Can I Run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?
Bethesda Game Studios · 2011
EPIC FANTASY REBORN The next chapter in the highly anticipated Elder Scrolls saga arrives from the makers of the 2006 and 2008 Games of the Year, Bethesda Game Studios.
Can You Run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?
Pick your CPU, GPU, RAM and OS — we check each one against The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’s official minimum and recommended requirements.
Your PC
You can run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — and then some
Your PC meets the recommended requirements. Expect a great experience.
| Component | Your PC | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPU | GeForce RTX 4060 | Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM Sound: DirectX compatible sound card | DirectX 9.0c compatible NVIDIA or AMD ATI video card with 1GB of RAM (Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 or higher; ATI Radeon 4890 or higher) |
| CPU | Core i5-13400 | Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor | Quad-core Intel or AMD CPU |
| RAM | 16 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB |
| OS | Windows 11 | Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit) | — |
Verdict compares your components against the game’s published requirements using our GPU/CPU benchmark database. Estimates — real performance varies with drivers, settings and cooling.
Estimated FPS at 1080p
GAMERSPECS ESTIMATEEstimated using the GamerSpecs performance model. Actual FPS may vary depending on drivers, cooling, power limits, background applications, and game updates.How is this calculated? →The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a demanding rpg game from 2011. On a mid-range GPU like the RTX 4060 it averages around 81 FPS at 1080p, while budget cards manage roughly 36 FPS and high-end hardware pushes about 154 FPS. Plan on a dedicated graphics card and check the recommended specs below before buying.
Budget GPU
GTX 1650 / RX 6500 XT
~32–40 FPS
Low Performance
Mid-range GPU
RTX 4060 / RX 7600
~75–90 FPS
Playable
High-end GPU
RTX 4080 / RX 7900 XTX
~140–170 FPS
Excellent
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim System Requirements
The official minimum and recommended PC specs for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, component by component.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit) | — |
| Processor | Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor | Quad-core Intel or AMD CPU |
| Memory | 2GB System RAM | 4GB System RAM |
| Graphics | Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM Sound: DirectX compatible sound card | DirectX 9.0c compatible NVIDIA or AMD ATI video card with 1GB of RAM (Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 or higher; ATI Radeon 4890 or higher) |
| Storage | 6GB free HDD Space | — |
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Minimum
OS *: Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit) Processor: Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor Memory: 2GB System RAM Hard Disk Space: 6GB free HDD Space Video Card: Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM Sound: DirectX compatible sound card
Recommended
Processor: Quad-core Intel or AMD CPU Memory: 4GB System RAM Video Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible NVIDIA or AMD ATI video card with 1GB of RAM (Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 or higher; ATI Radeon 4890 or higher)
Requirements sourced from the official Steam store listing.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — FAQ
Can I run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?+
On a mid-range GPU like an RTX 4060 you can expect around 81 FPS at 1080p in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Budget GPUs get about 36 FPS and high-end GPUs around 154 FPS. Use the checker on this page to test your exact CPU, GPU, RAM and OS against the official requirements.
What are the minimum system requirements for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?+
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim needs at least a Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor processor, a Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM Sound: DirectX compatible sound card graphics card, 2GB of RAM, 6GB free HDD Space of storage, running Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit).
Can The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim run without a graphics card?+
No — The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is too demanding for integrated graphics. You'll need a dedicated GPU (minimum: Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM Sound: DirectX compatible sound card).
How much RAM does The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim need?+
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim officially requires a minimum of 2GB of RAM, with 4GB recommended for smooth performance. 16GB is a comfortable amount for modern gaming overall.
More games to check
FPS values displayed on GamerSpecs are estimates. Actual game performance may vary depending on hardware configuration, drivers, cooling, power limits, background applications, and game updates.