Bf3 needs help with a spec

[Kelorian]

Hi,

I have the computer below and I would like to know if I should update my gpu at all or go for a new system, having in mind bf3.

I do run bfbc2 high and 2x just fine, however bf3 seems to take things further and I would like to run it maxed.

Bfbc2 makes my spec cry cause its cpu heavy and gets the most out of quad systems...
so i expect bf3 to do the same.

C2D e8400
Gigabyte EP43
4gb DDR2 (800 i think, need to check)
and a corsair 650tx
ATi 4870

its a solid old system, runs everything, but suffering from old age when getting new games.

maybe a new gpu like 6850, however I am afraid the rest of the system, especially the cpu will slow it down too much...

what do u think

btw, love anandtech, has been my fav site for assembling my specs for a very long time *years*

EDIT

just running as high and 2x is fine (bf3)

I can get a 6850 but upgrading all the system is a big step, since my system runs most things at optional settings...

so, is it worth ?

 

[Ken g6]

Wait until the game, or at least some reviews, come out.

Also, can you overclock that processor?

 

[Spikesoldier]

Also, can you overclock that processor?

that would be my recommendation, as you have a pretty well-rounded system. jump the frequency a little bit and you should get a nice boost. 3.8/4.0 is not uncommon with a good cooler.

 

[mfenn]

A 6850 is basically the same thing as a 5850. That's not really a huge upgrade from a 4870. I would save up a bit more while waiting for the game to come out and get at least a 6870, preferably a GTX 560 Ti or 6950.

You've also got to consider that BC2 loves a quad, and by all indications BF3 will even moreso. So really, you're at the point where you can either ride what you have until the wheels fall off (it will probably handle BF3 fine with an overclock) or do the CPU/mobo/RAM/GPU upgrade.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I would go with the CPU/MoBo/RAM/GPU upgrade.
since your specs are a bit old.
but not as old as mine

 

[Zargon]

I would go with the CPU/MoBo/RAM/GPU upgrade.
since your specs are a bit old.
but not as old as mine

just about


going quad on 775 is costly, q9's sell for as much as an i5 2500

~350 or so for cpu + gpu, still on 775

600ish and you are on 1156

1 SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Item #: N82E16814102948
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$174.99

1 G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
Item #: N82E16820231424
$43.99

1 MSI Z68A-G43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel Z68
Item #: N82E16813130614
$114.99

1 Intel Core i5-2500K
Item #: N82E16819115072
$219.99


Subtotal: $553.96 -20MIR

533.96+ shipping which for me was 9ish bucks

541ish

sure its almost twice as much as just the gpu and cpu, but its way way way faster

and you can sell the cpu+mobo+ram for probably 150

makes it 400 total investment, instead of 275-300ish


if you go lower on the i5 totem poll you can save 50-80 bucks......there were 560's for about the same price as the 6870

 

[mfenn]

1 SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Item #: N82E16814102948
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$174.99

1 G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
Item #: N82E16820231424
$43.99

1 MSI Z68A-G43 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel Z68
Item #: N82E16813130614
$114.99

1 Intel Core i5-2500K
Item #: N82E16819115072
$219.99


Subtotal: $553.96 -20MIR

533.96+ shipping which for me was 9ish bucks

541ish

:thumbsup:

if you go lower on the i5 totem poll you can save 50-80 bucks......there were 560's for about the same price as the 6870

Who wants an icky GTX 560 non-Ti when it's slower and costs more than the 6870? :awe:

 

[Zargon]

heh

I wasnt sure how good bad they were, but I know toms recommends the 6870 over it, but hey, that doesnt matter to some people

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Anandtech>Tom