what level to pick it up where it can stay effective throughout my play

That info would probably be listed under the weapon specs on the uesp.

it is, my question was on your suggestion - well it still be effective late game if i pick it up at say level 15?

1-18

20 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others:

• Dragon Damage, 20 pts
  
• Shock Damage (Extra), 10 pts

19-26


25 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others:

• Dragon Damage, 25 pts
  
• Shock Damage (Extra), 10 pts

27-35


30 [http://www.uesp.net/wiki/UESPWiki:Spelling#Quotes]^? points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others:

• Dragon Damage, 30^? pts
  
• Shock Damage (Extra), 10 pts

36-45


35 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others:

• Dragon Damage, 35 pts
  
• Shock Damage (Extra), 10 pts

46+


40 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others:

• Dragon Damage, 40 pts
  
• Shock Damage (Extra), 10 pts

Sure it will, that damage is flat- so 20 extra damage isn't alot if you are a smith.

You can always wait- but it certainly won't kill you if you do not.

If you are on a PC pick up enchant freedom and destroy it for the dragon enchant and just use it to your pleasure.

That blade is sharp- and IIRC affected by steel smithing, meaning your average arcane smither benefits greatly from it having a steel base.

Nice, thanks again... i think that will be my eventual weapon of choice.

Nearly everything you've said here is wrong.

Most of the humans in the game are 50% resistant to frost, as they are nords, this is the same as draugr. But the slow effect will still work on any enemy that isn't immune to frost (none), even if they are resistant.

Dwemer machines aren't immune to frost, they have a solid magic resistance to all elements (25% iirc).

Farmer will be slowed, no idea where you got this from.

Actually, I am pretty sure I am right.

Dwemer machines are totally immune to frost, go cast an icicle at one. also check uesp (www.uesp.net/wiki/skyrim:dwarven_automatons) - check the other enemies here as well, and frost effects.

Humanoids- as I said is what frost will be most effective against, as they are the easiest to slow- which was my point, which is what I said. I think we all know nords are resistant to frost, that was such an obvious statement I didn't feel the need to mention it.
Frost will still have the slow effect and at least 50% to 100% damage effectiveness on humanoids... thus it is most effective on them.

Falmer are not slowed at all (by a frost weapon). They walk slowly in the first place, they can be slowed by frostbite(spell)-- not a weapon the OP is talking about.

Draugr can be slowed by frost itself (magical form) but not by frost weapon- which is what the OP is questioning.

No enemies immune to frost you say: Frost atronach, Ice wraith, all dwarven creatures.

Also- due to different VFX in game, there are different "frost damage" variants, that have(may have) different side effects. Uesp talks about this as well. read up.
I am disappoint.

Fire is the preferred element. It works against more enemies and the burning does significant damage. You will have huge problems fighting Trolls without fire-based weaponry.

Fiery soultrap for 3 second is the most efficient elemental damage enchantment if you have it.

Enemies are not slowed quite as much as the PC is, by frost elemental attacks. The movement speed debuff wears off quickly in most cases and their attack speed is unaffected. Frost is more valuable as a off-hand spell. They slow human enemies and prepares you for back/sidestep when they start their power attack sequence.

I wanted to use a frost weapon for RP purposes. I don't necessarily care about being 'unstoppable,' just effective. I don't want to die every few seconds

Since you have already made up your mind, the difference in power between fire, frost, shock or even unenchanted is relatively low. Low enough to be ignored for RPG purposes.