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Active: 4432 users

Any way to play SC2 if you have a bad Computer?

Blogs > dabom88
Post a Reply
dabom88
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States3483 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 00:32:41
June 09 2011 23:49 GMT
#1
I managed to fight my way through the campaign despite the slowness and impossibly long loading times I had to wait through. Stuff like trying to practice on Yabot and it taking like a full minute just to get to the Options screan after clicking it in the Main Menu is really putting me off to practice before going to ladder. And I have laddered before and how slow my computer runs this game is too annoying. And yes it is being run on the lowest settings.

Now that summer has started, I want to try and get better at this game. I know what I'm asking for is pretty impossible, but I'm doing this in the hopes that maybe there might be some way to regularly practice on a good computer if you don't have one.

I do already run it on the lowest resolution.

Specs are:
Windows Vista
NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 (Single Core) CPU 3Ghz
1 GB of RAM
32-bit operating system

*
You should not have to pay to watch the GSL, Proleague, or OSL at a reasonable time. That is not "fine" and it's BS to say otherwise. My sig since 2011. http://www.youtube.com/user/dabom88
obesechicken13
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States10467 Posts
June 09 2011 23:59 GMT
#2
I hear changing screen resolution and playing in windowed mode can help in addition to being on the lowest settings.

This should probably be in the tech support section of TL.
I think in our modern age technology has evolved to become more addictive. The things that don't give us pleasure aren't used as much. Work was never meant to be fun, but doing it makes us happier in the long run.
Grobyc
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Canada18410 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 00:01:15
June 09 2011 23:59 GMT
#3
You likely aren't going to be able to play without insane frame drops going in to the mid + late game to be frank. What are your specs? It may be possible to upgrade your GPU or CPU to allow yourself to play smoothly on low.

edit: A computer will have a harder time running something in windowed mode compared to fullscreen afaik, but I suppose it doesn't hurt to try. Definitely lower your resolution too if it isn't already at the lowest.
If you watch Godzilla backwards it's about a benevolent lizard who helps rebuild a city and then moonwalks into the ocean.
fatum
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Spain83 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 00:05:13
June 10 2011 00:02 GMT
#4
Define "bad computer" plz.

My bad computer look like this:
Nvidia 8600GT
AMD 1.8 GHz (single core)
1Mb Ram

This bad computer runs sc2 at 30fps in 1v1 almost constantly.
My software spec is this:
SO: ArchLinux
Window Manager: Openbox
Wine: with some little tweaks that make little difference.

In 2v2, the early to mid game goes the same that 1v1.
30fps and some peaks of low fps during fights, never less than 10-15fps

In 3v3 and 4v4 is still playable during fights, but it lags in any mid game fight. The only real problem are the big late game fights, wich doesnt happen that much to be honest.

In windows, I cant play nearly as good as I can on this simple archlinux configuration.

Not sure if this helps, but here is my experience. Hope it does.

Cheers

edit: Sorry, forgot to say that im talking about every graphic options set to the lowest.
Aim to climb as high as you can dream.
Manfee
Profile Joined April 2011
United States11 Posts
June 10 2011 00:03 GMT
#5
If you have a laptop change your battery settings/power plan for something with more performance. That's what I did and now I can run it with no problems.
dabom88
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States3483 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 00:13:44
June 10 2011 00:12 GMT
#6
I do already run it on the lowest resolution.

Specs are:
Windows Vista
NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 (Single Core) CPU 3Ghz
1 GB of RAM
32-bit operating system
You should not have to pay to watch the GSL, Proleague, or OSL at a reasonable time. That is not "fine" and it's BS to say otherwise. My sig since 2011. http://www.youtube.com/user/dabom88
dartoo
Profile Joined May 2010
India2889 Posts
June 10 2011 00:16 GMT
#7
Well, if it doesnt run, it doesnt run. What are your comp specs? That will get you better answers. Obviously if your trying to run sc2 on a p3, it's not going to be worth the effort.

If it is lagging at even low settings, then you might have to try stuff like lower resolutions (team games wont be as much fun because of the game stuttering)/windowed mode, or you could alternatively play brood war and save up for new hardware
dabom88
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States3483 Posts
June 10 2011 00:20 GMT
#8
On June 10 2011 09:16 dartoo wrote:
Well, if it doesnt run, it doesnt run. What are your comp specs? That will get you better answers. Obviously if your trying to run sc2 on a p3, it's not going to be worth the effort.

If it is lagging at even low settings, then you might have to try stuff like lower resolutions (team games wont be as much fun because of the game stuttering)/windowed mode, or you could alternatively play brood war and save up for new hardware


Posted the specs int he previous response. I don't play Team games, I want to get good at 1v1. And a lot of the things in Brood War seem arbitrary and confusing to me.
You should not have to pay to watch the GSL, Proleague, or OSL at a reasonable time. That is not "fine" and it's BS to say otherwise. My sig since 2011. http://www.youtube.com/user/dabom88
Zeroes
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States1102 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 00:24:33
June 10 2011 00:23 GMT
#9
cool down you computer: get ac and fans the summer heat really overheats your computer, don't do retarded things like put ice any where near you computer

general optiamaztion: update drivers, defragment harddive, remove background programs and applications and get rid of programs that you don't use. If you have the time reformat.

reapply thermal: paste if you had you computer for longer than 2 years you might want to clean your cpu and gpu and reapply themalpaste
Check out my SC Lan pics Here: http://picasaweb.google.com/bunk.habit
Manfee
Profile Joined April 2011
United States11 Posts
June 10 2011 00:23 GMT
#10
Get more RAM, bigger sticks aren't that expensive.
dabom88
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States3483 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 00:28:19
June 10 2011 00:27 GMT
#11
On June 10 2011 09:23 Zeroes wrote:
cool down you computer: get ac and fans the summer heat really overheats your computer, don't do retarded things like put ice any where near you computer

general optiamaztion: update drivers, defragment harddive, remove background programs and applications and get rid of programs that you don't use. If you have the time reformat.

reapply thermal: paste if you had you computer for longer than 2 years you might want to clean your cpu and gpu and reapply themalpaste


Great. How do I update Drivers and defrag harddrive? I already remove background programs and applications I don't use.

I have had my computer for over 2 years. How do I reapply thermal paste?

On June 10 2011 09:23 Manfee wrote:
Get more RAM, bigger sticks aren't that expensive.


Where can I download more RAM?
What brands do you recommend?
You should not have to pay to watch the GSL, Proleague, or OSL at a reasonable time. That is not "fine" and it's BS to say otherwise. My sig since 2011. http://www.youtube.com/user/dabom88
fatum
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Spain83 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 00:31:01
June 10 2011 00:30 GMT
#12
Things that could help you:
· More RAM. This will help you for sure, 1gb is really low nowadays.
· Lowering the SO cpu/gpu/ram comsumtion (naked linux+openbox or windows set to the lowest quality)
· New graphics card. Not a high cost one, just a cheap 8600GT something a more powerfull.

The problem with a really good graphic card is that you could get into a bottleneck where your mainboard doesnt have enough capacity to handle a great graphic card. Be aware of not falling into it and you would be nice with any graphic card.

If you think about linux, remember that ATI doenst have great support at all in linux. Nvidia works perfectly even though.
Aim to climb as high as you can dream.
Chimpalimp
Profile Joined May 2010
United States1135 Posts
June 10 2011 00:36 GMT
#13
If you minimize lag as much as you can physically do (windowed mode, and ultra low settings) and just learn to win before the 5 minute mark. SC2 is rather hardware intensive, either upgrade your hardware or play in a LAN cafe.

@dabom88 http://www.downloadmoreram.com/ is used to download more RAM.
I like money. You like money too? We should hang out.
fatum
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Spain83 Posts
June 10 2011 00:48 GMT
#14
P.S. You cant download RAM. Whoever tells you this is just trolling.

RAM devices are pieces of hardware, just like your cd-rom drive, your graphics card and your mainboard are. They are attached to the mainboard and are really cheap depending of the amount of memory they have.
Aim to climb as high as you can dream.
dabom88
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States3483 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 00:51:26
June 10 2011 00:51 GMT
#15
On June 10 2011 09:48 fatum wrote:
P.S. You cant download RAM. Whoever tells you this is just trolling.


I know you can't download RAM. That's why I put the smiley at the end, i was just joking. I thought the term "download more RAM" was a well-known joke.
You should not have to pay to watch the GSL, Proleague, or OSL at a reasonable time. That is not "fine" and it's BS to say otherwise. My sig since 2011. http://www.youtube.com/user/dabom88
fatum
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Spain83 Posts
June 10 2011 01:03 GMT
#16
Hell, sorry. Then my post doesnt make sense at all

sry sry
Aim to climb as high as you can dream.
obesechicken13
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States10467 Posts
June 10 2011 03:23 GMT
#17
On June 10 2011 09:36 Chimpalimp wrote:
If you minimize lag as much as you can physically do (windowed mode, and ultra low settings) and just learn to win before the 5 minute mark. SC2 is rather hardware intensive, either upgrade your hardware or play in a LAN cafe.

@dabom88 http://www.downloadmoreram.com/ is used to download more RAM.

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH

I JUST GOT 4 GIGS OF RAM

I'm gonna post that link and share it with all my friends on facebook!! Thanks again dude! :D
I think in our modern age technology has evolved to become more addictive. The things that don't give us pleasure aren't used as much. Work was never meant to be fun, but doing it makes us happier in the long run.
Grobyc
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Canada18410 Posts
June 10 2011 05:59 GMT
#18
On June 10 2011 10:03 fatum wrote:
Hell, sorry. Then my post doesnt make sense at all

sry sry

*cough* http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=33498 *cough*
If you watch Godzilla backwards it's about a benevolent lizard who helps rebuild a city and then moonwalks into the ocean.
Mactator
Profile Joined March 2011
109 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 10:28:35
June 10 2011 09:59 GMT
#19
On June 10 2011 09:36 Chimpalimp wrote:
...
@dabom88 http://www.downloadmoreram.com/ is used to download more RAM.


Lol!

Anyway, more RAM is probably the solution if your internet speed is high enough. Vista has a performance test. What does it say? The performance of my computer is 5.
obesechicken13
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States10467 Posts
June 10 2011 21:21 GMT
#20
Any feedback? If what we've told you has helped then feedback would be nice for people in the future.
I think in our modern age technology has evolved to become more addictive. The things that don't give us pleasure aren't used as much. Work was never meant to be fun, but doing it makes us happier in the long run.
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