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Can the Steam Deck (RDNA2 iGPU) run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition? (2026)

Yes
~60 FPS at 1080p with optimized settings

The Steam Deck (RDNA2 iGPU) is a handheld card with 4GB 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 60 FPS at 1080p with FrameCoach's tuned settings — up from roughly 60 FPS with everything on High.

ResolutionAll-High FPSOptimized FPS
1080p6060
1440p3662
4K2046
💡 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.

At 1080p expect around 60 FPS, at 1440p about 62 FPS, and at 4K roughly 46 FPS with optimized settings. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition doesn't use upscaling, so the gains come from trimming the heaviest settings.

🎛 See the full best-settings guide for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition on the Steam Deck (RDNA2 iGPU)

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

Can other GPUs run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition?
Can the Steam Deck (RDNA2 iGPU) run other games?
Frequently asked

Can the Steam Deck (RDNA2 iGPU) run The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition?

Yes. With FrameCoach's optimized balanced settings, the Steam Deck (RDNA2 iGPU) averages about 60 FPS at 1080p in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition.

What FPS does the Steam Deck (RDNA2 iGPU) get in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition at 1080p?

Around 60 FPS at 1080p with optimized settings (up from about 60 FPS on all-High).

How do I make The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition run better on the Steam Deck (RDNA2 iGPU)?

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.