Computer for Starcraft 2

heiso

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Mar 1, 2011
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Hi, I need help on building a computer for Starcraft 2. I would like to play SC2 on at least high settings running smoothly. I'm hoping to build the computer around May of this year. When it comes to computer, I know nothing and I mean nothing. I don't follow all these hardware news such as when nvidia comes out with a new card or whatnot.

Can anyone give me a list of "common sense" when buying parts for a computer? I have a friend and his computer is around $700 but I would like to get a second opinion. Again, I know nothing about computers so I don't know for example, nvidia vs amd and I especially don't know the price/value of the motherboard, graphics card, memory sticks or whatever.

If anyone else plays starcraft, can they give me a list of their recommended computer parts? My budget would be under $1000. I don't need the latest and greatest but just enough to play SC2.

Thanks.
 
Solution
Hello heiso;

What parts did your friend get? We'll beat his performance for you if you want.
What is your monitor resolution?

Here is an idea what a May build could look like.
Core i5-2300 Sandy Bridge 2.8GHz (3.1GHz Turbo Boost) Quad-Core CPU $185
ASUS P8H67-M LX LGA 1155 Intel H67 SATA 6Gb/s Intel Motherboard est $110
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 2 DDR3 1600 RAM $65
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB HDD $40
Asus 24x DVD burner $19
EVGA GTX 460 1GB Video Card $160
SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W Power Supply $70
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 Mid Tower Computer Case $60

~$709 before any rebates, taxes and shipping. Add a copy of Windows 7 64bit for $100

This is just a rough outline...
Hello heiso;

What parts did your friend get? We'll beat his performance for you if you want.
What is your monitor resolution?

Here is an idea what a May build could look like.
Core i5-2300 Sandy Bridge 2.8GHz (3.1GHz Turbo Boost) Quad-Core CPU $185
ASUS P8H67-M LX LGA 1155 Intel H67 SATA 6Gb/s Intel Motherboard est $110
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 2 DDR3 1600 RAM $65
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB HDD $40
Asus 24x DVD burner $19
EVGA GTX 460 1GB Video Card $160
SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W Power Supply $70
COOLER MASTER HAF 912 Mid Tower Computer Case $60

~$709 before any rebates, taxes and shipping. Add a copy of Windows 7 64bit for $100

This is just a rough outline to let you know what you can get for around $800.
We should be able to do a bit better with rebates and sales, etc, when it's time to order.





 
Solution
For more builds check out my website in me siggy. I have all kinds of builds up and also I have lots of advice you may want to read.

955 (140$)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808&cm_re=955_amd-_-19-103-808-_-Product
Asrock Extreme3 870 (90$)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157198&cm_re=extreme3_870-_-13-157-198-_-Product
Ripjaw 8gb DDR3 1333 + HIS 5770 (200$) 170$ AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.604439
Seagate 7200.12 500gb (40$) 388
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395&cm_re=seagate_500gb-_-22-148-395-_-Product
Case of your choice
Antec Earthwatt Green 650w 80+ Brnze (65$)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044&cm_re=650w_earthwatts-_-17-371-044-_-Product

505$ AR W/o case. So that'll give you 40-50$ to spend on the case. A solid CPU and solid expansion with Crossfire etc. etc.

I recommend this case: 40$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147144&Tpk=rosewill%20destroyer
 
I would like to play SC2 on at least high settings running smoothly.Can anyone give me a list of "common sense" when buying parts for a computer?

Hmm if u are talking practical and if u just building a one trick pony : even SC2 Ultra no AA is a rather tame beast so if u merely want to play on high

Rana X3
HD 5770/GTS 450
4GB DDR3
380-500W 80+
Mobo depends on if u want USB/SATA 3.0
case
yada yada

good to go
 

EnderYeah

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Feb 27, 2010
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Just a heads up, I have a Rana X3 with the 4th core unlocked and still get some frame rate issues playing SC2. Its a fairly CPU intensive game, so the OP might want something more powerful. But i defer to you guys. I think WR2's build at the top is pretty sick.
 

heiso

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Mar 1, 2011
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I haven't bought any parts yet, no monitor, no mouse or keyboard. From the link in your second post, it says I should get a monitor with 1920x1200 resolution? I should probably do more research on computers. I have used macs my entire life because my mom is a graphics designer.

I'm just concerned about:
a) I don't know how the different parts interact with each other.
b) The computer isn't good enough for me to play sc2 and I consider $1000 to be a huge investment since I am an university student.
 

Nakkiel

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Mar 14, 2011
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It is, but honestly I think anything over 3.0 GHz would be great for it, it was still "playable" on maxed graphics on my old 2.6 GHz.

Your frame rate issues more likely have to do with the GPU.