Computer Build

[Smilodon]

I am buying a new computer since mine has fallen behind in gaming. My budget is $1,100 and I found this combo, and I would of course get the other essential parts with it.

Computer Combo

And since it doesn't come with a sound card, I was looking at this one: Sound Card

I will be using my Disc Drive out of my old computer.

It all adds up to $1,087.97 with Windows 7

Does this look like a good build for games like BF3? Is there anything I am missing?

 

[reflex99]

I tried to build something comparable, but the most i could undercut that combo was by $30.

That combo seems like a pretty good deal to me. It should be fine for BF3, don't expect Ultra @1080p, but medium should be easily playable.

 

[Vorsai]

Looks good, but unless you're an audiophile and care about super sound quality, just use the onboard sound, you don't need to buy a separate sound card.

 

[Sn1PeR]

That's a pretty solid combo. I would probably forgo the sound card and get a better cooler for the CPU (changing later can be a pita, depending on access to the rear of the motherboard). If you are an audiophile I would look into external DACs.

 

[CrushedDiamond]

I tried to build something comparable, but the most i could undercut that combo was by $30.

That combo seems like a pretty good deal to me. It should be fine for BF3, don't expect Ultra @1080p, but medium should be easily playable.

The GTX 560ti plays BF3 beta all on high (not ultra) without motion blur and hbao at 1080p cake above 60fps

 

[mad pistol]

Good Combo. Buy it and enjoy it.

 

[Smilodon]

That's a pretty solid combo. I would probably forgo the sound card and get a better cooler for the CPU (changing later can be a pita, depending on access to the rear of the motherboard). If you are an audiophile I would look into external DACs.

Well the reason I had it on there is because I didn't see it listed. Would the sound card it comes with be that good?

 

[a pet rock]

Well the reason I had it on there is because I didn't see it listed. Would the sound card it comes with be that good?

Motherboards have built-in sound cards. They're perfectly acceptable for 99% of client uses and most people will see more of an improvement investing sound card money into better speakers. Now audiophiles and people in the business will need better, but motherboard sound cards are better than iPod quality and most people don't mind that level. If you still really feel the need to get a sound card, I'd suggest this one for 7.1. There's also a $20 one for 5.1 if it makes a difference.

Also, that build is exceptional for the price. I would nitpick and get exactly what I want, but it would probably cost more because of the combo bonus. If you like the case go for it.

 

[reflex99]

The GTX 560ti plays BF3 beta all on high (not ultra) without motion blur and hbao at 1080p cake above 60fps

In the beta it shows it getting just under 50 FPS on high (without AA):

This graph is from nvidia, so it is probably not a greatly accurate source, and is probably a bit over-inflated, but you get the idea.

Dice has said a few times that the final game will "look" better. Looking better doesn't come without a performance cost, add in AA and it will probably drop a 560Ti below 40, which, really, is choppy/unplayable (depending on how you look at it).

 

[CrushedDiamond]

In the beta it shows it getting just under 50 FPS on high (without AA):

This graph is from nvidia, so it is probably not a greatly accurate source, and is probably a bit over-inflated, but you get the idea.

Dice has said a few times that the final game will "look" better. Looking better doesn't come without a performance cost, add in AA and it will probably drop a 560Ti below 40, which, really, is choppy/unplayable (depending on how you look at it).

Don't follow that chart at all, my girlfriends computer which is exactly the same in the chart is pushing High 1080p without AA at 60-80FPS with a 560Ti, when retail comes out i still see it having to go down on some settings to stay above 60. The chart seems to be more of a push to get people to buy their more expensive cards. The dead giveaway? The 560Ti beats any 470 GTX hands down in ANY test out there...bogus chart form nvidia. A 570 GTX isn't breaking 60FPS...bull i say haha from what i've seen the GTX 570 is pushing ultra at 1080p just fine above 60FPS (Without AA). ONLY a 580 and 590 GTX can go above 60FPS on HIGH!? ya right nvidia nice try.

Here you go note the resolutions and the preset settings ALL ultra

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/10/03/battlefield_3_open_beta_performance_image_quality/2

Playable yes seeing how they said they fixed the framerate stability in final which will make anything above 30fps look butter smooth, btw these charts are always skewed cause its the max fps given not avg or min which is what matters most.

 

[reflex99]

add 4xAA, and you are frequently below 30FPS on ultra, likely below 40 on high

High without AA is like icecream without any flavoring....frozen milk doesn't taste any good.

 

[CrushedDiamond]

Depending on your resolution AA can be a waste of memory honestly i run without AA since for me at 1080p its never worth the performance drop as i don't see jaggies much when im running in game...maybe in single player but not multiplayer.

Don't forget its a multiplayer beta, the numbers are based off that when retail comes out they'll run a proper test with the frame rate fix and then well see what runs well.