New PC gamer, can i run diablo 3???

[dellvis27]

I am new to PC gaming, just switching from my ps3 to PC for diablo 3, and was wondering if I can run it with the following

Quad Core Intel Q8200

2.33ghz, 4gb ram
GeForce GT 430 video card

I think I am most worried about the video card, if you guys could let me know if i can play Diablo with this setup I would be most grateful, Thanks in advance!!

[ShyguyXPC]

you should be able to run it at lower settings easily enough with that, the CPU is a bit lower end (Clock speed) and video card is lower end, but it should run at lower settings.

But specs wise you exceed the minimum requirements needed to run it, so you should be fine.

[dellvis27]

Thanks for quick response! Is there a cheap video card alternative? Cheaper the better!.i just preordered a few xbox games, so funds are tight. Thanks again!

[ShyguyXPC]

"Cheap" the GT 430 is about best you can get for really cheap (Price of an Xbox Game) a Radeon HD 6570 would be tad better, but not by much and closer in price to $60-75.

It also depends on the Power Supply you have in there, the GT 430 is low enough in power not to put too much of a strain on the PSU's that come with prebuilt PC's, assuming this is a prebuilt.

otherwise not too many other good choices for cards out there right now for cheap.

GT 430, GT 440 (same thing as the 430, just has faster clock speeds, and has a GDDR5 memory version), Radeon HD 6570, and 6670.

these are all under $100 right now.

you could probably get something even better performing refurbished or open box, but then you'd need to find if your PSU can even handle the cards with out being overloaded and possibly frying the whole system.

[ShyguyXPC]

something like this would be noticeably faster, but it needs a good quality PSU with enough amps on the +12V Rail to run.

NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB DDR3 PCI Express (PCIe) Dual DVI NVIDIA 288-3N103-XXXXX GeForce GTS 250

similar performance, with about half as much video memory: ATI Radeon HD 4770 512MB GDDR5 PCI Express (PCIe) Dual DVI ATI HD 4770 Radeon HD 4770

[Dilacaverra]

You shouldnt have problem in running low setting. But in order to enjoy the "true" Diablo 3, I would upgrade the CPU to i3 and GPU to HD6870 for high setting

[dellvis27]

I believe its only 300 watt power supply. Do you think id need an upgrade? And if so what would be a sufficient wattage? Thanks again

[Jeordiewhite]

I really think you guys are overestimating the game's fixed camera view graphics. I know someone with a lesser processor who is running it at highest graphics. Sure his video card is a bit better, but I would try the game first before upgrading and see if its worth it to you. If you do other gaming on your pc, then sure, go ahead and upgrade.

[ShyguyXPC]

I agree with Jeordie, I'd see if it runs fine on your current hardware, like I mentioned initially it should run fine on lower setting at least, it could run decently at moderate, its hard to say, really depends on resolution your running as well.


the 2 cards I listed were listed because they are faster than the GT 430, but also cheap.

300W Power supply doesn't say much, with out knowing the exact Brand and Model, and Amp Rating for the +12V Power rail.

But if I were to take a guess, it most likely would need to be upgraded as well, to run one of those 2 cards I listed, or other similar range/power consumption cards.

[JohnCrichton1812]

I'm not knowledgeable about pc gaming really at all. I am interesting in D3, tho, would I be able to run it on my system:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/19/2012, 20:11:23
Machine name: YOUR-B27FB1C401
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.120411-1615)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: EG194AA-ABA A1250N
BIOS: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 2580MB used, 1356MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8400 GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E4&SUBSYS_0A5E19F1&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 960 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200


Thanks.

[dellvis27]

hey guys, thanks again been very helpful. unfortuantely for me, the guy that was selling me that computer with those specs backed out! but i am on my way to pick this machine up, and wondering how hard i can push the video card in terms of low medium high settings for of course D3, just want to make sure i dont fry anything, like i said extremely new to PC gaming lol once again thanks you guys are solid!!! here are the specs

-Quad Core i5 650 at 3.2GHz
-6GB RAM
-1TB Harddrive & 500GB Harddrive
-ATI Radeon HD 4500 series graphics, 1GB
-Windows 7 Home Premium Genuine

i know the power supply is 500 watts, not sure of brand name just yet tho

[ShyguyXPC]

I'm not knowledgeable about pc gaming really at all. I am interesting in D3, tho, would I be able to run it on my system:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/19/2012, 20:11:23
Machine name: YOUR-B27FB1C401
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.120411-1615)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: EG194AA-ABA A1250N
BIOS: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 2580MB used, 1356MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8400 GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E4&SUBSYS_0A5E19F1&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 960 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200


Thanks.

really wish people would stop jacking someone elses recent threads for this stuff...

Your specs are really low end, the CPU is ok, not great, but its lower spectrum for the game and technically doesn't meet the games minimum requirements, though it might still run the game but it will run very slow.

The Video card is really low end as well, it might run the game, but it will run at very low settings, especially with only 2GB of RAM.

Diablo III System Requirements - Battle.net Support

hey guys, thanks again been very helpful. unfortuantely for me, the guy that was selling me that computer with those specs backed out! but i am on my way to pick this machine up, and wondering how hard i can push the video card in terms of low medium high settings for of course D3, just want to make sure i dont fry anything, like i said extremely new to PC gaming lol once again thanks you guys are solid!!! here are the specs

-Quad Core i5 650 at 3.2GHz
-6GB RAM
-1TB Harddrive & 500GB Harddrive
-ATI Radeon HD 4500 series graphics, 1GB
-Windows 7 Home Premium Genuine

i know the power supply is 500 watts, not sure of brand name just yet tho

This system is pretty decent, its much higher in clock speed, though a Dual Core, its much high clock speeds and would probably run as well, if not better than on the Q8200 Quad above.

though the Radeon 4500 series Graphics cards are probably a tad lower than the GT 430, so might run a bit lower settings as far as graphics go.


Hopefully its Windows 7 64-bit so it can use all that RAM.

The PSU info would be critical if to know if you wanted to upgrade the video card.

I'd also see how the game runs with the 4500 in it, but I can almost guarantee you'd want to run something a bit better graphics wise, as the 4500's aren't even really gaming cards, their budget mainstream cards for basic use and light gaming.

[dellvis27]

I just walked in and set er up, it is running windows 7 64 bit. So would you try it on high settings first then go lower if its all choppy? I will upgrade in a couple weeks for sure but just for the meantime, cant wait to play diablo real soon

[SoloCamo]

I just walked in and set er up, it is running windows 7 64 bit. So would you try it on high settings first then go lower if its all choppy? I will upgrade in a couple weeks for sure but just for the meantime, cant wait to play diablo real soon

Download "Fraps" (fraps.com) it will give you an ingame look at the fps you are getting and is quite helpful when trying to find the right mix of performance and visuals.

[ShyguyXPC]

I'd just run on default settings for now, if your doing more than 40fps with defaults, then I would tweak it a bit and see how far you can turn it up, before having a hit in fps. If you can maintain a consistent 30-40fps you should be fine, but if its starts dipping down to 25 or even 20fps too often, might have to lower settings a bit and see if it balances out.

[dellvis27]

It looks like my power supply is Acer 500w peak, 450 max. I had no clue what to do with in game settings. I tried going texture quality low, shadow off and phyiscs low. And when i started chunks.of the ground were not showing up, is there something else im missing? Im hooked up hmdi to my 42" plasma lg

[JohnCrichton1812]

really wish people would stop jacking someone elses recent threads for this stuff...

Your specs are really low end, the CPU is ok, not great, but its lower spectrum for the game and technically doesn't meet the games minimum requirements, though it might still run the game but it will run very slow.

The Video card is really low end as well, it might run the game, but it will run at very low settings, especially with only 2GB of RAM.

Diablo III System Requirements - Battle.net Support

Thanks for the reply. (And I thought tagging on to this thread would be better than making what would probably be the upteenth thread on the topic ).

[ShyguyXPC]

apologies, I was still a bit touchy and in bad mood from work when I replied, 15 years and I have to put up with an Assistant manager that still doesn't know what he's doing 90% of the time, sad thing is this guy has been working for the company for nearly 25-30 years, and held a full time manager or supervisor position in 2 depts for nearly 3/4's of that time.

add to that the bumbling twit of an "Evening" supervisor that I have to work with, that never works his evening shifts he was hired for, doesn't know what he's doing, other than sucking up to management and is always finding reasons to sneak away from the dept and/or bail out early everyday from work.

[ShyguyXPC]

It looks like my power supply is Acer 500w peak, 450 max. I had no clue what to do with in game settings. I tried going texture quality low, shadow off and phyiscs low. And when i started chunks.of the ground were not showing up, is there something else im missing? Im hooked up hmdi to my 42" plasma lg

Yeah, you'll probably want to replace that PSU, I'm not really sure what brand Acer uses for their PSU's, if its a crap name or decent name (rebadged as Acer), but on safe side I'd replace it.

what were the Amp ratings for the +12V Rail on the PSU?


As to tweaking the game, usually the best options to cut to improve performance is Anti Aliasing, Shadows, and HDR or High Dynamic Lighting effects.

sometimes, particles or Specular effects also help performance when reduced.

if there is any sort of motion blur or Post Processing Effects settings, drop those, their usually performance hits as well. Depth of View, Depth Of Field, settings also can cause performance hits if they are disabled, usually those blur the back ground renderings to help reduce hits in performance, as stuff isn't rendered in detail, but also to mimic the foggy distant background effect.


I'm not entirely sure of what settings D3 has for graphics, but most of that should help in what to lower or raise.

for Texture details I'd leave it at stock or lower it some.

Same with Object detail if there is any.

[dellvis27]

OK I am going to try those tweaks shortly! I believe the +12v says 18.0A if I'm reading the right thing, under DC output?