Starcraft 2 budget PC ($400-500 AR)

[caffeinetobe]

Hi everyone-

I am looking to build a new desktop system from scratch that can handle starcraft 2 at 'high' settings without any lag. I will also be using this desktop for daily use so I don't want a power-hungry PSU. I've been searching the internet for weeks without much luck in building something within my budget. Any help/advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Details below:

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next couple of weeks- maybe sooner if the build is right

Budget Range: $400-$500 After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies

Parts Not Required: I am building from scratch, so I need all the minimum parts

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country of Origin: USA (California)

Parts Preferences: As long as they aren't the cheapest manufactured parts in terms of build quality, I have no preferences

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050 (18-20")

Additional Comments: I would like a quiet PC. I will also need to buy the OS (windows 7) and still be within this budget (hopefully)

 

[bdbeall]

Case:$40 HEC Blitz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121096

Mobo:$40 Biostar AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138293

Processor and PSU:$112 w/$10 dollar rebate
AMD Athlon II X3 2.9GHz and 600W Corsair PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.612780

Video Card: $135 w/ $25 rebate XFX Radeon HD5770 Juniper XT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150447

Ram:$50 G.SKILL RipJaw 4 GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Hard Drive:$41 WD Caviar Blue 320GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098

DVD Drive:$23 Lite-on
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

OS:$100 Windows 7 Home Premium
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754


All said and done with shipping, $550
after rebates about $515


Also you can get ram for about 10 dollars cheaper than that, but i dont like it... its here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

 

[caffeinetobe]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've fiddled with the build and came up with this:

RAM: 4GB: $40.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231310&cm_re=ddr3_1333_4gb-_-20-231-310-_-Product

LITE-ON Drive: $22.99 (requires SATA connector?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Windows 7 64bit: $99.99 (will 64 bit work with a duo core?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Acer 20” LED backlit LCD: $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009256

Gigabyte Motherboard: $49.99 (Is this better build quality than the biostar?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128469

PNY GTS 450: $119.99 - after rebate will be 99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133343

Case:$39.99 HEC Blitz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121096

Power Supply (One SATA connector): $18.99 (would this fit for this build because it only has 1 SATA connector and no PCI Express connector, but the gfx comes with power adapter, so it might be ok?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170010

HD (500GB): $39.99 + $1.99 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

AMD Phenom II: $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103846


In total = $634. after rebate = $614.89

Any other mods that would decrease the price without compromising the performance (trying to drop it down to $500ish)? Also- would this build even work? I'm not a guru and would need help to make sure that the build works and won't fry itself. I know this may be a challenge.. but additional advice would be very helpful.

Thanks!

 

[biggoomer]

After rebate Galaxy has a gtx 460 that comes in at about $125. That would be a pretty decent step up from the 450.

 

[dirtmountain]

For any reason do not get a crappy Logisys power supply.
This Corsair for $20 after rebate is a better choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017

770mobo/5670 graphic card combo $115 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.608389

If you are a student or know one that has a valid student ID/e-mail address you can get Windows7 64bit (fine for any CPU) much cheaper.

 

[bdbeall]

I Agree with dirtmountain on the psu, but i still disagree with both of you on Video Card. The 5770 is the best $100 video card you will get. I recommend it especially since you are doing an AMD build. Also i would recommend the triple core athlon II x3 proc over a dual core Phenom. see below

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-overclocking-processor-recommendation,2866-2.html

Other than that most of your build looked pretty good. Here is one that bring the price to sub $600 so your getting there.

Case:$40 Hec Blitz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121096

MOBO:$40 Biostar
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138293

DVD Drive: $23 LITE-ON
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106334

HDD:$40 WD 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

PSU: $40 with $20 rebate Corsair 430 Watt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017

RAM: $42 Ripjaw 4GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231310

CPU: $80 Athlon II x3 3.2GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886

Video Card: $130 with $30 dollar rebate. HIS HD 5770 JuniperXT edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161338

Monitor: $110Acer 20in
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009256

OS: $65 Win7 Pro 64-bit

total : $610 with shipping $560 with rebates

I am a student so Private message me if you want windows 7, i wil give you the link through email. Also i have some promo codes for dollars off some of the products above if you want.