The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition system requirements: can your PC run it?

2016 · RPG · Bethesda Game Studios

The developer recommends Intel i5-2400/AMD FX-8320, NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB /AMD R9 290 4GB, 8 GB of RAM.

The minimum is Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945, NVIDIA GTX 470 1GB /AMD HD 7870 2GB, 8 GB of RAM, with 12 GB of free disk space.

These are the official requirements from the game's store page.

Demand levelModerate (48%)

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Official requirements

	Minimum	Recommended
Processor	Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945	Intel i5-2400/AMD FX-8320
Graphics	NVIDIA GTX 470 1GB /AMD HD 7870 2GB	NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB /AMD R9 290 4GB
Memory	8 GB	8 GB
Storage	12 GB	12 GB
OS	Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit Version)	Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit Version)

Source: Steam store page, checked 2026-10-08.

Parts that run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition well

Upgrading for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition? These are the cheapest graphics cards and processors on sale today that match or beat the developer's recommended parts, so the game runs the way it was meant to.

Graphics card

Radeon RX 6400 4GB ≈ ₹22,300 Buy now on Amazon
Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB ≈ ₹27,900 Buy now on Amazon
Radeon RX 6500 XT 8GB ≈ ₹30,700 Buy now on Amazon
GeForce RTX 3050 8GB ≈ ₹34,900 Buy now on Amazon

Processor

Processor 300 ≈ ₹8,200 Buy now on Amazon
Core i3-12100F ≈ ₹9,700 Buy now on Amazon
Ryzen 5 5500 ≈ ₹10,000 Buy now on Amazon
Ryzen 7 5700X ≈ ₹11,400 Buy now on Amazon

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition FPS calculator

Frame rates here are our estimates from the official specs and our benchmark scores, not measured results.

Processor Graphics card Memory (RAM)

Resolution 1080p 1440p 4K

Estimated performance

Select your processor and graphics card to see the frame rates and whether your PC meets the official specs.

—1080p · High Preset

1080p High—

1440p High—

4K High—

Estimated benchmark range at High settings (native resolution without DLSS/FSR upscaling). 1% low frame rates during intense scenes are typically 20–30% lower than average.

FPS on popular graphics cards

Estimated FPS at high settings, each card paired with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D so the processor does not hold it back.

Graphics card	1080p	1440p	4K
GeForce RTX 5090 32GB	300+	300+	298
GeForce RTX 4090 24GB	300+	300+	245
GeForce RTX 5080 16GB	300+	300+	209
GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB	300+	287	186
Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB	300+	283	184
GeForce RTX 5070 12GB	300+	240	156
GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER 12GB	300+	234	152
Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB	293	217	140
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB	230	170	110
Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB	225	166	108
GeForce RTX 3070 8GB	215	159	103
GeForce RTX 5060 8GB	200	148	96
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti 8GB	189	140	91
Arc B580	184	136	88
GeForce RTX 4060 8GB	173	128	83
Radeon RX 7600 8GB	168	124	81
GeForce RTX 3060 12GB	152	112	73
Radeon RX 6600 8GB	141	104	67
GeForce RTX 2060	118	87	56
GeForce GTX 1660 Super	100	74	48
GeForce GTX 1060 6GB	90	67	43
GeForce RTX 3050 6GB	87	64	42
Radeon RX 580	82	61	39
GeForce GTX 1650	65	48	31
GeForce GTX 1050 Ti	54	40	26

FAQ

What are the The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition system requirements?

Minimum: Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945 processor, NVIDIA GTX 470 1GB /AMD HD 7870 2GB graphics, 8 GB RAM. Recommended: Intel i5-2400/AMD FX-8320, NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB /AMD R9 290 4GB, 8 GB RAM.

Can I run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on an RTX 4060?

Yes. We estimate about 173 FPS at 1080p high settings with a fast processor (ultra, high refresh). That's our estimate, not a benchmark.

Can a GTX 1060 run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition?

Yes, at about 90 FPS at 1080p high in our estimate (high to ultra). Lower the settings for a steadier frame rate.

How much RAM does The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition need?

8 GB minimum and 8 GB recommended. 16 GB is the sweet spot for most gaming PCs today.

How big is The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on PC?

It needs about 12 GB of free space. Leave a few GB extra for updates.