CPU and GPU

[grimzz R]

What is the cheapest CPU and GPU that would play SC2 on max settings on a 1680x1050 display and have a minimum of 30fps?

 

[Jetster]

Probably an older Core 2 Duo like E2200 or E4300 overclocked for about $25 with a 8800gtx used.. My guess


This is not minimum requirements
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

*Note: Due to potential programming changes, the Minimum System Requirements for this game may change over time.

 

[CDdude55]

Starcraft 2 is pretty light on hardware, so you should be able to easily get away with almost anything. As mentioned above, an overclocked Core 2 Duo should be sufficient and pair it with a cheap card like a 6850, 5770.

 

[Fourstaff]

I can play with my laptop up to and including 3v3 with minimal lag other than huge 600/600 battles in the lowest setting, but Starcraft 2 likes Intel more than AMD. I would just get a Sandy Bridge i3 and pair it up with a 6850 or similar. Not the cheapest, but the best bang for buck. Otherwise you can take a look at the Athlon II x2 + whatever graphics card which is cheap, they will be able to handle it fine.

 

[xBruce88x]

starcraft 2 does benefit from a better cpu. I had a pentium e2300 or something like that at 2.6ghz (basically a core 2 duo -1mb cache) with a 9600GT. I could play on fairly high settings but there was noticeable lag. with my athlon II x4 and the same gpu I get much smoother performance. though now I think the 9600gt is the limit as it slows down with ultra settings are applied. with that said, I think a GTS450 and an Athlon II X4 would be plenty for SCII. I think that's around $200usd. $100ish for the quad, $90 for the gts250.

i would say you could go with weaker hardware, but you're wanting to play at the HIGHEST settings and a min 30fps.

 

[Fourstaff]

i would say you could go with weaker hardware, but you're wanting to play at the HIGHEST settings and a min 30fps.

No, Starcraft 2 is one of those games you should play with the LOWEST setting to max out your fps, just like most competitive games. Also, Sc2 does not benefit much after 2 cores, so 4 cores is a waste.

 

[Zyon]

If you're after ones that are still being made, HD5770 should be the best at that price and lets you pull more than 30FPS in ultra mode (even intense battles), coupled with a cheap Regor-based Athlon II X2 CPU (like 245 or even 215?).

Otherwise, try HD4850/4870 or Nvidia equivalent.

Side note: for some reason the Intel C2D family (even E6300) are still more expensive (take Ebay for example) compared to the newest AM3 ones), I got lucky winning a 215 for $31 (you will rarely see Core 2 Duos sell for that low).

Just a reference: http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100817135820AA593JL

 

[Fourstaff]

My friend has a 5870M (which is 5770 in disguise) +720QM, in huge 3v3 battles his computer lags. 1v1 Ultra is fine though.

 

[Zyon]

But that's laptop isn't it? Just curious but anyone figured out a way to attach laptop parts to pc case and play like it was a low power gaming rig?

 

[Fourstaff]

But that's laptop isn't it? Just curious but anyone figured out a way to attach laptop parts to pc case and play like it was a low power gaming rig?

Why would you do that? There are low powered processors out there like 2100T. No need to spend much more than you need.

 

[LordJummy]

I played SC2 with decent settings on a Core2Duo E6600 + Geforce 8600GTS at a friend's house. That's one of my older machines that I gave away so my friend could play WoW a couple years ago. It definitely couldn't max out SC2, but it could play it pretty well at lower settings.