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Can the Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge iGPU) run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition? (2026)

Not really
~14 FPS at 1080p with optimized settings

The Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge iGPU) is a entry-level card with 2GB of VRAM, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is a relatively light game to run. Paired with a balanced Intel Core i5-8600K-class CPU it averages about 14 FPS at 1080p with FrameCoach's tuned settings — up from roughly 6 FPS with everything on High.

ResolutionAll-High FPSOptimized FPS
1080p614
1440p48
4K25
💡 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition: Runs easily on modern hardware (vanilla); Volumetric/God Rays is the one expensive setting. Texture mods change VRAM use a lot.
🚀 Biggest free win: enable XeSS (Balanced) — about +55% FPS for a small sharpness trade.

At 1080p expect around 14 FPS, at 1440p about 8 FPS, and at 4K roughly 5 FPS with optimized settings. The single biggest improvement is XeSS upscaling — set it to Quality.

🎛 See the full best-settings guide for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on the Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge iGPU)

⚡ Check your exact CPU & target FPS in the optimizer →

Can other GPUs run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition?
Can the Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge iGPU) run other games?
Frequently asked

Can the Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge iGPU) run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition?

Not really. With FrameCoach's optimized balanced settings, the Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge iGPU) averages about 14 FPS at 1080p in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition.

What FPS does the Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge iGPU) get in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition at 1080p?

Around 14 FPS at 1080p with optimized settings (up from about 6 FPS on all-High).

How do I make The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition run better on the Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Ivy Bridge iGPU)?

Turn on XeSS (Balanced) for the biggest free boost, keep ray tracing off, and lower the heaviest settings a notch. FrameCoach's full per-setting guide for this exact combo shows what each option costs.

FPS figures are estimates from a generalized model (hardware tier × game load × per-setting weights), not live benchmarks — real performance varies by scene, drivers and game version.