# Playing Decade-Old Games at Photorealistic Quality Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLnPciB8cGs Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/hLnPciB8cGs Generated: 2026-01-04T08:33:18.772+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Modding older games like Crysis and Skyrim to achieve photorealistic quality is possible using extensive mod lists and tools like ENB/ReShade, but often results in performance hits and potential instability, as demonstrated by the 11 FPS drops in Cyberpunk 2077 with path tracing and the physics breaking in Skyrim when exceeding 60 FPS. **Key Points:** - Photorealistic quality in older games like Cyberpunk 2077 (using path tracing mods) and Crysis (using the Crysis Enhanced mod) is achievable but extremely demanding on hardware, with the RTX 5090 using over 17GB of VRAM in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K. - Skyrim modding, exemplified by the 'Skyrim SE Mod List' containing hundreds of mods, often leads to physics breaking if the frame rate exceeds 60 FPS, causing issues like floating objects (03:01). - The ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN monitor features a QD-OLED BlackShield Film, reducing ambient light reflection (as shown in the logo comparison at 15:15) and offering excellent contrast. - The monitor supports high refresh rates (360Hz) and high resolutions (3440x1440), and includes modern I/O like DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1, along with USB-C with 90W Power Delivery (24:07). - Crysis, running with the Crysis Enhanced 2025 Update mod, showed significant improvements in lighting, water ripples, and foliage density compared to the unmodded version (20:47), though performance remained high (around 111 FPS average with path tracing on). - The complexity of modding older games like Skyrim often requires specific load orders and managing dependencies like Script Hook V, which must match the game version (11:25). - The visual improvements from high-end mods, especially in lighting and texture detail, are striking, but the performance cost, particularly in VRAM usage (over 17GB in CP2077 4K), is significant (08:09). ![Screenshot at 00:10: The video opens by showing a photorealistic modded scene from GTA V featuring a modern sports car, immediately setting the theme of pushing graphical limits via modding.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hLnPciB8cGs/00-00-10.jpg) **Context:** The video explores the feasibility and results of aggressively modding older, graphically intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077, Crysis, and Skyrim to push their visual fidelity towards photorealism using community-created mods, ReShade presets, and high-end hardware, specifically featuring the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN monitor. ## Detailed Analysis The video investigates how far modding can push the graphical fidelity of older games like Cyberpunk 2077, Crysis, and Skyrim, using the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG34WCDN monitor as the display medium. The host notes that modern mod lists, such as those for Cyberpunk 2077, are heavily reliant on high-end hardware, with one test showing VRAM usage exceeding 17GB at 4K resolution (08:09). The demonstration of modded Cyberpunk 2077 showed dramatic improvements in reflections and lighting, particularly using path tracing, although this caused significant performance drops (11 FPS 1% lows). For Skyrim, the presenter highlights that extreme visual mods (like those including 8K textures and advanced foliage) look incredible (13:13) but can break core game physics if the frame rate exceeds the 60 FPS cap, causing objects like carts to fly (01:59). The modding process itself is complex, requiring adherence to specific load orders and dependency requirements (like Script Hook V matching the game version, 11:25). Crysis, running the Crysis Enhanced mod, showed major overhauls in water dynamics and environmental detail compared to the unmodded version (20:47), with the modded version looking substantially better, especially in lighting and foliage density. The ASUS PG34WCDN monitor itself is highlighted for its QD-OLED BlackShield Film, which drastically reduces ambient light reflection compared to previous generations (15:15), and its high-end specs including DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, and 90W USB-C power delivery (24:07). The conclusion is that while modding can achieve stunning results, it often requires significant effort, risk of instability, and high-end hardware to run smoothly. ### Cyberpunk 2077 Modding Showcase - GTA V photorealistic mods shown - Cyberpunk 2077 POV photorealistic motorbike ride demoed - RTX 5090 pushing over 17GB VRAM at 4K in CP2077 (08:09) ### Crysis Enhanced Mod Performance - Modded version shows superior lighting/water compared to unmodded (20:47) - Performance remains high (111 FPS average with path tracing) (03:00) ### Skyrim Modding Challenges - Mod list is extensive (hundreds of mods shown at 12:35) - Exceeding 60 FPS breaks physics, causing objects like carts to float (01:59) - Requires careful load order management and dependency checks (11:25) ### ASUS PG34WCDN Monitor Features - Features QD-OLED BlackShield Film for reduced glare (15:15) - Supports 3440x1440 at 360Hz - Includes DisplayPort 2.1, HDMI 2.1, and 90W USB-C PD (24:07) ### Game-Specific Modding Observations - Crysis mod includes native support for advanced features like ray tracing, which is difficult for older titles (04:08) - Skyrim modding relies on ENB for lighting/weather control (05:06) ![Screenshot at 00:03: Reddit post titled "Why are modern games so hardware demanding?"](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hLnPciB8cGs/00-00-03.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:52: Before and After comparison showing improved headlight effects in a game using ReShade.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hLnPciB8cGs/00-03-52.jpg) ![Screenshot at 08:09: CapFrameX overlay showing high VRAM usage \(17.86GB\) while running a heavily modded game at 4K.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hLnPciB8cGs/00-08-09.jpg) ![Screenshot at 12:35: Vortex mod manager interface showing a long, enabled mod list for Skyrim SE.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hLnPciB8cGs/00-12-35.jpg) ![Screenshot at 25:24: Player struggling with the Cyberpunk 2077 driving sequence after loading a heavily modded profile.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/hLnPciB8cGs/00-25-24.jpg)