Could You Make This P.C. Run Diablo 3?..please <3

[chaosGeek]

Budget Range: $100 roughly
System Usage from Most to Least Important:Gaming & Web Browsing
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: www.Newegg.ca
Country:Canada
Parts Preferences:none


Hey! So I have a older computer and I was wondering if it was possible to make it so it could at least run Diablo 3. Nothing High Resolution but enough so I can play with no lag or glitches hopefully.

I know I need a new PSU and I'm guessing a Graphics Cards as well.

If there is nothing you could suggest for my specific situation because of my budget, I would still very much appreciate it if you could then tell me what 'is' the cheapest fix to my situation

Thank you so much!

This is my P.C. spec's :

Operating System: Windows 7 32bit

Processor : Intel Pentium E2200

MOBO : ACER MCP73VE NVIDIA MCP73
(Here's a Link to what it looks like) http://www.ascendtech.us/acer-mb-sak09-007-desktop-pc-motherboard_i_mbacersak090078.aspx
( so my MOBO can only hold up to 4gb of DDR2 RAM - Is it worth it getting that 1gb more? )

RAM: DDR2 3072MBytes Single ...so that's 3gb

Hard Drive : Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAJS
(This is a link to what it should look like) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136178

PSU : 250watts

This computer is a little outdated so I'm a little confused as to what i should be looking for and what will be compatible with it.

I don't want to have to buy a new CPU cause if i go that route I might as well buy a new MOBO and then just build a new P.C. which is too much money right now

Very appreciative to anyone who could find a solution!



Extra Links:

Diablo 3 System Requirements / Supported Cards : http://us.battle.net/support/en/article/diablo-iii-system-requirements

/// http://diablo.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?809792-Diablo-3-Supported-Video-Cards

 

[chaosGeek]

Could someone help me figure out what Graphics card would work on my P.C. ?

-Would this one work for my windows 7 32bit? http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187143

-along side with this PSU? http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182202

Another question is would I notice a difference? someone told me that buying a video card under $100 is useless because you wont see a difference..but.. what the heck then lol

I appreciate your time and effort!

 

[rblenden]

I didnt see where you linked a graphics card in your original post so not sure what to compare too.

From what I'm reading, your current set up is pretty close to meeting the requirements of D3. Thats not to say it would run flawlessly, but it should be able to run on lowered graphic settings.

 

[chaosGeek]

I didnt see where you linked a graphics card in your original post so not sure what to compare too.

From what I'm reading, your current set up is pretty close to meeting the requirements of D3. Thats not to say it would run flawlessly, but it should be able to run on lowered graphic settings.

Oh, sorry! its because I dont have one, my MOBO has an integrated ( nVIDIA MCP73VE chipset )

 

[smorizio]

you need a 400w ps and a low end video card from nvidia (210) to try and run any newer game now.

 

[proskillr]

Alright these are low quality parts, but with your budget:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102992 Graphics

extremely cheap psu, once again with your budget: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170014

 

[rblenden]

You can either go with :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.960989
430w psu and N210 combo deal for 89.00 with a 30.00 mail in rebate.

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161386
HIS H667FS1G Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card 59.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182022
Rosewill Stallion Series RD450-2-DB 450W ATX V2.2 Power Supply
34.99

I would step up for the 6670, but both should work.

 

[chaosGeek]

Should I go with a Nvidia card because of my MOBO having the ( nVIDIA MCP73VE chipset ) in it? Should this be taken into consideration at all?

If i go with a Nvidia will these cards work with my MOBO?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133356

or

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187143

Are newer video cards compatible with older MOBO's?

My MOBO says it can only hold DDR2 RAM but the video card has DDR3 capabilities, will this be an issue at all?

Is there a big difference between 64bit and 128bit? (worth the money?)

Also

What about this PSU? : http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182202


Sorry for the 21 questions, I really don't want to buy the parts to find out something wont be compatible

Thank you again for helping and your advise thus far!

 

[rblenden]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-2.html

The 6670 is going to be the best sub 100.00 video card you can pick up.

The integrated nvidia chip on your mobo won't matter when you put a new card in the machine. The new video card will install in the pci slot and the on board graphics will not be used anymore.

The only things you need to make sure the psu has are:

Adequate power
Power connections for your mobo
Power connections for drives
Power connections for your video card

The answer to all of the above is "yes"

The rosewill green series should do fine.

I don't see any issues. If you end up going with the 6670(which you should), make sure beforhand that you have enough room to mount it. The card needs right at 7 inches of clearance from rear panel to the front to install.

 

[tsnor]

Or skip the PSU swap and drop in an HD7750. 7750 only draws 50W and will not need a new power supply.

HD7750 also kicks HD6670 in Diablo 3: http://www.techspot.com/review/532-diablo-3-performance/page2.html while drawing less power.

HD7750 is about $110 with a free grame: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102969

 

[tsnor]

Aside: Power Verification. Google parts with "TDP" to get PEAK power usage.

Intel Pentium E2200 TDP = 65W
Chipset, MB etc total = 25W
Disk drives, opticals etc = 10W
HD7750 = 50W

Well under the 200W or so of 12v that your 250W PSU outputs.

Stick with 3GB memory, your 32-bit OS can't see more than 3.4GB, so more is a waste.

Good Luck. Also grab a $40 gaming mouse!

 

[jmsellars1]

Personally I'd get a cheaper card like the HD 6570 and get a better PSU. The HD 6670 is enough for ultra high settings @ 1080P on Diablo 3 so I'm sure the HD 6570 could handle high settings. Means you get a quality PSU for good stability and saves on future upgrades.

Even better, there's a HD 6670 here that is even cheaper than the HD 6570.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161386

And a good PSU which brings you $5 over but has a good rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

 

[tsnor]

WHY get a new PSU?

The OEM PSU is solid (to avoid warranty costs) and provides plenty of juice. The PC advertises an x16 PCIe slot. That reserves 75W by standards or they can't call it an X16 PCIe slot. Both the 6670 and 7750 can run with the standard power supply (7750=50W, 6670= 66W). Saving $40-45 on the PSU and spending it on the graphics makes sense.

A 6670 uses more power than 7750, but delivers somewhat worse framerate. The benefit of 6670 over 7750 is saving $40. (Aside the price posted above for the 6670, $77 shipped, is a good one. HD7750 will cost $110 shipped.)

The performance difference between 6670 and 7750 is not small. They are both in this set of benchmarks. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gt-640-review,3214-7.html

Aside: If you do get a PSU, make sure it's a good one with good reviews, there are no standards for rating PSU. The one link above in JMSELLARS post is good. So is this one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045 There are MANY bad one. http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/410/ e.g. Coolmax CUL-750B 750 W = "Coolmax CUL-750B 750 W burned while we tried to pull 500 W from it at high temperatures. It burned exactly on the same point our first sample burned. The components that burned were one of the switching transistors and one of the +12 V rectifiers. Therefore, this unit shouldn’t be labeled as a 750 W unit, but as 475 W instead. Note that this unit has no protections to prevent it from burning. On next page we will show you the video from this power supply burning when delivering 500 W." http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Coolmax-CUL-750B-750-W-Power-Supply-Review/977/7

 

[jmsellars1]

He doesn't even need the HD 7750 for Diablo 3, the HD 6670 is fine for ultra high settings @ 1080P. The OEM PSU has enough wattage but I just wouldn't trust a used 250W OEM PSU to be honest. Just personal opinion.

 

[rblenden]

We can argue semantics all day. The bottom line is the Op has a 100.00 budget. He's got an old PC with a small stock PSU that has some miles on it. Does he need a supply in the 400w range? Not really, but for the price point why not have a little extra security. The 6670 will easily get him what he wants in the performance area. If you can fit the gpu and a new PSU in the budget then why not? If it were mine I would feel more confident about it.

 

[tsnor]

OP:

"Should I go with a Nvidia card because of my MOBO having the ( nVIDIA MCP73VE chipset ) in it? Should this be taken into consideration at all?" Nope, video cards are very compatible.

"If i go with a Nvidia will these cards work with my MOBO?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6814133356" YES, BUT i'ts really a home theater card. It will be better than integrated, but not in class of 6670 or 7750. Google some benchmarks.

"http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6814187143" YES, BUT again it's a very weak gaming card

Here is a hierarchy of cards. Note where 6670 and 7750 are. Note where GT530 and
GT430 live. (edit lol forgot to post link: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html )

"Are newer video cards compatible with older MOBO's?" YES, pretty much every PCIe x16 slot will hold any card as long at it fits in the case. (Good question, there are several levels of PCIe in play right now, it's not obvious that all work well together... but they do)

"My MOBO says it can only hold DDR2 RAM but the video card has DDR3 capabilities, will this be an issue at all?" No. The video card has private memory on the card. Aside the memory on the card is GDDR3 not DDR3. GDDR5 would be better, but all you should care about is the absolute performance of the card as seen by benchmarks are your screen resolution.

"Is there a big difference between 64bit and 128bit? (worth the money?)" YES and there is a bit difference between 128bit and 256 bit. GDDR5 vs. GDDR3 mitigate the number of bits in the bus. Ultimately you don't care 64 vs. 128 vs. 256 vs. ... you just care about benchmark results.

GL. As said about I'd get the HD7750. The HD6670 is also a good card. I would not get a PSU unless you wanted the fun of installing one before doing a build of your own.

 

[chaosGeek]

Best answer selected by ChaosGeek.