The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
PC requirements, performance and Steam Deck status
- Minimum
- Radeon HD 7870
- Recommended
- GeForce GTX 780 · Core i5-2400
- 60 fps 1080p high
- Radeon RX 6500 XT (~66 fps, est.)
- Steam Deck
- Steam Deck Verified · ~53 fps ultra (est.)
- Genres
- RPG
- Release
- Oct 27, 2016
- Developer
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Publisher
- Bethesda Softworks
Winner of more than 200 Game of the Year Awards, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition brings the epic fantasy to life in stunning detail. The Special Edition includes the critically acclaimed game and add-ons with all-new features.
Open WorldRPGAdventureFantasySingleplayerCharacter CustomizationModdableDragonsStory RichMagic
View on Steam →Will The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition run on your PC?
What you need for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition needs about a Radeon RX 6500 XT for 60 fps at 1080p high and a Radeon RX 9050 4GB at 1440p (pcgaming.io estimate, medium confidence, ±20%, model v0, data updated 2026-09-24).
| Target | Graphics card (at least) | Processor (at least) |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p · 60 fps · High | Radeon RX 6500 XT | Core i3-9100F |
| 1080p · 144 fps · Medium | Radeon RX 5600 XT | Core i3-9100F |
| 1440p · 60 fps · High | Radeon RX 9050 4GB | Core i3-9100F |
| 1440p · 120 fps · High | Radeon RX 6700 | Core i3-9100F |
| 4K · 60 fps · High | GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | Core i3-9100F |
Slowest current desktop parts (2020+ GPUs, 2019+ CPUs) our model expects to reach each target. Best GPUs for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition →
Estimated FPS on popular graphics cards (high preset)
| Graphics card | 1080p | 1440p | 4K |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce GTX 1650 | 57 | 40 | 24 |
| GeForce GTX 1060 6GB | 80 | 56 | 34 |
| GeForce RTX 2060 6GB | 120 | 84 | 50 |
| Radeon RX 6600 | 131 | 92 | 55 |
| GeForce RTX 3060 12GB | 143 | 100 | 60 |
| GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU | 149 | 104 | 62 |
| Radeon RX 7600 | 166 | 116 | 70 |
| GeForce RTX 4060 | 169 | 118 | 71 |
| GeForce RTX 3070 | 197 | 138 | 83 |
| GeForce RTX 4070 | 249 | 174 | 104 |
| Radeon RX 7800 XT | 277 | 194 | 116 |
| GeForce RTX 5070 | 286 | 200 | 120 |
| Radeon RX 9070 XT | 300+ | 260 | 156 |
| GeForce RTX 4080 | 300+ | 270 | 162 |
| GeForce RTX 5090 | 300+ | 300+ | 258 |
Estimated FPS from our model (v0), based on the game's published requirements and relative GPU/CPU performance. Not measured. Real results vary with drivers, patches, and scenes. Values above 300 fps show as 300+. Data updated 2026-09-24.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition system requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit Version) | Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit Version) |
| Processor | Intel i5-750/AMD Phenom II X4-945 No specific model named. Estimated from the legacy requirement. | 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 |
| Video memory | 1 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage | 12 GB | 12 GB |
Source: Steam.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on handheld PCs
Valve rating: Steam Deck Verified
Steam Deck · verified
- ✓Default controller configuration fully functional
- ✓Controller glyphs match Steam Deck device
- ✓Interface text is legible
- ✓Default configuration is performant
Steam Machine · verified
- ✓Default controller configuration fully functional
- ✓Controller glyphs match device
- ✓Default configuration is performant
SteamOS · playable
- !Game startup functional
| Handheld | Native resolution | Estimated FPS | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Deck OLED | 1280×800 | 53 ultra | Steam Deck Verified |
| ROG Ally X | 1920×1080 | 43 ultra | Steam Deck Verified · faster GPU |
| ROG Xbox Ally X | 1920×1080 | 50 ultra | Steam Deck Verified · faster GPU |
| Legion Go 2 | 1920×1200 | 45 ultra | Steam Deck Verified · faster GPU |
| MSI Claw 8 AI+ | 1920×1200 | 45 ultra | Steam Deck Verified · faster GPU |
Each handheld at its own screen resolution, on the best preset that holds 30 fps. Steam Deck verdicts are Valve's rating.
Details
- Controller support
- Keyboard & mouse
- DLC
- 2
- Steam achievements
- 75
- Metacritic
- 74
- Features
- Single-playerSteam AchievementsPlayable without Timed InputSave AnytimeStereo SoundSurround SoundPartial Controller SupportSteam CloudRemote Play on PhoneRemote Play on TabletFamily Sharing
- Languages (9)
- English, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Polish, Traditional Chinese, Russian, Japanese
Full audio: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Polish, Russian, Japanese
Latest news & patches
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition - Update 1.7.99 (Updated Aug 27)Patch2026-08-20
- New realms, new companions, and new powers, all in these Skyrim Creations.2026-06-25
- Adventure awaits in these Skyrim Creations!2026-03-05
- Find your next Skyrim adventure in these mini DLC-sized Creations!2025-10-31
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition - Update 1.6.640Patch2022-09-20
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition - Update 1.6.629Patch2022-09-15
Official announcements via Steam.
Games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition
FAQ
Can The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition run on a GTX 1650?
Yes. The GeForce GTX 1650 meets The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition's recommended spec. We estimate ~57 fps at 1080p high (range 46–69, medium confidence, ±20%), GPU-limited. For 60 fps at 1080p, use the medium preset. Its 4 GB of video memory covers the 3 GB the game recommends. The cheapest current card for 60 fps at 1080p high is the Radeon RX 6500 XT (~66 fps). Every preset on the GTX 1650.
Can The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition run on Steam Deck?
Yes. Valve rates The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Steam Deck Verified. At the Steam Deck OLED's native 1280×800 we estimate ~53 fps on the ultra preset (range 42–63, medium confidence, ±20%). 60 fps is reachable on the high preset. Presets for 30/40/60 fps on Steam Deck OLED.
What graphics card do I need for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition at 1440p?
For 60 fps at 1440p high, our model points to a Radeon RX 9050 4GB or faster: ~72 fps (range 58–86, medium confidence, ±20%). At 1080p high a Radeon RX 6500 XT is enough. 4K at 60 fps needs a GeForce RTX 3060 12GB. All are the slowest current desktop cards per target. Best GPUs for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition by brand.
Can I run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on a laptop?
Yes, with a fast enough GPU. Of the 30 laptop GPUs we list, the GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU is the slowest expected to reach 60 fps at 1080p high: ~74 fps (range 59–89, medium confidence, ±20%). The slowest one that meets the minimum spec, the GeForce GTX 1650 Laptop GPU, gets ~78 fps at 1080p low. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on the GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU.
How much RAM does The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition need?
The publisher's Steam listing asks for 8 GB of RAM minimum and 8 GB recommended for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition. For the graphics card it lists video memory of 1 GB at minimum and 3 GB recommended.
How much storage does The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition take?
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition needs 12 GB of free storage according to the publisher's recommended spec on Steam. The minimum operating system is Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit Version).