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

Newegg has plenty of pre-built tower systems.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2032280010+4021&name=$500+-+$750&Page=2

 

I was confused on what operating system to purchase. I wanted the Windows 7 Home 64 bit version. I was planning to build the above computer.

So do I purchase this (1):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7-_-32-116-754-_-Product

or this (2):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716&cm_re=windows_7_home_premium_full-_-32-116-716-_-Product

I ask because the difference is price is quite a large gap.

 

You should buy the second, Windows 7 Ultimate because you're allowed to re-install multiple times. With an OEM license you're only allowed one installation.

 

Hey i have a old Dell XPS 2Gen. Is it possible to scrap some parts off of it, like the case, so i could save some more money...

I really want to get a computer that could play starcraft 2 on high settings without spending too much.

 

You could put it in a milk crate, great air circulation lol.

 

Hey Guys was skimmin' through newegg.com and found this deal, I was just wondering why it's so cheap. I'm guessing all the parts are ****ty, but can't you just add a decent video card to this and play sc2 on ultra? There weren't any reviews on it, and the brands all seem meh. But I'm not computer savvy so just wondering why it is that cheap.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.406250

 

It's just cheap because it has a really cheapo processor and motherboard. No comment other than buy at your own risk.

P.S. - Rosewill is the cheapo brand of cases. I had one and it had all kinds of heating problems, ditched it for an Antec.

 

Ya I wasnt intending on buying the first thing listed was a 30$ case and I know from reading your posts that that is a definate no no hehe.

 

my personal favourite case is the antec 300. great build quailty, great airflow, built-in dust filter for the front fans, very accessible drive bays and very cheap considering the quality of the build.

the only problem is it's a smaller case, and while it'll fit a standard ATX motherboard, the high-end, extra-large video cards might have trouble squeezing in there.

 

+1. It's a pleasure working with this case. For a budget gaming build, this case is a no-brainer.

 

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018

Is this a decent powersupply, to run with a gts250 and I5-750?
If figured for 89.99 and free shipping it was a good price. Just need a knowledgable persons opinion on the product.

HOller back.

 

Sure. You can even do SLI/CrossFire with that PSU (just don't use Fermi GPUs).

 

hmm ok good to know....this is the build I came up with, does anyone see any flaws in terms of performance ( over heating etc).

Case: Antec Three Hundred
HD: Western Digital 640GB 7200RPM
Power supply: OCZ Modstream 700W
GPU: PNY GTS 250 256-bit, 1gb memory
RAM: 2x2gb ripjaw
Motherboard: ASUS-P7H55-M Pro LGA 1156 Intel Micro ATX
Processor: Intel I5-750 2.66ghz
DVD: Already have one.

Does anyone see any issues I might run into with this build? Feedback would be much appreciated I want to buy this asap before they start charging shipping on all of it. (newegg.ca is rough for shipping)

 

Techreport just released their summer buying guide
http://techreport.com/articles.x/19159

 

Might be a stupid question but I have no clue when it comes to computers, but when building a computer (like the one in the original post), would it be possible to put a Mac Operating System on it and still play Starcraft II successfully? Just wondering, since I only have a Mac OS and no Windows CD, plus I'm getting the mac version of SC2 so it would just be easier.

 

not easily. drivers for OSX are limited, and apple doesn't support OSX on any system other than macs. you'll also need an EFI emulator like this one: http://efixna.com/Home.html

lastly... you probably wouldn't want to anyways. games in general run better on windows (which uses directx) than on macs (OpenGL). just look at the starcraft system requirements- mac's minimum system requirements are higher than on PCs.

 

Hi guys. I'm looking to build a PC to play SC2, D3 and WoW on maxed out settings at 1920x1080 resolution. I might be shooting for the moon here with the below setup, but hopefully not. I'm not on a specific budget, but I don't want to waste money on power that I don't need. In other words, I want the most bang for my buck. Here is a build I threw together on newegg today. Please let me know if there are any compatibility issues with the parts listed. One thing I did notice was that the Corsair ram says DDR3 1600, but the mobo doesn't list that value. Also, the mobo says MicroATX and the case says ATX. Please let me know if there is a compatibility issue here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289 DVD/CD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073 HDD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133266 Graphics Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260 RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128405 Mobo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215 CPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432087 Case/PSU Combo

 

JonEagle...any recommendations for a heat sink with the Motherboard on page 1 with AMD X2 CPU

 

@ Joshy,

The processor that goes with the MOBO comes with a heatsink. Just an FYI for everyone I plan on updating this build again soon.

 

Ok, my first post. I've been reading this for awhile, just put my money down on SC2 today but it seems alittle backwards b/c my current comp barely runs it on everything maxed out LOW. It's an HP, but the specs are
3400+ AMD Athalon 64
512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
200 GB 7200 Ultra DMA HD
NVidia GE FX5200XT AGP

So my question is, I've been looking at building a new one myself, but whats holding this system back? Do you think there is any way to upgrade the current stuff before buying a whole new slew of parts? Possibly throwing in a new GPU or something like that? Just curious, thanks for all the info already!