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A pre-made PC for SC2 and WoW, tight budget
summeryclept
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I'm looking to buy a new computer in order to play Starcraft 2 and WoW. Pretty much those two exclusively. And I'm trying to spend as little as possible.
I don't want to build the computer, I want to buy an already built one. I'd also like to keep the budget as low as possible - like $400-500, maybe $600 if there's just no other way. My plan was to buy a tower that could handle it, then buy a new video card and be good to go - but maybe someone else knows a better idea?
Anyway:
a) I want the computer to be already built, but I don't mind having to add a new video card or more RAM or anything like that. But it should otherwise be ready to go. I want to have to upgrade as little as possible.
b) The computer plus whatever I have to add to it has to stick to the budget, and preferably the low end of it. $400 is ideal, $600 is a max, and I'd rather not even get up that high, if possible. Maybe I can't even do it, but we'll see!
c) I'd like to up the graphics as much as I can within the budget. The best I can get without going over.
d) I know very little about computers! So it's helpful if any modifications are relatively simple.
Hoping to make a purchase by the end of the month, but I'm not really experienced in PC gaming, so I thought others might be a little more knowledgeable than me. Is this going to be easy, given my budget?
I don't want to build the computer, I want to buy an already built one. I'd also like to keep the budget as low as possible - like $400-500, maybe $600 if there's just no other way. My plan was to buy a tower that could handle it, then buy a new video card and be good to go - but maybe someone else knows a better idea?
Anyway:
a) I want the computer to be already built, but I don't mind having to add a new video card or more RAM or anything like that. But it should otherwise be ready to go. I want to have to upgrade as little as possible.
b) The computer plus whatever I have to add to it has to stick to the budget, and preferably the low end of it. $400 is ideal, $600 is a max, and I'd rather not even get up that high, if possible. Maybe I can't even do it, but we'll see!
c) I'd like to up the graphics as much as I can within the budget. The best I can get without going over.
d) I know very little about computers! So it's helpful if any modifications are relatively simple.
Hoping to make a purchase by the end of the month, but I'm not really experienced in PC gaming, so I thought others might be a little more knowledgeable than me. Is this going to be easy, given my budget?
summeryclept on
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And I just don't want to build it. Not my thing, I'd rather just buy it.
But I also dont know what kind of requirements SC2 has, I've heard WoW would run on a toaster if you overclock it enough.
If gas isn't a huge deal, you might trying going to your local Best Buy to see if they have anything on clearance first. I got a desktop recently that was marked 125 dollars off just because there was only two left.
Edit: I'm not the most up-to-date on hardware either. Take what I say with a grain of salt.
A solid option is to take a look at your nearby brick and mortar retailers for something. Look for at least 2 GB of RAM, 4 if possible. I think you can find an Athlon II based pre-built for around that, but don't quote me. Look for an Athlon II X3 or X4 (triple and quad core respectively) if possible.
I'd recommend the Radeon 5770 or the GTS 450 as far as low-end graphics muscle goes. You're not gonna be playing in full HD with all the prettiness enabled, but it'll be a damn sight better than onboard.
Battle.net
http://www.ncixus.com/products/58462/PT.SE202.026/Acer/
Which I thought looked decent, especially in comparison to what Best Buy was offering for a similar price. My other choice was to nab http://www.ncixus.com/products/?sku=55373&promoid=1283&vpn=PT.SE002.001&manufacture=Acer and wait on the video card a few weeks.
I was looking at the 5770, probably what I'll end up grabbing.
Oh, here's the system requirements for SC2. I figure if it can run that, it can run WoW.
Windows® XP/Windows Vista®/Windows® 7 (Updated with the latest Service Packs) with DirectX® 9.0c
2.6 GHz Pentium® IV or equivalent AMD Athlon® processor
128 MB PCIe NVIDIA® GeForce® 6600 GT or ATI Radeon® 9800 PRO video card or better
12 GB available HD space
1 GB RAM (1.5 GB required for Windows Vista®/Windows® 7 users)
DVD-ROM drive
Broadband Internet connection
1024X720 minimum display resolution
PC Recommended Specifications:
Windows Vista®/Windows® 7
Dual Core 2.4Ghz Processor
2 GB RAM
512 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800 GTX or ATI Radeon® HD 3870 or better
Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the responses! I'd still like some input though, if anyone has anymore recommendations.
just as a note, that system only comes with a 300w power supply, so when you get a new video card your most likely going to need something a little beefier to power it. other than that it's not too bad as far as pre-built systems go.
Ah. What kind of power supply will I need?
You'll want at least 450.
Just my 2 cents.
Under budget but towrds the high end.