Buying a Nvidia 670 - How far can I go in Skyrim?

[Mofakin]

I'm buying specifically this GPU and would like to hear some feedback from users that have the same device. I'm actually on this system:

 

Intel i5-2400 quad core @3.10 Ghz

8 GB Corsair Ram @1.066 Mhz

GPU Nvidia 560 Ti @822 Mhz

1 TG Hard Drive

500 W Power Supply

 

Do I need to upgrade my Power Supply?

 

Will this run ENB and maybe a pimped .ini? If it runs with highly modded settings, how good will it run?

[FMod]

There's no need to upgrade the PSU, unless it's no-name. It should run ENB, overall performance should be about 1.5x times higher than 560Ti.

 

Do you have performance problems in Skyrim now? If not, this upgrade might be quite premature. If yes, it probably won't quite solve them; you might want to consider a more powerful setup like a second 560Ti or a faster card (680, 7970 OC/GHz), though you'll need a better PSU then.

[kalikka]

GTX670 review...

Full system draw is only around 350W, so if your PSU is not "chinabomb" its more than enough.

 

If you live in germany (or europe):

HD7950 windforce + Bundle

My HD7950WF@1150/1500mhz clocks has enough power to run heavily modded skyrim with ease (eats whooping ~2,6gb of VRAM...)

ENB+HD3D+Massive texture packs+5 followers is a bit too much though... Without HD3D runs smooth (and thats coming from a guy with 120hz monitor).

 

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/AMD/Catalyst_12.11_Performance/images/skyrim_2560_1600.gif

Edited November 19, 2012 by kalikka

[Mofakin]

Hmmm, I probably should have made myself more intelligible. I've already buyed this GPU, there's no returning now.

 

No, I don't have performance problems running Skyrim. But I do when using GridBase = 7 or 9 and ENB.

 

Considering a even more powerful GPU is out of range, since I'm not able, or lets say, don't want to spend 500€ for a monster GPU.

 

I just wanted some input on how far I'm able to push the GPU, so I can better prepare which graphic enhancements mods to download...:D

Edited November 19, 2012 by Mofakin

[kalikka]

You should be fine with everything you throw at the GPU.

The 2gb vram may be a slight problem, but only if you go overboard like me...

[Rennn]

A 670 with 2GB of VRAM should handle anything you throw at Skyrim, ugrids at 9, ENB, total HD texture overhaul, etc. It's a very strong card, and Skyrim isn't very hard to run.

 

I recommend not adding a lot of NPCs though, and I recommend keeping your shadows at vanilla ultra or lower. The problem is those things are partially run through the CPU, and most CPUs on the market will choke in Skyrim before you can stress a 670.

 

The 2GB of VRAM can only really be a problem if you play at an ultra resolution like 1440p or higher, along with a 4k texture overhaul or something similar. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Edited November 23, 2012 by Rennn

[FMod]

2GB is not maxed out even at 2560x1600 with extreme texture mods, and it's barely reached with 3 displays.

Even then a 256 bit bus isn't enough to drive more than 2GB anyway, so the whole issue is moot.

[Korodic]

I bought a GTX 670 4gb VRAM superclocked. It is so sexy I'm still vomiting rainbows and intend to SLI it, because I can.