Upgrading graphics card for modded Skryim

[Shredy777]

Hey there,

I'm really stuck on a decision and was hoping you could help me.
Currently I'm still playing Skyrim heavily modded (SFO, ELFX, Verdant Grass mod, high res texture packs overhauling literally everything in Skyrim, all kind of gameplay mods, ENB's newest libraby with a tweaked Vanilla Ice ENB).

I'm still on a Gigabyte HD7950 3GB card (new gen i5 with 8GB RAM) and now, with the newest ENB library sets, I've noticed massive fps drop to about 24 fps average with massive lag spikes in large areas. I'm now thinking about upgrading my vid card to a Gigabyte GTX980 card.

The thing is, I've noticed that NVidia cards have lower memory bus and memory bandwidth compared to AMD. In benchmarks the GTX cards beat everything else out there, but I was wondering if the same goes for a heavily modded Skyrim. Isn't bandwith and memory bus especially important for it?

I've always used AMD but this time I'm really considering NVidia, but I want to buy my card aimed at Skyrim. I would really appreciate any input you could give to the matter.

Comparison of specs:

http://www.game-debate.com/gpu/index.php?gid=2462&gid2=1996&compare=geforce-gtx-980-gigabyte-g1-gaming-4gb-edition-vs-radeon-r9-290x-gigabyte-windforce-3x-oc-edition

[Boombro]

Go for gtx if you planning to play more Ubisoft games and bioware (mass effect, farcry, assassin creed and dragon age.) gtx is faster on those mostly games. And make sure it 4 gba vram if you wish to play them ultra. So no gtx 970, it has 3.5. It still really good.

 

if you just want skyirm, r9 r290x itself is very good, mine runs most enb presets with high fps, a lot of grass and everything at 2k textures. The only problem I have faced was because of bad tweaks to enblocal.ini. I can still run latest ubisoft titles at 60 fps after some small tweaks on 1920x1080. If the size of your screen smaller, it will run it full.

 

Notes:

make sure to have a speedy screen, 1m or 2 at least. For the cpu, fx is slower for Skyrim, go for the fastest i5.

[kniggit92]

Nvidia has full support for skyrim built in their latest drivers so should be fine :wink:

I would definitely recommend the latest gtx cards because they're the best bang and also the best bang for your buck at the moment. The most important for Skyrim is still the gpu's base and memory clock speeds.

Edited April 6, 2015 by kniggit92

[Shredy777]

Yes, I generally play stuff like Mass Effect, Witcher, GTA, TES, but also stuff like FIFA, NBA etc. I've noticed that for the newest games, even my 7950 is still pretty good. But Skyrim beats the hell of out this card. Also, I still play Skyrim the most. So my new card should best fit Skyrim. More input is very welcome! :)

[jones177]

Hi

 

 

 

I run heavly modded Skyrm

 

wrye Bash says i have 249 mods.

 

 

 

I use a GTX 980

 

 

 

My rig.

 

 

 

I7 2600k

 

8 gb ram

 

GTX 980

 

Samsung UD590 UHD monitor

 

 

 

 

My frame rates.

 

 

 

 

4k without ENB 84FPS

 

4K with ENB 20FPS (not playable)

 

 

 

 

1440 without ENB 87FPS

 

1440 with ENB 47FPS (Playable)

 

 

 

 

1080 without ENB 128FPS

 

1080 with ENB 61FPS

 

 

 

 

For a while I ran a 970. It was just a few frames slower than the 980.

 

I can only justify the perches of the 980 running ENB. The 970 could run Skyrim well over 60fps at 4K without ENB.

 

 

 

 

My VRAM usage with both cards was:

 

 

 

No texture pack 2.1 average

 

2K texture pack 2.7 average

 

4k texture pack 3.4 average

 

 

 

 

If you can, get a 4k monitor. 1080 looks like mud compared to 1440 & 4K

 

 

 

A 4k Skyrim looks better than a 1080 ENB Skyrm & a 1440 ENB skyrim Looks better than a 4k Skyrim.

 

 

 

 

Later

 

 

 

　

[Shredy777]

Overall, I'm still confused about AMD vs Nvidia for Skyrim. Anyone willing to pitch in? Other info is also welcome!

[Boombro]

Overall, I'm still confused about AMD vs Nvidia for Skyrim. Anyone willing to pitch in? Other info is also welcome!

Easy!

 

Have this in mind, both of the latest cards are great! All the gtx 9xx and r9 290x cards are amazing for skyrim fully 2k with great enb. R9 290x and gtx 9xx will make you happy for a long time, so don't be scared that you make a bad pick! However, bear in the mind that you get what you paid for. GTX is better than AMD, but AMD can still do it.

 

Why Amd:

No cash, or want to spend more on other parts.

Your monitor is not huge. 1920x1080 or lower.

Your case already comes with enough fans and good airflow. It not a secret some amd cards get warm. I have a good water cooler and my case is well picked, so my r9 290x runs cool.

 

Why gtx:

You have a lot of cash.

You want a 4k build.

You want everything ultra high, with everything on and still 60. Your eye can see everything that has to do with rendering ( some people can't tell between AA levels.)

 

 

P.s: a full 4k skyrim with enb is unplayable with today cards.

Edited April 6, 2015 by Boombro

[Boombro]

My rig:

R9 290x and the latest fx cpu. 1920x1080.

 

Almost all enbs I have tested give me 60 fps. Heavy ones 40-50. With many other mods, of all kinds.

[Shredy777]

I would just update my card. I run on a i5 processor with 8 GB of memory. Atm. I use monitor that can go up to 1980x1080. But sometimes I also use my 50" Samsung Smart TV (if I have friends over, or my girlfriend wants to play. she hates monitors). I'm not focussing on 4k....2 K is nice enough and for me at the moment. But I do like GPU breaking ENBs and adding stuff to the environment (high-res clutter and characters). On characters I do like to use ultra high normal maps and textures, because it is what we look at the most when playing.

[Boombro]

I would just update my card. I run on a i5 processor with 8 GB of memory. Atm. I use monitor that can go up to 1980x1080. But sometimes I also use my 50" Samsung Smart TV (if I have friends over, or my girlfriend wants to play. she hates monitors). I'm not focussing on 4k....2 K is nice enough and for me at the moment. But I do like GPU breaking ENBs and adding stuff to the environment (high-res clutter and characters). On characters I do like to use ultra high normal maps and textures, because it is what we look at the most when playing.

Then follow your wallet then.