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SC2 Video Card

Blogs > Crisis_
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Crisis_
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States165 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-15 21:33:21
May 15 2010 21:18 GMT
#1
Currently, I run SC2 on 10 FPS. It's ridiculous. So I decided to make an investment into a new video card, because not only would it improve my SC2 performance, but my video editing programs as well.

So I found this card:

EVGA Nvidia Geforce 210 512mb PCI-EXPRESS VIDEO CARD

Looks pretty good for such a cheap price ($20 after rebate!). Currently I have Geforce 6 series, so pretty much anything out there is better than my PoS.

I was just wondering if there were any compatibility issues I had to address concerned with installing my video card. I don't want to buy a card and realize that it doesn't work.

My computer is about 3 or 4 years old
AMD 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 4000+ 2.10 GHz
2 GB Ram
64-bit OS (Windows 7)
EDIT: To be specific, I have a GF 6150 LE.

BlackMesa
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
Kenya338 Posts
May 15 2010 21:24 GMT
#2
hmm idk about your question but i never heard of a 210 before. I always thought the ones below 50 were reserved for mobile gpus.
Need a Light
URvis
Profile Joined May 2010
New Zealand57 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-15 21:25:50
May 15 2010 21:25 GMT
#3
As long as your motherboard supports PCI-Express, it should be fine. If its a last run AGP you'd be stuck, though if its running a Dual Core chipset it should be PCI-E.

So yea, just check that and it will be fine. ^-^

Edit: Mesa makes a good point, leme check a sec.
Crisis_
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States165 Posts
May 15 2010 21:28 GMT
#4
On May 16 2010 06:25 krY wrote:
As long as your motherboard supports PCI-Express, it should be fine. If its a last run AGP you'd be stuck, though if its running a Dual Core chipset it should be PCI-E.

So yea, just check that and it will be fine. ^-^

Edit: Mesa makes a good point, leme check a sec.


Thanks for the reply!

How do I go about checking if it's PCI-E?
URvis
Profile Joined May 2010
New Zealand57 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-15 21:33:14
May 15 2010 21:28 GMT
#5
Ok yea, its a standard ATXmobo fitting card. Its really not a fantastic card, but it is worlds ahead of your GF6.
Should be fine.

Edit: uhh, depends on your technical knowledge. I'm really not familiar with Win7 yet to check it through your OS. But if you goto your GeForce control panel (where you set up specific graphics settings for your card - if you right click on the desktop, the NVidia icon, or on your taskbar tray) it should list information about your video card that is in use, if it says PCI-E somewhere in there, thats the info you need to just go ahead. If it just gives a simple model number, copy that model info and shove it into google and goto the manufacturer page for it, it should be somewhere on there.
Live2Win *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
United States6657 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-15 21:35:18
May 15 2010 21:30 GMT
#6
I don't think that card is good enough. I've been looking for a good CPU to run SC2, so I've looked up a lot of specs. Here are the minimum requirements:

PC Minimum Requirements:
• Windows XP SP3/Vista SP1/Windows 7
• 2.2 Ghz Pentium IV or equivalent AMD Athlon processor
• 1 GB system RAM/1.5 GB for Vista and Windows 7
• 128 MB NVidia GeForce 6600 GT/ATI Radeon 9800 PRO video card
• 1024x768 minimum display resolution
• 4 GB free hard space (Beta)
• Broadband connection
http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&articleId=26242&parentCategoryId&pageNumber=1&categoryId=3633

The 6600 is the MINIMUM requirement, and according this hierarchy website (linked by Blizzard teches themselves) this graphics card you're looking at is below the 6600, meaning it may not exactly run.

EDIT: Actually scratch that. After looking at other's replies I decided to check a different source. The 210 has better performance ratings than the 6600 according to this one http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_list.php , so I guess your graphics card may run fine (probably on low settings, since it's not a fantastic card)
SAY YES TO STIM KIDS!!! XD
Crisis_
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States165 Posts
May 15 2010 21:33 GMT
#7
To be specific, I have a GF 6150 LE.
URvis
Profile Joined May 2010
New Zealand57 Posts
May 15 2010 21:38 GMT
#8
ah... your graphics is onboard.. hmm.

Are you able to get your motherboard model name/number at all?
Live2Win *
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
United States6657 Posts
May 15 2010 21:40 GMT
#9
yea... I have a 6150 too, which is integrated graphics card, meaning you have to open up and get access to your motherboard to switch it out. Apparently it can be a pain to do that.
SAY YES TO STIM KIDS!!! XD
Crisis_
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States165 Posts
May 15 2010 21:42 GMT
#10
Ooh... shit. How would I go about gaining access to my motherboard?

Also, I checked my NVidia control panel and it says "Bus: FPCI", if that means anything??
Crisis_
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States165 Posts
May 15 2010 21:47 GMT
#11
[image loading]
URvis
Profile Joined May 2010
New Zealand57 Posts
May 15 2010 21:58 GMT
#12
I sent you a link to some software that will scan your hardware info in a PM (cause I'm not sure on the rules of external links on TL). Run that up and post back your mobo information when you're done ^-^.
Gyabo
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States329 Posts
May 15 2010 22:00 GMT
#13
Don't worry about switching out your current video card. If it's integrated, just leave it there and put in the new one. By the looks of that Geforce 210, all you need is a PCI-Express x16 slot on your motherboard. In case krY's suggestion doesn't work, find your computer model number and google it, then looks for a specifications page to see if you have one. Or open up your computer and look at your motherboard, but that would require you to know what a PCI-E x16 slot looks like.
URvis
Profile Joined May 2010
New Zealand57 Posts
May 15 2010 22:03 GMT
#14
Yah, incase that thing doesn't have your motherboard in its database, grab the Dell model number which should be on a sticker somewhere on your case, or with your original paperwork/boxing from when you got the computer and google that away.
Crisis_
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States165 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-15 22:12:29
May 15 2010 22:10 GMT
#15
(From the Dell website for my Dimension E521)
PCI: 2 Slots
PCIe x1: 1 Slot
PCIe x16 (Graphics): 1 Slots

[image loading]

Lol, so what does this mean.
URvis
Profile Joined May 2010
New Zealand57 Posts
May 15 2010 22:14 GMT
#16
It told you this specifically about your board? "PCIe x16 (Graphics): 1 Slots"
If so then that's what you need eh! Your long journey has ended lol, aren't computers fun? =_=

Also I googled the model, and yep it does have what you need. You're set if you buy that card, now you just gotta find someone or out how to shove it in your computer once you get it. ^-^ Again, aren't computers fun?
Lol if you want to do it yourself, it really isn't that hard, just find a tutorial on the internet, and make sure that you are definitely grounded when you deal with the inside of your computer.
HDstarcraft
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
United States577 Posts
May 15 2010 22:18 GMT
#17
I think I can help you out. Pop out the side of your dell's case. And take a look at your motherboard. Now see if you have any sockets that look like the ones below.

[image loading]


Now the 3 white ones are PCI, whilst the 2 pale green ones are PCI-E (longer).

You need a PCI-E to run any decent graphics card (including the geforce 210).

However, I would strongly recommend NOT getting the geforce 210, as I doubt it will be able to run SC2 on max. If you are looking to upgrade, you might as well spend a little more so that you can enjoy SC2 on max, and not have to regret a cheap half upgrade.

I would strongly recommend getting this card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150448&cm_re=5750-_-14-150-448-_-Product

This card is extremely new, and supports DX 11 (next gen api), which windows 7 supports. It is also extremely cheap, and should be able to run SC2 max with around 40-50 fps.
YouTube.com/HDstarcraft
gEzUS
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Canada371 Posts
May 15 2010 22:18 GMT
#18
_______________READ MY POST_______________________


DONT GET The 210!! IM SPEAKING from REAL WORLD eXPERIENCE!!!

I JUST yesterday !! built a systems to play sc2 from old parts!!

MOBO:Asus P5N 32 sli deluxe
CPU:I threw in a Intel core 2 duo (e6300) its a piece of shit but fine for sc2
RAM: 2gb Corsair plat
Video Card: Now this is the part i was worried about too. i threw in an ATI 5450 and a stock oem 210 i got with a pre built system (around 50$ cards) and IT CHUGGED i mean 15 FPS in battles on medium-low threw that shit away!!
took an old 9400gt i had lying around from an old media center pc and it workes great
doesnt dip under 50 on medium-low. not too shabby

anyways hope this helps. since i just built it yesterday purposely for sc2 and left 4 dead

good luck

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=9400gt&x=0&y=0


URvis
Profile Joined May 2010
New Zealand57 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-15 22:27:17
May 15 2010 22:23 GMT
#19
Ah yea, but if he gets anything much higher, he will also have to replace his powersupply. The reason that this card will work with his current system is that it doesn't require additional power from the power supply (standard PCI-E 6pin connector). Most other or higher spec video cards will definitely require this, which will mean more expenses for the card and to replace the powersupply. This is inclusive of the older model cards too, they have more output than the 210 yes for sure.
If you're willing to spend the money, or have the money to spend, it is worth getting something with more umph.

Like I said, that 210 is not a fantastic card, and by no means will it be a good idea to run SC2 on full spec, but he should still hopefully get a boost from the performance atm.

Crisis, if you are looking to spend more money, you get more options naturally, it just requires that much more.
I do also personally recommend getting a better card, the 210 really is kinda blah, but that's all upto your wallet in the end.
Crisis_
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States165 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-05-15 22:29:36
May 15 2010 22:26 GMT
#20
The thing is, I'm on a budget and I'm not willing to spend anything too far out of the range of 40 dollars.
Which is the main reason why this deal appealed so much to me.

I don't want to run SC2 on medium/high settings, just... playable settings lol

It looks like the 9400GT has the best performance for my price range, but I'm not sure. Any other suggestions?

EDIT: And yes, I would prefer not to replace anything else besides my video card, because of my budget lol

I found this other card on newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127469

GF 9500 GT, what do you guys think?
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