Good BF3 Gaming Rig

DavidS14

DavidS14

DavidS14

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I've not updated my rig for what seems like ages, I used to be on a 9-12 month update schedule as new stuff came out but then other things gained priority so have had my current rig for quite a long time.

At present I'm running an [email protected] GHZ, Asus P5Q-E, GTX260, 8GB Corsair Dominator, 2xWD 360GB RE3 in Raid0, 1GB WD Black, Aego M Speakers, G15 KB and a MX518.

As you can see I've kind of missed the boat on the Sandy Bridge/SSD's :o

Anyway I'm looking at getting back into gaming again and have what I think is a decent budget for a new rig as I've been saving for a while but am a bit out of touch with what's currently the best kit.
I have done some research and have come up with a basic spec. but would be open to ideas if there are better alternatives.

I already have an 800D and a AX1200 PSU so the rest of the proposed rig is as follows:

CPU: 2600K
MB : Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 (maybe Extreme7 ?)
GPU : 2x MSI 580 Lightning 3072MB (if the full cover blocks appear, Zotac or EVGA if they don't as I think the warranties allow for WC?)
SSD : Vertex 3 120GB ?
HDD : WD Black 2TB
MEM : Kingston HyperX Genesis Grey 8GB 1600MHz ?
Display : U2711
Sound : No idea, using on board at the moment (last sound card I had was X-Fi Fatal1ty which is still about somewhere).
Speakers: Probably keep my Aego M's for now
KB : keep my G15 or maybe Logitech G510 ?
Mouse : Still like my MX518, anything better ?
Cooling : Apogee XT Extreme + FC Blocks for the 580's + RX360 + RX240 + 2xD5 + Gentle Typhoons.

Some of the spec I'm pretty sure on mostly the cooling as I've done a few WC rigs but the rest I'm not 100% on.

I'd like the get the CPU to 5GHz or as close as I can and I'd like kit good enough to be rock stable.

I'd also like to be able to maybe go to three monitors at a later date, would three 27's be too much for the 580's and therefore maybe go for something smaller or would the U2711 just run OK at lower
res across 3. Not run multi-monitor before so not really up to speed on it yet ?

I'm not up to speed on memory for the SB's is there a preferred speed/timing or is it not as important as it used to be ?

I played BF2 a lot and hopefully can get into BF3 the same way so would like the build completed and stable before it's released so any help would be appreciated :)
 
i'd go with one 580 for the time being, then get another at a later date if you do actually go to multiple screens.


if its just gaming then go for the 2500K rather than the 2600K.

keyboard/speakers/mouse keep what you have a the moment no reason to change them.

sound : go with onboard for the time being, then maybe have a look at a sound card if your not happy with things.
 
Looks to be a good spec but a few points:-

As said above, you could probably get the 2500k if your going to be using it purely for gaming, would save you a bit

Again, as above, one 580GTX would be ok, then get another once the prices come down when Nvidia release their new stuff if needed

The Vertex 3 is a good SSD however some suffer from Firmware issues so for the time being, unless you want to take the risk I'd try a different SSD. The Intel 5** drives are meant to be rather nice!
 
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated :)

I've always gone for the highest res I can on monitors, looking at the 27's available there's either a load of cheaper ones at 1900x1080 with less input lag or you then jump to the IPS's at 2560x1440 with more.

My current 24 is at 1900x1200 but I've not seen any of the 1080 monitors in person so I've always thought that higher res is better without thinking too much about input lag at all.

I've read a little about the Hazro C's which are supposed to be better for gaming without losing the higher resolution but the threads in the monitor section are not exactly confidence inspiring on quality.

SSD wise, I'll have to read up more, any issues with the Crucials or the Corsairs as they look like they use the same controllers ?
 
i game at 1920 x 1080 on a 24 inch widescreen full hd monitor. Its plenty big for me for gaming on pc, and the resolution is great. Ssd the vertex 2 is superb mate,
 
DavidS14 said:
SSD wise, I'll have to read up more, any issues with the Crucials or the Corsairs as they look like they use the same controllers ?
Click to expand...

A lot less issues with Crucial SSD's than Corsair and OCZ, but they have released updates to try and fix them.
 
OK so go with Crucial for the SSD, thanks :)

Graphics wise I'd probably go for SLI straight away rather than getting the loops sorted and then having to break into it to fit a second card although with the EK bridges it would probably be quite easy if I add a couple of quick disconnects.

Memory wise is it worth going faster than 1600 or is there a better choice than the Kingston ?
 
Look up the LG 120Hz W2363D 23'' display. Else, I'd go IPS, no point for middle ground :)

Have a read on that, but 1600MHz is the price/performance sweet spot. The Kingstons are great, and they look good too. Also the Corsair Low Profile Vengeance.

And moar.

and look how good they look. Look!

 
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It says in your sig you have a Vertex 2? I thought we are discussing the newer Vertex 3?

I've had no problems with my Vertex 3 and think I'm quite lucky in that I ordered mine when they were fairly new on the market and so don't have the issues that some have with the older firmware versions.

It's a great SSD but if I was doing a new build, I'd rather everything just worked when it arrived rather than taking a risk.
 
I'd say, my Corsair SSD is starting to show problems -.- Nothing major, occasional lockup/blue screen, but annoying none the less....

Also as for Sound card, wait for now, however would definitely recommend one! The difference between my onboard and D2 is like night and day!

Personal recommendation would either be get something like the Xonar DG (at £20 you simply cannot fault it) or go into the MM and pick up a sound card second hand (they tend to come up fairly often)

kd
 
That will be a monster of a pc, would love to see pics of that setup! but same.. I would go with the i5 2500k if just for gaming.
 
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