Help with planned upgrade

I'm looking to upgrade my computer for the release of Skyrim and could do with some help/advice. This is my system at the moment...

Windows Vista

NZXT Apollo Case

ASUS P5K iP35 Socket 775 ATX Motherboard
Intel Dual-Core CPU 2.33GHz
Corsair XMS2 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C5 TwinX Dual Channel (TWIN2X4096-6400C5C)
Palit GeForce GTS 250 Green 1024MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Thermaltake TR2 - 500W Power Supply

I'm replacing everything but my case, OS and HDD. After doing some research and getting advice from other forums I have these components lined up...

Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor

Corsair Builder Series CX 500W V2 '80 Plus' 500W ATX Power Supply

Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit

1. a) I want to know about compatibility, will this all work together?

b) Will it all fit in my case?

2. Will this system be able to run Skyrim on max, or high at least?

3. When putting it together, is it as simple as unplugging my computer, sticking the parts in (keeping my old HDD) and then turning it on?

4. a) How complicated is it to install a processor?

b) Will I need to buy thermal compound or does it come with it?

c) If there's many different compounds on the market, what would you recommend?

c) How do I apply the compound?

5. What is better for RAM, 8gb dual-channel or 6gb tri-channel?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can spare, your help is greatly appreciated. :)

I'm looking to upgrade my computer for the release of Skyrim and could do with some help/advice. This is my system at the moment...

Windows Vista

NZXT Apollo Case

ASUS P5K iP35 Socket 775 ATX Motherboard
Intel Dual-Core CPU 2.33GHz
Corsair XMS2 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 PC2-6400C5 TwinX Dual Channel (TWIN2X4096-6400C5C)
Palit GeForce GTS 250 Green 1024MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card
Thermaltake TR2 - 500W Power Supply

I'm replacing everything but my case, OS and HDD. After doing some research and getting advice from other forums I have these components lined up...

Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard

Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor

Corsair Builder Series CX 500W V2 '80 Plus' 500W ATX Power Supply

Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit

Gainward GeForce GTX 460 GS 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card

Now, I need some other opinions and answers to some questions. My brother used this site in the past when he built his computer and he couldn't recommend it enough to me. My questions are as follows...

1. a) I want to know about compatibility, will this all work together?

b) Will it all fit in my case?

2. Will this system be able to run Skyrim on max, or high at least?

3. When putting it together, is it as simple as unplugging my computer, sticking the parts in (keeping my old HDD) and then turning it on?

4. a) How complicated is it to install a processor?

b) Will I need to buy thermal compound or does it come with it?

c) If there's many different compounds on the market, what would you recommend?

c) How do I apply the compound?

5. What is better for RAM, 8gb dual-channel or 6gb tri-channel?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can spare, your help is greatly appreciated. :)

amcoops

1. It's compatible, it will fit all in your case.

2. It won't run skyrim max and probably not on high either when gaming on 1080p. You need a better videocard if you want to max it out,something like a hd 6950 or gtx 560ti

3. Putting it together is not very difficult , if you know what you're doing. There are plently of manuals you can find on the internet.

4. a it's not complicated but follow the installation instruction very closely so you don't break anything.

b It comes with thermal compound

c any compound is good

d it's pre-applied

5. 8 gb is better than 6 , tri channel is better than dual channel but your motherboard has to support it.

You will need an aftermarket cooler if you want to overclock it, if you're not planning to overclock just buy an i5-2500 without the k

Again buy a better videocard. The rest is ok

However if I look at your system i would do something totally different. You can save yourself a lot of money with just buying a new cpu for your old system the q 9505 isn't as good as the i5-2500 but it's still very good

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115060

you can buy it for 239$.

You don't need to overclock this cpu but you can , at stock clock it performs like a phenom II x 4 970 which is more than enough for a processor. This cpu can be easily overclocked to 3.6 ghz without voltage changes. This is a good deal for you. You will just have to replace your cpu and cooler, it will save you tons of work and frustration and you will have extra money to buy a better videocard. Your motherboard supports crossfire, you can buy two hd 6870 and have the power of a gtx 580 for 350$. You could also buy a single gtx 560ti or gtx 570, depends on your budget.

Anyhow a system with a better videocard and the q9505 as the cpu will blow the i5 2500/ gtx 460 setup out of the water when it comes to gaming.

^I hope that poster realizes that Skyrim is running on a revised Gambyro engine. Meaning you'd probably only need a card a notch or two above Oblivion's recommended card (8800GT). That translates into a GTX 460 768MB / HD 5830, not something beastly like a 6950 / 560 ti.

Dont get that GTX460, thats just a SE version with its letters changed and more RAM.

^I hope that poster realizes that Skyrim is running on a revised Gambyro engine. Meaning you'd probably only need a card a notch or two above Oblivion's recommended card (8800GT). That translates into a GTX 460 768MB / HD 5830, not something beastly like a 6950 / 560 ti.

kaitanuvax

You don't need to overclock this cpu but you can , at stock clock it performs like a phenom II x 4 970 which is more than enough for a processor.

evildead6789

No its not, theres a big difference between the Q9505 and the X4 970. 400 points on passmark.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Quad+Q9505+%40+2.83GHz

[QUOTE="evildead6789"]

You don't need to overclock this cpu but you can , at stock clock it performs like a phenom II x 4 970 which is more than enough for a processor.

GTR12

No its not, theres a big difference between the Q9505 and the X4 970. 400 points on passmark.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Quad+Q9505+%40+2.83GHz

[QUOTE="kaitanuvax"]

^I hope that poster realizes that Skyrim is running on a revised Gambyro engine. Meaning you'd probably only need a card a notch or two above Oblivion's recommended card (8800GT). That translates into a GTX 460 768MB / HD 5830, not something beastly like a 6950 / 560 ti.

evildead6789

Thanks for the help guys.

I've never really liked the whole concept of overclocking, correct me if I'm wrong but it feels like it would shorten the lifespan of the component.

The system I have mentioned stands at about £573 ($915), I would probably stretch to around £800 ($1,276)in an attempt to run Skyrim on the highest graphical setting possible within that budget.

Have the system specs been released for Skyrim yet? Should I wait until they have before planning my upgrade?

Thanks for the help guys.

I've never really liked the whole concept of overclocking, correct me if I'm wrong but it feels like it would shorten the lifespan of the component.

The system I have mentioned stands at about £573 ($915), I would probably stretch to around £800 ($1,276)in an attempt to run Skyrim on the highest graphical setting possible within that budget.

Have the system specs been released for Skyrim yet? Should I wait until they have before planning my upgrade?

amcoops

By the time the effect of overclocking has on a system, the computer will be so old you wont be playing much on it, if anything.

Specs fro Skrim are not going to be that high, it is being developed for consoles anyways.dramaybaz

I'm tempted to go for the GeForce GTX 560Ti "Phantom" 1024MB instead, it's about £65 extra, is it worth it?

[QUOTE="dramaybaz"]Specs fro Skrim are not going to be that high, it is being developed for consoles anyways.evildead6789

BF has clear difference between the 2 versions, less content on the consoles, looks way worse. Infact BF3's primary choice of platform is the PC, it will definitly shine. Skyrim however has its focus on the consoles.

I'm tempted to go for the GeForce GTX 560Ti "Phantom" 1024MB instead, it's about £65 extra, is it worth it?

amcoops

[QUOTE="evildead6789"][QUOTE="dramaybaz"]Specs fro Skrim are not going to be that high, it is being developed for consoles anyways.dramaybaz

[QUOTE="dramaybaz"][QUOTE="evildead6789"] yeah right like battlefield 3 lolevildead6789

You quoted me before I could edit. I meant PC. That its main focus is on PC, hence the best version and high requirements.
And from what I know, similar to Oblivion, Skyrim would be better on PC ofc, but due to higher resolution, AA etc, the usual stuff. There are no special technologies being incorporated on the PC version from what we know so far.
Obviously it will require higher specs on PC as it will look the best on it, but it won't be at the same level as BF3.

I have seen the graphical quality of skyrim and most likely you will need a high end pc to run it on it's highest settings. evildead6789

Yeah...the "graphical quality" was captured on a xbox360. Stop dreaming already, it's not going to justify a $250+ video card purchase.

http://www.vg247.com/2011/06/08/console-version-of-skyrim-bethesdas-lead-sku/

http://www.vg247.com/2011/06/08/console-version-of-skyrim-bethesdas-lead-sku/

dramaybaz

[QUOTE="dramaybaz"]

http://www.vg247.com/2011/06/08/console-version-of-skyrim-bethesdas-lead-sku/

evildead6789

[QUOTE="evildead6789"][QUOTE="dramaybaz"]

http://www.vg247.com/2011/06/08/console-version-of-skyrim-bethesdas-lead-sku/

dramaybaz

We will only be sure if when the game comes outevildead6789

More like, YOU will only be convinced otherwise when the system reqs come out (on Monday). Since its a console port (and its not made by Rockstar), the rest of us knows its going to be just a little bit more demanding than Fallout New Vegas.

[QUOTE="evildead6789"] We will only be sure if when the game comes outkaitanuvax

More like, YOU will only be convinced otherwise when the system reqs come out (on Monday). Since its a console port (and its not made by Rockstar), the rest of us knows its going to be just a little bit more demanding than Fallout New Vegas.

fallout new vegas looked a lot better on my system than on a console, besides new vegas doesn' look all that different from fallout 3 while skyrim looks a lot better than oblivion.evildead6789

But the fact of the matter is, is that the Skyrim screenshots from where you derived your "looks a lot better" statement was took on a xbox 360. That means any old card like a 9600GT or 4670 can produce those kind of console graphics well too.

As for the extra PC features that is going to be on Skyrim: it's not going to be much more demanding. Take a good look at Betheda's earlier games, namely Fallout and Oblivion, and you will find that the extra performance needed for the PC isn't all that great.

[QUOTE="evildead6789"] fallout new vegas looked a lot better on my system than on a console, besides new vegas doesn' look all that different from fallout 3 while skyrim looks a lot better than oblivion.kaitanuvax

But the fact of the matter is, is that the Skyrim screenshots from where you derived your "looks a lot better" statement was took on a xbox 360. That means any old card like a 9600GT or 4670 can produce those kind of console graphics well too.

As for the extra PC features that is going to be on Skyrim: it's not going to be much more demanding. Take a good look at Betheda's earlier games, namely Fallout and Oblivion, and you will find that the extra performance needed for the PC isn't all that great.

So skyrim looking a lot better than oblivion on an x360 is a pretty good indication you will need higher system requirements than for oblivion.

Besides don't compare fallout with this game , fallout new vegas and fallout 3 looks exactly the same while oblivion and skyrim don't

oblivion maxed would trash a 4670, i ran it maxed out on a 5770 and i got around 40 fps on average and that was only on 720p, unmodded. Those screenshots may be taken from an x360, they can do a lot more with an x360 now than they could in 2006. The x360 was only beginning it's career then , now nearly at the end of it's career, they know the platform a lot better and can do a lot more with it.

So skyrim looking a lot better than oblivion on an x360 is a pretty good indication you will need higher system requirements than for oblivion.

Besides don't compare fallout with this game , fallout new vegas and fallout 3 looks exactly the same while oblivion and skyrim don't

evildead6789

You're not getting it. I never said the 4670 could max a PC version of Oblivion, I said it could match the console's version (aka medium / high settings @ 720p).

And just because it looks better than Oblivion/Fallout/Fallout 3, doesn't mean anything other than that its better optimized.

I'll give you an analogy.

FALLOUT NEW VEGAS

XBOX 360 = 30 FPS med. settings 720P

[PC]HD 4650 = 30 FPS med. settings 720P

[PC]8800GT = 35 FPS maxed 1080p

THEREFORE

SKYRIM

XBOX 360 = 30 FPS med. settings 720P

[PC]HD 4650 = ~30 FPS med. settings 720P

[PC]8800GT = ~25 FPS maxed 1080p

Its simple reasoning, really.

who cares about matching console graphics, why on earth have a pc then.

If it's looks better it will ask for more resources, so if a hd 4670 could match console graphics on oblivion , it won't be the same for skyrim. It may be better optimized on the 360, on the pc it will just aks for more resources. A pc isn't the same like a 6 year old platform they know inside out.

Besides why are comparing new vegas with skyrim, it isn't the same game , they may use the same engine but that doesn't mean anything. You can run a game on the crysis engine on a certain system smooth and use the same engine with different settings and smoke the pc.

So your analogy isn't really correct, before the game comes out it's just guessing. Judging the screenshots and gameplay video, i think running skyrim on high will ask for a high end pc.

Besides you can't max out oblivion on 1080 p and still get 35 on a 8800 gt. New vegas maybe but not oblivion, again you can see your analogy doesn't hold up.

You just don't give up do you?

What part "since it runs well on xbox 360, it will run even better on PC" don't you understand? If Skyrim can be had on Xbox 360's 6 year old GPU, by god any decent gpu less than 4 years old will demolish it.

Edit: I was being REALLY generous when I said ~25 FPS for 1080P. Now you're making me pulling out the real guns.

You just don't give up do you?

What part "since it runs well on xbox 360, it will run even better on PC" don't you understand? If Skyrim can be had on Xbox 360's 6 year old GPU, by god any decent gpu less than 4 years old will demolish it.

Edit: I was being REALLY generous when I said ~25 FPS for 1080P. Now you're making me pulling out the real guns.

kaitanuvax

I know you're going to say this is modding but that isn't exactly true , it's still the same textures ,it's just all high res textures. Same has happened with high resolution textures for crysis 2. And editing the ini file isn't modding either, it's just the same like using the sliders only you can slide em much further this way.

So the low resolution textures may run very well on that 8800 gt but with high res textures it would be smoked. If i would set the field of view to max then you would be lucky to get 5 fps on that 8800 gt lol.

It's you that's not giving up because clearly you don't know what you're talking about. Getting out the big guns lmao

That's not really maxing out lol This is on the pc, maxing out the sliders don't max out oblivion, if you edit the ini file and replace the low resolution textures with high resolution textures then you really max it out . You can hardly call oblivion maxed out when you still have grass pop in and stones look like sprites.

I know you're going to say this is modding but that isn't exactly true , it's still the same textures ,it's just all high res textures. Same has happened with high resolution textures for crysis 2. And editing the ini file isn't modding either, it's just the same like using the sliders only you can slide em much further this way.

So the low resolution textures may run very well on that 8800 gt but with high res textures it would be smoked. If i would set the field of view to max then you would be lucky to get 5 fps on that 8800 gt lol.

It's you that's not giving up because clearly you don't know what you're talking about. Getting out the big guns lmao

evildead6789

All talk, no walk. Where's your benchmarks big boy? Until you provide some, my stance is far more convincing.

On the other hand, don't even bother. It's no use. Just enjoy ending up in my sig on monday when the official specs are posted.

[QUOTE="evildead6789"]

That's not really maxing out lol This is on the pc, maxing out the sliders don't max out oblivion, if you edit the ini file and replace the low resolution textures with high resolution textures then you really max it out . You can hardly call oblivion maxed out when you still have grass pop in and stones look like sprites.

I know you're going to say this is modding but that isn't exactly true , it's still the same textures ,it's just all high res textures. Same has happened with high resolution textures for crysis 2. And editing the ini file isn't modding either, it's just the same like using the sliders only you can slide em much further this way.

So the low resolution textures may run very well on that 8800 gt but with high res textures it would be smoked. If i would set the field of view to max then you would be lucky to get 5 fps on that 8800 gt lol.

It's you that's not giving up because clearly you don't know what you're talking about. Getting out the big guns lmao

kaitanuvax

All talk, no walk. Where's your benchmarks big boy? Until you provide some, my stance is far more convincing.

On the other hand, don't even bother. It's no use. Just enjoy ending up in my sig on monday when the official specs are posted.

There aren't any benchmarks for that but anyone that knows what i'm talking about will confirm what i said . You asking for benchmarks proves again you really don't know nothing about oblivion and the elder scrolls do you?, or even pc gaming in general. Besides the specs coming out will probably be for the console port only without high resolution textures, It depends ,it would be nice the high resolution textures come with the launch package. And stop giving advice to people please if you don't know what you're talking about, people come here for help. evildead6789

"There's no evidence that Santa Claus exists but anyone with half a brain knows that he does! I mean, where else does he come from? The fact that presents appear on my christmas tree every year proves again that you don't know anything about Santa Claus, do you? And stop telling other people that Santa Claus is not real if you don't believe in him, people really need to listen to the truth!!111"

='(

Ah, I think somebody's going to enjoy their fine meal of crow on Monday.

[QUOTE="evildead6789"] There aren't any benchmarks for that but anyone that knows what i'm talking about will confirm what i said . You asking for benchmarks proves again you really don't know nothing about oblivion and the elder scrolls do you?, or even pc gaming in general. Besides the specs coming out will probably be for the console port only without high resolution textures, It depends ,it would be nice the high resolution textures come with the launch package. And stop giving advice to people please if you don't know what you're talking about, people come here for help. kaitanuvax

"There's no evidence that Santa Claus exists but anyone with half a brain knows that he does! I mean, where else does he come from? The fact that presents appear on my christmas tree every year proves again that you don't know anything about Santa Claus, do you? And stop telling other people that Santa Claus is not real if you don't believe in him, people really need to listen to the truth!!111"

='(

Ah, I think somebody's going to enjoy their fine meal of crow on Monday.

There aren't any official benchmarks but it's recommended to have a high end system, and this is just for close view textures ,the distant textures have a high resolution texture pack also There are numerous sites that cover the ini file of oblivion also. When i removed all pop ins via the ini file, set all shadows and lighting to max and replaced all textures with high resolution textures I got 30 fps on 1280 x 1024 with no aa on a hd 5770.

The 8800 gt would turn this into a slideshow

Off course you must have known this all , since you know everything on the subject lol

off course , the high resolution texture pack has only 367 000 downloads on texnexus, that's a bit much for grown people believing in something that doesn't exist

There aren't any official benchmarks but it's recommended to have a high end system, and this is just for close view textures ,the distant textures have a high resolution texture pack also There are numerous sites that cover the ini file of oblivion also. When i removed all pop ins via the ini file, set all shadows and lighting to max and replaced all textures with high resolution textures I got 30 fps on 1280 x 1024 with no aa on a hd 5770.

The 8800 gt would turn this into a slideshow

Off course you must have known this all , since you know everything on the subject lol

evildead6789

Aaaand, despite his strongest efforts, he managed to talk about modding Oblivion. What a shame.

Sorry hotshot, but modding NEVER counts into a game's hardware requirements. Get over yourself.

[QUOTE="evildead6789"]

off course , the high resolution texture pack has only 367 000 downloads on texnexus, that's a bit much for grown people believing in something that doesn't exist

There aren't any official benchmarks but it's recommended to have a high end system, and this is just for close view textures ,the distant textures have a high resolution texture pack also There are numerous sites that cover the ini file of oblivion also. When i removed all pop ins via the ini file, set all shadows and lighting to max and replaced all textures with high resolution textures I got 30 fps on 1280 x 1024 with no aa on a hd 5770.

The 8800 gt would turn this into a slideshow

Off course you must have known this all , since you know everything on the subject lol

kaitanuvax

Aaaand, despite his strongest efforts, he managed to talk about modding Oblivion. What a shame.

Sorry hotshot, but modding NEVER counts into a game's hardware requirements. Get over yourself.

So somehow my entire history of spanning several years helping people in this forum becomes invalid because you can't provide proof for your own arguments? That's so rich! Please entertain me more.

So somehow my entire history of spanning several years helping people in this forum becomes invalid because you can't provide proof for your own arguments? That's so rich! Please entertain me more.

kaitanuvax

[QUOTE="kaitanuvax"]

So somehow my entire history of spanning several years helping people in this forum becomes invalid because you can't provide proof for your own arguments? That's so rich! Please entertain me more.

evildead6789

Only with crysis it was released by the developpers itself and with oblivion it was done by a third party. The result is the same , the texture resolution is higher, there isn't anything added. As for editing the ini file , i'm just talking about removing all pop ins, the pop ins are done to lower the demand for system resources. So removing them is the same as maxing it out. Again there isn't anything added.

I doubt they will do this restrictions with skyrim because there's much stronger pc hardware available today.