Just finished getting it stable at 3.6. I managed to tweak the voltage to keep the temperature well under the 72.7 C maximum. Thanks for inspiring me to do this!
While we are on the topic, what would be a good, 'cheap' PC that could run SC2 on Ultra? I'm also looking for it to be pretty fast because I really want to get into the programming & Computer Animation business and would need a more specialized PC than a 2004 piece of crap. :]
I'd get an intel i5 and at least 4 GB of RAM. Go with a motherboard that has USB 3.0 if you can and get a graphics card like the Nvidia 460. Other than that, it's up to you. I think a Dell XPS would be decent as well, not sure though. If you have a bit of cash on you, look into Alienware Aura or IBuyPower, they look decent.
I think a Dell XPS would be decent as well, not sure though. If you have a bit of cash on you, look into Alienware Aura or IBuyPower, they look decent.
No! If he is getting into programming he should be competent enough to build his own computer.
Just finished getting it stable at 3.6. I managed to tweak the voltage to keep the temperature well under the 72.7 C maximum. Thanks for inspiring me to do this!
While we are on the topic, what would be a good, 'cheap' PC that could run SC2 on Ultra? I'm also looking for it to be pretty fast because I really want to get into the programming Computer Animation business and would need a more specialized PC than a 2004 piece of crap. :]
It all depends on the definition of 'cheap', I would start by listing your budget and go from there. If it's too cheap, Ultra on SC2 might not be a great option, since the Ultra mode utilizes a lot more GPU power, and good video cards can be pretty expensive. To give you an idea of my SC2 performance, I run on an hybrid of High/Medium because my video card is fairly old(Radeon HD4870), so I avoid going to Ultra since I don't really enjoy big FPS dips on SC2.
I'm only familiar with ATI these days but your other parts are definitely sufficient. One option to consider is two graphic cards instead of one super card. I'm sure your board supports this (no other use for extra PCI-E slots).
I did a super quick search and based on price alone, I don't think a 460 would be enough. I'm basing that on the fact that a ATI 5830 is roughly equivalent (in price) and I'm running two. I don't think one alone would do it.
That eats up about $500 of your budget. Less if you shop around (eBay etc.). The MB shouldn't cost you more than $100. The PS another $100. That leaves you the case, the disk drive, and the hard drive. All can be done for under $100.
Google is not always your friend. It turns out the 460 is a step up from the 5830. So no, you don't need two $220 cards. It can definitely be done with $260 (two 5830 cards).
but serously, I can't upgrade over a 600W power supply, I can't spend over 200 and I do not think the motherboard supports AMD stuff.
Ahhh, that is some useful information. In that case, you may have to stick to one stronger card because of the 600W limitation. Your motherboard will run AMD cards just fine. All graphic cards these days use PCI-E and that's all there is to it.
Sticker shock! Since the GPU is such an important piece and there are so many variations, I strongly recommend you do some research. It isn't like CPU where you can pretty much find the answer right away (i5). I'd start by compiling a list of cards you can afford, say $150-$225 range. Then, you can google stuff (such as, hd 4870 vs hd 5830) and read up on the benchmarks. A newer generation isn't always better by any means. To make up random numbers, a 4870 would definitely be stronger than a 5350. One trick is to get a higher end card from the second to newest generation.
I read up on it and I'd say go for it. You should be owning SC2 without a problem. It's a great card for the price it is at. You will also have the option of replacing your PS and getting another 560 in the future, when the time comes. That's a better outlook than two 460s.
yeah ok. Only problem is that my parents think that it isn't a good idea right now and that since we already spent money 250 more is a bad idea :( O well, idk what to do about that. I have 120 left in my savings, not including the bank...
@rkmx52: Go
Just finished getting it stable at 3.6. I managed to tweak the voltage to keep the temperature well under the 72.7 C maximum. Thanks for inspiring me to do this!
While we are on the topic, what would be a good, 'cheap' PC that could run SC2 on Ultra? I'm also looking for it to be pretty fast because I really want to get into the programming & Computer Animation business and would need a more specialized PC than a 2004 piece of crap. :]
@StatusQ3: Go
Define cheap.
@StatusQ3: Go
I'd get an intel i5 and at least 4 GB of RAM. Go with a motherboard that has USB 3.0 if you can and get a graphics card like the Nvidia 460. Other than that, it's up to you. I think a Dell XPS would be decent as well, not sure though. If you have a bit of cash on you, look into Alienware Aura or IBuyPower, they look decent.
No! If he is getting into programming he should be competent enough to build his own computer.
@Karawasa: Go
ok fine, just as a back up plan.....
@Reaper872: Go
Well yea, if he can't build it then he has no choice. Unfortunately, I can't help in that regard. Last premade computer I had was 15 years ago.
Congrats bro :D
It all depends on the definition of 'cheap', I would start by listing your budget and go from there. If it's too cheap, Ultra on SC2 might not be a great option, since the Ultra mode utilizes a lot more GPU power, and good video cards can be pretty expensive. To give you an idea of my SC2 performance, I run on an hybrid of High/Medium because my video card is fairly old(Radeon HD4870), so I avoid going to Ultra since I don't really enjoy big FPS dips on SC2.
well can I reach ultra with what I have plus a nvidia 460?
$125 ASUS hybrid mother board with an intel i5 760
@Reaper872: Go
I'm only familiar with ATI these days but your other parts are definitely sufficient. One option to consider is two graphic cards instead of one super card. I'm sure your board supports this (no other use for extra PCI-E slots).
I did a super quick search and based on price alone, I don't think a 460 would be enough. I'm basing that on the fact that a ATI 5830 is roughly equivalent (in price) and I'm running two. I don't think one alone would do it.
$700 - $800?
You can do it. I'll just list the critical components.
RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303
CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067
GPU (x2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150497&cm_re=hd_5830-_-14-150-497-_-Product
That eats up about $500 of your budget. Less if you shop around (eBay etc.). The MB shouldn't cost you more than $100. The PS another $100. That leaves you the case, the disk drive, and the hard drive. All can be done for under $100.
Already spent 700 on the PC now you tell me I need 2 $220 cards?!?!? I may as well buy 2 of these for crying out loud...
http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=pJRCQARzT7QglPKT&templete=2
but serously, I can't upgrade over a 600W power supply, I can't spend over 200 and I do not think the motherboard supports AMD stuff.
@Reaper872: Go
Google is not always your friend. It turns out the 460 is a step up from the 5830. So no, you don't need two $220 cards. It can definitely be done with $260 (two 5830 cards).
Ahhh, that is some useful information. In that case, you may have to stick to one stronger card because of the 600W limitation. Your motherboard will run AMD cards just fine. All graphic cards these days use PCI-E and that's all there is to it.
@Karawasa: Go
I just found this bad boy :) What do you think?
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-geforce-gtx-560ti-us.html
AND ASUS HAS IT!!! YES 500W recomended.. Thats good as well. I got 600W.
@Reaper872: Go
Sticker shock! Since the GPU is such an important piece and there are so many variations, I strongly recommend you do some research. It isn't like CPU where you can pretty much find the answer right away (i5). I'd start by compiling a list of cards you can afford, say $150-$225 range. Then, you can google stuff (such as, hd 4870 vs hd 5830) and read up on the benchmarks. A newer generation isn't always better by any means. To make up random numbers, a 4870 would definitely be stronger than a 5350. One trick is to get a higher end card from the second to newest generation.
What is the price of the 560 that you're looking at? Note that a couple articles put the performance gain of 560 at 30% over a 460.
@Karawasa: Go
it's $254 from asus. A bit overkill, but it looks like it would make my Pc OP :)
I read up on it and I'd say go for it. You should be owning SC2 without a problem. It's a great card for the price it is at. You will also have the option of replacing your PS and getting another 560 in the future, when the time comes. That's a better outlook than two 460s.
@Karawasa: Go
yeah ok. Only problem is that my parents think that it isn't a good idea right now and that since we already spent money 250 more is a bad idea :( O well, idk what to do about that. I have 120 left in my savings, not including the bank...
This is the one I would get though.