Extreme Lag with Skyrim

freshkicks · Oct 23, 2013

Sorry I'm so late with the whole Skyrim thing, but I've been a steadfast xbox user from the start. I just recently downloaded Skyrim, but it lagged impossibly bad. On the lowest settings possible, I achieved a stunning 2 or 3 fps, even better in combat. After installing Gamebooster, I achieved moderately bad lag on the lowest settings, which is almost playable, but still painful to watch. I am horrible with computers, which is why I'm turning to you good people for assistance. I believe my computer does meet the requirements, so I am pretty bummed that it doesn't work. I will supply all the information I can find, but again, I am clueless with computers and graphics cards and whatever else there is.
Info:
Intel HD Graphics Core i5 2.53 GHz
1696 Mb Available Graphics Memory
and I have more than enough memory for the game, and everything is updated.
I'd appreciate anyone helping me get up to speed.

jimmysmitty · Oct 23, 2013

Based on what you have given, I would say you are using a onboard GPU which is not enough for Skyrim. You need a discrete GPU for Skyrim.

MD1987 · Oct 23, 2013

Intel HD graphics is your problem. It's barely good enough to do anything beyond desktop applications.

I'd suggest saving up maybe $150 for a graphics card like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127727&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=5961731&SID=0

Also make sure you have enough system memory. I'd recommend 4gb.

And, lag is much different than low FPS

Memnarchon · Oct 23, 2013

Hello.
Your CPU is fine and I guess you have at least 4GB memory.
The problem here is the GPU. I think you have something between HD2000 to HD4000.
The HD4000 might be able to play at 720p with low settings at 15-20FPS (unplable for me to be honest).
But all others they will fail more.

You have been confused with the graphics memory which is actually shared from system memory that the GPU is enough to play the game. Unfortunately it's not enough.

Deus Gladiorum · Oct 23, 2013

freshkicks :

"HD Graphics Core i5" is not enough information. Intel doesn't make anything more than low end graphic chips, but some of their chips are merely poor (allowing you to get at least 20 - 30 fps on low on Skyrim) and some of them are absolutely god awful (only allowing you to get 5 fps on Skyrim), but I can't tell which you have from such vague information.

What is the model of your laptop/desktop?

Immaculate · Oct 23, 2013

Delete the torrent and keep playing on the xbox.

MD1987 · Oct 23, 2013

Immaculate :

And you know he didn't get it on Steam?

jimmysmitty · Oct 23, 2013

Deus Gladiorum :

Based on the clock speed, and ARK, I bet its a i5-540M which has pretty horrible IGP. That's the only i5 at 2.53GHz per ARK.

That means no upgrades for him and unless it also has a discrete GPU, he is stuck with some pretty bad graphics.

Immaculate :

I love these assumptions. It shows that instead of helping the guy people are cold hearted and assume the worst.

Not that he may merely have under powered hardware, which is the normal reason.

freshkicks · Oct 24, 2013

Hey thanks for all the replies people

Alright so the general consensus I'm getting is that I probably need to get a better graphics card than the one that came with the laptop. What do you think would be the cheapest one I could find that would make the game moderately playable?
I also just discovered that my graphics card has 64 Mb of dedicated video memory if this is helpful to anyone's understanding.

freshkicks · Oct 24, 2013

Memnarchon :

Thanks for the info. So if I were to buy a new graphics card this would remedy the GPU problem?

Deus Gladiorum · Oct 24, 2013

freshkicks :

Unfortunately, no. You can't replace laptop graphics cards 99.9% of the time. It's impossible for a number of reasons, namely that laptops have their graphics cards soldered into the motherboard and they're not meant to be upgradeable.

Only desktops have such customizability and upgrade potential. Your only option from here is to either buy a brand new laptop or build/buy a desktop.

Memnarchon · Oct 24, 2013

Deus Gladiorum :

freshkicks :

Unfortunately, no. You can't replace laptop graphics cards 99.9% of the time. It's impossible for a number of reasons, namely that laptops have their graphics cards soldered into the motherboard and they're not meant to be upgradeable.

Only desktops have such customizability and upgrade potential. Your only option from here is to either buy a brand new laptop or build/buy a desktop.

+1.

freshkicks · Oct 24, 2013

Memnarchon :

Deus Gladiorum :

+1.

Ahh, that is quite unfortunate. Well I'm glad I finally understand even if the truth isn't so great. It seems I wasn't meant for the PC gaming life. Thanks for the help though!

MD1987 · Oct 24, 2013

freshkicks :

Memnarchon :

Ahh, that is quite unfortunate. Well I'm glad I finally understand even if the truth isn't so great. It seems I wasn't meant for the PC gaming life. Thanks for the help though!

Everyone is meant for PC gaming. The price of a "gaming laptop" could very easily get you a killer desktop rig with more power and longevity! And, if you don't want to spend that much, even $500 will build a solid gaming computer.

Memnarchon · Oct 24, 2013

freshkicks :

You welcome. Actually if you had a desktop with these specs a graphics card (something like 7850/GTX650ti boost) would turn it in to a great gaming machine!
But laptop's major disadvantage is this. They cannot be upgraded (maybe RAM and some of them the CPU also...), so they don't last long...
Take care

.

Deus Gladiorum · Oct 24, 2013

:| Well now, this is about to be very awkward but uh, any chance you actually meant to select my answer as the best answer?

freshkicks · Oct 25, 2013

Deus Gladiorum :

Too right, did I do it wrong?

Extreme Lag with Skyrim

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