Widescreen Gaming Forum

Hey guys,

Longtime browser, first time poster. I have a question regarding I want to blow my next few paychecks on....

Here's a few specs from my current system:
i3 2100 :(
HD 6870
8gb RAM

I have a dual monitor setup and they're both decent monitors, but they're also too small and old for my liking (21" dell+19" sammy)
I mostly play BF3 at 1440x900 on high/ultra settings with ~30+ fps (just playable). I really don't use my PC for anything other than gaming or playing movies/music, so any upgrade has to enhance the experience :)

Within the next month, I'm looking to spend some serious $$$ (serious by my standards- ~$800+) on both PC and monitor upgrades. I'd like to get at least 1 24" (or similar size) monitor, another gfx card, an i5 or i7, and maybe another 8gb of ram.

I'm thinking that the best way to do this is to upgrade the CPU and monitor first - an i5 and an ASUS VS248H (best bang for buck?), followed by another gfx card (thinking of getting another 6870 for crossfire), and finally a 2nd (and hopefully) 3rd monitor last.

I need to stagger the upgrades so I can afford other necessary items (beer, etc). What's your guys' opinions on my plan? Would you change any parts around? Or perhaps upgrade order? I'm not looking to spend more than $400 at a time, and my paychecks come 2 weeks apart.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

You have 2nd Monitor? Start GPU-Z or use MSI Afterburner (or similar) Tools to read GPU load while Playing. Do you get >99% GPU Load while playing?
Is your CPU overclocked or Stock clock @3.1ghz ? i3-2100 does NOT have Turbo function?

I'd go first with a GPU Upgrade! Getting a 2nd 6870 might be the cheapest option to gain a lot more power! But then again you'll have the crossfire *problems* not working in some games, bad scaling in other games... maybe getting a 7850 would result in better performance but costs way more! Oh, i hope you have a 2GB 6870! If not you really should reconsider a 7850.

Well, that only counts IF you have >99% GPU load! IF you're at a CPU Limit at the moment then CPU comes first.


So, first GPU Then (or first) CPU and then 3 Monitors :)

Be sure to get the correct monitor! There are a few with DP and(or) IPS pannel, but they are very expensive! On the other hand you have to count ca 20$ for a miniDP-DVI Adapter. maybe there is a HDMI->DVI Adapter whit the Graphics card? so you only need the miniDP-DVI adapter. But there are lot of cheaper TN panel Monitors out there.

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We gonna send it to outa space!

I think your CPU could use an upgrade :) Then if you want GPU, and then Monitors ! :D By the way, check out The Yamakasi Catleap Monitor Range, cheap, and really good IPS monitors according to users over at overclock.net


http://www.overclock.net/t/1225919/yamakasi-catleap-monitor-club

You have 2nd Monitor? Start GPU-Z or use MSI Afterburner (or similar) Tools to read GPU load while Playing. Do you get >99% GPU Load while playing?
Is your CPU overclocked or Stock clock @3.1ghz ? i3-2100 does NOT have Turbo function?

I'd go first with a GPU Upgrade! Getting a 2nd 6870 might be the cheapest option to gain a lot more power! But then again you'll have the crossfire *problems* not working in some games, bad scaling in other games... maybe getting a 7850 would result in better performance but costs way more! Oh, i hope you have a 2GB 6870! If not you really should reconsider a 7850.

Well, that only counts IF you have >99% GPU load! IF you're at a CPU Limit at the moment then CPU comes first.


So, first GPU Then (or first) CPU and then 3 Monitors :)

Be sure to get the correct monitor! There are a few with DP and(or) IPS pannel, but they are very expensive! On the other hand you have to count ca 20$ for a miniDP-DVI Adapter. maybe there is a HDMI->DVI Adapter whit the Graphics card? so you only need the miniDP-DVI adapter. But there are lot of cheaper TN panel Monitors out there.

My CPU is not overclocked, and to my knowledge does not have a turbo function. I'm pretty sure the multiplier/fsb is locked so it remains @ 3.1ghz... I always thought this was my bottleneck, not the GPU
I did not get a chance to test out the GPU load, but I do have the 1gb version =/ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561) Judging my my fps, I would guesstimate the load to be ~90% (complete guess).

I am only getting 1 monitor at a time, so I'd like to have my FPS keep up with the upgrade, meaning I'd like to upgrade 1 component along with getting a monitor so I can continue to play on high/ultra settings at a higher resolution.
The Yamakasi monitor suggested looks great, and I am very tempted to buy it right now :X However, I was originally thinking of buying the 3 off the same monitor over time, as to eventually have a "unified" set over time instead of the hodgepodge set I have now. If I were to get the 27"er, I would probably stop at that and use my other 2 monitors as secondary monitors. I kind of liked the idea of triple 24"ers :/

I am definitely going to buy a monitor and some other item tonight (at midnight when I get paid $) ), but the question is.....what? What part will give me the biggest FPS increase (in BF3)? And would you guys go for a larger (probably nicer), "individual," monitor setup? Or would you do a tri monitor setup (most likely lower quality)? I'm lookin to blow some money, here, but I definitely want to get the best bang for my buck.

Thanks again for the replies

What part will give me the biggest FPS increase (in BF3)? And would you guys go for a larger (probably nicer), "individual," monitor setup? Or would you do a tri monitor setup (most likely lower quality)? I'm lookin to blow some money, here, but I definitely want to get the best bang for my buck.

We need to know if GPU is at 99% or not. If it is, you need a new GPU. If it isn't you need a new CPU.

I would personally wait with another 8GB RAM, put it further down your list of things to buy :)

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