Upgrades for bf3

b34st · 9 Nov 2011 at 12:37

Time to upgrade again. I need a new gfx card to replace my zotac 285 for battlefield 3 I would like to run it on ultra settings @ 1920x1080. I am running an i7 920 @ 4.1ghz with a gigabyte ud5 and 6gb ram.

I would also like to upgrade my ssd I have a corsair Reactor 60GB (CSSD-R 60GB2-BRKT) which performs great but I find its not big enough so I need a 120gb at least.

I have about 650 to spend

Any advice or suggestions.would be great thanks

95thrifles · 9 Nov 2011 at 12:43

For SSD look at a Crucial M4, either 128 or 256 depending on how much you want
For gfx Id recommend you either go a single 580 or if youre not too bothered about heat/noise you could go dual cards, eg 2 570s or for ATi 2 6950s, though make sure your PSU is upto it

b34st · 9 Nov 2011 at 13:00

The m4 is a sata 3 drive isnt it? would it be worth paying the extra for that drive when I'm only on sata 2 or would the corsair series 3 be as good?

Noise and heat is an issue for me so I was thinking of getting the msi lightning 3gb card but is this the best way to spend 550?

beejjacobs · 9 Nov 2011 at 16:15

I'd go for the M4, then if you do upgrade your mobo you can make use of SATA III. It will still be fast on SATA II.

Personally I wouldn't go for that card, it's very expensive for a single card. If you're only running at 1080p then a regular 580 should be fine. Though I don't know! Someone else will know more...

Mariusz · 9 Nov 2011 at 18:36

Checkout the benchmarks in this link for a gtx 580 1.5gb vs 3gb comparison, it's at a higher resolution than you but IMHO the 3gb doesn't look like a good buy.

http://www.behardware.com/articles/844-1/geforce-gtx-580-3gb-vs-1-5gb-test-sli-and-surround.html

Plus have a look at post 18 by rjk regarding sli gtx 480 performance in Battlefield, he's at a higher resolution than you and not using all his vram.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18338806&highlight=username_rjkoneill

Mariusz · 9 Nov 2011 at 20:21

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-042-HS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1752

Two of those in crossfire, sell the games you don't want or need.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SY-000-AN

One of these to help get air inbetween the graphics cards to help keep the top one cool (though check with Overclockers that they are 2 slot design before buying).

b34st · 10 Nov 2011 at 09:58

Thanks marius thats an intetesting post comparing 1.5gb and 3gb cards.

The 2 ati cards is certantly a cheaper option but I think it would get very hot in there and adding extra fans would be too noisy.

I think I will have a look at 1.5gb 580's thanks

sti007 · 10 Nov 2011 at 11:51

A single 580 isn't enough for bf3 at that resolution. I am on a mixture of high and ulta and it still looks beautiful. I like to have a high minimum framerate and with these settings I get a pretty constant 60fps. If you want everything on ultra with max aa/af either get a 590 or look at the sli/crossfire options.

b34st · 10 Nov 2011 at 13:51

Thanks for the reply, thats put another spanner in the works so I guess dual 6950s or 6970s is the best way if I want to run ultra?

95thrifles · 10 Nov 2011 at 14:10

Just turn AA down you'll be fine

sti007 · 10 Nov 2011 at 14:43

Aa is the big frame killer. As thrifles said just turn the aa down. it still looks stunning with a mixture of high and ultra.

sti007 · 10 Nov 2011 at 14:45

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18339823

Have a read of this. Should help you make a decision.

b34st · 10 Nov 2011 at 14:53

Thanks I will have a read