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FyRe_DragOn
Canada2056 Posts
 My question is, what can I do to improve performance enough to play with no lag and have other stuff open like music? Also streaming would be nice, but my main priority is on actually being able to play at the moment. I upgraded my RAM a few days b4 buying the game - according to my computer I now have 1.49GB of RAM, along with 2.80GHz of something? Im pretty ignorant about stuff like this, so if some1 could explain what the best option(s) is it would be highly appreciated  | ||
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Chairman Ray
United States11903 Posts
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synapse
China13814 Posts
1.49 GB is still not a lot of RAM at all, and 2.80GHz is referring to your processor speed (per core). EDIT: Haha beat me  | ||
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Coagulation
United States9633 Posts
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FyRe_DragOn
Canada2056 Posts
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vek
Australia936 Posts
On December 27 2010 14:42 Chairman Ray wrote: RAM isn't the biggest issue, neither is processor. What limits SC2 is usually your GPU. What is your graphics card? With less than 2GB it is going to chug even with an i7 and a 6970. Any more than 2 is preferable with 4 being ideal for SC2. On December 27 2010 14:52 FyRe_DragOn wrote: ok so what exactly is GPU? and how do I check my graphics card lol. Thanks for the advice so far though, I was thinking the same thing about the 2GB of RAM but wasnt sure if that was the whole issue. Download this: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html Tell us what it says in the graphics tab. | ||
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synapse
China13814 Posts
On December 27 2010 14:52 FyRe_DragOn wrote: ok so what exactly is GPU? and how do I check my graphics card lol. Thanks for the advice so far though, I was thinking the same thing about the 2GB of RAM but wasnt sure if that was the whole issue. GPU = graphics card, in case that wasn't clear. Windows key + R, then type in "dxdiag" and click "Okay." Paste whatever it gives you in the System and Display tabs into this thread. (This is probably a better idea than downloading a program to tell you your graphics card...) | ||
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FyRe_DragOn
Canada2056 Posts
On December 27 2010 14:59 synapse wrote: GPU = graphics card, in case that wasn't clear. Windows key + R, then type in "dxdiag" and click "Okay." Paste whatever it gives you in the System and Display tabs into this thread. (This is probably a better idea than downloading a program to tell you your graphics card...) alright, it gave me the option to save the info into .txt form (thankfully) so here are the OS and display parts: Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100427-1636) Language: English (Regional Setting: English) System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061 System Model: EX266AA-ABA A1512X BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs) Memory: 1526MB RAM Page File: 1914MB used, 985MB available Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904) DX Setup Parameters: Not found DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode Display Devices --------------- Card name: Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family Manufacturer: Intel Corporation Chip type: Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family DAC type: Internal Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2772&SUBSYS_2A3B103C&REV_02 Display Memory: 224.0 MB Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz) Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200 Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4497 (English) DDI Version: 9 (or higher) Driver Attributes: Final Retail Driver Date/Size: 2/7/2006 08:56:16, 45697 bytes WHQL Logo'd: Yes WHQL Date Stamp: n/a VDD: n/a Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys Mini VDD Date: 2/7/2006 09:04:34, 1399615 bytes Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6432-11CF-1D62-310AA3C2CB35} Vendor ID: 0x8086 Device ID: 0x2772 SubSys ID: 0x2A3B103C Revision ID: 0x0002 Revision ID: 0x0002 Video Accel: Deinterlace Caps: n/a Registry: OK DDraw Status: Enabled D3D Status: Enabled AGP Status: Not Available DDraw Test Result: Not run D3D7 Test Result: Not run D3D8 Test Result: Not run D3D9 Test Result: Not run | ||
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vek
Australia936 Posts
But anyway, you aren't going to have much luck running SC2 on an old integrated video card like that I'm afraid. | ||
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synapse
China13814 Posts
On December 27 2010 15:13 vek wrote: Nothing wrong with CPU-Z and it gives a lot more useful information =o This may be true, but it's much easier to just run directx diagnostics. | ||
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FyRe_DragOn
Canada2056 Posts
I can install a better one though right? What are some good options there?not sure what u mean by discrete discrete either lol. TY for the help so far guys, im learning!! | ||
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synapse
China13814 Posts
On December 27 2010 15:17 FyRe_DragOn wrote: Ok, so my graphics card is trash I can install a better one though right? What are some good options there?not sure what u mean by discrete discrete either lol. TY for the help so far guys, im learning!! Haha I meant "discrete, as opposed to integrated." Integrated graphics cards take power and use onboard memory, whereas discrete graphics cards take power directly from your power supply (PSU, power supply unit) and have their own dedicated memory. If you want to get a new graphics card, first things first: find out if your motherboard has the proper PCI-Express slots. I'm sure theres some program out there for that, personally I just open up my case and take a look (google is your friend here). Depending on your price range, 70-100 dollars can get you a graphics card that will run SCII on Medium, High decently with some lag when there are too many units... as in 200/200 battles. 150-200 dollars will get you something that can run SCII perfectly without any lag (EVER!), and on a much higher resolution screen that your current 1440x900. Search up Newegg.com, they generally have the best prices around for these types of things. If you live near a Micro Center, those guys are good with computer parts. On a side note, I've just assumed that you're talking about a desktop, but I'm not actually sure. Also, depending on how old your computer is, you might want to consider dishing out 500-600 dollars or so for a new computer. I'm not sure how well 1.5GB of RAM is going to hold up running SCII. | ||
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FyRe_DragOn
Canada2056 Posts
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Fishraper
United States69 Posts
On December 27 2010 15:56 FyRe_DragOn wrote: its a desktop and i bought it like 3 years ago. That doesnt seem old at all..how much would it cost to upgrade to 4GB of RAM? If you wanna get technical/nit pick, even just 6 months can be considered "old" lol, specially for computers, always new crap coming out so fast. I built a whole comp for 1300 recently, but that's with expensive parts. Could be done a lot cheaper. Cost of memory is relatively cheap, specially assuming your set is will be DDR2-240pin? | ||
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lqd
United States108 Posts
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00679525&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&site=null&key=null&product=3207936 As far as upgrades go, you can: - upgrade CPU to any faster Pentium D - upgrade video card to any PCI-Express video card - upgrade RAM to 4 GB (4 sticks of 1 GB each) However, you should also consider the following: - faster Pentium D CPUs won't give you significantly better performance - a new video card is a good way to go, but you may need a new power supply as well - RAM is a worthwhile upgrade if you get a faster video card Since the fastest CPUs that your motherboard supports are Pentium D's, and they are pretty slow CPU's, you basically have two options: 1. deal with the slow CPU and just upgrade video card, RAM, and maybe power supply PROS: cheaper, video card and power supply can be reused in your next computer CONS: slow CPU, RAM cannot be reused in your next computer 2. get a new computer PROS: everything is nice and fast CONS: more expensive | ||
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FyRe_DragOn
Canada2056 Posts
i think imma go out and get a new graphics card for now. im pretty short on cash till next friday and i want to play sc2 asap lol. If it doesnt work out I may end up getting a new PC i guess.. | ||
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synapse
China13814 Posts
On December 28 2010 03:56 FyRe_DragOn wrote: that was very helpful i think imma go out and get a new graphics card for now. im pretty short on cash till next friday and i want to play sc2 asap lol. If it doesnt work out I may end up getting a new PC i guess.. If you get a decent graphics card and end up switching to a new PC later on, you can still use that graphics card, so this isn't a bad choice at all. | ||
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scottyyy
United Kingdom796 Posts
On December 28 2010 03:56 FyRe_DragOn wrote: that was very helpful i think imma go out and get a new graphics card for now. im pretty short on cash till next friday and i want to play sc2 asap lol. If it doesnt work out I may end up getting a new PC i guess.. How much do you want to spend? Also, can you tell us what power supply you have? Look at the PSU, it's the part of your computer where you plug the wall adapter into. Look for the wattage rating. | ||
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FyRe_DragOn
Canada2056 Posts
Checked the PSU, it says OUTPUT 300W MAX in the largest lettering, and then some other ratings in smaller numbers (assuming they are less important lol). | ||
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synapse
China13814 Posts
On December 28 2010 05:03 FyRe_DragOn wrote: i have about $150 to spend today, might be able to get up to 200. Hopefully thats enough to buy a nice one Checked the PSU, it says OUTPUT 300W MAX in the largest lettering, and then some other ratings in smaller numbers (assuming they are less important lol). Most decent GPU's require a 400W PSU. If you can find an energy efficient GPU (I'm currently using one myself, 9800GT EE; EE graphics cards take power from the motherboard, and generally run pretty well still.), that would solve your PSU problem. Honestly though, it's not surprising that an OEM desktop (HP) comes with a shitty PSU. If you have around 150 dollars to spend, http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709 4017&IsNodeId=1&name=$100 - $200 150 dollars is enough to buy a very very nice graphics card. | ||
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FyRe_DragOn
Canada2056 Posts
PowerColor AX5750 1GBD5-LH Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card * Radeon HD 5750 * 1GB GDDR5 * PCI Express 2.1 x16 * Chipset Manufacturer: ATI * Core Clock: 700MHz * Stream Processors: 720 Stream Processing Units * Effective Memory Clock: 1150MHz (4.6Gbps) what should I be paying attention to? I donno what any of these specifications mean except for the PCI and 1GB. | ||
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synapse
China13814 Posts
If you can't find any EE graphics cards and plan on buying a normal one, then make sure to figure out how the GPU you're looking at connects to the PSU (e.g. 4-pin, 6-pin power connector) and make sure your power supply has unused pins to supply your graphics card. | ||
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jaj22
United Kingdom1376 Posts
HD5670: 65W, no additional connectors HD5750: 85W, 6-pin PCI-E connector HD5770: 108W, 6-pin PCI-E connector New 9800GT: <75W, no additional connectors Old 9800GT: >75W, 6-pin PCI-E connector GT 240: 69W, no additional connectors GT 430: 49W, no additional connectors GTS 450: 106W, 6-pin PCI-E connector Any of those cards will easily run SC2 on medium detail, but you'd be limited by the CPU in high-supply games. Check that the CPU's heatsink is clear too, because those tend to block very quickly. The older Pentium D 820s could use upwards of 130W despite a TDP of 95W, although your PC may have a newer 65nm version. Given the rest of the components, a 300W PSU can't really be trusted with any of these cards, but it's relatively safe to stick with the sub-75W cards. Many graphics cards come with a 6-pin to 2x4-pin molex adapter, but your PSU may not even have spare molex connectors. | ||
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synapse
China13814 Posts
On December 28 2010 06:57 jaj22 wrote: Approximate maximum power consumption and connector requirement of various current cards: HD5670: 65W, no additional connectors HD5750: 85W, 6-pin PCI-E connector HD5770: 108W, 6-pin PCI-E connector New 9800GT: <75W, no additional connectors Old 9800GT: >75W, 6-pin PCI-E connector GT 240: 69W, no additional connectors GT 430: 49W, no additional connectors GTS 450: 106W, 6-pin PCI-E connector Any of those cards will easily run SC2 on medium detail, but you'd be limited by the CPU in high-supply games. Check that the CPU's heatsink is clear too, because those tend to block very quickly. The older Pentium D 820s could use upwards of 130W despite a TDP of 95W, although your PC may have a newer 65nm version. Given the rest of the components, a 300W PSU can't really be trusted with any of these cards, but it's relatively safe to stick with the sub-75W cards. Many graphics cards come with a 6-pin to 2x4-pin molex adapter, but your PSU may not even have spare molex connectors. This is very good info. If you really want to be safe, you would replace the power supply with something with a 400, 500W rating... but then you might as well just buy a new computer. My 9800GT EE runs SCII at Ultra without any problems except once past a 100ish food army. Very good stuff | ||
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FyRe_DragOn
Canada2056 Posts
any recommendations? If im going to buy a new comp I might as well get one that allows me to do as much as I want at once - inotherwords play SC2 completely lag free, along with streaming and music at the same time. | ||
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synapse
China13814 Posts
Anyways, there are various computer build threads if you're up for building your own computer (it's pretty easy), a 500-600 dollar build can get you some sexy stuff. | ||
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