About The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition was released on October 27, 2016. Steam files it under RPG. It needs 12 GB of free storage.
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition system requirements
Can your PC run it? Pick your hardware below for a verdict and estimated fps.
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition needs at least NVIDIA GTX 470 1GB /AMD HD 7870 2GB and Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945, 8 GB of RAM and 12 GB of free storage. For 60 fps on High at 1080p, aim for a GeForce GTX 780 or better.
Updated October 3, 2026
Other versions of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
Different editions can have very different requirements. Check the one you own.
What it takes to run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
| Target | Graphics card | Processor | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | NVIDIA GTX 470 1GB /AMD HD 7870 2GB | Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945 | 8 GB |
| Recommended | NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB /AMD R9 290 4GB | Intel i5-2400/AMD FX-8320 | 8 GB |
| 60 fps, 1080p High | GeForce GTX 780 or better | Intel Pentium G4560 or better | 16 GB |
| 60 fps, 1440p High | GeForce GTX 970 or better | Intel Pentium G4560 or better | 16 GB |
| 60 fps, 4K High | GeForce RTX 3050 or better | Intel Pentium G4560 or better | 16 GB |
The first two rows are the publisher's numbers. The rows below are our own estimates from the scoring model.
How to get the best frame rate in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
The publisher's minimum for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is NVIDIA GTX 470 1GB /AMD HD 7870 2GB with Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945, and the recommended hardware is NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB /AMD R9 290 4GB. We treat the recommended hardware as the setup that holds about 60 fps at 1080p on High.
In our estimates a GeForce GTX 780 is about the weakest card that holds 60 fps on High at 1080p, a GeForce GTX 970 does the same at 1440p, and a GeForce RTX 3050 at 4K. Cards below that can still play the game, at Medium or Low.
Open world and story games are limited by the graphics card in busy areas and by video memory in new locations. If you see stutter when you enter a new area, lower the texture setting a step. Turn on upscaling if the game offers it.
Best graphics card for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
Estimated fps at 1080p on High by graphics card, and the best 60 fps preset at each resolution.
90+ great60+ smooth40+ playable30+ low settingsbelow 30
| Graphics card | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 5090 | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps |
| GeForce RTX 5070 | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps |
| GeForce RTX 4090 | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps |
| GeForce RTX 4070 Super | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps |
| GeForce RTX 4060 | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps |
| GeForce RTX 3080 | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps |
| GeForce RTX 3060 | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps |
| GeForce RTX 3050 | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | High 60 fps |
| GeForce RTX 2060 | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | High 60 fps |
| GeForce GTX 1660 Super | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Medium 60 fps |
| GeForce GTX 1650 | High 60 fps | Medium 60 fps | Under 60 fps |
| GeForce GTX 1060 6GB | Ultra 60 fps | High 60 fps | Low 60 fps |
| Radeon RX 9070 XT | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps |
| Radeon RX 7800 XT | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps |
| Radeon RX 6600 | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | High 60 fps |
| Radeon RX 580 | Ultra 60 fps | High 60 fps | Low 60 fps |
| Arc B580 | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps | Ultra 60 fps |
The highest quality preset that still holds 60 fps. Estimates with a processor that does not limit the card.
Memory and processor
Memory
Minimum 8 GB, recommended 8 GB. 16 GB is the comfortable amount for current games.
Processor
A processor like the Intel Pentium G4560 meets the recommended CPU level. For many fps in fast games, a quick CPU matters as much as the graphics card. Check your pairing.
Questions about The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
What are the minimum system requirements for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition?
Minimum: Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945, NVIDIA GTX 470 1GB /AMD HD 7870 2GB, 8 GB of memory, 12 GB of free storage.
What are the recommended system requirements for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition?
Recommended: Intel i5-2400/AMD FX-8320, NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB /AMD R9 290 4GB, 8 GB of memory.
What graphics card do I need to run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition at 60 fps?
In our estimate a GeForce GTX 780 is about the weakest card that holds 60 fps on High at 1080p, and a GeForce GTX 970 for 1440p.
How much RAM does The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition need?
The minimum is 8 GB and the recommendation is 8 GB. With less than the minimum the game may not start or will stutter badly.
How much storage does The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition need?
About 12 GB of free space, plus room for updates.
Can an RTX 3060 run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition?
Our estimate for the GeForce RTX 3060 is about 60 fps on High at 1080p. Verdict: Yes, runs well.
Requirements from the game's Steam page. Powered by Steam. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Valve or the publisher.