TUTORIAL: Buying a Computer for StarCraft 2 for under $650

I was referring to the motherboard chipset. Older LGA-775 processors don't have the memory controller on the CPU. It's usually located on the northbridge chipset which is, in turn, connected to the CPU via the front side bus. By contrast, RAM connects directly to the CPU on Intel's Nehalem/Westmere architectures making RAM access much faster.

AMD processors, I believe, have had the memory controller on the CPU for a long time now. It just so happens they included both DDR2 and DDR3 controllers on their processors.

 

Yeah I knew that AMD CPUs worked with both DDR3 and DDR2. That's why I was confused when the MOBOs turned out not to be compatible with both. Doesn't make any sense IMO. But then again half of this stuff doesn't, right?

So it just varies by processor, manufacturer, and model, eh? Very nice. Keep it simple I suppose.

 

ok so I want to build a computer for sc2 as well haha because my laptop CAN run it on the lowest settings...but who wants that? Anyways I had a few questions which i did read this thread but either missed the answers or they werent in here.
So the i5 750 is pretty much the best processor for the price?
Is 4gb ddr3 memory sufficient for awhile or is 6gb recommended?
For the graphics card how good is the gts 250 1gb 256 bit card? Is it better to go with say the gtx 460 but with 512 mb instead or 1gb and lower bits? little confused and that part. I just want the best video card for the price and looking for around 130-200$ ..
Also what about a sound card do you guys just use the one on the motherboard?

 

4GB is enough. Besides, Lynnfield only supports dual-channel anyway so that extra 2GB stick might even force you to run in single channel mode. GTX 460 768MB is better than GTS 250 1GB but seriously, I'd rather spring an extra $20~30 for a GTX 460 1GB.

 

so 4gb dual channel is better than 6gb single channel? Couldnt you get 2-3gb sticks if they have that?

hmm you're right that would make more sense... I guess i'm not sure if I want to spend that much though. How much better is the gtx460 over the gts 250? Can you tell much of a difference on SC2?

 

Powers of two so no 3GB sticks. 4GB dual channel is theoretically faster, but the performance penalty for going single channel likely isn't going to be all that noticeable for regular tasks. It might make more of a difference for gaming, albeit I'm not sure how much of an effect it will have on SC2. Not saying there's no need for more than 4GB. I've got 8GB installed on a Win 2k8 server (works as a virtualization server among other things). Would've maxed it out at 16GB except 4GB modules cost an arm and a leg. It's really up to you to determine how much you require.

I'd say yes, particularly if you enable AA. I couldn't stand watching the cut scenes without AA so I dropped down from ultra to high just to maintain framerates. Here's one of the few reviews I've seen that tested both the GTS 250 and GTX 460.

If I had to choose between 6GB RAM (instead of 4GB) and GTX 460 1GB (instead of GTS 250 1GB), I'd definitely go with the GPU upgrade.

 

@rui-no-onna

That was exactly the info I have been serching for:yes:

after looking at those charts I think im going to go with the lower mid range http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434Thank you for all the info! I got my mobo in the mail today, I am so pumped!

 

No idea why you're going for the GTX 260 when a GTX 460 costs around the same.

 

Joneagle, Just wanted to say thanks. I built the exact computer you spec. And true to your word, It runs at ULTRA settings. If anything I think it would be wise to buy a pci slot fan to suck air away from the GPU. Mine gets really hot and sometimes freezes. Anyone else have that problem? Maybe it's not even the GPU.

 

@rui-no-onna

Oh, I couldnt find one for under 300. I will look again. The one I picked out was 200.

 

Plenty of choices under $300.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=100

I recommend getting the 1GB version. The difference between the 768MB and 1GB version isn't just the amount of memory. The 1GB version also has higher bandwidth (256-bit instead of 192-bit) and more ROPs (32 instead of 24) both of which make for an overall faster card.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A3IOLVR47AS679

can someone please respond and let me know if this video card will be sufficient because the one on the first page is not available anymore? I'm not a computer buff so I need some insight.

EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800GTX 512MB DDR3 PCI-E 2.0 Graphics Card

bad link, copy and paste the above description in amazon and you will see the video card I purchased.

 

Yeah sure. I'm running a very similar GPU on my PC (GTS 250 which is basically a mildly oc'ed, die-shrinked, rebadged version of the same card). Without AA, it does ultra on 1680x1050.

 

thank you. I was hoping it was a good one. if i were to post everything i bought could you or someone please tell me if I invested in a good product once I complete it?

 

EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800GTX 512MB DDR3 PCI-E 2.0 Graphics Card

Corsair CMPSU-750TX 750-Watt TX Series 80 Plus Certified Power Supply compatible with Intel Core i7 and Core i5

Cooler Master RC-922M-KKN1-GP HAF 922M ATX Mid Tower Case (Black)

Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5C 4GB XMS2 PC2-6400 800Mhz 240-pin Dual Channel DDR2 Desktop Memory

Samsung 22X DVD/RW SATA Drive SH-S223C/BEBE (Black)

Cooler Master R4-LUS-07AR-GP MegaFlow 200mm LED Case Fan (Red)

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKB 500GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop Processor - C3 Revision HDZ555WFGMBOX

this is what I have ordered to build my computer. if there are any suggestions please let me know, I want to make sure i invest in a good computer.

 

@rui-no-onna

Thanks again, after looking at all those cards I think im getting this one now.lol
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130570

If im going for that good a card should I also go with 4 gigs ram or do you think that 2 would be fine?

The only reason I wanted a better vid card is I want this monitor
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6440570&Sku=S203-2201

Thanks for all the help. After I get all my parts im going to take pics of the instal and post em up.

 

@lostcause44

The biggest mismatch I see in your config is the hdd - blue series are mostly suitable for storage due to their slower speed. I'd go black. Or should I say SSD? Better not. ;-)

Also the cpu is arguably a "Best buy" choice - most games may not take advantage of more than 4 cores these days, but they damn profit from more than two cores. So I'd sacrifice the extra cache you've got on that Phenom and get a tri- or quad-core Athlon X3 or X4 instead. Phenom X2s are sweet if you're lucky to get one with a Deneb core ( a real quad-core Phenom 2 X4 with two cores disabled) and even luckier to have both disabled cores unlocked without hickups (=no errors). But forget having an unlocked Phenom without an aftermarket cooler (Spaceheater, easy to overheat and prone to stability issues if not properly cooled).

@Joneagle

Time to ditch the I5 750 and swap it for I5 760 - all the good stuff is still there, but with a higher multiplier ( 2.8 GHz instead of 2.66 GHz) at the same price - what's there not to love about this "free" upgrade.

 

Actually, unless you're referring to Scorpio, Blue drives are 7200RPM. I think they just have lower cache compared to Black, not to mention most newer Caviar Black drives have higher platter densities (basically because they're newer). Haven't really seen Western Digital release new drives under the Caviar Blue line. All their new desktop drives are either Green or Black.

As far as I'm aware, all Phenom II X2 processors are quad-core with two cores disabled. Some have their cores disabled to meet market demands. Others, because the chip's actually unstable with all cores active. I'd actually take a chance on the Phenom II X2 on this. It's got a bigger cache, higher stock clocks compared to Athlon II X3's and a high likelihood of being able to unlock to 4 cores. If primarily for SC2, the extra cores would be useless anyway.

Technically not free. There's usually a $15 price difference retail ($9 1Ku), although I reckon Intel's just phasing out the i5-750 while introducing new, higher price points.

 

Is this a better hard drive than the one sagested in the build?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

Its also about 30$ less

 

Gah! I just noticed the recommended hard drive on the first post is IDE. Yeah, the one you linked to is definitely better. It's been years since I last bought an IDE drive. There really isn't a reason to go with IDE for a new build unless you fancy doing cable-gami. The Caviar Black 500GB is probably faster. Up to you whether it's worth an extra $15.

Lol, I'm waiting for Intel to release their new SSD's. Right now, I'm absolutely hating the load times on SC2. Hopefully, they'd drop down the prices of the 160GB drives around the $200 mark.