Best processor for starcraft 2

[Guest]

Which of these is better for starcraft 2: dual core processor 2.8 Ghz or triple core processor 2.13 Ghz.

 

[loneninja]

We need more information, which processors are they? I think the 2.8Ghz dual core would be better as I've heard the game doesn't use more than 2 threads, but if it's a Pentium D than it's just plain garbage the the Phenom X3 will perform better.

 

[Guest]

AMD Athlon II 2.8 Ghz
or
Intel Core i3 2.13 Ghz

 

[gamerk316]

The game uses lost of threads; all games do. Whether they get put on seprate CPU cores...thats a totally different issue. As SC2 doesn't seem to scale well, the 2.8 Duo would probably be faster.

 

[Timop]

The i3 would be a better CPU, but its gonna cost more also, Phenom 555 maybe?

 

[popatim]

The i3 is a dual core, not a triple core by the way...

 

[loneninja]

Yeah, I3 is a dual core processor, don't know who told you it's a triple core. The only triple core processors are AMD's Athlon II X3/Phenom X3/Phenom II X3.

I'm thinking the Athlon II would be faster, but it won't be a big difference as the I3 has a higher IPC, it's really going to come down to what video card their paired with.

 

[IzzyCraft]

Sc2 currently is optimized for 2 physical cores, it will use more then that and get performance gains, but the gains will be smaller.

2 Cores High clock is how i would go. SC2 loves higher clock speeds.

 

[jmetal92]

intel i7 with a topend nvidia card

 

[Timop]

the intel's outperform the AMD CPUs in current benchmark. in fact, the athlons really take a hit

http://www.techspot.com/review/305-starcraft2-performance/page13.html

Well, the 555 and the i3-540 comes really close.

Looks like SC2 like big L3s and bandwidth..

 

[Timop]

yeah at stock they are very close, a disparity comes at OC levels.

Well, K10 performs quite a bit slower than Westmere/Nehalem clock for clock, so its pretty normal, also considering the $20 price difference.

 

[ElMoIsEviL]

StarCraft II loves Intel's Triple Channel Memory interface (on socket 1366). It is also a big fan of Intel's L3 Caching mechanism (which sustains a higher bandwidth throughput than AMDs L3 cache).

Too bad it is only Dual Core enabled of we'd see the Core i7 920 really pulling ahead of the pack there.

 

[Guest]

Well I found out the graphics card for the computers I have been looking at are integrated. Can you tell me what this computer would be like for starcraft 2:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+Pavilion+p6510y+Desktop+%26+20%22+LCD+Monitor+Package/9999133000050014.p?id=pcmprd133000050014&skuId=9999133000050014&childSku=9964106&count=1

Thanks for your help.

 

[loneninja]

Well I found out the graphics card for the computers I have been looking at are integrated. Can you tell me what this computer would be like for starcraft 2:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+Pavilion+p6510y+Desktop+%26+20%22+LCD+Monitor+Package/9999133000050014.p?id=pcmprd133000050014&skuId=9999133000050014&childSku=9964106&count=1

Thanks for your help.

That one in your link is still integrated graphics, and because of the graphics you'd be playing the game on low and a possibility it would still lag. I'm not to sure how it'll run on integrated graphics. Of course you could always add your own graphics card to that computer.

 

[lee3821]

Well I found out the graphics card for the computers I have been looking at are integrated. Can you tell me what this computer would be like for starcraft 2:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+Pavilion+p6510y+Desktop+%26+20%22+LCD+Monitor+Package/9999133000050014.p?id=pcmprd133000050014&skuId=9999133000050014&childSku=9964106&count=1

Thanks for your help.

Oh dear...Integrated graphics will be your downfall if you're attempting to play SCII, even if it's the 4200 Mobility. (I'm posting on my laptop with a GMA X3100, which can run it, but it's not pretty.) I would personally suggest that you build your own computer, but if that's off the table, then you should be able to add a graphics card. I'm a fan of the 4870, which you can still get used on eBay. I'd guess that most would be relatively trustworthy as they are often sold when people get upgrades. However, I'm no expert on the subject. It depends upon preferences as well as budget.

 

[Guest]

Would this graphics card do the trick? It's a Radeon HD 5570.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102874

 

[Guest]

I also found a computer that I think may work better than the other one. What do you think?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavilion+Slimline+Desktop+with+AMD+Phenom%26%23153%3B+II+Quad-Core+Processor/9710748.p?id=1218156154099&skuId=9710748

 

[WR2]

Are you OK buying your whole computer off NewEgg?
CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 2044 Phenom II X4 955(3.2GHz) 4GB DDR3 & GeForce 9800 GT $730

 

[cowgod2007]

Are you OK buying your whole computer off NewEgg?
CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 2044 Phenom II X4 955(3.2GHz) 4GB DDR3 & GeForce 9800 GT $730

This is so much better than that crap PC your getting from Bestbuy.

 

[Tamz_msc]

StarCraft 2 does not utilize more than 2 cores, but it does favor more processing power(higher clock speeds) and more memory bandwidth.
http://www.techspot.com/review/305-starcraft2-performance/page13.html
Old CPUs like the q6600 are weak, so I would suggest a 3 GHz+ dual core at least.