StarCraft 2 @ 1920x1080 ... what do I need?

[DodgerLD]

Hi,

Which reasonably low-cost gfx card will run SC2 at the above resolution with high quality settings?

I have an ATI Radeon HD 3400 Series now, because I wasn't planning on playing any games ... that changed.

My PSU is a 460W Cooler Master.

I've read that nVidia cards are better for SC2, is that correct?

Thanks.

 

[Udgnim]

SC2 does like nVidia cards more than AMD cards

 

[blckgrffn]

You need a 1GB card to run Ultra, 512MB to run on high.

Unless you have pretty beefy single core performance CPU (i3 2100 or better) a decent card should play on high without issue and spending a ton of money on a GPU would be wasted because the CPU will be holding you back. What CPU are you using? Presumably AMD unless you are a running one of those early fancy Core 2 Duo boards (I think, or were those pre- HD 3200 even?)

My pick? A GTS 450 1GB on the high end (hopefully under benjamin - get DDR5 for sure), a card like this on the low end (GTS 250 512 MB ~$30 Shipped after rebate):

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...506&CatId=3670

In the middle ground (price wise) would be something like a used GTX 260 Core 216, but that is big and power hungry in comparison to the GTS 450. It would also need two power plugs. I would advise sticking to something that only needs one (or none!) to not stretch the reliability of your PSU.

SC2 is based on DirectX 9, so even older cards that were decent performers in their day can handle SC2 pretty well.

When I played SC2 I had a 4830 with the rig below and was able to play at that resolution with all high settings and I thought it played very smoothly. The GTS 250 is going to be a decent bit faster than the 4830.

Decent value can be had on the AMD side, as well. A 6750 for ~$80 should be able to run the game at very high settings given your CPU is up for the task.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161379

 

[upsdriver]

I run it at 60+ fps on Ultra @ 1080p with a 5850 in 1v1. When you're running 4v4 with a ton of units on the screen you're going to need a good processor to keep up though. Large scale battles with a i7 860 @ 3.6 ghz will drop fps to the 30s.

 

[96Firebird]

Whats the rest of your setup, and what kind of budget are we looking at here?

 

[DodgerLD]

Hey guys,

Motherboard : Asus P5Q
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8500 @ 3.16GHz
Display : ATI Radeon HD 3400 Series
SSD : Corsair CSSD-F120GB2 (120GB)
PSU : Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 460W
OS : Windows 7 Home Premium

Budget: Maybe $50 - $75, but it's hard to say as I have to take the exchange rate into consideration.

Thanks.

 

[96Firebird]

You may be CPU limited in large matches with that CPU (I'm not sure as I don't play the game, just going by what was said above). Where are you located? Rather than trying to convert the USD into your currency, it will be easier just to see what shops you shop at and go from there. Prices tend to differ depending on where you are in the world, no matter what the exchange rate says.

 

[DodgerLD]

Added my location.

Shops such as:
http://www.takealot.com/electronics/browse?cat=graphics-cards
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/graphics-cards-switches-c-22.html
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/index.php?cPath=74&language=ir

 

[96Firebird]

So lets say no more than R600? I'll take a look and see what can be had for that much...

 

[DodgerLD]

Don't really want to spend more than R750 or so.

Silent cooling is a big plus.

What about the GT 430s, how far would that get me?

 

[96Firebird]

Yeah I'm not seeing much that will get you what you want, is that the absolute maximum that you can spend? The GT series is geared more towards a HTPC (home theater PC), so video playback and such. It can, and will, play games, but I'm not sure if you will get the high settings at 1080p that you are looking for.

Maybe see if you can find a used GTX 460 or something?

 

[DodgerLD]

I can spend some more if necessary ... what cards do you have in mind?

 

[96Firebird]

I was thinking at least a GTX 460, but maybe some other users can chime in with regards to performance in SC2. I've never played it...

 

[DodgerLD]

I don't really want to spend that much. Maybe a GTS450 or a HD6770?

Anyone have some more suggestions?

 

[upsdriver]

I don't really want to spend that much. Maybe a GTS450 or a HD6770?

Anyone have some more suggestions?

You can get by with a 450/6770 with your CPU. You'll maybe average 30 fps in 1v1 but large scale battles will drop you to the low 20s/high teens. If you want better performance you'll have to pay more, which may mean upgrading your CPU as well.

 

[DodgerLD]

And an HD6850?

I think the Asus requires 2x6pin connectors, and my PSU only has one, but I think it comes with a 2xmolex to 6pin cable, would that work?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

And an HD6850?

I think the Asus requires 2x6pin connectors, and my PSU only has one, but I think it comes with a 2xmolex to 6pin cable, would that work?

here http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6870-radeon-hd-6850-barts,2776-14.html

 

[KingFatty]

Have you tried it on your current card? I played 1v1 SC2 using a laptop with a 1.4 GHz Core2Duo and Nvidia Geforce 8600M, and also on a desktop with a motherboard integrated video (HD 4290). Both were playable on the very lowest visual settings.

Maybe you can get a feel for your current playability, and also find out if you are CPU limited. It would be disappointing to buy a nice video card, but never be able to use it to its fullest capability if your CPU is holding it back. SC2 is CPU limited most of the time. But I think Blizzard spent a lot of time to make sure the game ran smoothly on even older hardware.

Another good source: check Youtube videos for screen-capture video plays of people using different cards. There is one showing the performance of an HD 5450, and that card went as low as $5 after rebate on Newegg (I bought one for $20 after rebate, damn got ripped off heh). The HD 5450 comes in versions without a fan, and in overclocked versions with a small/quiet fan.

 

[Silverforce11]

Plays SC2 regularly. vsynced 60 fps ultra in online matches. GPU is not the bottleneck. Its the AI if you play vs CPU that really hogs resources.

My old Q9400 @ 3.6ghz struggled in large AI games, often dropping to 30 fps as armies got big. But online matches 4v4 with large armies fighting, no problems.

 

[DodgerLD]

here http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6870-radeon-hd-6850-barts,2776-14.html

Ya, I've seen that, thanks. According to that, it should be okay, although my budget now has to triple.

 

[DodgerLD]

Have you tried it on your current card? I played 1v1 SC2 using a laptop with a 1.4 GHz Core2Duo and Nvidia Geforce 8600M, and also on a desktop with a motherboard integrated video (HD 4290). Both were playable on the very lowest visual settings.

Yes I have, that's how I knew I needed an upgrade. It recommended medium settings, but I'm not happy with the graphics or the performance.

Maybe you can get a feel for your current playability, and also find out if you are CPU limited. It would be disappointing to buy a nice video card, but never be able to use it to its fullest capability if your CPU is holding it back. SC2 is CPU limited most of the time. But I think Blizzard spent a lot of time to make sure the game ran smoothly on even older hardware.

That's true, and I hope that I won't need a CPU upgrade at this time. Do you know if it's possible to view CPU usage while playing?

Another good source: check Youtube videos for screen-capture video plays of people using different cards. There is one showing the performance of an HD 5450, and that card went as low as $5 after rebate on Newegg (I bought one for $20 after rebate, damn got ripped off heh). The HD 5450 comes in versions without a fan, and in overclocked versions with a small/quiet fan.

Thanks, I did just that last night. I will check out the 5450.

 

[DodgerLD]

GPU is not the bottleneck

It is if you have a really crappy card.

My old Q9400 @ 3.6ghz struggled in large AI games, often dropping to 30 fps as armies got big. But online matches 4v4 with large armies fighting, no problems.

I guess I could OC if I got desperate.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Ya, I've seen that, thanks. According to that, it should be okay, although my budget now has to triple.

I play SC1 and SC2 on my POS comp runnin on a Pentium 4 and it runs fine....there is some lag..but its dealable. lol

i dont have a graphics card. its chuggin on the IGP of a Pentium 4...with 1 gb of ram

 

[DodgerLD]

I play SC1 and SC2 on my POS comp runnin on a Pentium 4 and it runs fine....there is some lag..but its dealable. lol

i dont have a graphics card. its chuggin on the IGP of a Pentium 4...with 1 gb of ram

I want it to run well, not "fine with some lag".

I also want high or ultra quality, which I'm pretty sure you won't have with your IGP.