I'm going to start of and say I know this is most probably in the wrong section, so can someone please move it.

I'm currently playing Skyrim on the Xbox 360 but after seeing some of the badass mods and improved graphics on the computer I want to switch over from my Xbox to PC. Thats where my question comes in. I live in the UK and want to know how much a good enough computer to run Skyrim on its best performance will cost me. Thanks.

You'll need something like an i5, 4GB RAM and a GTX 560 at a minimum. Preferably with an SSD drive to drastically reduce loading times.

Without the SSD you'd be looking at around ￡500 including monitor. With an SSD will be about ￡150 more.

If you want to play Skyrim with all the graphic enchancers, higher-res textures etc you'll be looking at around 500￡, yeah. Compile your system on a webshop and either build it yourself or have it assembled for a small fee, NEVER buy pre-assembled PC's.

I have an asus G50VT and it runs on medium with the new patches, this should give you some perspective hopefully it helps.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220403

I think more than just processor and ram you need a good video card.

possibly the worst advice ever!!

you assume that every1 knows about every element of a pc

but yes for cheap u can buy a good pc that will run skyrim well
but remember u get what u pay for.

telling sum1 to buy all the components is only a good choice if u have experience and knowledge about what your buying.

If you want to spend ￡2000 for a ￡1000 machine (alienware) then you go ahead and do it.

Us folk with sense would be happy to compile a working build on behalf of the OP, if it means they are not throwing twice the money down the drain.

well if you look at my pc, something similar probably sells for 500 - 700 U.S. dollars. and that will run medium

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220403

Go to http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/intel-computers/

I'd wait until the spring when Intel releases Ivy Bridge and then pair it with a AMD HD 7800/7900 series or Nvidia GTX 600 series GPU and Corsair power supply. Can't be sure of prices, but ￡900 to ￡1200 is the reasonable range.

Actually, the best thing to do would be to go over to the http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1328500-the-community-tech-thread-no-111/ in the Community Forum. Several great PC technical folks there, with plenty of advice on parts, how to get them, what to do if you want to build yourself or if you don't, etc. Lots of links to resources as well. And less misinformation.

They certainly helped me when I built my PC.

There's a thread that maybe very helpful to you. Go to: Skyrim Hardware and Software Issues Subforums, and select PC. There's a sticky on top named: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1335088-unofficial-will-my-pc-run-skyrim-thread-57-w-hardware-guide/, Started by http://www.gamesas.com/user/131195-tig-ol-bitties/

That should have the info you're looking for.

On the top of this forum, click on V- Skyrim, and then follow above instructions.

Good luck.

PS: You may be able to click it from here, seems like it linked.

The age where you needed atleast a basic technical background to compile your own hardware components is long gone. Anyone with some amount of common sense these days can google hardware reviews and figure out a combination that suits their needs. Sure it takes a little effort, but you're also saving yourself a lot of money by doing that instead of buying overpriced and oftenly inferior pre-determined machines.

I think it all depends, take for instance me who prefers gaming laptops. In that case you are pretty much forced to buy it pre built. I for one enjoy having the laptop over the desktop. As far as desktops, idk, you could possibly end up spending more unless you have the necessary knowledge you need. It also depends on simplicity, if you feel comfortable to build your own without having a warranty then by all means do it, but for me I would rather prefer to buy something specifically built for games and avoid all the possible complications.

Well, laptops are obviously a different matter altogether. The price for mobility is high.

for laptops asus is a definite must and the best imho. My next pc is going to be an asus laptop for sure! Very happy with them.

It really does depend on the person. I've been using computers for decades, am well educated, am (in theory ) smart.... and I certainly found the whole "build a PC" thing to be quite stressful. Plenty of research gave many many options that, even with aid from the Tech Thread, took quite a bit of working through. It wasn't fun, and I certainly won't be doing it again.

It was definitely a learning experience, and it's shown me just what all you're paying for when you spend that extra on a pre-built. Having done it both ways, I find the extra expense to be worth it, to get someone else to do it and test to make sure it works/etc. I certainly don't think "build it yourself" is the solution for everyone, or even recommended for everyone. That said, I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad thing either. If you think you might enjoy it, go for it.


Even if you don't want to build it yourself, the Community Tech Thread is a still good source of learning what parts/etc you want to look for, and good companies to get a pre-built from.

I think the main problem with pre- built is that most pc's are built for office and home use, but not designed specifically for games. Unless you can find a reasonable one. Thats why asus is good, but building your own desktop may be the best since you can create what you want as far as running games for optimal. I for one don't like building my own since I have no clue where to start and question the information out there since I feel knowing what works with what makes me wonder. I would probably buy a few of the parts and not know exactly what to get. then in the long run what happens if it crashes every time i start it?

If you're asking about cost of a computer to run Skyrim, you can build a decent machine yourself for $600-$800 (including a copy of Windows, but not a monitor. I'm assuming you already have a monitor since you're on the internet obviously).

Maybe there's a book on how to "build a pc" for dummies, because when it comes to building a pc. I am a definite dummy. I think it may be useful because some things work better together than others. I just think there might be compatibility issues!?

Taking that further, seems like TC has a computer. It is possible he could run it as is or with just a GPU&PSU upgrade.

that's what i thought. I have two post that have not been answered for almost a week. It is just no traffic.

EDIT : Correction, there is some traffic. Just not for me....I took care of that, though.

You should be able to find the recommended specs at the Skyrim homepage or one of the wikis. I agree that you're better off in the long run to find someone and have it custom-built, rather than buying a stock one. Not only can you get exactly what you want, but you can avoid getting what you don't need. Also, that way you have somebody to take it to when things go wrong.

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm looking in to probably buidling a computer, although I don't know to much about that I do have a friend who does. Thanks again I've been looking into a few of the options posted.

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/

I ordered my PC from there built to my spec.

Click the build your own desktop button to get start. even if you don't by from them it's useful research.

That's not what he meant

he meant that telling somebody that may not know how to build a good PC to go build their own, it is better, is bad advice. Imagine your grandmother figuring out a BIOS issue