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Hey really need some help, I'm a total newb at upgrading / doing stuff to computers but here's my situation. I have two computers, the one I'm using to play SC2 is on a widescreen monitor and here are its specifications:
Windows Vista
AMD Phenom 8400 Triple-Core Processor, ~2.1 GHz
3 GB RAM
ATI Radeon HD 4850 512 MB RAM
It seems the main problem with this computer for SC2 is the processor - when the game gets mid-late game, frame rate drops dramatically almost to the point where it's unplayable. Toggling graphics settings does basically nothing to change this, no matter if I play on low or ultra it's the same: it runs fine for early game but once there are too many units it gets really bogged down.
The other computer has these specs, it's slightly newer (I won it at a LAN) but for the most part is inferior to the other computer:
Windows 7 32 Bit
AMD Athlon 7850 Dual-Core Processor ~2.8 GHz
2 GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce 9500 GT
I just test ran SC2 on that computer, it at the same graphics settings as my main computer (Medium) it runs SC2 like 100x better and without a terrible loss of frame rate in late game. So I think I've basically narrowed this down to a CPU problem in the main computer. The newer computer though is on a non-widescreen monitor.
Here are the options I have:
1. Switch the processors - probably the easiest for people good with computers, but I am pretty bad at computers and it sounds terribly complicated (removing heat sink, fans, cooling system, etc.) and fragile. Installing the graphics card for the computer was already troublesome for me (I made like 3 mistakes that could have been incredibly dangerous: left power on while installing, didn't lock the gpu in and it popped out after I turned the computer on, and also somehow unplugged something that I had to replug again later).
2. I can switch the graphics cards, but then I would need to switch the computer locations as well as I want to be playing with the widescreen monitor - this would be incredibly time consuming, there's just so many random wires down there that I don't even know what they do. I would also have to reinstall all my stuff for the new computer, and maybe have to even do all this router / internet crap that has taken me a long time in the past.
So basically my questions are these: Do you think it is a processor problem that is inhibiting my frame rate in SC2, and what is the best course of action here? If anyone could give me a very very thorough tutorial on processor installation I'd be incredibly happy haha, I can post some pictures of the insides of the computers (I literally have no idea what is what in there except the graphics card).
Thanks for any help 
Edit: Someone has also told me that overclocking the triple-core processor on my main computer won't work well because the computer case is HP. Dunno anything about overclocking either though :/
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On August 30 2010 11:43 Myrmidon wrote:Show nested quote +On August 30 2010 11:05 zekie wrote:On August 30 2010 02:20 Myrmidon wrote:zekie: + Show Spoiler +get the Earthwatts Green 380D for 45 CAD. Especially for your lower-powered parts you shouldn't be anywhere near the rated capacity. The PSU that came with the NSK 4482 case was actually an Earthwatts Green 380 (no D), which is probably very slightly better, but it's not a big deal. Again, you would need your own power cord as that PSU doesn't come with one. the power cord from the computer I'm using now would be fine woudn't it? I'm guessing they're generic unless I need one with more power. and can i get them on newegg? Yeah, reuse the old one. It's just a power connector, and they're all rated for something like 10+ A at 115 V (i.e. way more power than your PSU can draw). I think it's part of their whole "green" marketing thing, and it saves the manufacturer a little money too.
awesome thanks Myrmidon you've helped so much with this!
So I'm going to be getting paid on Friday so I think I'm going to order my parts then.
This is what I think I'm going to be getting. Please let me know if everything looks okay.
+ Show Spoiler +
thanks so much for the help everybody!
I'm so excited to build this!
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United States8477 Posts
Buy this graphics card now. It's a GTX 460 at $146 or $156 for overclocked version. Someone made a mistake and typed in $59.99 discount instead of $5.99, so this is an extremely good deal.
link
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On August 30 2010 14:53 4kmonk wrote:Buy this graphics card now. It's a GTX 460 at $146 or $156 for overclocked version. Someone made a mistake and typed in $59.99 discount instead of $5.99, so this is an extremely good deal. link
Lol, someone just lost their job.
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United States9452 Posts
http://www.chiefvalue.com/customerservice-_-faqdetail.cv_-_module--3
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On August 30 2010 14:53 4kmonk wrote:Buy this graphics card now. It's a GTX 460 at $146 or $156 for overclocked version. Someone made a mistake and typed in $59.99 discount instead of $5.99, so this is an extremely good deal. link
lol no wonder.the website really living up to it's name.
it's a sick deal.they are all sick i tell you.
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5930 Posts
Right thanks for the help guys. Probably the last question I will ask: is there a 1366 motherboard out there that can reliably handle 6 sticks of RAM (12GB of memory)? Everywhere I read, people have issues with 6 sticks even after manually adjusting timings and voltages.
If none of them can handle this much RAM, I'll just wait for Sandy Bridge.
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Why not just triple channel 4gb sticks? Less sticks probably means more stability. Or at least less room for error.
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5930 Posts
Sandy Bridge being pretty good is a huge understatement if those performance figures are actually true. Especially since the i5 2400 they played around with has an IGP.
On August 30 2010 17:40 R04R wrote:
Why not just triple channel 4gb sticks? Less sticks probably means more stability. Or at least less room for error.
Ugh I'm a dumbass didn't think of this. I'd probably wait it out though since Sandy Bridge looks ridiculously good.
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I dunno, the whole time I was looking at comparisons it felt like Intel overpriced the 980x just so it would make sandy bridge look good. That being said, the new processors are still faster clock for clock than anything current gen, and it should be that way otherwise there's no "upgrade" in new-gen technology.
Edit: Yeah, wait for Sandy Bridge/Bulldozer 
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51712 Posts
It won't run on high smoothly, medium, probably.
For $700 though it seems a great buy.
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If I put 700 into a desktop build would I be able to run sc2 on high settings?
or am I just better off getting a laptop like that one I posted above?
Thanks a bunch!
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On August 30 2010 21:05 SeeYouNextTuesday wrote:
If I put 700 into a desktop build would I be able to run sc2 on high settings?
or am I just better off getting a laptop like that one I posted above?
Thanks a bunch!
If you just need the desktop itself, and no monitor/OS then you can easily get a tower that runs SC2 on Ultra with no problems. With monitor + OS needed it gets tricky. I could probably give you a build for $800 including monitor + OS
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Well you'd also have to set a budget for monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. But you can still run high smoothly. It'd probably look something like Athlon II x2/3 processor and GTS 250 graphics card and 18-20" screen, although this would push it around $750.
Edit: forgot OS, that might be another $100.
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Well I do have a monitor I could use for awhile I suppose but it would be my TV
You think I could get that build order aswell?
Also I did see the specs for the machines they used for the MLG Matches
CPU: Core i5-650 3.20ghz
Memory: 4GB DDR3 1600
GPU: GeForce 9800 GTX+
HDD: 250GB 7200RPM
that looks pretty cheap but what mobo would I get and psu
If its good enough for the pros to use Its good enough for me
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On August 30 2010 21:21 SeeYouNextTuesday wrote:
Well I do have a monitor I could use for awhile I suppose but it would be my TV
You think I could get that build order aswell?
Also I did see the specs for the machines they used for the MLG Matches
CPU: Core i5-650 3.20ghz
Memory: 4GB DDR3 1600
GPU: GeForce 9800 GTX+
HDD: 250GB 7200RPM
that looks pretty cheap but what mobo would I get and psu
If its good enough for the pros to use Its good enough for me
For a budget you are better off with an AMD build.
Athlon II X3 440 + Biostar 785G mATX $106 after $10 MIR
NZXT Gamma Case + Seagate Barracuda 500GB $80
OCZ 600W PSU + DVD RW $50 after $20 MIR
Radeon HD 5770 $130 after $15 MIR
4GB A-DATA RAM $87
LG 20' Monitor $140
Windows 7 Home Premium $100
Total $693 after $45 MIR
If you want to spend a bit more money you could get a better motherboard, better RAM and upgrade to a GTX460. You could also get a bigger monitor. However this build is pretty solid for $700. You could also knock a bit off by getting a smaller HD and a 500W PSU instead. This would be fine if you don't plan on overclocking. If you are a student you can get Windows 7 for $30 as well.
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On August 30 2010 21:43 deconduo wrote:Show nested quote +On August 30 2010 21:21 SeeYouNextTuesday wrote:
Well I do have a monitor I could use for awhile I suppose but it would be my TV
You think I could get that build order aswell?
Also I did see the specs for the machines they used for the MLG Matches
CPU: Core i5-650 3.20ghz
Memory: 4GB DDR3 1600
GPU: GeForce 9800 GTX+
HDD: 250GB 7200RPM
that looks pretty cheap but what mobo would I get and psu
If its good enough for the pros to use Its good enough for me For a budget you are better off with an AMD build. Athlon II X3 440 + Biostar 785G mATX $106 after $10 MIR NZXT Gamma Case + Seagate Barracuda 500GB $80 OCZ 600W PSU + DVD RW $50 after $20 MIR Radeon HD 5770 $130 after $15 MIR 4GB A-DATA RAM $87 LG 20' Monitor $140 Windows 7 Home Premium $100 Total $693 after $45 MIR If you want to spend a bit more money you could get a better motherboard, better RAM and upgrade to a GTX460. You could also get a bigger monitor. However this build is pretty solid for $700. You could also knock a bit off by getting a smaller HD and a 500W PSU instead. This would be fine if you don't plan on overclocking. If you are a student you can get Windows 7 for $30 as well.
where do you get Windows 7 for $30 as a studen?
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i think theres a discount for college kids
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EPT
