Which GPU to buy (BF3)

This is the place to discuss the latest computer hardware issues and technology. Please keep the discussion ON TOPIC!
Post Reply
User avatar
DaddyRabbit
Legit Extremist
Legit Extremist
Posts: 478
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:46 am

Which GPU to buy (BF3)

Post by DaddyRabbit »

Was going to post in the GPU section but could be either brand.

Here is the delimma. I preordered my son BF3. He is currently running on an E6850 on a Gigabyte mobo with 4GB DDR2 and an Nvidia 8800GT. I think this game is gonna' eat his system for lunch from what I have been hearing at least on any settings above medium. He will be playing at 1680x1050.

Since I built the new rig in my sig I have the "old" i7 920 with 6GB DDR3 on a GA-X58-UD3P that I was going to sell. I am now leaning toward upgrading the boy to the 920 and repurposing the 6850 for a home server or something. The question is what to do about the GPU?

I am quite happy with my 5870 as my gaming needs have dwindled considerably but it has handled most of the games I do occasionally play at full res with high settings. I could get a 6950 and give him my 5870 or get him a 6870 or go the Nvidia route. I will be getting some extra cash next week but I can't afford $400 for a vid card so cost is a factor.

What GPUs are out there that will play nicely with BF3? Another MAJOR consideration is noise BTW.

TIA for any advice!
Last edited by DaddyRabbit on Sun Oct 16, 2011 11:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3
Core i7 2600k
Corsair H100 Liquid Cooler
8gig (2x4) G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3-1600
Powercolor HD5870 PCS+
OCZ Agility 2 240G SSD (boot, programs, games)
WD Caviar Black 1TB (Data)
CM UCP RS700-AAAAA3 700W 80+ Silver PSU
CM Storm Sniper
Gateway FHD2400
Win 7 Pro 64bit
vbironchef
Legit Extremist
Legit Extremist
Posts: 2301
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:35 pm

Re: Which GPU to buy (BF3)

Post by vbironchef »

Have you read this forum: http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/7624632.page This might help you decide.
User avatar
Major_A
Legit Extremist
Legit Extremist
Posts: 3793
Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 2:11 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Which GPU to buy (BF3)

Post by Major_A »

Isn't BF3 a nVidia sponsored game? Typically that means it's going to work better on nVidia hardware out of the box. Might be a different story after a few driver updates from AMD.
User avatar
ratNukit
Legit Fanatic
Legit Fanatic
Posts: 240
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:38 am
Location: Hamburg - Germany

Re: Which GPU to buy (BF3)

Post by ratNukit »

I could play the beta with the 5870 on high settings in 1920*1080, with msaa disabled. Never dropped below 30 fps on the Caspian Border map (64players with lots of vehicles), usually around 45 fps. My friend got a 6870 for BF3, we both set same settings and met on the map to check which gpu was faster. They were within 2fps of each other. On the smaller Metro map i never fell below 40 fps, most of the time around 60.

Dice said the beta didn't have all the graphics features enabled so I'm not sure if our cards will play as smooth with more detail in the final version of the game.

But that said, the game still looked great with the settings we played.

I'd give him the i7 920 and get him a 6870, there are lot's of custom cooling solutions on them and they're pretty cheap ( 140 euros, here in Germany).
Image
Sttm
Legit Extremist
Legit Extremist
Posts: 383
Joined: Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:31 pm
Location: San Jose CA

Re: Which GPU to buy (BF3)

Post by Sttm »

I thought BF series favors AMD. Or at least I could swear the last frostbyte engine did.

I have an Nvidia GTX 560ti, and the beta played wonderfully on it, but then I didn't change the stock settings. So If you want to just be able to play it smoothly at good settings a AMD 6870 or Nvidia GTX560 would do fine. Both of those should be around $180-$210 US. If you want him to be able to turn on Ultra but stay under $400, then you could step up to a 6970, or a GTX 570, which are around $330.
Core i7 2600k/ ASUS P8Z68-V Z68/ 8gb Corsair Vengeance 1600 Blue/ EVGA Geforce GTX 560ti Maximum Graphics Edition/Windows 7/Antec 300/Antec 650w/LG Blu Combo/Hp 27inch 2710M/Samsung P2770HD

"I think sharing is overrated...and helping others. And what's all this crap I've been hearing about tolerance?"
User avatar
DaddyRabbit
Legit Extremist
Legit Extremist
Posts: 478
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:46 am

Re: Which GPU to buy (BF3)

Post by DaddyRabbit »

Good to hear from a few folks who have played the Beta. Even though I know that isn't what will necessarily be in the release it makes me feel a little better. I also want to get a better CPU cooler So will be picking him up a Kuhler 620. I looked at the 560ti and 570s but If I get a card better than the 5870 it will go in my rig (I am paying for it after all ;) ).

I was seriously considering this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814102951. If I can get 6970 performance with the flip of a switch and some clock/voltage tweaks all the better. All of the reviews I have read so far rate this a killer card.

The other option is to get him this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814131378
and stick with my 5870 for now. It isn't that much faster real world than the 5870 and either way he should be able to play at a decent FPS on high from what I am hearing.

Sigh... decisions, decisions ](*,)

Still shopping around a bit though. Nvidia has some attractive options but it just seems like ATI/AMD have the better bang for the buck at this price point.

Thanks for all the input!
Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3
Core i7 2600k
Corsair H100 Liquid Cooler
8gig (2x4) G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3-1600
Powercolor HD5870 PCS+
OCZ Agility 2 240G SSD (boot, programs, games)
WD Caviar Black 1TB (Data)
CM UCP RS700-AAAAA3 700W 80+ Silver PSU
CM Storm Sniper
Gateway FHD2400
Win 7 Pro 64bit
User avatar
DaddyRabbit
Legit Extremist
Legit Extremist
Posts: 478
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:46 am

Re: Which GPU to buy (BF3)

Post by DaddyRabbit »

It was OHHH so close for me getting the Toxic 6950 but TBH the only games I am looking forward to (Diablo III, Guild Wars 2, Torchlight 2 etc) will play fine on my trusty 5870 and I could use the $110 on other more responsible things :( So I got him the 6870 and will keep my 5870 (or maybe swap it is slightly faster).

That also allowed me to get him the Kuhler 620 which, in an Antec 300, will be a big help in keeping the temps down on the i7 920.

Thanks for all the help folks!

Also used the link thru from LR...
Asrock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3
Core i7 2600k
Corsair H100 Liquid Cooler
8gig (2x4) G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3-1600
Powercolor HD5870 PCS+
OCZ Agility 2 240G SSD (boot, programs, games)
WD Caviar Black 1TB (Data)
CM UCP RS700-AAAAA3 700W 80+ Silver PSU
CM Storm Sniper
Gateway FHD2400
Win 7 Pro 64bit
Post Reply