Need Graphic card advice to play BF3 on old system

[Remobz]

Hello all,

My friend is giving his younger brother one of his old computer system. His younger brother wants to play BF3 at playable FPS and High in game graphics settings if possible.


His younger brother has a 22 inch LG monitor with a maximum resolution of 1680 x 1050

The computer specs are:


Intel Core i3 – 3.3Ghz Processor
Asrock LGA1155 H61M-HVS Motherboard
ATX Midtower Case 500watts Power Supply
4GB DDR3 Memory
DVD Writer SATA Drive
500GB Sata Hard Drive
Windows 7 home


Considering the old Intel Core i3, motherboard and monitor resolution what type of Graphics card would you recommend to get the most out of that system?


cheers...............

 

[Durvelle27]

what's your budget ?

 

[Remobz]

what's your budget ?

No more than $400US

The main thing here is to get the best video card to compensate for the old system.

However, if a more expensive video card is needed please tell me.

 

[Durvelle27]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102986 HD 7850

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

 

[Termie]

That system isn't "old", it's just somewhat midrange. You can't "compensate" for a weak CPU anyway, but you're not in that situation. Buy a 7850 and call it a day. Some are as low as $210 now. Good card for a potentially generic PSU.

Here's one for $220 no rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129230

He'll get 50fps on high at that resolution. Perfectly playable.

 

[Denithor]

Have no idea why you're calling this an old system.

Here's my suggestion:

1) Update BIOS to latest while on that i3 chip.
2) Buy the i5 3450 for $190 after $10 promo code.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116506
3) Buy this 7850 2GB card for $220.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129230

Tell the kid to have fun with his new super-powerful gaming rig.

EDIT: And for good measure, sell that i3 on the forums or eBay, use the extra cash to buy a ~60GB SSD for a boot drive. Then the system will truly fly.

 

[Remobz]

Have no idea why you're calling this an old system.

Here's my suggestion:

1) Update BIOS to latest while on that i3 chip.
2) Buy the i5 3450 for $190 after $10 promo code.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116506
3) Buy this 7850 2GB card for $220.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129230

Tell the kid to have fun with his new super-powerful gaming rig.

EDIT: And for good measure, sell that i3 on the forums or eBay, use the extra cash to buy a ~60GB SSD for a boot drive. Then the system will truly fly.

I had no clue that motherboard with latest bios update could handle an ivy bridge chip This is good news indeed.

Yes, the 7850 seems to fit the bill.

Very good advice and thank you all as well.



cheers.....

 

[balane]

Have no idea why you're calling this an old system.

Here's my suggestion:

1) Update BIOS to latest while on that i3 chip.
2) Buy the i5 3450 for $190 after $10 promo code.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116506
3) Buy this 7850 2GB card for $220.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129230

Tell the kid to have fun with his new super-powerful gaming rig.

EDIT: And for good measure, sell that i3 on the forums or eBay, use the extra cash to buy a ~60GB SSD for a boot drive. Then the system will truly fly.

Wow, that plan has so much win to it. Great recommendations.

 

[Joseph F]

Have no idea why you're calling this an old system.

Here's my suggestion:

1) Update BIOS to latest while on that i3 chip.
2) Buy the i5 3450 for $190 after $10 promo code.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116506
3) Buy this 7850 2GB card for $220.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129230

Tell the kid to have fun with his new super-powerful gaming rig.

EDIT: And for good measure, sell that i3 on the forums or eBay, use the extra cash to buy a ~60GB SSD for a boot drive. Then the system will truly fly.

To add on to this, you might as well get another 4GB of RAM for $20. 4GB is barely enough, nowadays.