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Help choosing video card/overclocking cpu for Skyrim

Last response: in Video Games
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Hey guys,


I've been thinking it is high time to buy a new video card (for Skyrim and future titles) for my gaming rig that I built about 2.5ish years ago and also learn how to overclock the cpu ... Its specs currently are:

i7 920 @ 2.67 (not overclocked)
6 gigs ram
Radeon HD 4870
42 in 1080p Toshiba LCD TV max resolutions is 1920x1080

My goal is to not break the bank but also be able to play Skyrim at Ultra settings, solid frame rate, 8x AA 16x AF with downloaded hd texture mods installed.

If I buy a Radeon HD 6970 and learn how to overclock my cpu will that get the job done or am I bottle-necked by my cpu and require a sandy bridge?

Should I buy a lower range video card and hold off spending $350 CDN + on a card until I invest in a new gaming rig in about two+ years?
Graphics card Master
CPUs Expert

Your cpu is perfectly.fine.for the 6970; you may need to oc it for Skyrim as its a bit cpu intense. I would say the 6950 would be enough for your needs as well as save you.money
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Because he has a 4870, yes, ofcourse a GPU upgrade would be a very good idea. No matter what CPU he had a 4870 won't be adequate.

All I was saying was Skyrim can be very CPU dependant, a 2500k @ 4.0 - 4.5Ghz will perform a lot better in Skyrim than an 920 @ 3Ghz.

If he has the budget for it ideally he should get both, but yes a GPU upgrade first would be best option but he will need to overclock his 920.

CPU upgrade is deffinatly not needed for skyrim (or anything out atm), also get a 2 gig version of a 6950 if you want to save money.

Currently sat with a stock i7 920(overclocking it this weekend) and a 6950 2gig (unlocked to 6970 and oc'd) currently able to run on absolute max settings@ 5760x1080 resolution, increased graphics mods from skyrim nexus installed.

Getting a steady 40 fps on average,
Also able to run games such as BF3 on very high settings with decent fps.

the i7 920 will last you a long time, save the money for haswell.

signor said:
CPU upgrade is deffinatly not needed for skyrim (or anything out atm), also get a 2 gig version of a 6950 if you want to save money.

Currently sat with a stock i7 920(overclocking it this weekend) and a 6950 2gig (unlocked to 6970 and oc'd) currently able to run on absolute max settings@ 5760x1080 resolution, increased graphics mods from skyrim nexus installed.

Getting a steady 40 fps on average,
Also able to run games such as BF3 on very high settings with decent fps.

the i7 920 will last you a long time, save the money for haswell.


Thanks, Signor for the great advice. Can anybody give me pointers/advice etc for overclocking my vanilla i7 920? Any programs I should install etc?
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