Best Bang For Buck GPU for new 2500k StarCraft 2 Rig?

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Smoolean

Member
May 1, 2005
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Hi All,

I'm a first time builder with very little knowledge of video cards, so I thought I would seek your opinion on this matter :).

I'm attempting to create an affordable StarCraft 2 rig. I've decided to go the i5 2500k / P67 route. I've had the GTX 460 recommended in random, dark, scary SCII chat rooms :), so I'd like to see what a more knowledgeable crowd thinks...

(1) Does the 460 seem like a good choice for my setup? Since I'm springing for the 2500k I would like to be able to play StarCraft 2 on near-max settings, at at least 1280x1024. With the 2500k and the 460, which would be the limiting factor?

Are there any cards that perhaps offer *nearly* the same performance as the 460, but come in at a lower price point?

(2) If I change my mind, and go the i3 2100 / H67 route to save quite a bit of money, can you recommend any GPU's that are more affordable than the GTX, but still offer far superior results than the built in graphics?

Thanks!
 
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Smoolean

Member
May 1, 2005
114
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@cusideabelincoln: Are there other cards which are a bit cheaper that would also be enough for SC2?

@LiuKangBakinPie: My native resolution is 1920 x 1200, but I realize that is probably completely unrealistic unless I spring for a $1,000+ system.
 
LiuKangBakinPie

LiuKangBakinPie

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2011
3,903
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Smoolean said:
@cusideabelincoln: Are there other cards which are a bit cheaper that would also be enough for SC2?

@LiuKangBakinPie: My native resolution is 1920 x 1200, but I realize that is probably completely unrealistic unless I spring for a $1,000+ system.
Click to expand...

Gtx 460 1gb version will handle that resolution just fine. Lower resolutions put more strain on the cpu

The EVGA Soc version going for 179 at newegg what's your price range?
 
toyota

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
12,957
1
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Smoolean said:
@cusideabelincoln: Are there other cards which are a bit cheaper that would also be enough for SC2?

@LiuKangBakinPie: My native resolution is 1920 x 1200, but I realize that is probably completely unrealistic unless I spring for a $1,000+ system.
Click to expand...
you had mentioned playing at 1280x1024 which is a horrible 5:4 aspect that cuts off 1/3 of your fov in a game. if you ever have to game at a lower res then make sure its the same aspect ratio such as 1680x1050 or 1440x900.
 
cusideabelincoln

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
3,275
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Smoolean said:
(2) If I change my mind, and go the i3 2100 / H67 route to save quite a bit of money, can you recommend any GPU's that are more affordable than the GTX, but still offer far superior results than the built in graphics?
Click to expand...

Ah, didn't see this. If you look to save money overall then you should probably get a GTS 450. To go even cheaper look at the Geforce GT 240. They'll play SC2, but not at the same IQ and performance of the GTX 460. Both cards, however, are a lot faster than integrated.

Also, Starcraft 2 is CPU-heavy. A fast CPU makes a difference. The game is also only threaded for two cores. So IPC and clockspeed makes a huge difference. You shouldn't have any trouble running the game on any Sandy Bridge processor, but the 2500K would run the game as good as you can expect (without overclocking).
 
P

pcm81

Senior member
Mar 11, 2011
598
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I really should not say this, but its too tempting...

I think we have already established that GTX590 is the best BANG for the buck.

I'll shut up now. Don't listen to me, listen to the others.
 
MustangSVT

MustangSVT

Lifer
Oct 7, 2000
11,554
12
81
SC2 is cpu intensive so I suggest 2500k and o/c to get best performance.

GTX 460 would be sufficient for your native resolution @1080p at ultra settings.

Although Ati cards are fine (i have hd6850 which is about same as gtx 460), there are some issues with SC2.
(you can however run game in full -window mode to fix this, but it will eat up quite a lot of performance)

main issue being Alt-tabbing out of game. when you try to go back, it will take sometimes upto few minutes to get back into sc2. you will be just staring at blank screen.

if you have budget, I also suggest getting a SSD. the game is about 8gigs and load time is somewhat long. I have an older WD value 1t drive and usually I load the slowest.

and the new ladder just started yesterday, hope to see u in diamond ;)
 
A

Arkadrel

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2010
3,681
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I think a 5770 that you OC would be enough, 1920x resolution (~61 fps @stock 5770 1920x res).
IMG0031392.gif



Throw in a sandy bridge cpu you overclock...
(which is probably more important than what graphics card you have for this game).


And you should be set.
 
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cever89

Junior Member
Mar 30, 2011
19
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Wow, great thread! I was just looking to upgrade for SCII as my GeForce 7800 really isn't cutting it anymore. My original budget was $150, but I think I should be able to find an extra $25 somewhere for the 460.

The question now is, will my 550W PSU be enough for this bad boy? Anyone know?
 
N

nwo

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2005
2,308
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71
GTX 460 1GB is currently around $140 after MIR on newegg (for the Galaxy GC version which is not an SE version) while the 5870 is only $170 after MIR and other 1GB 460s go for around $170 after MIR. 5870 is about 30% faster, but a GTX 460 should be more than sufficient for SC2. You won't have any fps issues, especially since you are getting a Sandy bridge (AMD gets ~50% less fps in SC2 and WoW).

I think that the 5870 is a clear winner here unless you want to get that Galaxy version of the GTX 460.
 
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Smoolean

Member
May 1, 2005
114
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Wow, thanks for all of the help guys!

Tough choice between the 5870 and GTX 460, but I think the issues with Alt-Tabbing back into SC2 will lead me closer to choosing the 460.

Does this 460 offer the same performance as the link below it?

// http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-P...1535931&sr=8-1

// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

There seem to be a lot of different variants of the 460. I've have numerous recommendations to go for the 1GB version, can anyone suggest a certain brand/model of a 1GB 460?

and the new ladder just started yesterday, hope to see u in diamond
Click to expand...

Hehe, I'm still toiling away in Gold :). I'd like to one day go with a SSD, but to keep the initial build costs low, I think I'll make that upgrade at a later date.

Thanks again guys.
 
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LucJoe

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2001
1,295
1
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Smoolean said:
but I think the issues with Alt-Tabbing back into SC2 will lead me closer to choosing the 460.
Click to expand...

Yea, I actually experience the alt tab issues with my 4860. My partner in 2s has an 8800gt and tabs in instantly. Definitely frustrating...
 
cusideabelincoln

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
3,275
46
91
The amazon 460 is slower. It's an SE version. But the SE can still handle SC2 easily. It's also cheaper, so you can't go wrong if you get it. I would recommend the SE over the 768MB version.
 
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Smoolean

Member
May 1, 2005
114
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@cusideabelincoln: Thanks again for all the help! I am seriously considering the 460 SE to keep things affordable.

However, while I am still considering the $200 460 1GB... I must ask, does anyone have any thoughts on the HD 6850? I've read several reviews that say it out performs the 460 1GB... and can be found for $175 on Amazon. Very tempting, especially now that people are reporting that the latest drivers fix the alt-tab issues.
 
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MustangSVT

MustangSVT

Lifer
Oct 7, 2000
11,554
12
81
Hmmm, I should test again because I still have same alt tab issue. and again, using "full windowed" isnt really an option since it eats quite alot of performance.

I see they have released new drivers 2 days ago!
I shall try and see if it indeed has fixed the issue. then I fully recommand HD6850. I have HIS HD6850 and it also o/ced quite well.

I would say its very similar with 1gb gtx460 so it all comes down to price. ati does some games better while gtx does others better.

what other games do you play?
 
I

iGas

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2009
6,240
1
0
Smoolean said:
Wow, thanks for all of the help guys!

Tough choice between the 5870 and GTX 460, but I think the issues with Alt-Tabbing back into SC2 will lead me closer to choosing the 460.

Does this 460 offer the same performance as the link below it?

// http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-P...1535931&sr=8-1

// http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

There seem to be a lot of different variants of the 460. I've have numerous recommendations to go for the 1GB version, can anyone suggest a certain brand/model of a 1GB 460?



Hehe, I'm still toiling away in Gold :). I'd like to one day go with a SSD, but to keep the initial build costs low, I think I'll make that upgrade at a later date.

Thanks again guys.
Click to expand...
I Don't have the MSI in your link but I have the MSI N460GTX Hawk Talon Attack GeForce GTX 460 which have similar performance, that I OC to 1GHZ on air cool.
 
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cusideabelincoln

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
3,275
46
91
Smoolean said:
However, while I am still considering the $200 460 1GB... I must ask, does anyone have any thoughts on the HD 6850? I've read several reviews that say it out performs the 460 1GB... and can be found for $175 on Amazon. Very tempting, especially now that people are reporting that the latest drivers fix the alt-tab issues.
Click to expand...

The $200 460 is overclocked so it should be a tad faster than a 6850. So you're basically getting what you pay for. Although if you want to overclock yourself, that is another plus for getting a cheaper card. The 460 SE should respond well, performance-wise, to overclocking as would the 6850.

I've tried to look at some reviews for SC2, but they're kind of all over the place when you compare a Radeon to a Geforce. But I do believe if you're going to use Anti-Aliasing the Geforce cards handle it better (but again there are some reviews that show otherwise). I still think the 460 SE is a great option and a good balance of price and performance. Also if it were me, I would overclock it. Through overclocking you should be able to get the 460 SE up to the same performance level as a regular 460, and quite possibly surpass it. Should be enough for SC2 at 1080p.
 
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