Worth upgrading GTX 260 to GTX 560 for BF3? -- UPDATED! Splurge for the GTX 560 Ti?

Aspyred

Junior Member
Apr 16, 2007
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Just wondering if it's worth upgrading from my older GTX 260 (the older edition of this, not the newer one) to a GTX 560 OC for Battlefield 3?

The GTX 560 OC I have in mind is this one, which I hope is OK: http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...34482(ME).aspx

The rest of my rig is:

AMD Phenom II 965 BE 3.4 Ghz Quad-Core
4 GB Patriot Sector 5 (G-Series) PC-10666 1333 Mhz DDR3
Older Enermax 535W PSU (http://ncix.com/products/?sku=15772)
Windows 7 32-bit

---

UPDATED!

Dang.

So I tried the new GTX 560 with BF3, and on 1080p, it runs OK at Low-Medium settings. But it's almost like I'm thirsty for MORE! If I were able to return this card, would it make sense to go for the GTX 560 Ti at $190 (basically, $40 to go from non-Ti to Ti)?

Another question though! While I'm still within my return period, I did find a Geforce GTX 560 Ti for $189.99. So basically, a $40 upgrade to get the Ti-version of the GTX 560.

It is this one, cheapest Ti I could find, but it seems to run at a lower clock speed than some of the other Ti's I've seen:

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=58463&vpn=VCGGTX560TXPB&manufacture=PNY Technologies Inc&promoid=1055

What do you guys think, worth it or not?

Thanks again guys.
 
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tweakboy

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2010
9,517
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www.hammiestudios.com
YES!!! With your current card if you get 30fps in a scene in BF3 beta, with the upgrade you will get 100fps on that scene, and you can play 1080p 8xAA 16xAF high quality , etc...gl
 

hondaf17

Senior member
Sep 25, 2005
757
6
81
Read the below thread, particularly post 247 - chart of GPUS based on BF3 beta.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2193037&page=10

I'd say upgrade. Spend as much as you deem necessary based on the performance you desire. Your processor should be able to handle it. It's very easy to OC that processor (although not necessary - it won't be a bottleneck). Just adjust the multiplier in BIOS. Just don't go too high if you only have stock cooling.
 

Smartazz

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2005
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I went from a GTX 260 to an HD 6870 mainly for Battlefield 3. I'm very happy with the results. I get over 60fps almost all of the time with everything set to medium at 1080p. I think the graphics preset to high, but I lowered them to keep my framerate up during intense scenes.
 

Aspyred

Junior Member
Apr 16, 2007
22
0
0
I went from a GTX 260 to an HD 6870 mainly for Battlefield 3. I'm very happy with the results. I get over 60fps almost all of the time with everything set to medium at 1080p. I think the graphics preset to high, but I lowered them to keep my framerate up during intense scenes.

Sounds great! Think I just might go that route. Do you mind posting your specs too? Thanks!
 

PrayForDeath

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2004
3,489
0
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It's a 560 not a 560Ti. I'd rather get a HD 6870, it's faster and consumes less, your PSU has only 34A (408W) on the 12V line.

The GTX 560 (non Ti) is still faster than an HD 6870.

And the one linked in OP is a lot cheaper after rebate. I say go for the GTX 560.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
7,949
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www.techbuyersguru.com
The GTX 560 (non Ti) is still faster than an HD 6870.

And the one linked in OP is a lot cheaper after rebate. I say go for the GTX 560.

At stock speeds, the 560 is not faster than a 6870: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4344/nvidias-geforce-gtx-560-top-to-bottom-overclock/4

That being said, many of the 560s will be overclocked to around 850MHz ("mid" in Anandtech's test), making them very close to a 6870. But they use another 25 watts at load, so the 6870 is still the more efficient solution. And it can be overclocked as well.
 

Leyawiin

Diamond Member
Nov 11, 2008
3,204
52
91
It would be a good upgrade at a cheap price. An HD 6870 is NOT faster. A stock GTX 560 (810 Mhz) is about 10% slower than a GTX 560 Ti and about the equal of an HD 6870. They easily overclock, especially with an effective third party cooler like on the Gigabyte model you linked. Should go well over 900 Mhz no problem.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
$150 GTX560 OC vs. $205 HD6870? No brainer.

In BF3 HD6870 is only as fast as a stock GTX560 (and it doesn't match a stock GTX560 Ti):
http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphi...esting-and-Image-Quality-Evaluation-Day-1/Ind

Add to this overclocking headroom on the GTX560, and it's easily the better card. The HD6870 hardly overclocks.

However, in all fairness, you can find cheaper HD6870s. I've seen 6870s for $150-160 many times. BF3 is very GPU intensive. If your budget stretches to $200, I think you should spend a little more and get a $200 GTX560 Ti and overclock it to match GTX570 speeds.
 

Aspyred

Junior Member
Apr 16, 2007
22
0
0
$150 GTX560 OC vs. $205 HD6870? No brainer.

In BF3 HD6870 is only as fast as a stock GTX560 (and it doesn't match a stock GTX560 Ti):
http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Graphi...esting-and-Image-Quality-Evaluation-Day-1/Ind

Add to this overclocking headroom on the GTX560, and it's easily the better card. The HD6870 hardly overclocks.

However, in all fairness, you can find cheaper HD6870s. I've seen 6870s for $150-160 many times. BF3 is very GPU intensive. If your budget stretches to $200, I think you should spend a little more and get a $200 GTX560 Ti and overclock it to match GTX570 speeds.

Well, I followed everyone's advice! I went for the GTX 560 for the $150. Just installing drivers now, hope it works well with BF3 and beyond!

Thanks again everyone! You guys rock! :)
 

Aspyred

Junior Member
Apr 16, 2007
22
0
0
Dang.

So I tried my new GTX 560 with BF3, and on 1080p, it runs OK at Low-Medium settings. But it's almost like I'm thirsty for MORE! If I were able to return this card, would it make sense to go for the GTX 570 at $300 (double what I had paid for the GTX 560)?

http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=57383&vpn=N570GTX-M2D12D5&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar

Rebates have it at -$70 for now. Or do you guys think it's not worth it? Dang, I like what I have, but it just gives me a taste of what more I could have. Would my current PC bottleneck this GTX 570 at all?

Thanks again guys.
 
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PrayForDeath

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2004
3,489
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Try other games before replacing the card. BF3 is still in beta, and will be further optimized when it comes out.

I just got a GTX 560 myself, and I love it (though I had a 9800 GT, so it was a BIG upgrade hehe)

It runs Witcher 2, Crysis 2, Hard Reset, Just Cause 2, Alice: MR all at max settings @ 1920x1200 with no issues at all for me.

However, if you insist on getting a faster card, listen to RussianSensation's advice and get a 560 Ti for ~200$ then OC it to 570 levels.
 

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
12,957
1
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if you want to crank the settings in the most demanding games at 1920 then you will need at least a gtx570 or 6950 2gb. an overclocked gtx560 ti will get the job done in most cases but 1gb is not going to cut in a few games such as BF 3. even at just a measly 1280x960 I was using about 1150mb of vram with the in game AA at 4x and over 950mb with no AA at all.
 

edplayer

Platinum Member
Sep 13, 2002
2,186
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UPDATED!

Dang.

So I tried it with BF3, and on 1080p, it runs OK at Low-Medium settings. But it's almost like I'm thirsty for MORE! If I were able to return this card, would it make sense to go for the GTX 570 at $300 (double what I had paid for the GTX 560)?



Right now you are right around the "sweet spot" for BF3 performance considering videocard pricing. Obviously the 570/580, 6950 etc will be better. I don't think anyone has brought up how much better though. The 570 is about double what you spent but you will get no where near double the performance. That applies to all the cards I mentioned.

At 1920x1080 (and with your 560 non Ti) you should have minimums almost always above 50fps when set to medium. At least with a SB cpu. According to VRzone any modern quad core at 3.2GHz or higher shouldn't bottleneck you (we'll see soon if others agree).
 
Feb 19, 2009
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There's something wrong with your settings or PC because my 5850 OC with CF disabled running on HIGH gets 60 fps in metro, with post AA on high (MSAA OFF). With HBAO on fps were around 50. At this setting the game looks amazing even for a beta. A single 5850 is about the same as the gtx560 non ti.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
7,949
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www.techbuyersguru.com
There's something wrong with your settings or PC because my 5850 OC with CF disabled running on HIGH gets 60 fps in metro, with post AA on high (MSAA OFF). With HBAO on fps were around 50. At this setting the game looks amazing even for a beta. A single 5850 is about the same as the gtx560 non ti.

I agree - a 560 should handle low/medium without a problem. I'm at all-high, HBAO on, MSAA off, and I get 45-50fps.

One correction - Silverforce's OC'd HD5850 (like mine) is closer to a 560Ti than a 560, so a stock 560 won't quite hit the frames noted above.

OP - before we go any further with this discussion, you need to install MSI Afterburner and give us some idea of what your frame rates are, because I think you either have another issue with your system, or you're underestimating the performance of your card.
 

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
3,268
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He's got 32-bit Windows with a 1GB video card, so that would mean around 2.8GB of system RAM available. That could cause some stuttering and sporadically low performance.

He might also need the beta drivers from Nvidia if he's just using the latest official set.
 
Mar 10, 2006
11,715
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Yeah...one GTX 470 or my roommate's Radeon 6870 is very playable at max. Update drivers perhaps?

Also, my roommate mentioned that he tried the beta with only 4GB of memory as well as 8GB, and it is MUCH worse with 4GB.
 

WMD

Senior member
Apr 13, 2011
476
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He's got 32-bit Windows with a 1GB video card, so that would mean around 2.8GB of system RAM available. That could cause some stuttering and sporadically low performance.

He might also need the beta drivers from Nvidia if he's just using the latest official set.

Not true. I am running 32bit Win7 with a 1GB card. 3.5GB usable RAM and Smooth sailing all the way in BF3.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Dang.

So I tried my new GTX 560 with BF3, and on 1080p, it runs OK at Low-Medium settings. But it's almost like I'm thirsty for MORE!

Just OK?

At 1080P, GTX460 gets 48 fps average at Medium
At 1080P, GTX570 gets 74 fps average at Medium
http://www.pcper.com/news/Graphics-...ta-Performance-Quality-Preset-and-SLI-Scaling

With a slight overclock on the GTX560, you should be breaking into the 50-60 fps avg. region easily.

Can your board do 8x/8x crossfire? If you really want way more performance than an overclocked $150 GTX560, a $300 GTX570 may not be more than 30% faster. Maybe consider getting 2x HD6870s. I am sure you can find them for around $340 or so. If you want 60 fps 1080P @ Ultra, I think nothing less than 2x GTX560 Ti 2GB or 2x HD6950 2GB will do that.
 
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Eugene86

Member
Dec 18, 2007
160
0
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OP, I doubt that the issue is your new video card. It may be something else with the rest of your system. I've got a Core i7 920 and a GTX260 and it runs fairly well on medium settings(fairly well being 30-40fps average).
A GTX 560 should be able to run the game at medium to high settings 40+ fps. Just so you know, the game is CPU intensive and also uses about 1.5GB of RAM.
I'd say you upgrade to Win 7 64-bit and see if that helps. I doubt upgrading to a 570 will increase your performance much as the video card is not the bottleneck in your system.
 

Smartazz

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2005
6,128
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OP, my system is very similar to yours and I run it flawlessly at 1080p on all medium settings.
 

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
3,268
11
81
Not true. I am running 32bit Win7 with a 1GB card. 3.5GB usable RAM and Smooth sailing all the way in BF3.
And I run Vista 32 with a 512MB card but only get 3.3GB of RAM. Do you have PAE enabled or what? Is enabled by default setting for Windows 7? These things make a difference. So what I said can be true ;)
 
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