Need to max out skyrim / Battlefield 3

[RaptorHunter]

This is my second thread so I think I'm happy with it. Just want to make sure that it can run skyrim and Battlefield 3 on max settings at 1680x1050

Suggestions are welcome. Especially for the cpu/motherboard (looking for combo deals)



CPU: Core i5-2320 Sandy Bridge 3.0GHz CPU :: $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16819115091

micro atx mobo: $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130569






GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 1GB for $149.99 AR
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?p=44563064#post44563064

micro case: $33
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154094
(still looking for something more compact like this one but cheaper

RAM: DDR3 1600 $35?

SSD: 120GB Corsair Force Series 3 $110

PSU: Recycled! $0


Total so far: $593

 

[michxymi]

What PSU do you have? I would go for AMD Phenom II X4 955 + AM3+ motherboard and with the saved money a 6950 1GB so you can run those games when you 'll upgrade your monitor

 

[RaptorHunter]

What PSU do you have? I would go for AMD Phenom II X4 955 + AM3+ motherboard and with the saved money a 6950 1GB so you can run those games when you 'll upgrade your monitor

Not an option. Only intel CPUs can run aes-ni

 

[michxymi]

Not an option. Only intel CPUs can run aes-ni

And AMD FX CPUs...

 

[hapkido]

You're not going to be maxing BF3 on a single 6870. Probably not even two. I think Skyrim is a dx9 game, so you probably will be able to max that. You should try to squeeze a 6950 or 560ti into your budget. You still won't max BF3, but you'll appreciate the extra horsepower.

 

[RaptorHunter]

You're not going to be maxing BF3 on a single 6870. Probably not even two. I think Skyrim is a dx9 game, so you probably will be able to max that. You should try to squeeze a 6950 or 560ti into your budget. You still won't max BF3, but you'll appreciate the extra horsepower.

So I shouldn't believe this chart?

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,851282/Battlefield-3-11-Radeon-and-GeForce-graphics-cards-tested/Reviews/

I've been looking for good BF3 benchmark charts, but that's all I can find.

 

[hapkido]

So I shouldn't believe this chart?

http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,851282/Battlefield-3-11-Radeon-and-GeForce-graphics-cards-tested/Reviews/

I've been looking for good BF3 benchmark charts, but that's all I can find.

40fps isn't maxing a game. And multiplayer is more demanding than single player (more explosions, more smoke, more space, more people). BF3 is a very demanding game. I run high with 2x5850 at 1920x1200 and ~90fps average (~60fps minimum). Even with 2x6870, I think ultra is a stretch (if you want to play a smooth game), even at 1680x1050. Ultra is for people with 2x560ti, 2x6950, or better.

 

[cutebeans]

BF3 isn't CPU intensive that a Phenom II X 4 can play it the same with i5-2500k. As long as the GPU is good.

 

[RaptorHunter]

Buying the 2500K from www.microcenter.com makes it even more worth it than the $50 less 955BE

sorry, no microcenter near me.

 

[vitornob]

As per Toms Hardware's Battlefield 3 review you will need, to max this game, in 1680x1050 (1-core VGA only):

AMD HD 6970 - 50,15 fps
Nvidia GTX 570 - 56,06 fps
Nvidia GTX 580 - 63,18 fps

In this little list the most powerful AMD monocore solution isn't able to max the game at 60 fps.
Nvidia GTX 570 comes pretty close, but only Nvidia GTX 580 is truly able.

 

[vitornob]

unless ofc you are talking about multi gpu setups then yes it matters what cpu you buy

can't expect to run two 6950 2GB on a stock 955BE and get same fps or steady fps w/o a bottleneck compared to two 6950 2GB on a 4.5ghz i5 2500K. I know for a fact first hand lol.

I can max BF3 @ 1080p with my dual 6950s and 4.5ghz 2500K. I run it w/ everything maxed and vsync on for 60fps constant. With a 965BE oc'd to 3.9ghz I couldn't even imagine doing that. I was seeing 95%+ cpu usage with 20-30% gpu usage. With the 2500K I am seeing 50% to 85% gpu usage w/ gg temps.

If you are only running one card, then it won't matter much but when you start to talk about SLI or CF and BF3 and modern cards then yes you are going to want something with more juice.

Buying the 2500K from www.microcenter.com makes it even more worth it than the $50 less 955BE

Don't you have some fps number from the time you using the AMD vs now with the Intel?

 

[RaptorHunter]

As per Toms Hardware's Battlefield 3 review you will need, to max this game, in 1680x1050 (1-core VGA only):

AMD HD 6970 - 50,15 fps
Nvidia GTX 570 - 56,06 fps
Nvidia GTX 580 - 63,18 fps

In this little list the most powerful AMD monocore solution isn't able to max the game at 60 fps.
Nvidia GTX 570 comes pretty close, but only Nvidia GTX 580 is truly able.

Sorry If I created confusion earlier. I think anything over 40 fps is good, so If I can get a good framerate in BF3 on high settings than I'm happy. No need to push it to the "max"

 

[hapkido]

Sorry If I created confusion earlier. I think anything over 40 fps is good, so If I can get a good framerate in BF3 on high settings than I'm happy. No need to push it to the "max"

I think you should be aiming for a minimum 50fps for online shooters. For MMORPG, RTS, games like GTA, and even single player shooters, +30fps is fine, but you don't want to start lagging during an engagement. If you set your goal as 40fps average, you're going to be dipping down to 20-30fps. Your opponent is going to get 1-2 frames more than you get, every time you render a frame. In close fights, that can be the difference between living and dying.

 

[RaptorHunter]

Besides the graphics card, What do you guys think of the rest of the build:

Is the i5-2320 and mobo I choose going to work well?

Do you know of any combo deals with a core-i5?

 

[hapkido]

Combos are hard to pick without choosing all the parts. You may get a better mobo combo with another part like your gpu or ram. But I usually know what cpu I'm looking for, then look for an appropriate mobo first. I look through the 3 or so cheapest ones that meet my needs, then look for good cpu combos.

You also may want to check out this i3:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115092

I haven't really kept up on the benches, but I doubt it would be much slower than a 3ghz i5. The higher clock speed may make up for the hyperthreading, and the money you save may allow you to go up a class in gpu.

 

[RaptorHunter]

All right, I'm ready to pull the trigger on this.

One more thing: The noticed the mobo can only do DDR3 1333. Is that fast enough or should I go for DDR3 1600?

 

[hapkido]

All right, I'm ready to pull the trigger on this.

One more thing: The noticed the mobo can only do DDR3 1333. Is that fast enough or should I go for DDR3 1600?

Anything over 1333Mhz for P67 motherboards is considered overclocking, but your motherboard should have options to choose 1066, 1333, 1600, 1866, or 2133. 1333 is fine, 1600 is a little better. It's not going to make a huge difference, so it may or may not be worth it, depending on the price difference. I definitely wouldn't choose 1600Mhz RAM over getting a better CPU or GPU. Just make sure you get modules that are rated for 1.5v.