Skyrim:System Requirements

The UESPWiki – Your source for The Elder Scrolls since 1995
Jump to: navigation, search

Knowing Your Computer's Hardware[edit]

It is essential to know what your hardware is before you can use this page. On Windows systems, the easiest way to identify your video hardware is to run DxDiag, which is short for DirectX diagnostic. To do this:

  • On Windows XP, click the Start button on the lower left-hand side of the screen, select the 'Run' option and type in dxdiag, then hit enter.
  • On Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10, click the Start button and type in dxdiag directly in the search box at the bottom of the start menu that pops up, and hit enter.
  • On Windows 8, right-click anywhere on the Start screen and select "All Apps" in the lower-right. From there, type "dxdiag" (ignoring the "No apps match your search" message) to search for it. When you've typed the entire word, it'll show up as an app and you can click on it to launch it.

You may be asked if you want to check for digital signatures. You don't need to for this, so click "No". Once you're in DxDiag, on the first screen (System) there will be a box called System Information. Within this box will be your processor and memory information. Under the tab 'Display' will be the information about your video card, in the Device box.

If you are using a GNU/Linux operating system, use the command lshw to view hardware specifications for your machine.

You can also use an external program to find computer details and more accurately determine if your computer is able to run Skyrim. See the External Links section for some such programs.

Officially Recognized Specifications[edit]

The following represents what Bethesda's officially released specifications for Skyrim are, according to BethBlog. It is also important to note that even if a system meets these, it may still have very low performance. According to Pete Hines on Twitter: "The Min specs get you playing. The recommended specs let you play on High, not on Ultra. You'll want [a] beefier rig for that."

Recommended[edit]

  • Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit)
  • Quad-core Intel or AMD CPU processor
  • 2GB System RAM
  • 6GB free HDD (Hard disk drive) space
  • DirectX 9.0c compatible NVIDIA or AMD ATI video card with 1GB of RAM: Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 or higher; ATI Radeon HD 4890 or higher
  • DirectX compatible sound card
  • Internet access for Steam activation

Minimum System Requirements[edit]

  • Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit)
  • Processor: Intel Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor (AMD Sempron @ 2.4 GHz)
  • 2GB System RAM
  • 6GB free HDD space
  • Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM
  • DirectX compatible sound card
  • Internet access for Steam activation

Special Edition Official Specifications[edit]

The Skyrim Special Edition runs on an updated engine with a host of graphical improvements, and as such requires higher specs. The following are the officially recognized specifications according to Bethesda.net. Notably, it does not run on 32-bit machines like the original release.

Recommended[edit]

  • Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit Version)
  • Intel i5-2400/AMD FX-8320
  • 8GB RAM
  • 12GB free HDD space
  • NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB/AMD R9 290 4GB

Minimum System Requirements[edit]

  • Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit Version)
  • Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945
  • 8GB RAM
  • 12GB free HDD space
  • NVIDIA GTX 470 1GB/AMD HD 7870 2GB

Console Storage Needs[edit]

  • PS4: 20GB (North America), 33GB (Europe)
  • Xbox One: 17GB (North America), 25GB (Europe)

Unofficial Video Chipsets Specifications[edit]

The video card market is flooded with cards with various clock speeds and architectures, so making a totally accurate list of all available cards is simply impractical. In order to make this list, several generalizations have been made, and several cards have been omitted for space. Also note that much of this list is user-reported; your experience may vary.

  • If you're experiencing problems even though your computer passes the recommended system requirements, download the latest drivers to your computer.
  • If you're experiencing high fps drops or low fps even after setting low quality, check your graphics cards settings and change the values to application controlled, use application settings or off (Do not touch the fan settings, the Gpu clock or the memory clock settings unless you know what you're doing!)
  • Skyrim cannot be played on most video card with under 256MB of video RAM.
  • Generally speaking, items higher on each list will see Skyrim at higher settings and smoother gameplay than ones lower on that list.

Personal Computer[edit]

Very High / Extremely High High / Very High Medium / High Low / Medium Very Low / Low Unplayable
ATI / AMD Radeon

RX 480 8GB
RX 480 4GB
RX 470 8GB
RX 470 4GB
RX 460 4GB
RX 460 2GB
R9 295X2 8GB
R9 Fury X 4GB
R9 Fury 4GB
R9 Nano 4GB
R9 390X 8GB
R9 290X 4GB
R9 390 8GB
R9 290 4GB
R9 380 4GB
R9 380 2GB
R9 285 2GB
R9 280X 3GB
R9 280 3GB
HD7990 6GB
HD7970 6GB
HD7970 3GB
HD7950 3GB
HD7870 2GB
R9 270X 4GB
R9 270X 2GB
R9 270 2GB
HD7850 2GB
HD7770 1GB
HD7750 1GB
HD7700 1GB
HD6990 4GB
HD6870X2 2GB
HD6970 2GB
HD6870 1GB
HD6950 2GB
HD6950 1GB
HD6850 1GB
HD5970 4GB
HD5970 2GB
HD5870X2 4GB
HD5870 2GB
HD5870 1GB
HD5850 1GB
HD4870X2 2GB
HD4850X2 2GB
HD4850X2 1GB

HD6790 1GB
R7 260X 2GB
HD6770 1GB
HD5830 1GB
HD5770 1GB
HD4890 2GB
HD4890 1GB
R7 250 1GB
HD4870 1GB
HD4870 512MB
HD4670 AGP 1GB

HD6750 1GB
HD6670 1GB
HD6570 1GB
HD5750 1GB
HD5670 1GB
HD5670 512MB
HD5650 1GB
HD4850 1GB
HD4850 512MB
HD4830 512MB
R7 240 1GB
HD4770 512MB
HD4730 512MB
HD4670 1GB
HD4670 512MB
HD3870X2 1GB
HD3870 512MB
HD3850 512MB
HD2900XT 1GB
HD2900XT 512MB
HD2900Pro 512MB

HD6450 1GB
HD5570 1GB
HD5550 1GB
HD5450 512MB
HD4650 512MB
HD4550 512MB
HD3850 256MB
HD3650 256MB
HD2900GT 256MB
HD2600XT 256MB
X1950XTX 512MB
X1950XT 256MB
X1950GT 512MB
X1950Pro 512MB
X1950Pro 256MB
X1900XTX 512MB
X1900XT 512MB
X1900XT 256MB
X1900GT 256MB
X1900GT Rev2 256MB
X1800XT 512MB
X1800XT 256MB
X1800XL 256MB
X1800GTO 256MB
X1650XT 256MB

HD4250 512MB
HD4350 512MB
HD3450 256MB
HD2600Pro 256MB
HD2400XT 256MB
HD2400Pro 256MB
X1650Pro 256MB
X1600XT 256MB
X1600Pro 256MB
X1550 AGP 512MB
X1400 Mobility 128MB
X1300XGE 512MB
X1300XT 256MB
X1300 256MB
X850XTPE 256MB
X850XT 256MB
X850Pro 256MB
X800XT/PE 256MB
X800XL 256MB
X800GTO2 256MB
X800GTO 256MB
X800Pro 256MB
X800GTO 256MB
X800GT 256MB
X800 256MB

X700XT 256MB
X700Pro 256MB
X700 256MB
9800XT 256MB
9800SE 256MB
9800Pro 256MB
9800 256MB
9700Pro 256MB

Nvidia GeForce

GTX 1080 8GB
GTX 1070 8GB
GTX 1060 6GB
GTX 1060 3GB
GTX 1050 2GB
GTX Titan X 12GB
GTX Titan Black 6GB
GTX Titan 6GB
GTX 980 Ti 6GB
GTX 980 4GB
GTX 780 Ti 3GB
GTX 970 4GB
GTX 960 2GB
GTX 780 3GB
GTX 770 2GB
GTX 760 3GB
GTX 760 2GB
GTX 750 1GB
GTX 690 4GB
GTX 680 4GB
GTX 680 2GB
GTX 670 2GB
GTX 660 Ti 2GB
GTX 590 3GB
Mars II Dual GTX 580 3GB
GTX 580 3GB
GTX 580 1536MB
GTX 570 1280MB
GTX 560 Ti 448 1GB
GTX 560 Ti 2GB
GTX 560 Ti 1GB
GTX 560 3GB
GTX 560 1GB
GTX 480 1536MB
GTX 470 1280MB
GTX 465 1GB
GTX 460 2Win 2GB
GTX 460 2GB
GTX 460 1GB
GTS 450 2GB
GTX 295 1792MB
GTX 285 2GB
GTX 285 1GB

GTX 550 Ti 1GB
GTX 460 SE 1GB
GTX 460 768MB
GTS 450 1.5GB
GT 440 2GB and 4GB
GTX 280 1GB
GTX 275 1792MB
GTX 275 896MB
GTX 260-Core 216 896MB
GTX 260 896MB
9800GX2 1GB

GT 630 2GB
GT 520 2GB
GTS 450 1GB
GT 440 1GB
GTS 250 1GB
GTS 250 512MB
GTS 240 512MB
GT 240 1GB
GT 240 512MB
9800GTX+ 512MB
9800GTX 512MB
9800GT 1GB
9800GT 512MB
9600GT 1GB
9600GT 512MB
9600GSO 768MB
9600GSO 512MB (G94)
9600GSO 384MB
8800 Ultra 768MB
8800GTX 768MB
8800GTS 512MB (G92)
8800GT 1GB
8800GT 512MB
8800GTS 640MB (112SP)
8800GTS 640MB
8800GT 256MB
8800GTS 320MB
8800GS 384MB
NVS 3100M 512MB

GT 520 1GB
GT 430 1GB
GT 220 1GB
GT 220 512MB
GT 610 1GB
9500GT 1GB
9500GT 512MB
8600GTS 512MB
8600GTS 256MB
8600GT 512MB
8600GT 256MB
7950GX2 1GB
7950GT 512MB
7900GT 512MB
7900GX2 1GB
7900GTX 512MB
7900GTO 512MB
7900GS 512MB
7900GT 256MB
7800GT Dual 512MB
7800GTX 512MB
7800GTX 256MB
7800GS Bliss+ 512MB
7800GT 256MB
7800GS 256MB
7600GT 256MB

GT 210 512MB
9400GT 512MB
8500GT 256MB
8400GS 256MB
7600GTS 256MB
7600GS 256MB
7300GT 256MB
6800Ultra/EE 256MB
6800GT 256MB
6800GS 256MB
6800GS AGP 256MB
6800 256MB
6800XT/LE 256MB
6600GT 256MB
6150SE nForce 430

7300GS 256MB
7300LE 256MB
7300SE 256MB
6600 256MB
5950 Ultra 256MB
5900 Ultra 256MB

Other

Intel HD 4000
Intel HD 4400 128MB
Intel HD 4200

Chrome S27 256MB
Intel i740

Mobile/Laptop PC[edit]

Extreme[note 1] High[note 2] Medium / High[note 3] Medium[note 4] Medium / Low[note 5] Low[note 6] Unplayable[note 7]
ATI Radeon

HD 6990M
HD 6970M
HD 6950M
HD 4870 X2

HD Mobility 4650 1gb (8GB Ram) HD 7670M
HD 6870M
HD 6490M GDDR5 Version
HD 5870M
HD 5470M (with 8 Gb RAM)

HD 6850M
HD 6770M
HD 6750M
HD 6830M
HD 6730M
HD 5850M
HD 5830M
HD 5770M
HD 4870
HD 4850
HD 4830M
HD 3870 X2
HD 3850 X2

HD 6670M
HD 6650M
HD 6630M
HD 5750
HD 5730
HD 5650M
HD 4670M
HD 4650M
HD 3870M

HD 6490M DDR3 Version
HD 6470M
HD 6370M
HD 5470M
HD 4570M
HD 3850M
HD 3670M
HD 3650M
HD 2600M XT
Mobility X1900
Mobility X1800 XT
Mobility X1800

HD 6450M
HD 6320M
HD 6310M
HD 6250
HD 5450M
HD 5430M
HD 4550M
HD 4530M
HD 4350M
HD 4330M
HD 4270M
HD 4250M
HD 4200M
HD 3470M
HD 3450M
HD 3430M
HD 3410M
HD 3200M
HD 3100M
HD 2600M
HD 2400XT
HD 2400M
Mobility X1800XT
Mobility X1700
Mobility X1600
Mobility X1450
Mobility X1400
Mobility X800
Mobility X700
Mobility 530v

Xpress X1270
Xpress X1250
Xpress X1200
Mobility 9800
Mobility 9600
Mobility 9500
Mobility X2300
Mobility X600
Mobility X300

Nvidia GeForce

GTX 660M
GTX 580M
GTX 570M
GTX 485M

GT 650M
GTX 560M
GTX 480M
GTX 470M
GTX 460M 1.5GB
GTX 460M 1GB
GTX 285M

GT 555M 2GB
GT 555M 1GB
GT 550M
GT 445M
GTS 360M
GTX 280M
GTX 260M
GTS 260M
GTS 160M
9800M GTX
9800M GTS
9800M GT
9800M GS
8800M GTX

GT 540M
GT 525M
GT 435M
GT 425M
GTS 350M
GTS 250M
GT 335M
9700M GTS
8800M GTS
Quadro FX 1600M

GT 630M
GT 520M
GT 420M
GT 415M
GT 330M
GT 325M
GT 320M
GT 310M
GT 240M
GT 230M
GT 220M
GT 130M
GT 120M
9700M GT
9650M GS
9650M GT
9600M GT
9600M GS
9500M GS
8700M GT
8600M GT
7950M GTX
7900 GTX
7900 GS
7800 GTX
7800M Go
NVS 4200M

410M
315M
305M
G205M
G120M
G110M
G105M
G103M
G102M
ION 2
9500M G
9500M Ge
9400M ION
9300M G
9200M GS
8600M GS
8400M GT
8400 GS
8400M G
7700M Go
7600M GT
7600 Go
7400M Go
7300 Go
6800M
6600M Go

8200M G
7200M Go
6400M Go
6250M Go
6200M Go
FX 5700 Go
FX Go 5600
4200 Go

Other

Intel HD 3000

Intel HD (800x450)

  1. ^ These cards should max the game at full 1080p without any problems.
  2. ^ These cards should run Skyrim at high settings, give or take a little depending on the resolution. They will definitely play Skyrim well.
  3. ^ These cards should be around medium/high settings give or take a little depending on the exact resolution. Some of these cards are showing their age but should still be more than sufficient for Skyrim.
  4. ^ These cards should be around solid medium settings give or take a little depending on the resolution. These cards should be on par with the console version graphically or even a bit higher.
  5. ^ These cards should run Skyrim, with the right tweaks you could probably get them to look as good as the console version. The farther you get down the list the closer you are to low end.
  6. ^ These cards will have trouble running the game, if they run it at all. The game probably won't be very enjoyable on any of these. Try setting the lowest resolution available (800x450 for 16:9) and desktop resolution 800x600 - playable on Celeron 847 and 807, (SandyBridge 1.1GHz dual core and 1,5GHz single core)
  7. ^ These cards will not run Skyrim, it's time for a new computer.

These are generalizations based on the entire series of cards, single cards can be quite different from the rest of the series.

Source: Unofficial "Will My PC Run Skyrim" Thread #63 w/ hardware guide (original thread may have more information for your specific card)

Operating Systems[edit]

It is recommended that you use Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, or 10 to play Skyrim, whether as your native operating system or through dual boot. Wine is a good method for running Skyrim on other operating systems. Because Skyrim is very CPU-intensive, using a virtual machine or emulation will give you drastically reduced performance, bringing an otherwise-powerful system to its knees. It is recommended that Mac OS X users use Boot Camp, as it will allow them to use Windows natively on their computer, or Wine; using Parallels or VMware Fusion will likely give you significantly reduced performance. Linux users may have luck with Wine, with potentially better performance; more information can be found here.

External Links[edit]

  • CPUID — just click on "Download Latest Version" in the top-left corner of the page. Instructions are provided on the web page.
  • Can You Run it? — A Java-based tool that will analyze your hardware to determine if you can run a wide variety of games, including Skyrim.
This page or section is incomplete. You can help by adding to it.
needs detailed info such as is found at Oblivion:System Requirements below the specs
For more information, see the help files, the style guide, and this article's talk page.