|
This is such an ambiguous title.
Okay so. I, like countless others, am preparing for the SC2 Beta and eventual release. Now I wanna make sure I can run it smoothly and have it still look good. Now it's been a long time since I've been into the hardware world of computers so I would just like people's opinions on whether or not I am SC2 ready.
I would prefer not having to buy a whole new rig, but hopefully just a GFX card.
CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+
2 cores (obviously)
x10.0 multiplyer (no idea what this means)
Bus speed: 200.4 mhz
Memory:
2gig DDR Ram. Not DDR2, but I hear the difference is not too big.
PC3200 (200 mhz)
GFX:
Geforece 7600GT.
Now, I remember that my processor used to be really powerful, but I'm just wondering how it will stand with a modern title. I also know that AMD's have slower clock speed but can be more powerful. WhaT I don't know is how much of the load will be on CPU and how much will be on the GFX card.
As for my Card, I'm already prepared to get a new one since my old one is obviously ghetto. I was thinking:
GeForce 9800 GTX+ OC 512MB PCI-E
Now 2 questions. Is it worth it to get a GFX Card like this, or is the main thing holding me back my CPU or Memory?
Secondly, how there's a Radeon that's 100 bucks cheaper and has 1024mb. I assume that the gfx memory is not as important as it sounds, considering the price difference, and that there are other factors. Unless I am wrong, and the 1024 card is superior and cheaper at the same time.
I would really appreciate help with these decisions. And hopefully it may help some others in their preparations for becoming sc2 compatible.
 
|
Graphics cards are a large part not about the amount of graphics ram they can produce, I think going with the 9800 GTX+ will have you set for the next two and a half years, maybe 3. As for your computer I think you'll be able to run SC2 at near highest settings. =]
|
T.O.P.
Hong Kong4685 Posts
The amount of graphics memory is not important in graphics performance. Memory speeds are much more important. Gddr5>Gddr3>DDR3>DDR2. I think the ATI 48__ series is better. The 4830, 4850, or 4870 will all play sc2 at the highest settings probably. The ATI 4670 will probably do fine too.
edit: If you get the Nvidia 9800 or the ATI 48__ series video card then you will be limited by your cpu instead of your gpu. The AMD 3800+ processor is the bottleneck in games when you combine it with such a powerful cpu. RTS games are known to use a bigger ratio of cpu power compared to gpu power. Upgrading your cpu isn't very expensive. The AMD X2 5800+ only costs 60 dollars on newegg.
|
On March 25 2009 09:08 T.O.P. wrote:
The amount of graphics memory is not important in graphics performance. Memory speeds are much more important. Gddr5>Gddr3>DDR3>DDR2. I think the ATI 48__ series is better. The 4830, 4850, or 4870 will all play sc2 at the highest settings probably. The ATI 4670 will probably do fine too.
edit: If you get the Nvidia 9800 or the ATI 48__ series video card then you will be limited by your cpu instead of your gpu. The AMD 3800+ processor is the bottleneck in games when you combine it with such a powerful cpu. RTS games are known to use a bigger ratio of cpu power compared to gpu power. Upgrading your cpu isn't very expensive. The AMD X2 5800+ only costs 60 dollars on newegg.
THat would be compatible with my Mobo? Is it really that simple?
|
T.O.P.
Hong Kong4685 Posts
On March 25 2009 09:17 404.Nintu wrote:
THat would be compatible with my Mobo? Is it really that simple?
If the cpu is compatible with your mobo, then you just have to take out the old cpu and put in the new one. You might have to install a new BIOS if the motherboard company updated the BIOS to support new processors.
|
Good answers. I actually had a friend come in vent and answer a bunch of my questions as well. So I appreciate all the responses and it's been super helpful. =)
|
I'm guessing your current rig would run SC2, though not at highest settings.
|
A CPU upgrade shouldn't be necessary though. Just get a 9800 or 4850 and you'll easily be able to run Starcraft 2.
|
In an attempt to steal some advice from this thread :D, do you think my computer is sc2 ready? (i highly doubt it though)
CPU:
Intel Core 2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86 GHz (7.1 multiplyer)
clock speed: 1.59 GHz, 1.00 GB
Memory:
2 x 512 mb ddr2 @ 333 MHz
GFX:
2 x Radeon X1300/X1600 series (this is probably very bad, there are two of them though)
Please be gentle when making fun of my puny computer.
|
7600 gt is going to be just fine. directx 10 will probably not make much of a difference in starcraft 2, and most games that use directx 10 well require $1500+ comps.
ok so your graphic card is just fine. upgrade ram to 4gb (ddr2 667mhz at least). you will probably need tons of ram as you do with most modern games. 2gb is cutting it. unless you are running xp. if you are running exp, 2gb is more than enough.
about your cpu, you will need an upgrade. your cpu is way slower than your graphics card right now, and this bottleneck is not good. upgrade the cpu maybe to a AMDx2 5000+ at least. that is the only REAL upgrade you need to enjoy sc2.
ok so...
if you are running vista, get 4gb of 667+ ram
if xp, stay at 2 gb.
get cpu upgrade.
|
On March 25 2009 09:46 Gnojfatelob wrote:
In an attempt to steal some advice from this thread :D, do you think my computer is sc2 ready? (i highly doubt it though)
CPU:
Intel Core 2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86 GHz
clock speed: 1.59 GHz, 1.00 GB
Memory:
2 x 512 mb ddr2 @ 333 MHz
GFX:
2 x Radeon X1300/X1600 series (this is probably very bad, there are two of them though)
Please be gentle when making fun of my puny computer.
tell us the os. if its xp, you need to upgrade to 2gb, if vista you need 4gb.
yes you definitely need a ram upgrade.
you defeinitely need a graphics card upgrade. if your power supply is strong enough, post the max output W, then you can get another single strong card.
single stronger >>>double weaker, always.
your cpu is good enough im pretty sure of it. the core 2 duo architecture is very powerful.
probably high-highest settings with respective upgrades.
|
On March 25 2009 09:46 Gnojfatelob wrote:
In an attempt to steal some advice from this thread :D, do you think my computer is sc2 ready? (i highly doubt it though)
CPU:
Intel Core 2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86 GHz (7.1 multiplyer)
clock speed: 1.59 GHz, 1.00 GB
Memory:
2 x 512 mb ddr2 @ 333 MHz
GFX:
2 x Radeon X1300/X1600 series (this is probably very bad, there are two of them though)
Please be gentle when making fun of my puny computer.
Maybe @ lowest settings imo from what I've seen of it. Ur computer looks about 3/4 years old anyways time for an upgrade mang!
|
On March 25 2009 09:52 epicdoom wrote:Show nested quote +On March 25 2009 09:46 Gnojfatelob wrote:
In an attempt to steal some advice from this thread :D, do you think my computer is sc2 ready? (i highly doubt it though)
CPU:
Intel Core 2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86 GHz (7.1 multiplyer)
clock speed: 1.59 GHz, 1.00 GB
Memory:
2 x 512 mb ddr2 @ 333 MHz
GFX:
2 x Radeon X1300/X1600 series (this is probably very bad, there are two of them though)
Please be gentle when making fun of my puny computer. Maybe @ lowest settings imo from what I've seen of it. Ur computer looks about 3/4 years old anyways time for an upgrade mang!
lol???? heck no... he will run it fine...with the upgrades i proposed.
|
Oops, posted like a second after you did. I was talking before upgrades
|
On March 25 2009 09:50 ramen247 wrote:Show nested quote +On March 25 2009 09:46 Gnojfatelob wrote:
In an attempt to steal some advice from this thread :D, do you think my computer is sc2 ready? (i highly doubt it though)
CPU:
Intel Core 2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86 GHz
clock speed: 1.59 GHz, 1.00 GB
Memory:
2 x 512 mb ddr2 @ 333 MHz
GFX:
2 x Radeon X1300/X1600 series (this is probably very bad, there are two of them though)
Please be gentle when making fun of my puny computer. tell us the os. if its xp, you need to upgrade to 2gb, if vista you need 4gb. yes you definitely need a ram upgrade. you defeinitely need a graphics card upgrade. if your power supply is strong enough, post the max output W, then you can get another single strong card. single stronger >>>double weaker, always. your cpu is good enough im pretty sure of it. the core 2 duo architecture is very powerful. probably high-highest settings with respective upgrades.
My os is xp, so i need 2gb ram, so far i'm getting it. But how do i find out my maximum power output of my pc??
|
Pft, this is obviously a covert way to show off your fancy pants pc, nintu >=(
 <3
I, on the other hand, have 512 mb ram (I think, i might've lost some) 3 ghz single core processor and a GeForce 5100 >_>
|
On March 25 2009 10:06 Gnojfatelob wrote:Show nested quote +On March 25 2009 09:50 ramen247 wrote:On March 25 2009 09:46 Gnojfatelob wrote:
In an attempt to steal some advice from this thread :D, do you think my computer is sc2 ready? (i highly doubt it though)
CPU:
Intel Core 2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86 GHz
clock speed: 1.59 GHz, 1.00 GB
Memory:
2 x 512 mb ddr2 @ 333 MHz
GFX:
2 x Radeon X1300/X1600 series (this is probably very bad, there are two of them though)
Please be gentle when making fun of my puny computer. tell us the os. if its xp, you need to upgrade to 2gb, if vista you need 4gb. yes you definitely need a ram upgrade. you defeinitely need a graphics card upgrade. if your power supply is strong enough, post the max output W, then you can get another single strong card. single stronger >>>double weaker, always. your cpu is good enough im pretty sure of it. the core 2 duo architecture is very powerful. probably high-highest settings with respective upgrades. My os is xp, so i need 2gb ram, so far i'm getting it. But how do i find out my maximum power output of my pc??
open it up, ad look for the power supply (its a metal box where the power cable is connected to. read around and look for max output. the units is watts
|
On March 25 2009 10:18 404.Delirium wrote:Pft, this is obviously a covert way to show off your fancy pants pc, nintu >=( <3 I, on the other hand, have 512 mb ram (I think, i might've lost some) 3 ghz single core processor and a GeForce 5100 >_>
Haha, his isn't even close to fancy pants.
Nintu, that will definitely run SC2, but I doubt it would run it on high settings or on a high resolution. I am running SLI'd 7900GT's w/ 2gigs of ram and I am going to upgrade.
The guy who said get a 9800GTX is right IMO, better to get a card like that.
|
On March 25 2009 10:47 Salv wrote:Show nested quote +On March 25 2009 10:18 404.Delirium wrote:Pft, this is obviously a covert way to show off your fancy pants pc, nintu >=( <3 I, on the other hand, have 512 mb ram (I think, i might've lost some) 3 ghz single core processor and a GeForce 5100 >_> Haha, his isn't even close to fancy pants. Nintu, that will definitely run SC2, but I doubt it would run it on high settings or on a high resolution. I am running SLI'd 7900GT's w/ 2gigs of ram and I am going to upgrade. The guy who said get a 9800GTX is right IMO, better to get a card like that.
Compared to mine. =P
|
On March 25 2009 09:08 T.O.P. wrote:
The amount of graphics memory is not important in graphics performance. Memory speeds are much more important. Gddr5>Gddr3>DDR3>DDR2. I think the ATI 48__ series is better. The 4830, 4850, or 4870 will all play sc2 at the highest settings probably. The ATI 4670 will probably do fine too.
edit: If you get the Nvidia 9800 or the ATI 48__ series video card then you will be limited by your cpu instead of your gpu. The AMD 3800+ processor is the bottleneck in games when you combine it with such a powerful cpu. RTS games are known to use a bigger ratio of cpu power compared to gpu power. Upgrading your cpu isn't very expensive. The AMD X2 5800+ only costs 60 dollars on newegg.
You have this all messed up GDDR speed is irreverent because throughput speed must be established ATI goes for the flashier way of increasing GDDR speeds up to GDDR5. Nvidia does it the other way by increasing the memory interface relatively Nvidia cards are usually more optimized to the amount of memory it holds at stock production while ati sticks to the 2power numbers 256 512 1024, Also ATI only uses the expensive memeory for their highest end cards else everything just get GDDR3. You can't judge performance of a card but specs alone really 60% of the real performance comes from the gpu chip series it comes from ie. G92, R770 etc.
Thank about getting a GTS 250 it's just a renamed 9800GTX+ The GTS 250 versions are smaller cards with usually only 1 pcie 6 pin needed. And performance is near exactly the same don't count oc cards though. The ATI equivalent in performance to the GTS 250/9800GTX+ is 4850
With your current build GTS 250/ 4850 will be more then enough to get limited by your cpu/ram set up so i wouldn't go anything higher then that but you may consider a cheaper 4830/9800GT if you so desire seeing as you live in Canada prices aren't as close as in America so iono what the real price diff between those 2 performance classes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
