Need help on PC Build for Skyrim Ultra

[AnthonyC25]

Hey everyone. New here and this will be my first PC build. I know this has been asked so many times already but I'm looking for advice that's a little more specific to my needs.

Basically I'm looking to run Skyrim on ultra with tons of mods including some of the more intensive graphics mods. I'd like the setup to be able to theoretically run Fallout 4 ultra and modded as well when it eventually gets released. If it isn't announced at e3 this year I'll probably jump off a cliff anyway so it won't matter. 😛

My budget for everything is 1500-1600 (less would be great), and should include a monitor. This is what I've come up with so far: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zYzyRB

I've never overclocked before but will probably do so if suggested.

 

[logainofhades]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Extreme3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($116.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($347.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($93.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($264.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1548.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-25 16:43 EST-0500

 

[AnthonyC25]

I've been looking a lot more into it and updated my part list. I included a few things from your suggestions and changed a couple others just to compare. I've always looked for things with a large amount of good reviews so I was a little iffy on a couple of them. Although I'll admit I'm still learning and there's a lot of info to take in.

Thanks for your input.

List: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JsccP6

 

[logainofhades]

That motherboard might need a bios update, to work with that CPU. Stick with Z97 boards. That ram will not work with the heatsink. The ram heatsinks are too tall. Everything else looks good. Here is your build with a couple recommended changes. This board is a THG recommended board, and Mushkin ram is pretty good. They have been around a long time.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($145.99 @ Directron)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($109.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($119.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($87.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($347.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.79 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($93.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VG248QE 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($264.99 @ B&H)
Total: $1615.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-26 11:00 EST-0500

 

[stormflakes]

Hey Buddy,

be prepared cause i'm gonna burst your bubble and both your nuts!

This is the build i bought 1 month ago:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/stormflakes/saved/#view=6xvNnQ

as you can see, it is not half bad. Turned skyrim all the way to 11, meaning ultra and lots of graphics mods and an enb.
i manage to drop to 22 fps in certain areas 🙂

that old game got my sparkling rig on its knees...

 

[AnthonyC25]

The motherboard and ram were the two things I was still unsure of. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

@stormflakes - You should change your name to nutcracker. Lol From reading the forums it seems people have been fine with a lot less than your build. Maybe they aren't running an enb or as many graphics mods?

 

[stormflakes]

nutcracker is my sister 🙂

just pointing out that a 7 year old game can still burn a new pc. Hilarious beyond reason.

i had mods like:
enb opethfeld
bigger trees
every single graphics mod i could find, if you want i can make a screenshot so you can pick the best ones.
moving clouds, sky overhaul
animals, birds, butterfly etc. overhaul and more of them

In the end i barelly recognised skyrim anymore. Great for screenshots, not so much for gaming.

Get an enb, maybe bigger trees and 2 flora overhaul's and then all the normal graphic mod stuff.
will look great and it won't make your or my rig explode

 

[AnthonyC25]

nutcracker is my sister 🙂

just pointing out that a 7 year old game can still burn a new pc. Hilarious beyond reason.

i had mods like:
enb opethfeld
bigger trees
every single graphics mod i could find, if you want i can make a screenshot so you can pick the best ones.
moving clouds, sky overhaul
animals, birds, butterfly etc. overhaul and more of them

In the end i barelly recognised skyrim anymore. Great for screenshots, not so much for gaming.

Get an enb, maybe bigger trees and 2 flora overhaul's and then all the normal graphic mod stuff.
will look great and it won't make your or my rig explode

Lol. Thanks for the info. Definitely looking to get an enb and some of the graphics mods, flora overhaul being on my list.

 

[stormflakes]

Lol. Thanks for the info. Definitely looking to get an enb and some of the graphics mods, flora overhaul being on my list. [/quotemsg]

If you are new to modding i suggest checking out youtube videos from "Gopher". has reviews of ENB's, MOD's, guide to modding, etc. he go's real slow and indebt which is perfect for beginners ( and veterans )