Author Topic: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
Gildash 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
Title says it all really. Shooting for playing Skyrim with setting fairly cranked on a 22-inch screen.

Think I can just upgrade something or am I in for a total overhaul?

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad @ 2.4GHz
RAM: 4.5GB DDR2
GPU: Nvidia 8800GTS 640MB
OS: Win 7 64bit

Thanks for any input.

 

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Blisteringballs 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
I'd upgrade that video card. Wouldn't cost much to get something much more powerful. It's also starting to show its age. The CPU can probably handle it, but as long as you're upgrading there are plenty of cheap upgrade routes for that too.

 

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Quazimortal 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
I've got a slightly more powerful CPU than he does and I find it bottlenecking many of my games.

 

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Acidspits 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
I would say a newer video card would be bottle necked with that C2Quad for sure if you want to run Skyrim cranked up. If you got the money to get an i5 or i7 Sandy Bridge, I would upgrade. If you don't, the computer you have currently would run Skyrim but not cranked, maybe a bit better with a new video card.

 

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Gildash 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
was afraid of that.

I wonder if I can upgrade the CPU without getting a new mobo....that would determine a lot. hmmm...

 

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Acidspits 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115060&cm_re=core_2_quad-_-19-115-060-_-Product

I believe you could get that, but you're still limited much by the LGA 775 socket.

This is why I ditched my Core 2 Duo and just went straight to an i7 about a year and a half ago.

 

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Akza 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
yeah youll definitely need new hardware if youre at any decent resolution.

i had a pretty stout PC when oblivion came out and that still had problems once you loaded a bunch of mods.

i personally would recommend an i5 and a gtx 560 ti soc (gigabyte). at least get that video card.

http://www.gigabyte.ru/global/ru/pages/263/GTX560Ti-SOC.html

it's quiet, runs cool, good on power, and is comparable to a 570 and hd6970. win-win.

 

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Ravynmagi 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
The video card is the weakest link. And I'd much rather be CPU limited than GPU limited in games. I'd upgrade that video card first definitely.

The CPU is not really that bad, but it's not that good either. A socket 775 Yorkfield (quad core) or even Wolfdale (dual core) would be a decent upgrade. But I thinking I'd probably just stick with the Q6600 until you are ready to replace the motherboard, CPU, and memory all at once with current generation stuff.

But definitely upgrade the GPU first. happy

 

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Gildash 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
Ravynmagi posted:
The video card is the weakest link. And I'd much rather be CPU limited than GPU limited in games. I'd upgrade that video card first definitely.

The CPU is not really that bad, but it's not that good either. A socket 775 Yorkfield (quad core) or even Wolfdale (dual core) would be a decent upgrade. But I thinking I'd probably just stick with the Q6600 until you are ready to replace the motherboard, CPU, and memory all at once with current generation stuff.

But definitely upgrade the CPU first. :)


Er...I assume you mean GPU.

If so, yeah I think thats the general consensus from most of you.


Thanks for the tips, will check out the referred GPUs and see what I can afford. happy

 

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Ravynmagi 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
Yeah, meant GPU. Just ninja edited that. happy

 

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-Mithan- 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
Toss a new GPU into that thing for $250 and you are rocking.

 

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heiromancerdrackus 
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Subject: Analyze my PC hardware! New computer or just upgrades for Skyrim.
My advice would be to look at a GTX 560 TI or Radeon 6950, for now, and plan on getting a new mobo / ram / proc in the future. I don't see Skyrim requiring a total rebuild for you.

 

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