Can this computer play Skyrim?

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Ajmal Rizni

Honorable
Jan 16, 2014
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0
10,510
I want to play Skyrim on my new PC but it needs to be on currys and has to be around 400 pounds.I know it won't be Ultra, at the very least low is fine.This is what I found:

HP Pavilion 500-120ea
Windows 8 64
Intel® Core™ i5-4440 (3.1 GHz, 6 MB cache, 4 cores)
RAM 6 GB DDR3 (1 x 2 GB, 1 x 4 GB)
Intel HD Graphics (up to 1.7 GB)
1 TB 7200 rpm SATA

For more information about the computer:
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/desktop-pcs/desktop-pcs/hp-pavilion-500-120ea-desktop-pc-21832064-pdt.html#longDesc

Skyrim Minimum Specs:
Windows 7/Vista/XP PC (32 or 64 bit)
Processor: Dual Core 2.0GHz or equivalent processor
2GB System RAM
6GB free HDD Space
Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB of RAM
DirectX compatible sound card
Internet access for Steam activation
 
Solution
aevm
How do I know it's 300W? I read the specs here:
http://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=c03994228

600W is a number of watts that a PSU can deliver without blowing up. The higher, the safer. It doesn't mean your computer will consume 600W. Let's say you have two computers, one with a 300W PSU and one with a 600W PSU, otherwise identical, and they both need 500W. The first one will crash. The second one will work, and your electricity bill will be for 500W (not 600W).

Your CPU and RAM will be fine. You need to figure out what's the maximum length of a graphics card that can fit in there. Also, can it be a thick card, i.e. taking two slots? If not, that will limit your options a lot.

Once we know that maximum length...
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aevm

aevm

Illustrious
May 18, 2007
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The 300W power supply must be replaced with something around 600W.

You will also need a video card.

Before buying anything, open the computer and see how long the video card can be. It's important to buy a video card that actually fits in the case.
 
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A

Ajmal Rizni

Honorable
Jan 16, 2014
6
0
10,510


But how do you know it's 300W and how do you know it should be 600W with a graphics card?Couldn't too many Watts break the computer?
 
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aevm

aevm

Illustrious
May 18, 2007
11,974
0
41,960
How do I know it's 300W? I read the specs here:
http://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=c03994228

600W is a number of watts that a PSU can deliver without blowing up. The higher, the safer. It doesn't mean your computer will consume 600W. Let's say you have two computers, one with a 300W PSU and one with a 600W PSU, otherwise identical, and they both need 500W. The first one will crash. The second one will work, and your electricity bill will be for 500W (not 600W).

Your CPU and RAM will be fine. You need to figure out what's the maximum length of a graphics card that can fit in there. Also, can it be a thick card, i.e. taking two slots? If not, that will limit your options a lot.

Once we know that maximum length allowed, we can find a graphics card that is shorter than that and costs under 350 pounds. Once we know which card, we can figure out what kind of PSU it needs and add a PSU to the list, hopefully under 50 pounds.
 
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Solution
aevm

aevm

Illustrious
May 18, 2007
11,974
0
41,960
You're welcome. :)

BTW, if you ever want a CPU upgrade as well, here are the options supported by your motherboard:
Intel Core i5-4570
Intel Core i5-4670
Intel Core i7-4770
Intel Core i7-4771
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c04026628&cc=sv&dlc=en&lc=sv#N203

TBH they're not that different from the i5-4440 so it's probably not worth it.

Also, based on the specs, you've got 4GB + 2GB of RAM. If you find you need more you can replace the 2GB stick with a 4GB stick.

 
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