• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 09:12
CEST 15:12
KST 22:12
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall10HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0TL Team Map Contest #5: Presented by Monster Energy6
Community News
Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation5$25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced4Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles6[BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China9Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL66
StarCraft 2
General
TL Team Map Contest #4: Winners Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles The SCII GOAT: A statistical Evaluation The GOAT ranking of GOAT rankings Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation
Tourneys
FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event $25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series WardiTV Mondays
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 481 Fear and Lava Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame Mutation # 479 Worn Out Welcome Mutation # 478 Instant Karma
Brood War
General
i aint gon lie to u bruh... ASL20 Preliminary Maps [G] Progamer Settings BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ [ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall
Tourneys
[BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China [BSL20] Grand Finals - Sunday 20:00 CET CSL Xiamen International Invitational The Casual Games of the Week Thread
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile What do you want from future RTS games? Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Positive Thoughts on Setting Up a Dual-Caliber FX
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Summer Games Done Quick 2025! Stop Killing Games - European Citizens Initiative
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
Formula 1 Discussion 2024 - 2025 Football Thread NBA General Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
momentary artworks from des…
tankgirl
Culture Clash in Video Games…
TrAiDoS
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 612 users

WCS observer PC specs

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
Psychotikah
Profile Joined January 2015
Canada101 Posts
October 27 2018 05:45 GMT
#1
Hi everyone,

I am currently in the process of upgrading my PC. While doing this, I noticed through my and other people's experience that being able to play SC2 with all of the graphics settings maxed at 60 FPS + during late game is nearly impossible.

While watching the global finals today, I was wondering how the observing PC could sustain what appears to be the absolute highest possible graphics in SC2 while staying silky smooth during all of the late game engagements (all though there wasn't much late game today, but you get the idea).

My understanding of the requirements to run SC2 at the highest settings is that you need a processor that can handle extremely high frequencies on 2 cores at most. All of the current high CPUs have some like 28 cores or something ridiculous like that. So I am not sure what they are using.

Any one of your guys have an idea?
Chris_Havoc
Profile Joined August 2016
United States600 Posts
October 27 2018 06:12 GMT
#2
The best ones I can think of to ask directly would be FunKa and the guys at O'Gaming.
Owner of the SC2 Esports Anthology channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SC2EsportsAnthology
digmouse
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
China6329 Posts
Last Edited: 2018-10-27 06:38:08
October 27 2018 06:33 GMT
#3
They are probably using the cookie cutter top tier PC build AKA i7 8700K or even 9 series CPU, high frequency RAM (3000+) and a top end GTX/RTX graphic card. Probably supplied by either Intel or Nvidia considering they are sponsors of the event. SC2 doesn't really benefit from anything higher due to the lack of multi thread utilization.
TranslatorIf you want to ask anything about Chinese esports, send me a PM or follow me @nerddigmouse.
-Kyo-
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Japan1926 Posts
October 27 2018 09:54 GMT
#4
the above post is right, honestly not that insane of a top gaming computer; the important thing to remember is that often times the stream/viewer has a different experience from what the player/observer is seeing. It's more noticeable if you box with your mouse; which in these sorts of events observers avoid doing - directly clicking on things or double clicking. In those scenarios you get a better idea of the lag/input they're dealing with. But, nonetheless with the above sort of build you're probably never dropping under 140~+ while streaming.
Anime is cuter than you. Legacy of the Void GM Protoss Gameplay: twitch.tv/kyo7763 youtube.com/user/KyoStarcraft/
TL+ Member
digmouse
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
China6329 Posts
October 27 2018 10:08 GMT
#5
Generally in 1v1 the stress is a lot lower as well. It's the team games and arcade maps with complex triggers that will consistently have performance issues. And you really can't do anything about them.
TranslatorIf you want to ask anything about Chinese esports, send me a PM or follow me @nerddigmouse.
Poopi
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
France12790 Posts
October 27 2018 10:27 GMT
#6
Ideally you want one of the top processors in the single core area of this benchmark http://browser.geekbench.com/processor-benchmarks
As for the graphics it's not a very demanding game so 1050ti+ should be enough for highest settings
Fast RAM helps as well for the game

WriterMaru
alextechn
Profile Joined October 2018
2 Posts
October 27 2018 10:36 GMT
#7
--- Nuked ---
Psychotikah
Profile Joined January 2015
Canada101 Posts
October 27 2018 11:36 GMT
#8
Thanks for the answers.

I don't have a high end PC so I am not familiar with how one would handle itself in 400 supply scenarios. I was somehow under the impression that fps could sometimes drop below 60 under certain scenarios even with the latest parts.
-Kyo-
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Japan1926 Posts
October 27 2018 12:16 GMT
#9
On October 27 2018 20:36 Psychotikah wrote:
Thanks for the answers.

I don't have a high end PC so I am not familiar with how one would handle itself in 400 supply scenarios. I was somehow under the impression that fps could sometimes drop below 60 under certain scenarios even with the latest parts.


it's true, but that's just a side effect of the game and the time it was made. there isn't really any up to date optimizations for it.

as others have said, unless you're playing end game 2v2(sometimes), or 3v3/4v4/arcade games, chances are with a high speed clocked processor and semi-decent gpu you'll be getting quite good fps. obviously, the better cpu u get (intel has higher single core clocks than AMD, so it's relevant here), the better frames you're gonna maintain while streaming as well. sc2 isn't really gpu intensive, and the above recommendation is sufficient.
Anime is cuter than you. Legacy of the Void GM Protoss Gameplay: twitch.tv/kyo7763 youtube.com/user/KyoStarcraft/
TL+ Member
Psychotikah
Profile Joined January 2015
Canada101 Posts
October 27 2018 12:24 GMT
#10
On October 27 2018 21:16 -Kyo- wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 27 2018 20:36 Psychotikah wrote:
Thanks for the answers.

I don't have a high end PC so I am not familiar with how one would handle itself in 400 supply scenarios. I was somehow under the impression that fps could sometimes drop below 60 under certain scenarios even with the latest parts.


it's true, but that's just a side effect of the game and the time it was made. there isn't really any up to date optimizations for it.

as others have said, unless you're playing end game 2v2(sometimes), or 3v3/4v4/arcade games, chances are with a high speed clocked processor and semi-decent gpu you'll be getting quite good fps. obviously, the better cpu u get (intel has higher single core clocks than AMD, so it's relevant here), the better frames you're gonna maintain while streaming as well. sc2 isn't really gpu intensive, and the above recommendation is sufficient.


I have too many life responsibilities that prohibit me from currently buying ab Intel CPU and Mobo, so I stuck with overclocking my old fx-6300 ahah. Despite achieving somewhat high clock frequency, it looks like the and is still way inferior to modern intels... I get frame drops in the 40 range in late game engagements with only high graphic settings, in 1v1!. (Just got a gtx 1050 2gb). This experience got me thinking that the wcs observer PC must be a beast! At the same time, I have never owned a modern i5 or i7 CPU.

Sorry to derail my own thread into my personal woes. But it just hit me how insanely CPU demanding is this game! At least my game is smooth. I can't say I see a difference when the game goes from 60 to 40 fps with 400 supply in front of me.
fLyiNgDroNe
Profile Joined September 2005
Belgium4001 Posts
October 27 2018 13:43 GMT
#11
dude this is the best day of your life
https://www.teamliquid.net/forum/tech-support/426532-computer-build-upgrade-and-buying-resource-thread
Drone is a way of living
digmouse
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
China6329 Posts
October 28 2018 03:37 GMT
#12
On October 27 2018 21:24 Psychotikah wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 27 2018 21:16 -Kyo- wrote:
On October 27 2018 20:36 Psychotikah wrote:
Thanks for the answers.

I don't have a high end PC so I am not familiar with how one would handle itself in 400 supply scenarios. I was somehow under the impression that fps could sometimes drop below 60 under certain scenarios even with the latest parts.


it's true, but that's just a side effect of the game and the time it was made. there isn't really any up to date optimizations for it.

as others have said, unless you're playing end game 2v2(sometimes), or 3v3/4v4/arcade games, chances are with a high speed clocked processor and semi-decent gpu you'll be getting quite good fps. obviously, the better cpu u get (intel has higher single core clocks than AMD, so it's relevant here), the better frames you're gonna maintain while streaming as well. sc2 isn't really gpu intensive, and the above recommendation is sufficient.


I have too many life responsibilities that prohibit me from currently buying ab Intel CPU and Mobo, so I stuck with overclocking my old fx-6300 ahah. Despite achieving somewhat high clock frequency, it looks like the and is still way inferior to modern intels... I get frame drops in the 40 range in late game engagements with only high graphic settings, in 1v1!. (Just got a gtx 1050 2gb). This experience got me thinking that the wcs observer PC must be a beast! At the same time, I have never owned a modern i5 or i7 CPU.

Sorry to derail my own thread into my personal woes. But it just hit me how insanely CPU demanding is this game! At least my game is smooth. I can't say I see a difference when the game goes from 60 to 40 fps with 400 supply in front of me.

Well any modern i5 or i7s, or a Ryzen is like... 5 times if not higher performance than an FX-6300.
TranslatorIf you want to ask anything about Chinese esports, send me a PM or follow me @nerddigmouse.
Parrek
Profile Joined May 2016
United States893 Posts
October 28 2018 04:23 GMT
#13
On October 27 2018 14:45 Psychotikah wrote:
Hi everyone,

I am currently in the process of upgrading my PC. While doing this, I noticed through my and other people's experience that being able to play SC2 with all of the graphics settings maxed at 60 FPS + during late game is nearly impossible.

While watching the global finals today, I was wondering how the observing PC could sustain what appears to be the absolute highest possible graphics in SC2 while staying silky smooth during all of the late game engagements (all though there wasn't much late game today, but you get the idea).

My understanding of the requirements to run SC2 at the highest settings is that you need a processor that can handle extremely high frequencies on 2 cores at most. All of the current high CPUs have some like 28 cores or something ridiculous like that. So I am not sure what they are using.

Any one of your guys have an idea?

For 1v1 pretty much any mid tier computer will run it like that. My low mid laptop with a decent i5 could run late game at over 30 fps. It only gets bad for teams and arcade because there are a ton of units on the screen. 1v1 won't overload it
getg00d
Profile Joined April 2017
United States120 Posts
October 28 2018 05:24 GMT
#14
On October 27 2018 22:43 fLyiNgDroNe wrote:
dude this is the best day of your life
https://www.teamliquid.net/forum/tech-support/426532-computer-build-upgrade-and-buying-resource-thread

One of THE best threads
https://www.twitch.tv/getg00d
Deleted User 197942
Profile Joined July 2011
Romania151 Posts
October 28 2018 09:08 GMT
#15
I'm not as impressed as you are to be fair, in fact I think it really wasn't smooth. Check the day 1 stream, that 1080p60 looked more like 30 fps. Sure, it was very smooth when they switched to 720p60, so I assume it couldn't handle 1080p60.
Psychotikah
Profile Joined January 2015
Canada101 Posts
October 28 2018 13:16 GMT
#16
Thanks everyone for your answers.

I am aware that my rig is very outdated! Some of you guys have very high standards for computer specs!

The more power to you. I bet if I was living alone with no kids I would buy a nasa computer as well!

Sorry for posting this on the main board, I wasn't aware that there was a dedicated computer build thread.

And as a FYI, I got my crappy overclocked FX and GTX 1050 to run the game on ultra graphics (all non CPU bound settings maxxed) with very adequate constant frame rate in late game 1v1! I am very satisfied (with my low standards of course)

Enjoy the rest of the global finals!

sOs fighting!
CqwYU
Profile Joined July 2020
1 Post
Last Edited: 2020-07-14 19:40:20
July 07 2020 19:56 GMT
#17
For playing SC2 you don't need to have an expensive PC. Personally, I have an old computer and I'm using a cleaner and I can say that this thing improved my PC performance. I suppose it deletes all residual files that's why my system is working properly. If you want to increase the performance too, check this article: https://thinkmobiles.com/blog/best-registry-cleaner-tools/ .In this article, there are described a lot of cleaners their features and price. Don't worry, some of them are free to download, so you won't spend money on it.
Master of DalK
Profile Blog Joined June 2012
Canada1797 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-07-07 20:38:26
July 07 2020 20:37 GMT
#18
We used 6700K's + 1080's w/ 16GB of 2866MHz RAM for our observer PC's, we did WESG NA SC2 just fine with it, logos.sc2mod included.

Though we also turn particle effects and shadows down because its incredibly difficult to discern what's going on in big fights in SC2 with them at max.

EDIT: I just realized this thread got necro'd before I posted in it. Oops. But there's a 2020 spec list, haha!
@MasterDalK | Maelstrom Entertainment | Streaming Every Esport Under the Sun
Cyro
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
United Kingdom20285 Posts
July 07 2020 23:18 GMT
#19
The graphics card is not really important since the game is graphically light and extremely CPU heavy.

ATM the fastest config is current gen Intel. 10600k, but going to a 10900k helps a bit due to additional L3 cache. Memory OC with some b-die adds another 20% performance compared to using 3200 16-18-18 XMP.
"oh my god my overclock... I got a single WHEA error on the 23rd hour, 9 minutes" -Belial88
DiMano
Profile Joined July 2011
Korea (South)2066 Posts
Last Edited: 2020-07-08 00:47:47
July 08 2020 00:46 GMT
#20
So now on 08 July 2020 can we get stable 60+ fps or 144 fps for 800 supply 4v4 late game scenario or is it still impossible?
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 2h 48m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
ForJumy 79
StarCraft: Brood War
Shuttle 2179
Bisu 1560
Flash 1505
firebathero 1474
EffOrt 805
actioN 568
Larva 529
Mini 476
Hyuk 396
Snow 290
[ Show more ]
Soulkey 276
Last 216
Zeus 180
ToSsGirL 172
hero 163
Soma 160
soO 157
Hyun 110
TY 106
Pusan 65
sorry 59
sas.Sziky 47
Rush 42
JYJ36
Noble 31
Sacsri 29
JulyZerg 21
GoRush 20
yabsab 19
sSak 18
HiyA 17
Yoon 17
Movie 13
zelot 9
IntoTheRainbow 9
Icarus 6
ivOry 3
GuemChi 0
Dota 2
Gorgc9287
qojqva1577
XcaliburYe237
League of Legends
singsing2279
Counter-Strike
x6flipin404
allub186
chrisJcsgo104
byalli81
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor99
Other Games
tarik_tv35310
gofns16094
B2W.Neo987
shahzam613
DeMusliM478
hiko412
FrodaN236
Fuzer 230
crisheroes196
QueenE34
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick34868
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 12 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• iopq 2
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Nemesis2759
Upcoming Events
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
2h 48m
WardiTV European League
2h 48m
Jumy vs NightPhoenix
Percival vs Nicoract
ArT vs HiGhDrA
MaxPax vs Harstem
Scarlett vs Shameless
SKillous vs uThermal
Replay Cast
10h 48m
RSL Revival
20h 48m
ByuN vs SHIN
Clem vs Reynor
OSC
23h 48m
Replay Cast
1d 10h
RSL Revival
1d 20h
Classic vs Cure
FEL
2 days
OSC
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
[ Show More ]
FEL
2 days
FEL
3 days
CSO Cup
3 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
3 days
Bonyth vs QiaoGege
Dewalt vs Fengzi
Hawk vs Zhanhun
Sziky vs Mihu
Mihu vs QiaoGege
Zhanhun vs Sziky
Fengzi vs Hawk
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
RSL Revival
3 days
FEL
4 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
4 days
Bonyth vs Dewalt
QiaoGege vs Dewalt
Hawk vs Bonyth
Sziky vs Fengzi
Mihu vs Zhanhun
QiaoGege vs Zhanhun
Fengzi vs Mihu
Replay Cast
5 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-07-07
HSC XXVII
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
Acropolis #3
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
Championship of Russia 2025
RSL Revival: Season 1
Murky Cup #2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025

Upcoming

2025 ACS Season 2: Qualifier
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSL Xiamen Invitational
2025 ACS Season 2
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
SEL Season 2 Championship
FEL Cracov 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
Underdog Cup #2
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.