Switching from Mac to PC for gaming.

Here is a pretty decent mid range gaming machine. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 970DE3/U3S3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.78 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($104.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Blackbone ATX Mid Tower Case ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $471.69
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-28 14:38 EST-0500)

Thanks a lot! I might post to this thread in next few days, gonna get working on buying these parts.

No issues

funny thing about macs, they are pcs.

you can install windows on your mac.

Nice build. I might have chosen a flashier case, but otherwise, the build looks solid.

Cases are one of the items that varies from person to person because of personal preference. On a budget build like this, I just included a budget case that is good quality. If the OP wants, he can go and pick any case he wants.

It's only fitting to generate an Intel based counterpart to this build. This build has an I3-3220, which is a dual core processor. The thing is, SC2 only utilizes two cores, in which the i3-3220 will outperform the 3 core (3x2 Bulldozer Modules) of the FX-6300.

As well, the PSU is of higher quality, and is also Modular. More of a personal preference, but it makes things much neater when you only use the cables you need.

The Case has USB3.0 ports on the front, which is another plus if you have any USB3.0 devices. The FX-6300 build lacks these, but again only a problem if you have a USB3.0 device.

The GPU is the exact same as the AMD build, because the HD 7770 is a sweet-spot card.

Between the two, the FX-6300 is a great build, but you specifically enjoy SC2 where the Intel build pulls infront.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($121.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ECS B75H2-M3(1.0) Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($114.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax Super Hurricane (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: CoolMax 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $473.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-28 16:44 EST-0500)

6300- 44 fps
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/699

3220- 26 fps
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/printpage/A10-5800K-vs-C...

Sorry, you have to scroll to find starcraft 2 on both pages and I couldn't find a page that included both in the comparison. The 6300 beats the 3220 in just about every category, which makes it a very good card.

I can't believe you are seriously comparing the CPU benchmark of the 6300 paired with a 680, versus the i3-3220 using INTEGRATED GRAPHICS.

This must be the most ignorant post I have EVER read on this forum. Like, you can NOT be serious with what you just posted.

Comparing a FX-6300 CPU benchmark with an HD 2500 graphics benchmark. My god.

Okay, so I've been working a computer build so I can finally play HotS! I've linked a pc part picker build. Let me know if you think the PSU or any other parts should be swapped. Was thinking this was a little expensive for me, but I could probably pay this as my maximum. My brother is giving me a Raptor HDD so that's why I'm going with a decent SSD. I want to invest in a good PSU and Motherboard so I won't have to upgrade for a good amount of time. OS, Mouse and Keyboard are also being covered.
Thanks guys!
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/KeWm

You said that you want to invest in a good motherboard so you don't have to upgrade for a long time. Unfortunately Intel is making their new line of processors use a different socket type. That means that Ivy-bridge series is as good as the z77 boards can support. However, AMD will use the AM3+ socket for their next-gen processors. For this reason I included the 6300. I also made some small tweaks to try to get you some better components.

If you are dead set on Intel, stick with the Extreme 4. Just realize that you can't overclock the 2120. Also, I would upgrade to the 3220 instead.

Anyway, here is the build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($135.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill REDBONE U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $703.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-17 11:35 EDT-0400)