Thinking about upgrading your PC for Battlefield 3?

I did all the research for you!

Published on August 19, 2011 By GunslingerBara In PC Gaming

Hey guys! The past month or so I've been doing research on the best hardware to get to run Battlefield 3 on maximum. At this point, I think I'm pretty much an expert on this hardware

My goal for this hardware is to achieve at least 30 fps in Battlefield 3 on maximum settings on a 1920x1200 monitor.

If you go to this link, you'll find all of the research I've done for all of the primary parts needed: https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1XnqHpALuQiyAK0BbvP93kZXIdaj35bEV06mVXMD_07w

A few notes:

Future-proofing was important to me. With this setup (specifically the motherboard), you can update to Ivy Bridge Intel CPU's when they release at the end of the year/early next year, you can upgrade to an PCI Express 3.0 card (Ivy Bridge CPU required) when they release next year, you can install up to 3 video cards with tri-SLI/Crossfire and you can upgrade to 32GB of memory.
This was written specifically with my setup in mind, so some wording may be odd (like the power supply bit near the top, I currently have a 620w and need to figure out how much the new setup will need before I decide on a new power supply).
Since Battlefield 3 has not yet released (alpha notwithstanding, which is running unfinished code and NOT on maximum settings), it may turn out that the hardware I've selected might not be enough to run it on maximum.
I've been trying to do the best price vs. performance ratio while attaining maximum graphical settings in the game. You COULD potentially spend a lot more and get better framerates.

I'm currently having trouble deciding on the video card and power supply. For video cards, the GTX 570 and GTX 560Ti are both much cheaper than the GTX 580, but I'm not sure how many fps would be lost. At the moment I'm leaning towards the 580, but even with that I'm undecided on whether or not I should go with a 1.5GB or 3.0GB VRAM card. For the power supply, I just don't know about them to know what's good and what isn't. Any help in that area would be greatly appreciated! I'm currently thinking about getting at least a 750w power supply.

If you have any suggestions you'd like to make, by all means share! I will update the document accordingly with any good suggestions. I will also periodically update it with the latest prices from newegg, Micro Center (if available, and at a good price) and Amazon (if available, and at a good price).

Bara

Comments (Page 3)

Frogboy

on Nov 10, 2011

I'm loving BF3. I confess I hadn't ever played the first two so I really really suck. I only discovered what squads were in the past couple of days (was just randomly running around previously) and am still trying to map the controls to the way I like to play.

TheChronicToast

on Nov 11, 2011

From STEAM EULA

"Valve also stores information on a user's hard drive that is used in conjunction with online play of Valve products. This includes a unique authorization key or CD-Key that is either entered by the user or downloaded automatically during product registration. This authorization key is used to identify a user as valid and allow access to Valve's products. Information regarding Steam billing, your Steam account, your Internet connection and the Valve software installed on your computer are uploaded to the server in connection with your use of Steam and Valve software"

The verbage in Steams EULA seems to state that it records information solely related to the content that you have already 'purchased (read: licensed)' from them and the related services that go with it. This largely is no different than any other game that you purchase (digital or otherwise) that has a 'registration' feature either to complete the install or for obtaining patches from a central source. Where the original contention with Origin's software was that it made no distinction between Origin Games / content and the rest of the files on your hard drive.

Steam further allows, as an option that can be turned on or off by the user, the ability to let the user determine whether or not hardware and software specs are being collected.

It is good that Origin is clarifying things with their service as it needed to be clarified.

Please understand that my feelings towards Steam, Origin or another required third party / 1st party service are fairly simple. I do not like to be required to run a separate program in order to play my games OR to complete an installation. For patching a game I am absolutely fine getting my patches from a central source. Pretty simple. Sins of a Solar Empire followed this model (no internet connection / 3rd party software required to verify installation, central source for patches).

I just don't get why other companies don't follow a similar trend. Sins has been wildly successfull with this business model with more than a few gamers stating that they 'tried' the stock version of the game from a friend only to end up buying it to gain access to the patch content.

Fistalis

on Nov 11, 2011

boshimi336

reply 32

The squad feature is an absolutely awesome thing that I love about the battlefield series. I haven't played the first battlefield but Battlefield 2 when in conjunction with the Project Reality Mod, is a beautiful thing.

From STEAM EULA

"Valve also stores information on a user's hard drive that is used in conjunction with online play of Valve products. This includes a unique authorization key or CD-Key that is either entered by the user or downloaded automatically during product registration. This authorization key is used to identify a user as valid and allow access to Valve's products. Information regarding Steam billing, your Steam account, your Internet connection and the Valve software installed on your computer are uploaded to the server in connection with your use of Steam and Valve software"

The verbage in Steams EULA seems to state that it records information solely related to the content that you have already 'purchased (read: licensed)' from them and the related services that go with it. This largely is no different than any other game that you purchase (digital or otherwise) that has a 'registration' feature either to complete the install or for obtaining patches from a central source. Where the original contention with Origin's software was that it made no distinction between Origin Games / content and the rest of the files on your hard drive.

Steam further allows, as an option that can be turned on or off by the user, the ability to let the user determine whether or not hardware and software specs are being collected.

Actually that passage is about information stored on YOUR system.. and has nothing to do with data collection. Further more you agree to let them collect the information, the option to turn it on or off is moot, since even if you turned if off you have already agreed to let them collect the information and they could ignore your preferences.

Origins agreement is no different at present from Steams.. but some users take issue with one while not another. But this really isn't the thread for this.

On topic.. I would have actually dealt with origin for BF3 but frostbite2.0 isn't compatible with my system so I just play BF2 when i get the urge. (i've discussed my issues with upgrading my OS to play a game in prior threads so i'll skip that this time)

TheChronicToast

on Nov 11, 2011

Fistalis

reply 33

I just play BF2 when i get the urge.

BF2 Vanilla or have you picked up one of the mods? I have one I could recommend.

Sarissi

on Nov 14, 2011

Please keep in mind that all EULAs are written in Legal Language, not Plain Language. What WE read means something totally different to Lawyers and Judges.

As an example, when I was included in the Family Trust, language was added to protect me and the trust as regards my medical insurance (Medicare and Medicaid). IF the trust were to affect my medical, I was ALREADY DEAD as far as the trust was concerned. In plain language, I should be actually dead before now, cause the trust would have kicked me out of the house and my medical problems would have killed me. However, being in Legal Language, it simply protects both the trust and myself. It keeps me from losing my medicaid and QMB, and protects the trust from medicaid estate recovery.

GunslingerBara

on Nov 16, 2011

Taking a break from BF3 to play Skyrim, but I'll go back to it soon enough. Add me on Origin/Battlelog if anyone wants to play: GunslingerBara

Bara

PokemonCraft

on Nov 21, 2011

that game is pretty good. i played at my comp pretty good at maximum details

core i7 2600k

16 gb ram

gtx 470

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