Graphics Card for BF3

PrChaos · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:31

Hey guys, haven't posted in a while and I was wondering if I could get some recommendations on a suitable graphics card for BF3. I just want it to run smoothly at around 60-80 FPS on high/ultra.

I'm currently using a GeForce GTX 285 by Palit and I get about 30-40 FPS on average on low settings.

My budget is around £150-200 so if anyone can point me in the right direction I'd be very greatful.

Thanks,
PrChaos.

kissenger · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:34

On high, you could probably do that with a 560ti for around £160. If you want ultra and to not dip below 60 you will need a 7970 or some kind of SLI solution which is very expensive. My GTX 570 runs it at around 55 average with lows around 40, and that's at Ultra with 2xMSAA. You can get one of them for around £240 new.

PrChaos · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:40

I'm tempted to go for a GTX 570 by MSI for the extra cooling. My GTX 285 is really outdated and also makes so much noise... AND overheats immensely. (Easily over 80c + in BF3)

Mr Krugga · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:41

Radeon 6950 2GB for £200 and GeForce GTX 560 Ti for £170 are your best choices at this budget.

Unless you can find a used GTX 570 that will fit your budget.

You haven't stated what resolution you're planning on gaming at.

Here's what GTX 560 Ti can do at acceptable framerates.

Radeon 6950 2GB and GTX 570 would give you even better framerates. With GTX 570 at 1920x1080 you can simply set the preset to Ultra and enjoy mostly consistent fps.

PrChaos · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:42

What if I was to say I could possibly stretch my budget to about £250? Is there anything better for that price?

Thanks for your suggestions by the way.

RanxZy · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:43

With that budget you could probably stretch to a 6950 which I believe one is on offer at OCUK for 199.99. This should give you better performance in BF3 then a 560Ti.

RanxZy · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:44

Now if you could stretch it to 250 (this is getting a bit stretch armstrong) then there is a 6970 at OCUK for £250 and that would really do the job. The 6970 will perform almost as good as a 580 but at an amazing price.

Here is an idea of the sort of bracket of performance each tier of card is in http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/11/22/battlefield_3_multiplayer_performance_iq_review/3

Mr Krugga · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:48

PrChaos said:
What if I was to say I could possibly stretch my budget to about £250? Is there anything better for that price?

Thanks for your suggestions by the way.

MSI Radeon 6970, supposedly using the same components as the Lightening version of the card (good overclocks), 2GB vRAM, Dirt 3 game, 3 years warranty. I say it's a safe bet at £264.

Or the PowerColor one for £250 if you want to safe some money.

The best you can get from Nvidia is GTX 570 for £250.

wazza300 · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:50

cheap used 5870 circa £130,plays bf3 no problem at 1920x1080,no need to oc it either or pc

RanxZy · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:53

wazza300 said:
cheap used 5870 circa £130,plays bf3 no problem at 1920x1080,no need to oc it either or pc

What settings and fps do you get?

Mojow · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:53

PrChaos said:
I'm tempted to go for a GTX 570 by MSI for the extra cooling. My GTX 285 is really outdated and also makes so much noise... AND overheats immensely. (Easily over 80c + in BF3)

I just help my friend get on BF3 with his new GTX 570 and after installing nvidia's beta drivers he was getting an average of 60 fps on ultra at 1080p.

RanxZy · 7 Jan 2012 at 22:59

Mojow said:
I just help my friend get on BF3 with his new GTX 570 and after installing nvidia's beta drivers he was getting an average of 60 fps on ultra at 1080p.

It seems the high end NVIDIA cards perform really well on BF3. My 580 gets really good fps even on Caspian border multiplayer with a 64 player server with everything on ultra except MSAA off.

PrChaos · 7 Jan 2012 at 23:02

I'm honestly torn between the 560Ti and 570 Twin FrozR cards... I can't decide what's better :/

RanxZy · 7 Jan 2012 at 23:07

If you can afford one the 570 will mean you can probably max the game out with good fps but the 560Ti should be able to run high settings with good performance.

Masterdeadly · 7 Jan 2012 at 23:10

My friend is claiming his 6870 slightly overclocked is getting him 85 fps on ultra.

wazza300 · 7 Jan 2012 at 23:13

RanxZy said:
What settings and fps do you get?

all ultra,70 feild of view,and deferred aa turned off,roughly 30-40+ @1920x1080 depending on how much action on screen,and not oc on pc and gpu remember,to the post above id say hes telling porky pies

perfectly playable though,and would be better if i oc'd

PrChaos · 7 Jan 2012 at 23:15

Also forgot to mention I play at 1920x1980.

RanxZy · 7 Jan 2012 at 23:21

wazza300 said:
all ultra,70 feild of view,and deferred aa turned off,roughly 30-40+ @1920x1080 depending on how much action on screen,and not oc on pc and gpu remember,to the post above id say hes telling porky pies

perfectly playable though,and would be better if i oc'd

Thats really good performance for such a budget card.

phil-k · 7 Jan 2012 at 23:46

I have everything on ultra except motion blur off and don't notice any lack of performance on any map

Mr Krugga · 8 Jan 2012 at 00:13

Masterdeadly said:
My friend is claiming his 6870 slightly overclocked is getting him 85 fps on ultra.

That's a ******** claims unless he plays at 1024x768.