BF3 GPU Upgrade (CPU Limited?)

[videogames101]

After 3 impressive years, this system has finally met it's match in Battlefield 3. Would an upgrade from the HD4870 to a 6870 or 6950 or 560ti make the game playable on high?

I know the game is extremely CPU-hungry, so my question is how much can I spend on a GPU for BF3 before becoming completely CPU limited with my Q9550? I game at 1680x1050. Ty for responses.

 

[TheAdvocate]

At 1680x1050 its going to be all about your CPU, because even a 6870 churns out frames at that res.

 

[s44]

At 1680x1050 its going to be all about your CPU, because even a 6870 churns out frames at that res.

Not in BF3 on Ultra.

 

[toyota]

get a 6950 2gb and oc your cpu a little.

 

[MiataNC]

get a 6950 2gb and oc your cpu a little.

^This

If and when you upgrade your CPU/MB/RAM, you can keep the 6950, add another for Crossfire, or sell it to fund a GPU upgrade.

A 2GB 6950 breathed new life into my Q6600@3.0ghz system. It was a substantial improvement over the 4890 I was running before.

 

[lehtv]

Agree on the 6950 2GB. MSI Twin Frozr II would be my choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127588 $280 ($255 after rebate)

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I was looking into a 6950 and it is just a bad value imo. For a little more you could get a 570 which beats a 6970. The 570 would smoke the 6950.

 

[llee]

You don't necessarily have to buy a latest-gen card. Instead of looking at the GTX 500 / HD 6000 series cards, picking up a GTX 400 / HD 5000 series card on the cheap could hold you over until you decide to start from scratch.

 

[videogames101]

I was looking into a 6950 and it is just a bad value imo. For a little more you could get a 570 which beats a 6970. The 570 would smoke the 6950.

Cheapest(EDIT: In stock) is 290 AR, and that is just a little more then I'd like to spend. Even the 6950 might be stretch, such is college life.

I used to have it OC'd to 3.6, but I got lazy when I made some system changes, so that will help some for BF3. BF3 uses the 2GB of VRAM I assume?

 

[toyota]

should be a Galaxy gtx570 that goes in and out of stock all the time for 260 AR plus it come with the Batman game. at 1680x1050, 1.25 gb of vram should be sufficient for that level of card.

 

[Silverforce11]

Your CPU is fine. BF3 just needs a decent quad core, around 3.2 to 3.4ghz range from C2Q Or PhIIs. I played caspian borders fine at 1080p, no major slowdown on my cpu.

 

[Termie]

Cheapest(EDIT: In stock) is 290 AR, and that is just a little more then I'd like to spend. Even the 6950 might be stretch, such is college life.

I used to have it OC'd to 3.6, but I got lazy when I made some system changes, so that will help some for BF3. BF3 uses the 2GB of VRAM I assume?

Eh, if you're on a budget, skip the pricey 6950 models. Here's a perfectly good one for $240AR/FS/Code(DOVE): http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-6950_3R

Comes with free Dirt3 and Deus Ex too. Good deal, perfect upgrade for BF3. Get your CPU up to 3.2 or so and you'll be golden in that game.

 

[swilli89]

I'm also a student on a budget and I'm looking heavily at the 6870. The 6950 only really gives a few more FPS i mean.. its better but is it 100$ noticeable? That's half the price of a 2500K

 

[s44]

Powercolor 6950 2gb $230AR -- may be unlockable

or, if you want shader grunt more than VRAM,

MSI Hawk 560ti @950/1900/4200 same price, free Batman