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Need Gaming Rig up to Speed for BF4. New Build Ideas? $1500 budget.

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October 2, 2013 6:45:09 PM

I've been playing the Battlefield 4 Beta, running between 30-50fps on low settings. I would like it to be double that. That's less than half my average in Battlefield 3 (90fps give or take on most maps). BF4 is just barely playable at times. This is the first game that this rig has not handled satisfactorily, so YAY an excuse to upgrade! I can actually justify upgrading now. I haven't really kept up with gaming tech lately, so here I am. Hello! First time posting here. Long time reader.

Current system specs (Built in November 2009 for $1700)

i7 920 overclodked to 3.4ghz with Corsair H50 cooler
Asus P6T Motherboard
2 Radeon 1GB HD 5850s in crossfire (slight overclock)
12GB Patriot Viper PC3-12800 1600mhz Memory
WD Caviar Green 1TB 7200rpm hard drive
Corsair TX750w PSU
Apevia X-cruiser 2 case.
Windows 7 64bit
Lots of delicious fans/lighting kits

I am somewhat convinced that I should do a fresh build, I typically do a new build every 4 years anyway. I'm just not positive what the most efficient thing to do is. If I do a new build, I would like it to also last me another 4 years. My budget is about $1000 not including what I get from selling my old rig. I'm guessing I can get another $500 give or take, based on what I've seen on eBay.

So a 1500$ budget if I do a new build. There's a bit of wiggle room there, but cheaper is better. My goal is to be able to run Battlefield 4 at an acceptable frame rate, preferably at higher than low settings. I do intend to overclock the processor as long as there's a decent guide. I'm not entirely comfortable overclocking video cards, so I may or may not overclock that. I have no brand preferences.

My main questions are.

1. Whats the best build I can get in roughly the $1500 range? Please suggest some parts that would go well together.


2. What if anything, should I reuse from my old rig? Should I reuse the Power supply, cooler & Hard Drive & sell the rest for parts? Are there any other parts I should keep? Would I get more money If I sell my old computer as a whole, rather than parting it out? I own a copy of Windows 7

I also intend to try out a Solid State Drive since they look like fun, so any information on those would be awesome. Is there anything I should look out for?

I definitely intend to buy a new case, since I hate this case. Any case suggestions would be cool. I had the liberty of playing with an Antec recently, which I found very pleasant to work on.

Any input whatsoever would be greatly appreciated! I just would like to be as efficient as possible with my money. Ooooh this is so fun! It's like xmas but way better!






More about : gaming rig speed bf4 build ideas 1500 budget

October 10, 2013 2:27:04 PM

You could still use the RAM cause 12GB is enough to play most/all games, or just get another 4GB stick to make it 16GB. Hard Drive and the PSU you are able to keep. If you plan to overclock, yes a new cooler would be great, if not, keep the H50. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Nd8i
October 12, 2013 2:46:25 PM

Keep the RAM HDD PSU and case. That will save you a lot of money, and maybe get another 4GB stick like Jonathan suggested. I recommend an HD7950 and an 8350 (BF4 will be heavily core reliant). I would put your OS and gaming files on a 128gb SSD. This is what you're looking at: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1NY7v This will save you a lot of money and get you a better computer than if you got a brand new one. You would still have some money for a new case and lighting if you wanted something different, too.
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October 14, 2013 7:31:06 AM

ewok93 said:
Keep the RAM HDD PSU and case. That will save you a lot of money, and maybe get another 4GB stick like Jonathan suggested. I recommend an HD7950 and an 8350 (BF4 will be heavily core reliant). I would put your OS and gaming files on a 128gb SSD. This is what you're looking at: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1NY7v This will save you a lot of money and get you a better computer than if you got a brand new one. You would still have some money for a new case and lighting if you wanted something different, too.


He said he wanted a new case
October 14, 2013 4:46:06 PM

Didn't see that. I have an NZXT Apollo currently, it's a bit cheaper than most of theirs but it is nicely built and looks great with green LEDs.
October 17, 2013 11:20:43 PM

Hey thx for the suggestions guys. It helped to get me thinking.

I took your suggestion on the Z87 board. It has great reviews & the price is right. I opted for an Asus version, since its almost the same price & I'm already familiar with Asus's bios, assuming they're similar. I 'm also keeping my H50 cooler, hard drive, & power supply per your recommendation. However did pick up 16gb of RAM (2x 8gb sticks). I totally neglected to mention that my old memory is 6x 2gb sticks of tri-channel memory. whoops. =)

Heres my build. I went a little overboard with the processor, but stayed well within budget. Total cost $1109, free shipping, no tax.

Asus z86 plus http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CRJSX5Q/ref=pe_385040_30332...

i7 4770k http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CO8TBQ0/ref=pe_385040_30332...

Kingston v300 120gb SSD http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A1ZTZOG/ref=pe_385040_30332...

Corsair vengeance 16gb 1600mhz http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007TG8QRW/ref=pe_385040_30332...

Antec 900 case http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I5JHB0/ref=pe_385040_30332... (Couldn't resist. It was so easy working on my friends Antec 600! Admittedly the Nzxt Apollo you suggested looks way cooler. These antecs are ugly beasts. )

Sapphire Radeon R9 280x 3GB card http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FLMKNE0/ref=pe_385040_30332...

I was going to get two 7970s since it has such a great track record, but decided to take a shot at the 280x since it should be minutely better for about the same price. If I like it then I'll buy a second one a few months down the road & crossfire. Who knows maybe it will have dropped in price a little by then, or have a rebate or something. In the meantime I can hauk my old computer parts on Ebay for some extra $$ & won't feel as guilty about building a new rig.

I'm still kinda new here. How do I mark this thread as Solved? 9_6


October 18, 2013 12:07:37 AM

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