HP Pavillion Elite HPE-530sc - I'm looking for at new graphics card (perhaps)

[sorenslothe]

Hey

I have this PC: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02688298&lc=en&cc=dk&destPage=document&dlc=da&j...

From the look of it, it should do great, but it doesn't. I can play Battlefield on the graphic settings that I would like, and considering the fact that I have a 2gb graphics card, that is a bit weird. Could this be due to my PSU (it has 460W total)?

If it is not, what would you recommend I do then?

I hope you can help me with this, it is quite annoying :-)

Soren

[Big_Dave]

Hi Soren,

What graphics card is installed in your PC?  What game settings are you using?

How does the game play in offline mode?

Try this NVIDIA link and is your PC ready analyzer.   What are the results?

[sorenslothe]

Hey. Great with this quick of a reply :-)

I currently have an nVIDIA GT420 2gb card installed.
I use 1368x10?? resolution I think, although I am not sure. I am on mobile right now, but I can check the precise one tomorrow.
Most of the other settings are set to medium or low, only the terrain quality is set for high. At these settings the game plays practically flawlessly, but at anything higher, it is no longer smooth.

The game plays the same in offline mode as it does online.

I have tried some of the different testers and analyzers on nVIDIA, but none of them seems to really work. And by the way, I just updated the drivers a couple of days afo (the game did the same thing before the driver update).

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

The NVIDIA BF3 analyzer does work.  I just tried it.

NVIDIA does have updated drivers on the NVIDIA web site.

BF3 does have a major update available.  It's a complete new download and it takes a long time to download it.

The GT 420 in your PC is inadequate for BF3 once you use settings that require a better video card.

[sorenslothe]

Well, when I run it I get a Java runtime error, despite the fact that my Java is up to date...

Where do I download this update from? I just tried checking for updates in Origin, but there were none.

So, basically I need a better graphics card if I want to run BF3 on higher settings? In that case, what should I look for? I like NVIDIA, but I'm open to other brands. Is it easy to swap out for a beginner like me, or should I get some help?

[FattysGoneWild]

That card will not cut it for BF3. Not even close. You need a GTX 560 or above. A GTX 560 will allow you to play on high default settings at 1080p. You will also need a new power supply. I would suggest 600w psu. And don't settle for a cheapo. Get a good name brand. Antec, Seasonic, Corsair etc.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Read through the suggestions listed in this post.

Java problems?  Try this Java web site.  I suggest that you first remove(uninstall JAVA) and then install both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions if you are running a 64 bit OS.

[sorenslothe]

Ah, great! I found an EVGA GTX 560 Ti Superclocked at a good price, and then I am planning on buying the Corsair CX600 PSU. Also I just saw an XFX Radeon HD 6870 (both cards are listed by yourself in the post you linked me to). Which one do you think would do the trick best? It does not matter which one is more expensive, I just want optimal performance in my game :-)

[Big_Dave · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Check out the comparison between the AMD 6870 and the NVIDIA 560 TI here.

Check out the comparison between the AMD 6870 and the NVIDIA 560 TI 448 here.

Check out the comparison between the NVIDIA 560 TI and the NVIDIA 560 TI 448 here.

Check out the Passmark high end video card benchmarks here.

I'll give the edge to NVIDIA on performance but then to AMD on price/performance ratio.

[FattysGoneWild]

The 6870 vs 560 Ti is NOT a fair comparison at all. 6870 vs 560 is comparable to each other. It is just a matter of which flavor you want. AMD or Nvidia.