Help me find a cheap computer for SC2

[Torture]

Topic pretty much explains it all.

Looking to potentially buy a cheap computer (probably a desktop so that it's cheaper..) that could run Starcraft on medium-ish graphics. Something in the 500-700 range would be ideal.

Edit: NM...might be talking about building a computer now..

So anyways, if you guys could help me find some more computers to compare that are on a budget that would allow me to continue paying rent I'd appreciate it!

[FanIn80]

Are you comfortable with building your own?

[Cliche]

Should be looking at Q6600 with GTS250 or Radeon 5700 series graphics

[Torture]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Are you comfortable with building your own?

Have I done it before? No Am I comfortable learning? Yes, something I've always considered but never actually tried.

[Vulcan]

I don't know what Starcraft needs to play but the HD 5450 is a pretty wimpy card for game play. It's fine for a home theatre computer though.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I don't know what Starcraft needs to play but the HD 5450 is a pretty wimpy card for game play. It's fine for a home theatre computer though.

sc2's pretty light on low or medium graphics. as long as it's got a real carrd and not integrated garbage it should be fine.

edit: 1gb of on board memory? oh yeah.

[Torture]

Here's a list of Graphics cards I found on Gamespot:
Nvidiafrom best to worst
GeForce GTX 480
GeForce GTX 470
GeForce GTX 465
GeForce GTX 460

GeForce GTX 295
GeForce GTX 285
GeForce GTX 285 for Mac
GeForce GTX 280
GeForce GTX 275
GeForce GTX 260
GeForce GTS 250
GeForce 9800 GX2
GeForce 9800 GTX+
GeForce 9800 GTX
GeForce 9800 GT
GeForce 8800 GT(Blizzard Recommended)

ATI from best to worst
ATI Radeon™ HD 5970 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5870 Eyefinity 6 Edition Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5870 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5850 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5830 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5770 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5750 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5670 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5570 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5550 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5450 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4870 X2 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4890 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4870 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4850 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4830 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4770 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4600 Series
ATI Radeon™ HD 4550 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4300 Series
ATI Radeon™ HD 4200 Series
Radeon HD 3870 X2
Radeon HD 3870(Blizzard Recommended)

For reference my roomie has 2X 1GB 4850s and runs it on Ultra so I assume the 5450 would be decent.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Torture

For reference my roomie has 2X 1GB 4850s and runs it on Ultra so I assume the 5450 would be decent.

When it comes to graphics cards, the second digit in the model number is almost more important than the first. For instance, a 4800 series card would offer a better gaming performance than a 5400 series.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Torture

Here's a list of Graphics cards I found on Gamespot:
Nvidiafrom best to worst
GeForce GTX 480
GeForce GTX 470
GeForce GTX 465
GeForce GTX 460

GeForce GTX 295
GeForce GTX 285
GeForce GTX 285 for Mac
GeForce GTX 280
GeForce GTX 275
GeForce GTX 260
GeForce GTS 250
GeForce 9800 GX2
GeForce 9800 GTX+
GeForce 9800 GTX
GeForce 9800 GT
GeForce 8800 GT(Blizzard Recommended)

ATI from best to worst
ATI Radeon™ HD 5970 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5870 Eyefinity 6 Edition Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5870 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5850 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5830 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5770 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5750 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5670 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5570 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5550 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 5450 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4870 X2 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4890 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4870 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4850 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4830 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4770 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4600 Series
ATI Radeon™ HD 4550 Graphics
ATI Radeon™ HD 4300 Series
ATI Radeon™ HD 4200 Series
Radeon HD 3870 X2
Radeon HD 3870(Blizzard Recommended)

For reference my roomie has 2X 1GB 4850s and runs it on Ultra so I assume the 5450 would be decent.

It looks to me that it's arranged by series. The HD5450 is the worst of the 5xxx series cards. The supposedly worse 4890, as far as game play goes is better than a 5770.

[Flames0910]

I think we're getting a little hung up on the graphics card guys.

I would assume that if it can run SC2 on Low/Medium it's more than fine. Remember, he wants to be able to afford rent and KD.
Then in a couple months upgrade the card to something awesome.

[Torture]

K so the card sucks...I suspect it would run the game though.

Dell seems pretty hung up on the 5450, the options are that or integrated for their cheap models.

If I made one from scratch what could I do on a budget? Or perhaps there's a cheap computer somewhere else on the internet? Or maybe a different computer and buy a separate card?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Flames0910

I think we're getting a little hung up on the graphics card guys.

I would assume that if it can run SC2 on Low/Medium it's more than fine. Remember, he wants to be able to afford rent and KD.
Then in a couple months upgrade the card to something awesome.

yeah, sure that card may be fine, but it's best to know what he's buying.

[Torture]

Here we go....card rankings based on benchmarks.
http://www.overclock.net/graphics-ca...time-last.html

Aaand benchmarks.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...rk,2611-5.html

Doesn't have the 5450 1GB though..only 512MB.

[FanIn80]

Both over your price limit, but they are rough estimates. You can shop around and price match for the parts (or comparable alternate parts).

First one is pretty decent and will be somewhat relevant for a few years with only a couple minor part-swaps along the way (RAM and video card). Second one is cheaper but will solve your immediate needs.

Again, don't worry about the prices. I just use MemEx because it's easy to configure something there. The real fun is in the price matching and shopping around afterward.


Build 1


Build 2


Even if a build-it-yourself isn't cheaper than a prefab unit... It's always better. When you build it, you know exactly which parts are going into it. The prefab makers like to wow people with things like "i5" and "8GB of RAM"... what they don't tell you about is the $30 motherboard they use or the slow-ass RAM that does nothing but create bottlenecks. Or the inefficient power supply, or the hard drive with the small cache... etc etc.

[Torture]

Did some research...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...rk,2611-5.html

The game is clearly CPU bottlenecked at medium details, and there isn't much difference in performance all the way to 1920x1200. At 2560x1600, we do see some slowing down from the low-end cards, but even the Radeon HD 5570 offers playable performance. Remember that an RTS can remain playable at lower frame rates than twitch-prone games like first-person shooters. Nevertheless, even the Radeon HD 5570 delivers more than 30 frames per second (FPS) at 2560x1600.

Now, the 5570 is ranked 66th overall. And the 5450 512MB (1GB isn't on the list) is ranked 109th.

If the 5450 would run the game I'd almost rather upgrade the card at a later date as that's more doable than upgrading the processor.
I mean the only gaming I'm going to do on this computer is Starcraft 2....and Diablo 3 in a few years of course.


Problem with the second build I suppose is that the processor won't be viable long term. The first one would be wicked but it's definitely out of my price range. Like I said I'm definitely on a budget, even getting a new computer in the first place probably isn't the wisest or most responsible thing I've done.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Torture

FanIn80 would there be any way to cut the cost on that second build? Like I said I'm definitely on a budget, even getting a new computer in the first place probably isn't the wisest or most responsible thing I've done.

Absolutely. Just have to shop around for parts. Places like newegg.ca, canadaram.com, etc.

I use shopbot.ca for all that stuff though. It does the price-checking for you. You just have to be ready to pay, since some of the hits are one-day sales.

Edit: Just as an example, searching shopbot.ca for "Asus EAH5750" would save you $30 on the video card alone ($127.93 from bestdirect.ca). Can get the processor for 173.99 for a savings of another $15... etc, etc.

[Torture]

So I was just fooling around on Newegg, not really making anything that I'm planning on buying but just to get an idea of what it would cost to build my own computer.

What exactly am I supposed to be looking for to determine if everything is compatible?
And the list of things you need to buy...am I missing anything?

Case
Powersupply (And how do you know how much you need?)
Fan(s)? (Same question)
DVD Drive
Hard Drive
RAM
Graphics Card
Motherboard
Processor
Windows
Potentially a Sound Card

Am I missing anything? (aside from mouse, display, keyboard)

[Hack&Lube]

In my opinion if you want performance for $ value now (and not future upgradability), your best bet is to buy a used Intel Q6600, 4GB of DD2 Ram, and a Radeon 5770 or GTX 460.

Originally Posted by Torture

So I was just fooling around on Newegg, not really making anything that I'm planning on buying but just to get an idea of what it would cost to build my own computer.

What exactly am I supposed to be looking for to determine if everything is compatible?
And the list of things you need to buy...am I missing anything?

Case
Powersupply (And how do you know how much you need?)
Fan(s)? (Same question)
DVD Drive
Hard Drive
RAM
Graphics Card
Motherboard
Processor
Windows
Potentially a Sound Card

Am I missing anything? (aside from mouse, display, keyboard)

You don't need a DVD Drive or a Sound Card. Most PC games are all digital downloads these days or able to be purchase digitally. Soundcards are built into almost all motherboards. Your powersupply will be determined by the parts you ultimately choose. I would say a 450watt PSU would be good for a slower system. A system with a more powerful videocard would be better off with a 500+W PSU, you shouldn't need more than 600W. The fans you choose will be dependant on what comes with the case that you buy.

[FlamingStuffedTiger]

Originally Posted by Torture

So I was just fooling around on Newegg, not really making anything that I'm planning on buying but just to get an idea of what it would cost to build my own computer.

What exactly am I supposed to be looking for to determine if everything is compatible?
And the list of things you need to buy...am I missing anything?

Case
Powersupply (And how do you know how much you need?)
Fan(s)? (Same question)
DVD Drive
Hard Drive
RAM
Graphics Card
Motherboard
Processor
Windows
Potentially a Sound Card

Am I missing anything? (aside from mouse, display, keyboard)

Compatibility: I think the easiest way of thinking about compatibility is asking yourself what can plug into your motherboard. You simply have to make sure that whatever parts you end up buying, there is somewhere to stick it into on your motherboard. Generally speaking, if you buy a pretty recent motherboard, the main compatibility issue you come across will have to do with the CPU socket.

Fans: Generally speaking, having more cooling is always better, especially if the parts you pick run pretty hot, but it is sort of a cost-benefit thing. The payoff for adding extra fans (or replacing stock fans) is pretty dependent on the case design you end up with so its hard to say...

Power: You just have to count how much power each part would draw under maximum load and make sure that the power supply can give it enough juice if such a situation arises. Most of the time, it should be good enough to just ballpark it, but just be a bit generous with it as it is always better to end up too much power than too little. There are many tools online that can help you with this, like: http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html

Sound Card: Most motherboards will be equipped with an on-board sound card nowadays. Pretty basic, nothing special, but it will usually get you by.

As far as I can tell, you aren't missing anything critical in your list other than some sort of network card. But again, most motherboards will automatically come equipped with one so don't worry too much about it.

[Torture]

Nothing set in stone, basically just fiddling around to see what I could do...but how does this look (aside from being slightly higher than my price range ^^)


640GB 7200RPM Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16822136319
460W PowerSupply: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16817171028
Case: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16811119068
Radeon 4850 512MB (Not decided yet..placeholder): http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814161297
DVD-ROM: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16827135202 (Do I really need one? Not sure but it's only $17....30 with shipping I suppose)
2X Corsair 2GB RAM DDR3 1333: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16820145246
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128437
Intel Core i5-750: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16819115215

Of course I'd need to buy Windows 7 as well and I suppose I would need a network card. Should I buy a case fan or something else well?

Any glaring incompatibilities? Seems like a beast of a computer for $800 to me.