|
I'm currently building a Gaming Rig optimized just for Sc2. My budget is around $1000. It can go little higher if it's cost effective in the long run.
Option 1 – Can be overclocked and upgraded to next-gen CPU(ivy):
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K $218
CPU HSF: Coolermaster Universal Hyper 212+ $32
Mobo: Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 $138
RAM: G.Skill-NT 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1333 $44
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB $54
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC 1GB $255
Case: Antec 300 $58
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 520W $69
Total: $866
Option 2 – Can't be overclocked or upgraded to next-gen CPU(ivy):
CPU: Intel Core i5 2400 $185
Mobo: ASRock H61 U3S3 $77
RAM: G.Skill-NT 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1333 $44
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB $54
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC 1GB $255
Case: Antec 300 $58
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 520W $69
Total: $742
So if I go with the i5 2500K setup, I'll need to pay at least extra $124. I want to make sure I don't get below 60 fps when playing Sc2 because I'm a very competitive player. So is 2400 powerful enough to keep doing 60 fps when playing Sc2 in intensive settings? e.g. ultra setting, 4 vs 4 and 200/200 supply.
|
Both of them are more than enough for SC2. I recommend going w/ the first build if you can 
|
Ivybridge is on LGA1155 and is expected to work on every board with a simple BIOS update...
There is currently no processor capable of achieving a constant sixty frames per second on ultra settings throughout the game fyi...
|
You wanna save a couple of bucks, I highly recommend this case/psu:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156098
Just built a computer with it, really easy to put together, and entirely tool-less.
The fold out motherboard tray made it a snap to put the mobo in.
The PSU wires aren't braided, but the case is very nice.
also, in your post... very competitive, 4v4, and 200/200 aren't words one normally utters at the same time when talking about sc2
Either of those setups should be fine for ANY 1v1 situation, even 200/200 battles.
|
On September 21 2011 13:06 Horst wrote:You wanna save a couple of bucks, I highly recommend this case/psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156098Just built a computer with it, really easy to put together, and entirely tool-less. The fold out motherboard tray made it a snap to put the mobo in. The PSU wires aren't braided, but the case is very nice. also, in your post... very competitive, 4v4, and 200/200 aren't words one normally utters at the same time when talking about sc2 Either of those setups should be fine for ANY 1v1 situation, even 200/200 battles.
He is in Australia, not the US mate. He can't use newegg :/
|
On September 21 2011 13:10 carloselcoco wrote:Show nested quote +On September 21 2011 13:06 Horst wrote:You wanna save a couple of bucks, I highly recommend this case/psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156098Just built a computer with it, really easy to put together, and entirely tool-less. The fold out motherboard tray made it a snap to put the mobo in. The PSU wires aren't braided, but the case is very nice. also, in your post... very competitive, 4v4, and 200/200 aren't words one normally utters at the same time when talking about sc2 Either of those setups should be fine for ANY 1v1 situation, even 200/200 battles. He is in Australia, not the US mate. He can't use newegg :/
I wouldn't want to live in a world without newegg.
|
On September 21 2011 12:59 skyR wrote:
Ivybridge is on LGA1155 and is expected to work on every board with a simple BIOS update...
There is currently no processor capable of achieving a constant sixty frames per second on ultra settings throughout the game fyi...
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you need a Z68 board to support ivy bridge cpu's. At least that's what I keep hearing. We dont know for sure if they will work with H61/67/p68 boards.
|
On September 21 2011 13:06 Horst wrote:also, in your post... very competitive, 4v4, and 200/200 aren't words one normally utters at the same time when talking about sc2 Either of those setups should be fine for ANY 1v1 situation, even 200/200 battles.
haha you're right. I can't call myself a competitive player if I play 4v4. But then again, having more fps during 4v4 match wouldn't hurt either.
On September 21 2011 12:59 skyR wrote:
Ivybridge is on LGA1155 and is expected to work on every board with a simple BIOS update...
There is currently no processor capable of achieving a constant sixty frames per second on ultra settings throughout the game fyi...
So how much better is overclocked 2500K compared to 2400? Do you think it's worth the extra $124? This benchmark review says 2400 actually performs better than 2500K in 1920x1080 resolution: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1501/21/
|
If your only concern is StarCraft than no, it isn't worth it.
|
How much better is subjective. Here's an article for you to decide: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core-i7-2600k-990x_9.html#sect2 Think of the core i5 2400 as slightly worse than the core i5 2500k at 3.3GHz and than compare it to the overclocked values of 4.3GHz (which is easily achievable) and 4.7GHz (which might take some effort).
But I can tell you now that even an overclocked core i5 2500k won't be capable of achieving a constant sixty frames per second in 4v4 ultra, and not even on high either (I would know since I have one and play team games regularly).
Ivybridge is on LGA1155. Every H61, H67, P67 and Z68 board is LGA1155. Intel has confirmed that it'll solely depend on the BIOS of the board. Gigabyte has confirmed all their boards are Ivybridge ready. There's some garbage rumor going around that UEFI boards won't be capable of supporting Ivybridge, whether you want to believe this crap or not is up to you.
|
Go for the 2500k. It's the most clock speed hungry game >_>
|
Yeah i have pretty much what you have, except instead of 8gb ram i have 4gb, and instead of the GTX560 i have GTX 280. I can run sc2 on Ultra and keep a consistent 60fps, only slowing down in 4v4 late game where there are 200/200 armies.
|
On September 21 2011 14:18 skyR wrote:
But I can tell you now that even an overclocked core i5 2500k won't be capable of achieving a constant sixty frames per second in 4v4 ultra, and not even on high either (I would know since I have one and play team games regularly).
Ivybridge is on LGA1155. Every H61, H67, P67 and Z68 board is LGA1155. Intel has confirmed that it'll solely depend on the BIOS of the board. Gigabyte has confirmed all their boards are Ivybridge ready. There's some garbage rumor going around that UEFI boards won't be capable of supporting Ivybridge, whether you want to believe this crap or not is up to you.
Thanks, I'm only going to play competitive on 1v1 anyway so I might as well save myself $124. And if H61 will be able to support ivy then I'm not losing any upgradability.
|
I've got a smaller version of the i5 and I can run SC2 on Ultra and 1440x900 without any problems pretty much
|
Thanks guys. This is my final decision. I might even order it today if I have time.
Option 2
CPU: Intel Core i5 2400 $185 – PCCG
Mobo: ASRock H61 U3S3 $77 – PCCG
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3(1600?) $65 – PCCG
HDD: Seagate 250GB 7200rpm Baracuda 7200.10
GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC 1GB $255 – PCCG
Case: Antec 300 $58 – PCCG
PSU: Antec Neo Eco 520W $69 – PCCG
Total: $720 + $74 shipping = $794
It's a bit too under budget but:
- this Gaming Rig is going to be sufficient for competitive Sc2 gaming.
- my next upgrade will likely be GPU first then CPU. So I won't need to replace the Case, RAM, mobo or PSU for a while.
- I'll be able to upgrade to ivy bridge when 2400 becomes obsolete.
- It's only going to be played in 1920x1080 resolution on a single monitor.
So there's no reason for me to pay extra $124 to go for the 2500K setup since it would probably only last maximum of 1 year longer. But by then I could buy myself a cheaper and more powerful CPU for less money.
1. If I could, I would reuse my old Auriga case but it only has 1 x 90mm rear fan and 1 x optional fan on side panel and 1 x optional 90mm fan at the front fan but no option for top fans. If I was to buy a 90mm front fan for this case, I'd need to pay extra $10 - $20 so I might as well get Antec 300 since it's better looking and has better cooler.
2. I just realized I already have Seagate 250GB 7200rpm Baracuda 7200.10 so I can save myself $54 on HDD.
|
is 250 GB enough space for a computer for you?
I've got 4.5 TB worth of space for movies and junk (little over half full)..
with storage as cheap as it is, make sure you don't need more.
|
On September 21 2011 23:28 Horst wrote:
is 250 GB enough space for a computer for you?
I've got 4.5 TB worth of space for movies and junk (little over half full)..
with storage as cheap as it is, make sure you don't need more.
Well its easy to just throw more HDD's in when 250 is starting to go full.
|
Regarding the question. Yes i5 2400 is more than enough. I dont think you would feel any difference running this one compared to say an i3.
The most important piece of hardware for running SC2 is probably the graphics card and that looks like its well covered as well in both specs
|
In my history of building computers I've never felt the need to upgrade CPUs. Especially true in this case since Ivy Bridge will only be marginally faster than Sandy Bridge.
I go for CPUs that have massive overclocking overhead. That tides me over for at least two-three generations of CPUs. I went from core 2 duo E2160 @ 3ghz to i5-750 @ 4ghz. The transition wasn't that smooth because it was actually like 5 generations skipped in truth but only one game made me really suffer and that was supreme commander which still lags for me anyways lol.
But yeah, the likelihood of your motherboard still being able to house your next CPU is pretty low. That said the CPU and mobo you chose are very good in the first place.
You might wanna see if you can grab an AMD HD6950 for cheaper than that. Not familiar with Australian pricing though. They perform roughly the same afaik. (not great timing though, that generation of GPUs is about to end. Two years ago you could have had this level of performance with the HD5850. I might suggest to keep an old gpu or buy a really cheap one to tide you over until the new stuff comes out.)
|
definitely strong enough.
Funny thing that happened this morning. I left prime95 running overnight and forgot to turn it off when I logged on this morning. I was sorta stumped why my fps would drop to 40s during max 200/200 2v2 battles. Then I'm like OHHHHHH. -_-
edit : its a 2500k
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
