The GREAT BF3 Computer Build!

[Shookies]

Hi guys,

Ren and I are going to be building entirely new computers for BF3 around the time the game comes out. We haven't worked out the official details but I'm sure the budget is going to be between $1200 and $2000 dollars depending on the amount of monitors, video cards, and speakers we throw in there.

We'll post what we are buying when we are buying it if you want ideas for your own computer.

I read today that Walmart is partnering with iBUYPOWER so they'll be selling custom gaming rigs there; however what we assemble will be The Avengers to their Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.

So far it's like:
Intel's Patsburg LGA 2011 CPU + Mobo (http://semiaccurate.com/2011/01/12/inte ... et-detail/)
Pimp ass case that is quiet and cooling focused
Primary SSD hard drive (or 2 in a raid)
A 3TB - 6TB of storage space
8+ GB of RAM
Best bang for the buck video card at the time ($300 to $550)
3rd Party Sound Card (Fatality SB?)
1.21 jiggawat flux capicator (800w PSU?)
24 - 30inch Monitor (3d capable?)
5.1 surround sound or headset

We're already saving our pennies so if you wanna do the same, start now! If you wanna just update your current rigs at the time, we'll have a =s3xy= computer review spectacular with all our IT guys and we'll figure out how to get the most out of what you got for the least amount of $.

[FoxMcCarther]

I will join you in your adventure, though I can't afford entirely new (rather I really don't need entirely new), I plan on spending around $1000-$1500 around when it comes out on some upgrades (new MoBo, all new ram, couple new video cards, etc.)

All said and done, my upgraded work/gaming computer should break down to be

-Changes-
(Priority 1)1-2 nVidia video cards ($300-$400 each) (or get one which is something like the future equivalent of the GTX590 (which is like 2 580s in one)).
(Priority 2)New full AM3 Motherboard (currently using am2+/am3)
(Priority 2 cont.) 8g+ of DDR3 Ram (decent speed) (currently using 8g DDR2 OCZ Reaper)
(Priority 3)Antec or Thermaltake full tower (to replace my Phoenix Neo mid case)


Depending on how I am doing after all that (I expect the above to cost around $1300)

(Priority 4)Water cooling (replacing thermoelectric cooling (used for case size restrictions)).
I actually really hope to replace that damn thing, it works well, but it uses a shitton of power and drives up my bill noticeably


-No Changes-
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T (overclocked to 3.7-4.0(as it is now))
3Tb hdds (they are the faster ones, but I can't afford SSD's, perhaps one more if budget allows)
1000watt Rosewill PSU (people tell me it's a bad brand, but I have never had a negative experience with them)
2x 24" Asus http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LY ... ss_product
Logitech Z-2300 THX-Certified (will never replace, best thing ever, also have a 7.1 headset)

I was going to upgrade a couple weeks ago, but... things happened, and now I am starting to save all over again =D. Should have the money just in time.

PS: Will be selling some old stuff around then too... List follows, if anybody wants cheap stuff, it all should me more than capable of handling BF3 at above average settings (gfx card currently maxes just about everything)
8g of ddr2 OCZ Reaper ram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820227267
am2/am2+/am3 Motherboard - http://www.gigabyte.com/products/produc ... id=3038#sp
MSI Gtx275 Twin Frozr - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814127429
Thermoelectric Processor Cooler - http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... &CatId=798

[Jackal]

Awesome ideas Shook

I think my rig is solid except for my graphics card... so I'll be investing in a 700 dollar graphics card and maybe a 27" 3D monitor.

Links coming soon

[Tact1al]

I rebuilt my gaming rig for BF:BC2 (just like I built my last rig for BF2 before that)

Currently I have the following

AMD Phenom II x4 965 Black Edition
Asus M4A7XTD EVO motherboard (AM3)
8GB Memory
ATI 5850 (my first ATI card since a 9800pro... go figure)
64GB SSD Boot drive / Raid 10 Storage drive (1.5TB 7200rpm drives - about 250 - 300MBS read @ 4TB total space. Use it for recording FRAPS when gaming)
Antec P180 Case (best case ever!)
Logitech G15 keyboard (revision 1, I'll never part with it)

The biggest upgrades i'm going to be needing are as follows

1. a new set of monitors (27's would be nice). Currently stuck on an old 19' LCD
2. AMD AM3+ CPU
3. AMD AM3+ Motherboard
4. Upgraded graphics card (5850 is still kicking, but I'm holding out for something better for BF3)

Also throwing this out there because I know there will be someone wanting to upgrade (Lance Corp. Morgan I'm looking at you). I'll be getting rid of my CPU / Mobo combo so I'll keep you in mind when it comes to 2nd gen stuff if you are needing something still.

I also offer my computer building skills to any clan member if you need help. I'm in the great state of Wisconsin, but I've helped people out in the past when it comes to building and upgrading units.

[Awfulwaffle]

I'm a cheap bastard so I'm hopin to get away with just throwing another gtx460 at my rig If no such luck, I s'pose it'll be time to spring for a ddr3 board and sime quicker memory. Hopin 6gb of ddr2 oc'd to ~1050 will keep me above the recommended specs bar though.

[Span]

I sadly won't be able to upgrade for Bf3 probably for awhile.

[Tact1al]

I'm a cheap bastard so I'm hopin to get away with just throwing another gtx460 at my rig If no such luck, I s'pose it'll be time to spring for a ddr3 board and sime quicker memory. Hopin 6gb of ddr2 oc'd to ~1050 will keep me above the recommended specs bar though.

If a 460 doesn't cut it and you want something a bit more you can fight Morgan over my cpu / motherboard if you want (DDR3 / AM3 board).

lol

[AnjouZERO]

most likely going to change out processor from duo wolfdale 8400 to one of the new i7s possibly extreme,some ssd hdd and more ram everything else is for the most part brand spanking new. possibly one of the new ati cards. a buddy of mine test and reviews comp parts so hes going to be getting one of the new 6000 series to keep, so hopefully when hes done with it he'll send down my way.

[Shookies]

I sadly won't be able to upgrade for Bf3 probably for awhile.

Don't be too sad! There will be 2 months of necessary patches to make online play work I'm sure. This is DICE...

[jesseleite]

I would suggest building systems in your shopping cart in Newegg, look for bundles and keep in mind everything outdates quickly so don’t think you will be all set……wont happen.

With that budget AMD is a must….ya ya I know intel this and intel that…..but look at the price of the motherboards or how often the change their sockets….stick to AMD. If you need Nvidia then be sure you either get a board that has the Hydra chip or don’t SLI.

If you need assistance ive also built a system or two

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMylrh2gDno

[Tact1al]

@Jesse

Nice build man. Love the cable management and the layout.... reminds me of the days when I had money to drop on a new system before life got complicated

[Jackal]

It's the year 2011 and people still fall for the Intel trap...

It's like paying an extra dollar a gallon for 95+ gas when 93 premium is just as good.

[jesseleite]

It's the year 2011 and people still fall for the Intel trap...

It's like paying an extra dollar a gallon for 95+ gas when 93 premium is just as good.

Amen!

[FoxMcCarther]

It's the year 2011 and people still fall for the Intel trap...

It's like paying an extra dollar a gallon for 95+ gas when 93 premium is just as good.

Amen!

^ That, most definitely.

[RenaissanceGuy]

Let's look at the facts here:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

Intel is competitively priced when viewing price/performance ratio. If you want to build a PC that will last for quite some time before needing an upgrade, it may make sense to drop $320 on a chip instead of $230 if you're getting 30% more performance. (which you do)

I can't disagree with anybody who says getting a top of the line AMD chip is completely suitable for a gaming rig. In 2 years it won't be even if yo upgrade your GPU. Get the higher end Intel now (i7 - 2600-k or i5-2500-k) and those smaller upgrades later will make a pretty large performance increase while you can continue to use your older RAM, CPU and mobo.

Just food for thought.