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

Of course we don't know what the final specs are, but no matter what this system will fulfill them.

 

You mean this topic? http://www.starcraft2forum.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3210
It's broken though

 

Perfect. Good find! I couldn't find it. LOL

 

Maybe it'd be easier to find if you didn't throw it into junk

Can I has my pets now?

 

Later. Kurai already made me aware of it. The shop has to be closed. :-\

 

Jon quick question.

About Operating system. What would you propose.

Xp or Vista? ..or 95

Unless an Operating System of SC2 comes out. You boot you're computer and loads straight in SC2, my dream! Then SC2 has applications installed in it called Windows or RedHat, would be nice.

 

Depends on your processor and computer requirements.

Do you have a laptop? Then XP (Vista doesn't have hibernate---WTF?)

Do you have a dual core processor over 3.0 GhZ? Then Vista (Vista utilizes resources more efficiently even though it takes up more system resources than XP).

Do you have more than 1 GB RAM? Then Vista.

Less than 1 GB RAM or a less than awesome video card? Then XP.

Do you have a lot of older software? Then XP (Vista still has some serious compatibility issues with older software).

 

Get XP if you still can. I'm not using Vista on regular basis but whenever I encounter it, it means trouble :/

@Jon, No hibernate? Seriously, WTF?!
I'd say if he has 2GB RAM, still go fo XP, more than that Vista might be better. Doesn't XP have a limit on ram btw? I heard it can only use 3GB, or is it for processor?

 

LOL.... All OSs have a limit on what RAM they can effectively utilize. Unless you're operating a 64 bit system the max you can really use is 2 GB. Which is why I always suggest people get 2 GB of RAM.

 

Don't laugh at meh, imma noob

Vista has that too? That was like, the only reason I saw for getting it.

 

Don't worry about me Jon, I was only asking what kind of OS you would be using with that 700$ setup. I'd still take XP if it was for me. What ever system you got, XP should be the choice since the only good thing about Vista is the Ressource efficiency, which you need when you take x1.5 of XPs ressources

Other good point about Vista, UI overhaul? I still use the 2000 Start Menu with classic settings in XP lol. Efficiency over beauty (OS Wise).

 

With the $700 setup I would use Vista.

 

That's the only thing that came to my mind when you said to use Vista

Everyone most probably saw the comic already, let it be a reminder then =D

http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20070331

 

Here's my local, Asian, small-buisness dealer-thingy... http://f1tech.com.au/

Able to find some of the items listed, like the Motherboard, which's pretty awesome, but, being the I-seriously-know-next-to-nothing-about-computers guy, and the store being the really small we-hardly-let-you-know-what-you're-buying-especially-if-you're-an-I-seriously-know-next-to-nothing-about-computer-guy, I'd like to see what some other people think. Also, with the processors, the only ones they list as having 3.0GHz cost upwards of $1500, which makes it difficult to buy everything for less that about $700.

 

Yeah that site is pretty expensive. Why are the cases all over $100 and are only 350W power supplies?....

I'm sorry I don't know how to get you the newegg items outside the U.S. Maybe there is a company that does that...

I would try eBay.

 

Emm..
How do you know if SC2 will be a demanding game?
As far as I know there are currently no specifications?

 

Okay, I've lurked here occasionally, and when I found myself in the market for a new computer, I remembered this article and started to look at the links. However, some of the combo deals no longer exist and the video card is discontinued. So, I tried to find similar things that would seem (to my uneducated tech sense) to still work together and be the same (or better) quality. If you could provide some feedback, I would greatly appreciate it!

I'll post your original links first, and then my (as of now) choice. Please let me know if there's any glaring errors of non-compatability or something like that

CASE:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147130
(I changed the case because the video card I was interested in had 400W as a minimum, so I went up a bit)

MOTHERBOARD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128337
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128359
(They seem to have very similar specs, and the mobo I chose has a combo with the processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.147900
(I know, only $15 off, but it's something))

PROCESSOR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036
(again, afaik, almost identical)

VIDEO CARD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130319
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130377
(Like I mentioned, the original cideo card is discontinued. Is this one an acceptable replacement? I also don't understand the "Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 26 Amp Amps" part, and was wondering if the case I chose would fulfill this)

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227178
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
(same type, speed, latency, and timing. Mine has a slightly different voltage (does it matter?) and... well, 4gigs instead of 2. It's only like $20 more =P)

The combo cd drive with camera card reader is no longer there (I have a cd/dvd drive ANYWAY), but if you throw in the same HD and cd/dvd drive you recommended, the price is about $630.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, and I appreciate any help I can get. I would like to get this figured out so that my SC2 beta key won't be (someday) useless with my ancient computer.

 

Welcome and thanks for contributing, you're giving me even more options when i get my game PC, argh!

 

I reviewed your items and they're all compatible with each other. Of course you can always modify any suggestions I make, they're merely suggestions.

That looks like a slightly faster and more advanced setup than I had suggested. It's pretty much top of the line.

What did your total come to?

I think you paid a bit too much on the processor but that's just my opinion. You paid an extra $40 for .16 GhZ on a dual core. You could just buy the cheaper processor and overclock it IMO.

 

Thanks for taking a look. I didn't actually buy them yet, but I'm glad they're compatible. I might go with the lower processor if it's not that big of a difference. The main reason I asked for the advice was because the original combo deals and the video card were no longer available.

EDIT:
I ended up buying this combination:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16814130377
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822148261
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811144206
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820231166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813128359
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819115036

I ended up getting a slightly better case, but it had free shipping, which almost made up the extra cost. I got a slightly smaller HD than recommended, since I already have a couple HDs sitting around, and I don't need that much extra space. I also have CD drives, so I didn't buy them.

After a $15 combo discount (processor and mobo), and with free shipping on most items, this came out to right under $650. They also have $25 combined in mail in rebates for a couple items, so that should lower the cost a bit. So... yeah! This combination should work and still be under $700 if you added in the CD drives, and the links are current.

I'll let you guys know when it gets up and running. Thanks for the initial tutorial to get me started on the right path