SC2 & New Comp - GEForce 7050 ok?

I'm about to buy this comp, will it play smoothly with sc2?

eMachines ET1831-07 Budget Desktop PC
# Intel Pentium E5400 Dual Core Desktop Processor
# 4GB PC2-6400 DDR2 Memory
# 750GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
# NVIDIA GeForce 7050 Integrated Graphics (good enough??)

Mostly concerned with the graphics card.

 

No. The Graphics are no where near up-to-snuff (min spec is GeForce 6600, but the 7050 is much slower). Glad you asked here about it before buying. Everything else is prob okay.

 

Nope. Not at all. You'd barely be able to get through the tutorials even on low everything at 1024x768 res. Believe me, I've tried. However, since most pre-built desktops come with crap graphics anyway, it might be worth buying that PC and then just adding a $100 discrete GPU to boost performance. With those specs, I'd pay at most $200~250 for it.

 

I once bought an emachine because it had a "8mb 3D Graphics chip" so I could play Diablo 2. (yeah, I didn't know CRAP about 3D cards when they were knew, I missed a whole generation of FPS's because of StarCraft 1!) Yeah, that ATI Rage Pro did a hell of a job.. NOT. lol Couldn't even upgrade the machine with an AGP card at the time, had to get another crappy 8MB Riva PCI nvidia RIVA... yeah that didn't work so hot either.

 

does the rest of the pc sound good though? I'll just buy a new card for ~$100

 

Make damn sure the machine has a PCIe 16x slot. Got the exact model number? I can't try and look it up for you. Also, what are they charging you for this?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883114084

eMachines ET1831-07 Pentium E5400(2.70GHz) 4GB DDR2 750GB NVIDIA GeForce 7050 Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

$415 total. Am I better off just upgrading the graphics card, or buying a new set? Thanks for the help btw.

 

This review of the machine states that it does come with a PCIe 16x slot. Its a pretty new model from emachine, and apparently does a good job outperforming similar models in its class that are more expensive.

With the proper video card selection, this might just be a knock out budget deal. The going price for this machine is $399, so the price you would be paying is in line with the average going price.

 

Depends if you're handy enough with computers that you're able to build one and if you need a Windows license. If going pre-built, you're going to need to buy a graphics card either way. All things considered, that PC isn't bad, however, you can do better CPU-wise for an extra $100.

By the way, you can get the same PC from Buy.com for $390 free shipping.

 

I noticed but the shipping takes 11-14 days... I need my sc2 now!! = )
Rui-no-onna, what CPUs would you recommend for some extra money?

TheXev, I also found these PCs...what do you think of them?

1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229194
This Radeon HD 5450 Graphics card ranks 229. PC Cost=$540

2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229193
This Radeon HD 5670 graphics card ranks 34. PC Cost=$635


Would you recommend one of these systems, or should I install a better graphics card into the eMachine? (I have no experience constructing PCs though = (

 

I can't really comment on the machines brand, and honestly... i have no clue if its a good price or not (although newegg is usually reasonable). Someone else here probably has a better idea then I do on current hardware prices.

 

Go for the HD 5670.

 

My final decision is to buy one of these two PCs...but really in need of some help, as I'm pretty newb to computers.

1) $635 (includes shipping) Cyberpower PC Gamer Ultra 2053 Athlon II X4 630(2.8GHz) 4GB DDR3 500GB ATI Radeon HD 5670 Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229193

2) $730 (After mail in rebate + shipping) Mega Special II Custom PC
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Mega_Special_II



[In case you can't open links, I'll list the basic specs here as well]

1) General Specs

Processor AMD Athlon II X4 630(2.8GHz)
Processor Main Features 64 bit Quad-Core Processor
Cache Per Processor 4 x 512KB L2 Cache
Memory 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333
Hard Drive 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 7200RPM HDD
Graphics ATI Radeon HD 5670 512MB PCI Express Video Card
Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps
Power Supply 600W
Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Athlon II X4

2)
CPU: AMD Athlon™II X2 250 Dual-Core CPU w/ HyperTransport Technology [+6]
Memory: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair Dominator)
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 1GB 16X PCI Express [-19] (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
Power Supply Upgrade: 600 Watts
Hard Drive: 640GB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Hard Drive)

Internal USB Extension Module: NZXT Internal USB 6-PORT Expansion Module [+19]
Cooling Fan: Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling
Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA)
Data Hard Drive: None
Hard Drive Cooling Fan: None
Sound: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
Power Protection: None
IEEE1394 Card IEEE 1394 CARD AND DRIVER [+19]
USB Port: Ultra ULT31808 External 7-Port Buddy USB Hub [+30]
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium [+104] (64-bit Edition)
Service: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT

 

My personal opinion is the top most machine. I like having more cores for multimedia, but that is how I use a machine (not you). The way you have the lower machine configured it has water cooling, but if your going to get water cooling I'd go the extra mile and get all of my RAM/mobo/videocard all installed with water cooling blocks, which would drive up the price quiet a bit.

I don't really like either videocard. It just seems like you could do so much better in both machines.

 

We have a whole tutorial on how to buy and build a custom PC for like $600:

http://www.starcraft2forum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6052

I wouldn't suggest either of the builds above unless you are COMPLETELY clueless about PCs. Neither of those processors/video cards are worth what you're spending. The ATI 5470 is the card I have in my LAPTOP and the GT 240 is a 2 year old model and they're charging you $700 for this?

Give me a break. Build your own and your sytem would be twice as fast for a little less cost.

Good luck!

 

@TheXev
The Asetek on the Athlon II X2 is one of those self-contained water cooling units kinda like the Corsair Hydro H50. Doesn't really cool as well as an actual water cooling unit.

HD 5670 is slightly better than the GT 240. Specs-wise, the Athlon II X4 build is better but you're really gimping on the video card. Since you were willing to wait until 8/12, I'd suggest the following. It's dual-core but should work faster than either of the Athlon builds for StarCraft II, plus Hyper Threading actually helps in some multi-threaded apps.

CyberPower H55 Configurator $791.00

Code:

    Configuration

        * CPU: Intel® Core™ i3-530 2.93 GHz 4M Intel Smart Cache LGA1156
        * HDD: 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Hard Drive)
        * MEMORY: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair Dominator)
        * MOTHERBOARD: Asus P7H55 Intel H55 Express Chipset DDR3 LGA1156 ATX w/ 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB2.0, SATA-II, 1 Gen2 PCIe, 3 PCIe X1 & 3 PCI
        * SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
        * VIDEO: * NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB 16X PCI Express [+77] (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)

        * *BASE_PRICE: [+509]
        * BUNDLE: None
        * BLUETOOTH: None
        * CD: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
        * CD2: None
        * CAS: NZXT M59 Gaming Mid-Tower Case with See-Thru Window
        * CASUPGRADE: None
        * CS_FAN: Default case fans
        * CPU: Intel® Core™ i3-530 2.93 GHz 4M Intel Smart Cache LGA1156
        * FAN: Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA)
        * FREEBIE_MB: Power of 3 Rig Game Coupon - Street Fighter IV, Resident Evil, or Dark Void (with purchase of any Asus Motherboard)
        * FREEBIE_VC: None
        * FA_HDD: None
        * FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)
        * FLOPPY: None
        * GLASSES: None
        * HDD: 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Hard Drive)
        * HDD2: None
        * IEEE_CARD: None
        * KEYBOARD: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
        * MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
        * MONITOR: None
        * MONITOR2: None
        * MONITOR3: None
        * MULTIVIEW: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
        * MB_ADDON: None
        * MEMORY: 4GB (2GBx2) DDR3/1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (Corsair Dominator)
        * MOTHERBOARD: Asus P7H55 Intel H55 Express Chipset DDR3 LGA1156 ATX w/ 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, USB2.0, SATA-II, 1 Gen2 PCIe, 3 PCIe X1 & 3 PCI
        * MODEM: None
        * NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
        * OS: Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium [+104] (64-bit Edition)
        * OVERCLOCK: No Overclocking
        * POWERSUPPLY: * 650 Watts - Corsair CMPSU-650TX - Quad SLI Ready [+101]
        * PRINTER: None
        * PRINTER_CABLE: None
        * RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
        * SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
        * SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
        * SPEAKERS: None
        * TEMP: None
        * TVRC: None
        * USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
        * USBHD: None
        * USBFLASH: None
        * USBX: None
        * VIDEO: * NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB 16X PCI Express [+77] (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
        * VIDEO2: None
        * VIDEO3: None
        * VC_PHYSX: None
        * WNC: None
        * _PRICE: (+791)

Personally, I'd actually bump up to a Core i5-750/760.

 

Yeahhhhh, I like that one better.

 

After hours of research heres what I came up with:

If I decide to buy a prebuilt comp I'll get the: iBuyPower Gamer Power 538 - $580
-Athlon II X2 240 (2.8ghz)
-4gb ddr3 1333 ram
-geforce gt240 1gb
-500gb sata II
-comes with Windows 7 + keyboard + mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227261

Or if I build my own:
-athlon II x4 635
-crucial 4gb (4 x 1gb) ddr3-1333 [will upgrade to 4gb]
-radeon hd 5670
-WD 640GB
-[I'd have to purchase windows 7 separately, plus perhaps upgrade my monitor to make use of the better graphics card]

http://techreport.com/articles.x/19159/2

Total=~$600 + 150 (for W7)=$750 (not including new monitor)

I also am a newb with computers and never built one before, which also has me leaning towards the first option. What do you all think? I know the majority of you will still tell me to build my own, so what do you see is wrong with the first option?

Thanks, much love

 

The only thing wrong with it is that you're paying $600 for sub-par specs.

 

Jon, I took a look at your build but I noticed that the prices rose about an extra $100. Plus I'd have to pay an additional $150 for W7, which is why I don't think it's worth it for me = /