Budget Starcraft II Build for a Friend

[-sizzle-]

Approximate Purchase Date: This week


Budget Range: >$450 after rebates/tax/shipping (The lower the better)


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (Starcraft II)


Parts Not Required: Only need the computer


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com


Country of Origin: California, United States


Parts Preferences: whatever is more cost-efficient and reliable


Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: No


Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080



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This is what I had in mind, if there are things I should change or redo, please make suggestions.

 

[duk3]

Looks like a good build.
I'd get this hard drive for the extra capacity and speed:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395&cm_re=7200.12-_-22-148-395-_-Product
Also, you are making some sacrifices on the quality brand names, nothing really wrong with Zotac, Adata, and Biostar, they aren't on my list of top brands however.
For some alternatives, I'd look at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277&cm_re=4gb_ddr3_ripjaws-_-20-231-277-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.547176
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.547178
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130562
Cooler Master PSUs are generally not so great, you'll probably be fine, but I would switch to this higher quality Antec:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016&cm_re=antec_550w-_-17-371-016-_-Product

If this was my build, I'd switch on the graphics card and memory for sure as those are just $5 each more for EVGA and G.SKILL, and I would probably switch out the power supply. I might switch on the motherboard, that is a pretty good deal though and $10-20 might not be worth it.

 

[-sizzle-]

I decided to change the hard drive to the one you suggested, but his budget is really tight so I changed the GTX 460 to a HD 5770 and kept the same motherboard, ram, and psu. He needs to be able to transport his computer sometimes so I changed the case to the coolermaster storm scout. The grand total came out to $426.

Thanks for your help.

 

[deadlockedworld]

Starcraft II is generally a processor-constrained game because of the many units--and is relatively light on graphics because framerates aren't that important for RTS.

Your graphics shift wont be a problem. My ATI 5770 is not challenged by SCII in the slightest -- however my E8400 occasionally stutters when many many units stack up in a game. Ideally he will be able to swap out the RANA for something better in a year or two.

In conclusion: I like what you came up with -- but if you suddenly decide you have more money spend it on the processor-- not the graphics.

 

[batuchka]

CM makes some good PSUs but i wouldn't hit an Extreme series line hehe

 

[duk3]

Yeah, I agree, it's a lot easier to spend $10-20 more on a good PSU than to worry about possibly having to get a new computer because your $20 power supply died and took the system with it.