What's the least expensive CPU-RAM-Card combination that can run Skyrim on max settings?

Answer 1

My setup, as cheap as I can get it, though I can upgrade slowly and mobo has 4 PCI-e. Can use 2 x GPU crossover:

• Unpowered silent ATI Radeon 5150 1G GPU (AU$64)
• AMD Phenom X6 CPU (AU$118) Windows 7 does not support 8 core CPU, though it will run 6 simultaneously if multithreading is properly managed. Windows 8 supports 8 core.
• Non-factory SpinQ CPU cooler (AU$78) Requires a slightly wider ATX case or a hole in the side as the cooler unit is over 200 cm tall.
• ASUS Sabretooth 990FX mobo (AU$224) Comes equipped with a thermal radar and takes measures to swap power between components or instigate a safety shutdown if it overheats any part. All mobos have unused power running to empty slots and the Sabretooth 990FX can take them away to channel them to other much needed areas like the GPU, CPU, V-Core, Northbridge, RAM, etc. Get it. It's an awesome mobo.
• 2 x 4G Kingston generic RAM (AU$48)
• Infinity 800W cable management system PSU (AU$69) I bought this to remove any unwanted cables that other PSU's keep power running to.
• Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit.

System is overclocked to 3.7G per core (default 3.2) and Skyrim runs multithreaded using the 4GHelper mod as the game can only buffer as much as 2G and Windows 7 allows Skyrim one thread unless the CPU core usage is maximum, it will allow a second core. Mine uses all 6. PC power management has been implemented and managed for high-end gaming. Screen resolution set to 1280 x 720 with all settings to ultimate, the game runs flawlessly, though glitches very slightly any higher resolution. Keep in mind, these parts were bought cheaply to build a complete PC ASAP at the time.

All parts were new, none were pre-owned, shortlisted or factory seconds. Take note that these parts were bought sometime late 2010 and will probably be half the price nowadays or you can get much better at the same price, only will run Skyrim at maximum quality and speed.