GPU upgrade for BF3

[Athleticsfan]

I know this must have been posted several times, but I have to get your opinions. I recently built a whole new system but waited to upgrade the GPU in anticipation for AMD's 7000 series. However it looks like that wont release until Q1 of 2012 at the earliest.
Right now I have a 8800GTX (old I know) but I do have a capable system other wise with a 650 PSU and a 2500k at 4.5. I desperately need a new GPU upgrade. I run a 1680x1050 and want to max BF3 out. I was looking at this http://detonator.dynamitedata.com/c...-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=u00000687las I heard there's a good chance you can unlock it to 6970 levels. My budget is around 300$ and wanted to see your thought or suggestions on this or other cards. Thanks!

 

[cmdrdredd]

A lot of the new AMD 6950 cards seem to be locked via hardware, not BIOS so you cannot unlock them anymore. I would not count on it to work 100%.

I'd grab a GTX 570 or an HD6970 if it were me. You can get the Galaxy GTX 570 for $289 after a $50 rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...xy%20gtx%20570

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I run Ultra settings with my 6850 at 1920x1200.

 

[NTAC]

I also don't think you can max this game out for $300.

Not Ultra anyway, but HIGH should be fine.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I also don't think you can max this game out for $300.

Not Ultra anyway, but HIGH should be fine.

It depends on your resolution. The OP is running 1680x1050 and a GTX 570 ($289 AFR) can run the game in any situation with everything set to ultra and MSAA turned off. You could just leave everything else maxed out and be good to go. SO at 1680x1050 where vram doesn't play such a huge role, turn the MSAA back on and go.

 

[NTAC]

It depends on your resolution. The OP is running 1680x1050 and a GTX 570 ($289 AFR) can run the game in any situation with everything set to ultra and MSAA turned off. You could just leave everything else maxed out and be good to go. SO at 1680x1050 where vram doesn't play such a huge role, turn the MSAA back on and go.

To me a smooth game is 60 FPS... so I don't know if you are suggesting that you can max EVERYTHING out, including MSAA on 1680x1050 and hit a consistent 60 FPS with the 570...

Because if that is what you are saying, then.. I dunno, I don't think you can do that.

Now if the difference with MSAA OFF is not noticeable, then that's another story alltogether, I don't know how noticeable or unnoticeable that is.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I just checked my FPS with Ultra, drops down into the mid 20''s. Took settings down to high and using 4x AA in the CCC, still wont hit 60 but 40-55 area at least.

 

[cmdrdredd]

To me a smooth game is 60 FPS... so I don't know if you are suggesting that you can max EVERYTHING out, including MSAA on 1680x1050 and hit a consistent 60 FPS with the 570...

Because if that is what you are saying, then.. I dunno, I don't think you can do that.

Now if the difference with MSAA OFF is not noticeable, then that's another story alltogether, I don't know how noticeable or unnoticeable that is.

Have you played BF3? Sounds like you haven't or you're just regurgitating the internet bunk that less than 60fps sucks.

You do NOT need 60fps in every situation to play the game and for it to be 100% smooth all the time. If you did, you'd be playing on low with no AA

 

[cmdrdredd]

I just checked my FPS with Ultra, drops down into the mid 20''s. Took settings down to high and using 4x AA in the CCC, still wont hit 60 but 40-55 area at least.

AT what rez? That's the problem guys...you have to always post your resolution for your numbers to mean anything.

If I'm right by your sig you're running a 24" monitor which means 1920x1080 or 1920x1200. AT either of these resolutions, and with only 1GB Vram you will be limited when you start turning on the AA. Try Ultra with no MSAA and see what it does.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

AT what rez? That's the problem guys...you have to always post your resolution for your numbers to mean anything.

If I'm right by your sig you're running a 24" monitor which means 1920x1080 or 1920x1200. AT either of these resolutions, and with only 1GB Vram you will be limited when you start turning on the AA. Try Ultra with no MSAA and see what it does.

My res is in the 1st post. I cant change MSAA when Ultra is used, it wont let me touch any of the settings for some reason. Unless I am missing something. Figured it out, going to test Ultra with MSAA off. Still a little rough at times, but not unplayable.

 

[BD231]

You don't need anything more than a GTX 460 to run the game smoothly at high or ultra with ssao off, runs darn smooth at 1900x1200 for me.

 

[lehtv]

What do you consider darn smooth...? 30fps? 60fps?

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Turned off HBAO, now getting 40-60, still everything else on Ultra with MSAA off.

 

[90DegreeMan]

A lot of the new AMD 6950 cards seem to be locked via hardware, not BIOS so you cannot unlock them anymore. I would not count on it to work 100%.

I'd grab a GTX 570 or an HD6970 if it were me. You can get the Galaxy GTX 570 for $289 after a $50 rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...xy%20gtx%20570

I just bought a Sapphire Dirt 3 edition HD 6950 off of Amazon for $244. It has the switch and I've confirmed the performance. More information here.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I just bought a Sapphire Dirt 3 edition HD 6950 off of Amazon for $244. It has the switch and I've confirmed the performance. More information here.

You still have to get the clocks up.

 

[Athleticsfan]

I just bought a Sapphire Dirt 3 edition HD 6950 off of Amazon for $244. It has the switch and I've confirmed the performance. More information here.

It looks like theres a good chance that I can get to 6970 level shaders. Do you have any more OC headroom? Also how many fps are you getting at what settings?

Do you guys think its a good idea to take a chance on the 6950 unlocking to 6970? I could essentially get a 6970 for like 240-255

 

[cmdrdredd]

It looks like theres a good chance that I can get to 6970 level shaders. Do you have any more OC headroom? Also how many fps are you getting at what settings?

Do you guys think its a good idea to take a chance on the 6950 unlocking to 6970? I could essentially get a 6970 for like 240-255

Apparently now that I've looked into those cards specifically this morning, it's pretty much guaranteed with certain Sapphire cards that you can unlock. The overclocking situation is good on them, but that's not guaranteed.

Check into the return policy, make sure that if you aren't happy you can return.

 

[jacktesterson]

The Toxics come with the switch and the 6970 Bios preloaded.

I owned one.

Adam

 

[90DegreeMan]

The Toxics come with the switch and the 6970 Bios preloaded.

I owned one.

Adam

The regular Dirt 3 edition 2GB card from Amazon (I guess they have old stock) also has a preloaded 6970 bios.

Atheleticsfan - Go for the dirt 3 edition. I got it to 900/1375 with 11.5v.

 

[bryanW1995]

It depends on your resolution. The OP is running 1680x1050 and a GTX 570 ($289 AFR) can run the game in any situation with everything set to ultra and MSAA turned off. You could just leave everything else maxed out and be good to go. SO at 1680x1050 where vram doesn't play such a huge role, turn the MSAA back on and go.

gtx 570 isn't a bad option, but $289 AFR is a lot to spend right now when gtx 480's are closer to 200 and 6950 2gb is ~ $230.

The regular Dirt 3 edition 2GB card from Amazon (I guess they have old stock) also has a preloaded 6970 bios.

Atheleticsfan - Go for the dirt 3 edition. I got it to 900/1375 with 11.5v.

WOW!!! :thumbsup: to AMD for having such solid build quality!!

 

[PingviN]

I run Ultra settings with my 6850 at 1920x1200.

Yeah, sure you can do that if you enjoy playing at <25fps.

I'd say GTX570 would be your best bet, it should be able to keep you at around 40fps with everything cranked up. Ultra at 1920x1080 sucks up 1500MB of video RAM, so I really wouldn't recommend getting less VRAM that that.

 

[lehtv]

At 1680x1050 I'd go with a 560 Ti like Gigabyte 560 Ti OC $205 AR. The extra VRAM of a 2GB card would only be useful if you're planning to upgrade the monitor

 

[cmdrdredd]

Yeah, sure you can do that if you enjoy playing at <25fps.

I'd say GTX570 would be your best bet, it should be able to keep you at around 40fps with everything cranked up. Ultra at 1920x1080 sucks up 1500MB of video RAM, so I really wouldn't recommend getting less VRAM that that.

Actually no, it doesn't run at 25fps and it doesn't take up 1.5GB of vram. The game generally uses all you have. So if you only have 1GB, then you are using 1GB. The slowdown comes from trying to load up more than the card can handle at one time.

Turn off MSAA and have everything else on ultra and the game will run pretty decently in SP. MP would be a different story when you start jumping on packed servers.

gtx 570 isn't a bad option, but $289 AFR is a lot to spend right now when gtx 480's are closer to 200 and 6950 2gb is ~ $230.



WOW!!! :thumbsup: to AMD for having such solid build quality!!

The 570 is not only as fast or faster but doesn't sound like a jet engine, uses less power, and runs much, much cooler too when you compare the GTX 480.

As for the Sapphire 6950 it's not a reference design AFAIK, it's been tweaked specifically to cater to the power user who would want to unlock it.