Post your Rig [Will it run SC2? - Page 88

On February 17 2010 09:41 FragKrag wrote:
+ Show Spoiler [i3 build] +

It's the base build. It comes out to approximately $750.

That $50 can upgrade the graphics card to the 5770, or you can choose to upgrade the i3 processor to the i5 of your choice. I'm not 100% sold on the reliability of the OCZ RAM, but if you don't trust it, there is GSkill DDR3 RAM for $13 more.

In my opinion, he should upgrade the RAM and the 5750 for the best performance, but that's his decision.

GSkill Ripjaws 4GB DDR3 $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Edit: Some justifications:

The CD drive I skimped because CD media is dead for the most part. Just need one that functions imo. The Antec 200 is a nice solid case, budget version of the Antec 300. I really hate mATX motherboards, but the MSI motherboard seemed to have some good reviews, and MSI is a decent company when it comes to motherboards. The Coolermaster is just a cheap 500W PSU with decent reviews. The 640GB hdd supposedly outperforms most other hard drives on the market. If the Samsung F3 500GB Spinpoint was still in stock, I would have chosen the F3.

As for the graphics and the cpu, The 5750 is a decent performer for its price, and one of the cheaper DX11 options available. As for i3 vs i5, the only thing that the 2nd gen i5 has over the i3 is TurboBoost. The i3 is a perfectly capable competitor and has hyperthreading. It is also very overclocking friendly, and reaches decently high speeds on stock cooling and volts.

Oh and just another recommendation: With his budget I'd definitely go for an Athlon II setup.

On February 17 2010 10:19 FragKrag wrote:
The Phenom II X4 940 is not worth the money. If you want a Phenom II X4, go for the 955 BE or the 965 BE because they have unlocked multipliers. The C3 955 and 965 are supposedly very overclock friendly.

If he doesn't want to upgrade anything, the i5 750 rig will carry him through smoother under most circumstances compared to the Phenom II 965.