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

thx jone =) ive thought about it and decided ima go ahead and build one of my own. u guys and a few other ppl convinced me =p.

but one other thing, id like to go with another case (just for the looks) and its actually a pretty big case. i know the case is OBVIOUSLY a important thing to have because thats where all the components go but i want to know if the case im thinking about getting to build my comp with is good to hold all the suggested pieces u made in ur post. i want to know if its to big or to small or w/e to fit it all in.

the case is called Tagan el diablo. heres a pic of the case


a few ppl say its ugly but imo it looks pretty sweet =p. the price ranges from 100-110 $ from a few sites ive seen selling it. alot more expensive then the case u reccomend but i think i have a few extra bucks to spare (especially since i was planning on buying a 900$ off the shelf desktop anyway lol...). anyway u think its a good choice? like is it to big or something or will have problems fitting in the components u reccomended in ur guide or something?

o and another thing. i notice a few ppl seem to put 3 graphics/video cards in there comp. i thought you only need 1? whats the purpose/benefit of having 3 of them at once in a comp? and what are your thoughts on water cooling?

sorry for all the questions =p it will be my first build i dont want to mess anything up or buy unnecessary things

 

Ballistixz: Building a desktop PC is actually easier than appliance repair.

To break through and just get started. assemble a list of parts in this order for how much you want to spend.
Make a new thread for it.

Operating System: (I really suggest XP 32 bit or waiting for windows 7 64 Bit)
Motherboard:
Video Card:
Power supply:
Processor:
RAM:
Harddrives:
Optical Drives:
Mouse:
Keyboard:
LCD Screen:
Speakers:
Computer Case:

Anything you don't know how to find or anything that is not compatible with another part, we will correct you on and point you in the right direction.

As for guides, just use google, or ask in the Build thread.

Please trust us when we say that you will love building it yourself..

Building a desktop PC is alot ALOT easier than most people think, all it is is connecting wires and pushing things into slots..

You can contact me via msn, ICQ or AIM for questions, just PM me for the addresses.

A computer case is completely your choice, so long as its ATX standard, Mid or full tower and does not come with a power supply.

People with more than 1 video normally have 24' or larger monitors, just for additional frames per second, and bragging rights and normally if they have alot of money.

1 Video card is normally enough, especially if you get one of the top 5..

 

Can you please make a computer build from newegg.ca? I be very gratefull.

 

I could If I knew your budget, but part of the fun is learning about the parts and all the standards.

 

For friends from Canadia! I have to say Newegg for Canada kind of sucks. A lot fewer deals and it's REALLY tough to find free shipping. I did my best. I think you'd be getting a better value by purchasing from the US and shipping it up there...

Updated 5/17/10

Case ($99.99 + $9.99 shipping):
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

Memory ($111.49 + $9.82 shipping):
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Power Supply ($109.99 w/ rebate + $13.84 shipping):
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171037

Video Card ($139.99 Free Shipping):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133266

HardDrive ($69.99 + $9.82 shipping):
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320

DVD/CD Burner ($24.49 + $9.82 shipping):
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

Motherboard ($199.99 + $13.19 shipping):
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128415

Processor($188.00 + $9.82 shipping):
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Cripes, the shipping is what kills you on these orders. I also had to upgrade the motherboard and processor because I couldn't find compatible components. Weird. But the total comes to:

$1020.23

You could probably save some money on the processor, motherboard, case, and RAM by downgrading them. You'll have to talk to me individually about that though because these specs are the best buy for the money...

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Better PSU same price.

 

*shrug* It's only 650W...

But yes, that one is an option.

 

Hi guys ,

was just lurking in the forums but decidedd to sign up . Anyways here is my setup i bought about 4 months ago to play sc2 on.

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128358

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037

EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130339

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI 700W ATX12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341002

A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1B16K - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211188

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148395

LITE-ON Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA 22X DVD Burner - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106287


Btw the graphics card is actually a Gtx+ ..... if you browse the reviews on newegg you will see that evga had upgraded it to a gtx+ .

I was torn in the beginning between the E 8500 processor and the E 8400 but after reading up i went for the E 8400 for his amazing overclocking ability.

 

Ocz is good but corsair is better, meh is right, since its not my money or my computer, but I just like to point out PSU differences since I compiled this guide.

http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/f76/read-first-updated-power-supply-guide-137927/



Rigby:

Probably highest setting, depending on monitor resolution..

 

Thx Ste , btw this was my first pc i built myself . I followed starcraft.incgamers report from kalos and then just made a few tweaks what i thought i could upgrade better . So far i'm very happy with this setup . Was a mission for me to get the parts to Namibia . But lucky my wifes nice stays in New York and she was visiting us so i ordered the parts to be delivered to her doorstep and then she brought them with. If i hade to buy these pc parts here in Namibia i would have payed triple the price. Was hoping sc2 was out by now , i fi had known that sc2 will be out only next year i would have waited to built the pc . intel i5 processor coming out soon and also the newer graphic card swill be cheaper by then . Btw i'm running vista 64 bit .

 

Don't quote more than you post.

The video card is from the U.S. site and the CPU/Motherboard combo isn't available anymore. I switched the.com to .ca and found the same card so that works. Thanks.

 

Okay, I updated the Canada links. Unfortunately their site changes the bundles every 4 hours it seems because I just found that bundle last night. But the specs are there just find a similar one. Or talk to me because I can just build these out for you guys.

 

Perhaps you could make a list of what parts you should at least have, and one with reccommended parts? I really don't feel like ordering American parts, since European power kinda kills them.

Thanks for the update, though. Most dedicated site admin ever. Seriously.

 

too lazy and scared of course retail is scary too
gonna go get a comp for sumthin like 1250 (includes monitor) 0.0
bestbuy ftw

 

Might have an option where if you are willing to pay shipping I'll put these PCs together for you guys and customize the build for you as well. For "donation" to the site in return of course haha.

I could also put some software on it before shipping it out to you.

Any takers? I'm putting together an "order" form.

 

im interested a little, but what are you charging?

 

probably $100 plus shipping. Of course anything anyone wants to donate OVER that would go to a good cause

 

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thx ste, ima make a list of all the parts ima buy/use for my first build and post it in a new thread and let u guys see how it is. ima also post up a list of games that i play on a normal basis for u guys to see if all the parts i have for it can handle those games (including SC2 of course =p)

btw, it seems that combo deal with the mother board and processor expired ><.

 

Well personally before I get a computer im going to wate till its close to the date SC2 is acutely going to come out or if i need one before hand but I doubt that will happen.

By that time prices should fall a good amount as I see no reason to rush things.

 

yes, same. in fact, i just might wait until next year august fer a bit more money