Sc2 not running smoothly for me, suggestions?

im getting choppy game play when too much stuff is happening.
currently playing on all low settings at 1440x900
my pc specs are
3.2 ghz pentium 4 HT
2 gb ram
ati raedeon 800xl

What do i need to upgrade or change to better gameplay?

 

Your graphics card. Its 6 years old and doesn't meet the minimum requirements.

 

Actually, the CPU's pretty bad, too. The whole system's in need of replacing.

@OP
Try playing at a lower resolution. That will probably help to alleviate the choppiness.

 

If you are going to go as far as upgrading the video card, I'd replace the entire machine. Eventhough the CPU meets the min requirements, a duel-core is recommended (and once you've gamed on a duel-core+, hell, just use Windows on a duel-core+, you'll understand). In the interm, try to update your video drivers. Also, what operating system (and service pack) are you using? Hard drive might be a factor too.

 

Im using Windows Xp Pro on service pack 3. My harddrive is 500 gbs.

Also, if i decide to just upgrade my video card which would be the best for my current pc and maybe my future computer.

Im interested in the GTS 250 but it says something about PCI-E 2.0. Can my current PC support that?

 

Is your current video card PCIe or AGP? If its PCIe it should be fine, but it would be overkill for your CPU. Also, do you know your motherboard make and model? Knowing that will let us (at least me) know what you can upgrade.

 

My current video card is PCIe. How can I check my motherboard's make and model?

 

Hmm, you probably have LGA-775. Upgrading the CPU might be feasible. Do you have a custom-built PC or OEM (Dell, HP, etc)? Try downloading and running CPU-Z.

 

This is what i got under the mainboard tab from CPUZ. I have an OEM HP.

 

On an Asus motherboard, open the machine (if feasible), and look between the video ports. You wil normally see a model number like A7N8X (example) or Pxxx.. and then in little print, you will see a revision number like rev 1.0 or 1.1.

Indeed, you may be able to swap in an LGA775 duel or quad core (with the proper BIOS). Or, the 915 chipset might have you stuck in the P4 universe.

 

Did a bit of a lookup, the model number your looking for will most likely start with a P5xxxx, example: P5GDC-V

Also, do you have built in video or not? Could be either with that chipset.

 

Yea I do have a built in video card.

Im going to try looking for the model number right now.

 

Is there any way i can get the model number? Im having a hard time finding it on the motherboard

 

On a side note, is said built in card disabled (in BIOS or by jumper pin)?

 

I dont tihnk i ever disabled it. I just bought another video card and plug my cable in the new one.

 

Normally on Asus boards, the model number sits between PCI/PCIe slots. Here is an example.

This board have it in the same location your looking for "P5LD2", but it is normally found where that Asus logo is between slots.

 

Let's figure out what motherboard this is first, then we can figure out how to disable the onboard card.

 

I found PTGD1-LA in between the PCI/PCIe slots

 

Well, no non HP BIOS. If you can disable the onboard video, it would have to be done in the bios. I would open device manager and make sure your nVidia card is the only one show under displays (in XP, press the windowslogokey+break or right click on my computer and select properties... and uh.. i forget.. dang it....

2nd Tab, whatever it may be called, then click the device manager button. Hit + next to display adapters and see what is listed (post a screen if you can).

 

Under display adapters I just have Radeon X800 series and Radeon X800 series secondary.