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

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim lists 4 GB of system memory. 16 GB is a safe modern baseline.

Is a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti still enough for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?

It matches the game's stated target, so it will run, but it is an older part. A current card in the budget tier above gives you driver support and better efficiency for a similar outlay.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim System Requirements

Nov 10, 2011RPG

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, released Nov 10, 2011, is a rpg game from Bethesda Game Studios. Its recommended spec points at NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics with an Intel Core i5-3470-class CPU; below we translate that into parts you can actually buy today.

Add to list View my list →

Official System Requirements

The minimum specs for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim call for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti-class graphics, Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550-class processor, 2 GB of RAM and 6 GB of storage.

The recommended specs for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim call for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti-class graphics, Intel Core i5-3470-class processor and 4 GB of RAM.

Component	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550	Intel Core i5-3470
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
RAM	2 GB	4 GB
Storage	6 GB	—

Original published requirement text

Minimum: 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: 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)

Best GPU for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Full GPU guide →

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's stated graphics card is roughly NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti level. The current sweet spot is the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT, with cheaper and faster options either side.

Budget

Intel Arc B570

~$220

score 21010 GB VRAMBattlemage

Intel Arc B570 is the cheapest current card that clears this game's recommended bar with 10GB VRAM. Fine for 1080p.

View on Amazon

Other options at this level

Intel Arc B580 · 12GB~$250Buy
AMD Radeon RX 7600 · 8GB~$260Buy
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 · 8GB~$290Buy
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 · 8GB~$310Buy

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Recommended

AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT

~$350

score 24016 GB VRAMRDNA 4

AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT adds headroom with 16GB VRAM - a safe pick for 1080p high or 1440p depending on the game.

View on Amazon

Other options at this level

AMD Radeon RX 7600 XT · 16GB~$320Buy
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti · 8GB~$370Buy
AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT · 12GB~$400Find
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 · 12GB~$520Buy

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Performance

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti

~$430

score 27516 GB VRAMBlackwell

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti leaves plenty of margin with 16GB VRAM for higher resolutions and frame rates.

View on Amazon

Other options at this level

AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT · 16GB~$480Buy
AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE · 16GB~$550Find
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 · 12GB~$560Buy
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super · 12GB~$590Buy

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Best CPU for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Full CPU guide →

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's stated processor is roughly Intel Core i5-3470 level. The current sweet spot is the AMD Ryzen 5 5500, with cheaper and faster options either side.

Budget

Intel Core i3-14100F

~$110

score 130Raptor Lake Refresh

Intel Core i3-14100F is the cheapest current chip that clears this game's recommended bar. Fine for 1080p.

View on Amazon

Other options at this level

Intel Core i3-13100F ~$100Buy
Intel Core i5-12400F ~$130Buy

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Recommended

AMD Ryzen 5 5500

~$80

score 140Zen 3

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 adds headroom - a safe pick for 1080p high or 1440p depending on the game.

View on Amazon

Other options at this level

AMD Ryzen 5 5600 ~$110Buy
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X ~$130Buy
Intel Core i5-13400F ~$180Find

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Performance

AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT

~$125

score 170Zen 3

AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT leaves plenty of margin for higher resolutions and frame rates.

View on Amazon

Other options at this level

AMD Ryzen 7 5700X ~$160Buy
Intel Core i5-14400F ~$190Buy
Intel Core i5-13500 ~$210Buy

Prices are approximate, not live Amazon prices — the link opens the current listing on your regional Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Recommended PC build for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Full build guide →

Want the whole tower speced out? Our The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim build guide pairs these CPU and GPU picks with RAM, motherboard, SSD, PSU and case at budget, recommended and performance tiers, with an approximate total.

Can these parts run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?

Can the AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?: Yes. The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT is well ahead of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti target, so expect a comfortable 1080p experience with headroom to spare.
Can the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is well ahead of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's Intel Core i5-3470 target, so expect a comfortable 1080p experience with headroom to spare.

FAQ

What is the cheapest GPU for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?: Intel Arc B570 - Intel Arc B570 is the cheapest current card that clears this game's recommended bar with 10GB VRAM. Fine for 1080p.
Which CPU should I get for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 - AMD Ryzen 5 5500 adds headroom - a safe pick for 1080p high or 1440p depending on the game.
How much RAM does The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim need?: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim lists 4 GB of system memory. 16 GB is a safe modern baseline.
Is a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti still enough for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim?: It matches the game's stated target, so it will run, but it is an older part. A current card in the budget tier above gives you driver support and better efficiency for a similar outlay.