D3/SC2/DOTA Budget Build.

[rex000]

I'm helping a friend build a budget gaming PC. I know he doesn't play anything extremely graphically intensive games. Mostly RTS like SC2, D3, LOL, DOTA, etc.

I'm looking to keep this under $250. I'm thinking:

Intel G540 2.5Ghz Dual-Core Sandy Bridge CPU -$45
H61 MOBO - $45
4GB DDR3 1333Mhz RAM $20
500GB SATA2 HDD - $50
9600GSO 512MB GDDR3 (overclock to 650MHz) - $25
> ODD, PSU, CASE = $50

What kind of framerates can I expect at max settings?
What settings should I be using to get a playable 30FPS? 60FPS?

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

[dudewitbow]

by max settings, i hope you dont mean 1920x1080 resolution or higher

 

[rex000]

Haha right. I'm guessing probably at like 720p at the most.

 

[Guest]

Where will you purchase? MicroCenter or the Egg? Comfortable buying used components? check out eBay for great deals on GFX cards, ram, etc

 

[dudewitbow]

it wont be the best, the 9600 gso is similar to the ddr3 6670 without the extra vram. itll play but not sure if you can max settings unless its a low resolution.

 

[rex000]

Everything will most likely be new as it is for a friend, and I think we would both appreciate the warranty.
Probably going to price-match at NCIX.ca (from Canada)

Do you think something like this can play @ med-high settings at a decent resolution then?

 

[batuchka]

Ow the 9600GSO is a cut down version of the 9600GT which means it's prolly worse than a HD 4670? I would (for starters) suggest turning res/settings down to 1280 x 1024/medium no AA/AF and see if game play is smooth? I have a mate with a HD 4670 and with those settings he is fine with current gaming titles
http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/15484-xfx-geforce-9600-gso-xxx-mid-range-monster-crippled-competitor/?page=8

 

[rex000]

Thansk for the reply.

The 9600GSO is actually a 6670 (DDR3 version) equivalent according to Tomshardware GPU Hierarchy chart [and dudewitbow above].

Regardless, I just sold the 9600GSO for $30, so this is a non-issue for me anymore haha. I guess he'll just have to opt for an APU of some sort.