My BF3 benchmarks on the Dell U2713HM **Update 1/12/13 - new benchmarks and pics**

[dmoney1980]

update 1/12/13:So I took some time tonight to record additional benchmarks using my new Dell U2713HM monitor (formerly 27" Auria that I returned to Micro Center). Just like before, these benchmarks were done on 64 player maps with a 5 minute recording using FRAPS. Please take note of the universal and conditional settings used for all benchmarks.

Before we get into the numbers, here's a pic I took tonight of my new monitor standing next to my old 23" Sammy. The image quality on this Dell is insane! I cannot believe how much better it looks when compared to the Auria and my old monitor. I also must add that Dell did a heck of a job with the AG coating, I don't even know it's there!

My test system:
CPU: i5 2500k at 4.3ghz
ASrock z68 pro3m motherboard
8Gb Crucial DDR3 1600 RAM
128GB Crucial m4 OS drive
256GB Liteon OEM SSD Game drive (location of BF3 install)
Corsair 650W PSU
Sapphire Radeon 7950 3GB OC'd @ 950/1300

Universal Settings Used:
Resolution: 2560x1440 @ 60hz
V-Sync: Off
Field of view: 90
Motion blur: Off
Graphics quality: Custom
Texture quality: Ultra
Shadow quality: Ultra
Effects quality: Ultra
Mesh quality: Ultra
Terrain quality: Ultra
Terrain decoration: Ultra
Anisotropic filter: 16x
Ambient Occlusion: HBAO

Conditional Settings Used
Post and Deferred Anitaliasing Off or On, please reference charts.

And here are my results:

Azadi Palace was crazy with 64 players! Enabling AA didn't impact playability in my opinion, and I didn't experience any significant frame rate drop.

I spent the majority of the time in this stage inside a vehicle, figuring that's what the majority of players will do anyways. I did notice some FPS dips here and there when inside a tank, other than that it was ok.

Caspian Border is an oldie but goodie! I mixed it up here: on foot, in a tank / jeep, and sniping. As you can see AA definitely takes it's toll on the framerate at times.

Operation Firestorm is one of my favorite stages in BF3 since it offers everything; space to fly, spaces to snipe, and plenty of space to get sniped! Seeing same results as Caspian here.

Karkand shows more of the same, Framerate dips into the 30's with AA enabled.

That's all I have right now. I would have loved to benchmark a 64 player close quarters map but I couldn't find one tonight! I'll update this post once I do.

I also took some in game screenshots for some of the maps using the conditional settings. This will give you an idea of the differences in image quality. That said, I honestly can't recommend having AA enabled in this game at this resolution. Sure the edges look smoother when looking at the screenshots, but who plays this game standing in place looking at edges!? When playing, I'm too busy running around like a headless chicken to notice the imperfections, and I'll gladly take the smoother framerate any day of the week.

BF3 Game Pic links
Azadi Palace
No AA: http://i1.minus.com/iefUirfmaKJOl.bmp
AA Enabled: http://i2.minus.com/ilSctZ2nGrjLr.bmp

Caspian Border
No AA: http://i3.minus.com/iet5jaDtNWJOI.bmp
AA Enabled: http://i5.minus.com/iY47EVNzRqqZC.bmp


If you guys have any questions, please let me know!

 

[lavaheadache]

3 dead pixels would be a deal breaker for me. Actually 1 dead pixel would be enough.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Dead pixels are common with this display. Exchange it.

 

[dmoney1980]

Dead pixels are common with this display. Exchange it.

It's an hour drive each way, and I don't even notice them. Hell, I didn't even know they were there after an eye inspection until I ran the tests. I don't want to drive all the way there just to exchange it for another one with the possibility of bad pixels on that display.

 

[lavaheadache]

lol, I would still do it.

 

[dmoney1980]

lol, I would still do it.

LOL, you also have 86 GPU's listed in your sig...hey to each his own. I might go and exchange it if I have a reason to go there. I have a 1 year warranty from the mfgr and I did buy the 2 year plan from MC for $50.

 

[NubXandwich]

When you can justify the trip, you might as well exchange it. You might even be able to call ahead and ask someone to plug one in and check for dead pixels for you. I don't know if it's totally against policy, but if they're in a post Xmas lull they might just do it, especially since you paid extra for warranty. The warranty is supposed to be a convenience. With an hour drive, the argument could be made that it's in the interest of customer service.

PS: I was lucky with a Korean Shimian. No dead pixels. It felt like I was cheating the system getting 1440 at less than half price Grats on the new kit!

 

[blackened23]

Dead pixels are common with this display. Exchange it.

Oh man. I agree, but there are different levels of tolerance I suppose. Dead pixels would drive me bonkers.

 

[Bill Brasky]

You might even be able to call ahead and ask someone to plug one in and check for dead pixels for you. I don't know if it's totally against policy, but if they're in a post Xmas lull they might just do it, especially since you paid extra for warranty. The warranty is supposed to be a convenience. With an hour drive, the argument could be made that it's in the interest of customer service.

Not before he buys it, but after the exchange he can take the new display to tech support and plug it in there. If it's not satisfactory, do another exchange right then and there. I know it sounds backwards, but getting a sales person to unbox and test the display before he's at the store will be impossible.

OP: Please do the exchange before your 30 day period is up. After 30 days, you will have to pay another $50 to get the replacement on the new monitor. 3 dead pixels on a $400 monitor is not acceptable.

 

[biostud]

Welcome to the cheap 1440p club

I have a couple of dead pixels too, but I can't see them unless it's a totally white screen, so no problem.

 

[dmoney1980]

OP: Please do the exchange before your 30 day period is up. After 30 days, you will have to pay another $50 to get the replacement on the new monitor. 3 dead pixels on a $400 monitor is not acceptable.

Yeah, I went back the other day and spent 2 hours basically doing a Q/A test for them. 3 returns / exchanges later and I still couldn't find a monitor without at least 6 dead pixels. So I returned the monitor since they were all out of new ones at that store and ended up ordering a Dell UltraSharp U2713HM for a great price with my 17% off coupon code.

 

[lavaheadache]

so much for the dead pixels not being a deal breaker =)

 

[dmoney1980]

so much for the dead pixels not being a deal breaker =)

Well I actually had a lot more dead pixels than I originally discovered. I ran different color tests and found 5 more dead pixels in the bottom right corner, close to 10 dead pixels on the initial monitor. Granted they only showed up on white backgrounds i still felt that for the money I shouldn't have close to 10 dead pixels. I got the Dell for about $615 shipped and comes with a 3 year warranty, as opposed to the 1 year on the auria. Believe me I would of kept the Auria monitor if I could find one with less dead pixels.

In the end I spent more than I wanted to but at least I have a monitor that I'm confident will last me a while with good build quality and a great stand.

 

[lavaheadache]

Trust me when I say this. There will be no comparison between that monitor and the ultrasharp

 

[dmoney1980]

Trust me when I say this. There will be no comparison between that monitor and the ultrasharp

holy crap, I just saw the quad monitor link in your sig! May I ask what models are you using? Do you have the same one I just ordered?

 

[lavaheadache]

THats one of my old setup's. I keep the pic because it was quite bad a$$. That was 3 2005fpw's and a 2407wfp.

I've since switched to a U3011 and an ASUS VG236H 120z screen. Best of both worlds.

I've been toying with the idea of bunping the 30inch favor of the new 27. The 27 9nch size appeals to me cause it is a little easier on video cards and the PPI is higher resulting in a finer picture

 

[dmoney1980]

I was debating between the Dell and the 27" HP ZR2740w. The Dell review at Hardware Canucks, along with the discount code I had sealed the deal for me.

 

[Fx1]

Thats not bad FPS for a single 7950 at that resolution.

 

[dmoney1980]

Thats not bad FPS for a single 7950 at that resolution.

Yeah, I was a bit surprised myself. I'll do some additional benchmarks once I have my dell monitor and post them here. I'd like to do 2-3 more benchmarks on different stages with 64 players at different settings.

Speaking of benchmarks, does anyone here know of a free image hosting site that will upload 2560 x 1440 images without downscaling them?

 

[f1sherman]

minus.com

abload.de

 

[dmoney1980]

thanks f1sherman!

 

[f1sherman]

my pleasure

 

[Skurge]

Yeah, when I got my U2713HM, the most surprising thing was how I didn't really need AA in BF3 at this resolution. That and the colours.

 

[nitrousninja]

I just got the U2713HM today and I'm digging it so far.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Yeah, I went back the other day and spent 2 hours basically doing a Q/A test for them. 3 returns / exchanges later and I still couldn't find a monitor without at least 6 dead pixels. So I returned the monitor since they were all out of new ones at that store and ended up ordering a Dell UltraSharp U2713HM for a great price with my 17% off coupon code.

I'm so glad you went back! You're going to love the dell, and I'm so jealous you got the ultrasharp! I'm saving my pennies for one as well.