Skyrim Special Edition and Anniversary Edition share the same PC system requirements: 64-bit Windows, 8 GB of RAM, a graphics card with at least 1 GB of VRAM and 12 GB of storage. Below you’ll find the minimum and recommended specs listed on Steam, the Steam Deck rating and the separate requirements for Skyrim VR. Everything here is accurate as of 19 October 2026.
Minimum and recommended PC specs
Steam lists a single set of requirements for both Special Edition and Anniversary Edition. Anniversary Edition is Special Edition plus Creation Club content, so it doesn’t ask more of your hardware. How the two editions differ in content and price is covered in our edition comparison.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7/8.1/10, 64-bit | Windows 7/8.1/10, 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel i5-750 / AMD Phenom II X4-945 | Intel i5-2400 / AMD FX-8320 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 470 1 GB / AMD HD 7870 2 GB | NVIDIA GTX 780 3 GB / AMD R9 290 4 GB |
| Storage | 12 GB | 12 GB |
The gap between minimum and recommended is mostly about the CPU and GPU. Memory and storage stay the same. On PC the game is Windows only: Steam doesn’t list Mac or Linux for Special Edition.
What else to know about the PC version
Special Edition is a 64-bit game and can use more than 4 GB of memory without any mods. It also supports borderless windowed mode out of the box, so switching between the game and your desktop is painless.
On the Steam side, the game supports Steam Cloud for your saves, Remote Play on phones and tablets, and Family Sharing. Steam lists controller support as partial.
If you plan to mod the game, keep one limitation in mind. Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE), which a large share of mods relies on, does not support the Microsoft Store version or the Epic Games Store version. Mod managers and setup are covered in our Skyrim mods guide.
Skyrim on Steam Deck
Skyrim Special Edition holds the top Steam Deck rating, Verified. The rating confirms that controls and button icons match, text is readable on the small screen and performance is fine.
One Deck-specific bug was still around in summer 2026. Update 1.7.99 from 20 August 2026 fixed a crash when opening the virtual keyboard; the details are in Bethesda’s announcement on Steam. If you’ve had the game on your Deck for a while, keep it updated.
Skyrim VR requirements
Skyrim VR is a separate game with its own requirements. It launched on PC through SteamVR on 3 April 2018, after arriving on PlayStation VR on 17 November 2017. It supports Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality headsets, and Steam lists it as “VR Only”, so you can’t play it without a headset.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7/8.1/10, 64-bit | Windows 10, 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1400 | Intel i7-4790 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD RX 480 8 GB | NVIDIA GTX 1070 8 GB / AMD RX Vega 56 8 GB |
| Storage | 15 GB | 15 GB |
| Other | SteamVR | SteamVR |
Compared with the flat version, VR needs a much stronger GPU and 3 GB more storage. Steam lists full controller support and tracked motion controller support. On Steam, Skyrim VR cost €59.99 in the Czech store on 19 October 2026, with no discount.
Content-wise, VR includes the base game and the three add-ons Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn. It does not include the Anniversary Upgrade content, and Steam doesn’t offer it as DLC for VR. On PC you can switch to a third-person view in VR, which isn’t possible on PlayStation VR. The console command menu in VR only opens with a key on your keyboard.
If you don’t play on PC
On consoles there are no specs to worry about, only a platform to pick. Anniversary Edition is also out on Nintendo Switch 2, and what you get there is covered in our Switch 2 guide. Owners of Special or Anniversary Edition on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 can download a free optimisation update with better visuals and faster loading.
Join our Discord and ask how Skyrim runs for other players on a similar rig or on the Deck: GamersTogether Discord.
FAQ
According to Steam, Special Edition and Anniversary Edition need 12 GB, while Skyrim VR needs 15 GB.
Yes. Skyrim Special Edition is rated Verified on Steam Deck, so controls, text readability and performance are fine. Update 1.7.99 also fixed a crash when opening the virtual keyboard.
No. Steam lists the same minimum and recommended specs for both editions: 8 GB of RAM and 12 GB of storage, with differences only in CPU and GPU between the two tiers.
Not officially. Steam only lists 64-bit Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 for Special Edition.
No. Skyrim VR has the base game plus Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn, but not the Anniversary Upgrade.
Information verified on 19 October 2026. More guides are waiting in our Skyrim guides.