Starcraft 2, Video Cards, and Beer Money

[Guest]

I've been out of the loop for a while so forgive me (last cpu I bought basically had a neuro-net processor). I'm trying to decide between two computers for playing SC2 and hopefully you can help. Would the cheaper one be just as good, maybe add a GTX460 later?:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229194

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229196

Also, I'm planning on getting this monitor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236093

For me, drinking beer while playing Starcraft is just about as important as the video card/computer so I'm trying to save some money. Thanks!

 

[xaero1ne]

sc2 is a very cpu heavy game so i would have to go with the i5 proc on this one.
the video card would be acceptable in playing sc2 for now,

 

[Guest]

SC2 tends to like fast dual core intel CPUs and Nvidia graphic cards. i would go with this
$600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227284
$100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261062&Tpk=GTS250

$40 back in rebates + selling the ATI 5450 = good amount of Beer

Thanks! Would it be a poor allocation of resources to put this card in the computer you selected? I'd like to run on ultra settings: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130568

 

[loneninja]

Wow, a 5570 is nearly matches a 5870 in medium detail settings. lol

 

[Guest]

I think I'll get the computer you suggested and try out the stock graphics card.

Perhaps if I upgrade to a better graphics card it would be a good idea to get a new power supply like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817325002&cm_re=600w_power_supply-_-17-325-002-_-Product

 

[MisterWill]

What about dual versus quad core? Which would work better for SC2?

 

[Herr_Koos]

What about dual versus quad core? Which would work better for SC2?

Testing has shown that SC2 does not take advantage of more than two cores. Having said that, I'd never spend money on a dual-core CPU just for the sake of playing one game. Four cores will benefit the system as a whole.

 

[NeuronetMan]

don't get that, its complete junk. this PSU can run that PC and the GTX 460

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008&Tpk=corsair%20400w

this one offers more connections and still has a reasonable price
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030&Tpk=antec%20520w

Alright, here is an interesting one. I went with the computer you suggested and the monitor I originally chose, no extra video card or anything yet. When I go into SC2 the screen is all stretched horizontally no matter what resolution I chose, unless I go into the settings and change it to "Windows Mode [Fullscreen]." Of course, it says that "Windows mode may cause a drop in performance" and I read a forum where a guy had the same problem but there seemed to be no solution.

Since I'm planning on running the game super smooth do you think a different non-wide-screen monitor is the solution? The monitor itself is 22 3/8" x 13 3/8" which seems to be pretty wide. I'd hate to buy a better video card, have to run SC2 on the windowed mode which drops the performance, and thus negate the card upgrade. Thoughts?

(Thanks for all your help ct1615!)

 

[NeuronetMan]

I feel like a real dumbass now. On the follow settings it looks to be working fine:

1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1980

And on this it looks alright but there are black bars on the top and bottom:
1360x768