Hey everyone. I'm currently considering upgrading my PC hardware, specifically my CPU Processor and Video Graphic Card, so that I may run Battlefield 3. I want a minimum of it to run in at least Medium Video Settings.

Here are a list of information of my current PC Specs:

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 245e
RAM: 4.0 GB
Operating System: Windows 7 64-Bit
Video Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 4270
Sound Card: Realtek High Definition Audio
Free Memory Space: 594.7 GB

As you can see, I need to upgrade my CPU and VGC.

What I ask, is that you list reliable CPU and VGC and the price of it.

Thank you

- DeadlyChaos

Well, if you get a new CPU, you'll need a new motherboard as well. What chipset you planning on?

English please? I'm terrible when it comes to computer components.

Well it kinda depends on how much you're willing to spend on these components. You can get a lot in each price range, it just depends on how much you are willing to spend. I've got some stuff for between $100-$200 per component :S
All on Amazon.com btw
Processors:
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-6100-6-Core-Processor-Socket/dp/B005UBNKWO/
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-FX-8120-8-Core-Edition-Processor/dp/B005UBNKZG/
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EBUXIA

Graphics Cards:
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Mini-HDMI-Graphics-02G-P3-1559-KR/dp/B004XUCCS6/ (1GB Also available for less)
http://www.amazon.com/SAPPHIRE-Radeon-6870-GDDR5-Graphics/dp/B005C8RTTU/
http://www.amazon.com/Eyefinity-EAH6870-DC-2DI2S-1GD5/dp/B004H8C2XO/

You might need a new power supply if upgrading (not sure, ask someone else. Not the most computer literate)
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Certified-Compatible-Platforms-CMPSU-600CXV2/dp/B004W2T2UQ/ (500 Watt for $10 cheaper)

And motherboards I'm not so sure of:
www.amazon.com/Crosshair-Formula-Republic-Gamers-Motherboard/dp/B00539LP34/ (I know this has the same CPU socket for the AMD processors. Not sure about the intel though)
www.amazon.com/ASUS-Sabertooth-990FX-Series-Motherboards/dp/B00539LU3E/ (There are cheaper ones below)
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-M5A99X-Evo-6Gbps-Motherboards/dp/B0053YM70Y/
www.amazon.com/ASUS-M5A97-Evo-6Gbps-Motherboards/dp/B005584ZD0/

Quack is right, your new processor and video card might not fit with your old motherboard, or even when it does your old motherboard might not support all their features meaning it bottlecaps the perfomance of your new hardware

I'm aware of buying a new motherboard.

Also, don't worry about me learning how to work with computers, as all I am doing is getting the parts, and me and my uncle, who is a computer engineer, will work on it together.

Hmmm.. Well if all you want is to play on medium settings.
I would say something like

i5 2500(k) = $200-230
GTX 460 or AMD 6850 = $100-150
Gigabyte Z68X UD3 = $100-120

but if you prefer AMD... then maybe something like
Phenom II X4 965??? << I never use AMD.. so I have no experience with that.. but I heard good things about it = $100-120
GTX 460 or AMD 6850 = $100-150
(Some Asus or Gigabyte Board) = $100-110?


With this you can probably run BF3 on medium, perfectly fine. You can also push it up to high with some OCing on the 460.. getting maybe.. 40-45 fps ..

Mangekyo wrote:

Hmmm.. Well if all you want is to play on medium settings.
I would say something like

i5 2500(k) = $200-230
GTX 460 or AMD 6850 = $100-150
Gigabyte Z68X UD3 = $100-120

but if you prefer AMD... then maybe something like
Phenom II X4 965??? << I never use AMD.. so I have no experience with that.. but I heard good things about it = $100-120
GTX 460 or AMD 6850 = $100-150
(Some Asus or Gigabyte Board) = $100-110?


With this you can probably run BF3 on medium, perfectly fine. You can also push it up to high with some OCing on the 460.. getting maybe.. 40-45 fps ..

If you run that, Medium might do you ~55 fps. Personally, I'd rather play on low on that system, so that I get over 60 fps.

quack you play on low settings?

That's what he said...

Also, I prefer to use AMD as my CPU and ATI as my VGC.

Now, I've considered to actually custom-built my own Personal Computer, so I would like it if you can inform me with any components. I am not spending more than $200.00

DeadlyChaos09 wrote:

That's what he said...

Also, I prefer to use AMD as my CPU and ATI as my VGC.

Now, I've considered to actually custom-built my own Personal Computer, so I would like it if you can inform me with any components. I am not spending more than $200.00

Ugh...I will let quack fill you in on that possibility

Okay then

How much are you trying to get with just $200? Just the parts that need upgrading or a full blown new PC

it's going to be hard getting all descent part for 200 bucks, need at least 600 to 700 bucks. Or you could just updrage a small part of your computer like the power supply and then work your way up.

GoldFusion wrote:

it's going to be hard getting all descent part for 200 bucks, need at least 600 to 700 bucks. Or you could just updrage a small part of your computer like the power supply and then work your way up.

Nice direct quote by Ranger

But a CPU and video might be the only things you need...depending on if your other components can keep up with your new CPU/video.

I don't know what the best AMD processor is currently; might be the Zambezi; video...dunno exactly

Under 200? To upgrade to play bf3.. might not be possible... Unless you get huge deals off an an AMD cpu and a GTS 250. I doubt you'll be able to get a motherboard with that for under 200. Under 200.. the only thing you can do is to get a cheap APU from AMD and a very cheap board.

You guys do realize I'm 14, and don't work, at all. So this is money saved up from Birthdays, Christmas, etc.

If you're telling me that I need to spend more than $200 per part, then that obviously means I can't buy it. I'm looking between 200-300 per part, and this only includes my CPU and VGC, not my motherboard. The only reason I don't put a price on that is because the motherboard is only to make sure each component may work.

OH 200-300 PER part... I thought you meant under 200 for the gpu,cpu and mobo combo..
200-300 per component is a lot of money. You can buy really really good parts with that much money.

CPU: http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=46281&vpn=HDZ965FBGMBOX&manufacture=AMD&promoid=1069

GPU: http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=56356&vpn=EAH6850%20DC%2F2DIS%2F1GD5%2FV2&manufacture=ASUS&promoid=1069

Motherboard: http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=61850&vpn=GA-990XA-UD3&manufacture=Gigabyte&promoid=1069

So keeping mind your preferences and budget. Each component is between 100-200. In terms of brand, I've also brought out some of my own preferences. I trust Asus and Gigabyte a lot, so I would definitely recommend those two. As for the CPU, I've heard good things about this AMD quad core.. but I never really used it. You might also decide to buy a FX CPU.. but I heard that the FX series weren't as good as the old quad and hexacores.

This system can run BF3 with no problems at all. On low you'll probably get 55-60+ fps. On medium 45-55.

Mangekyo has got it right on. Good luck with everything Deadly. If you need any deals on stuff, let me know. I have a buddy who works at Best Buy and I could just buy it here and you could pick it up there.

In Chicago?

And yes, it's 200-300 per part. However, prefer under 200. And thanks Magekyo. I am definitely considering those.

Well that is a lot different than just saying:

[quote]I am not spending more than $200.00[/quote

But yeah erm that frees up things--but how many parts are you considering? CPU and GPU but you said motherboard also? And what is the wattage of your Power Supply?

The video card mangyeko just suggested I have actually just bought for a customer machine--the exact same one.

The CPU I am not totally sure but you might want to choose the Zambezi--that and the Phenom series of AMD are the only ones that can really handle BF3 (correct me if Im wrong anyone--i might be). Here are the Zambezis: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=zambezi&x=0&y=0

They can cost anywhere from $100-250 -- the difference between them is how many cores they have (4, 6 or and between like 3.3 and 4.2 Ghz frequency

Deadly, well out in the suburbs so you avoid the insane 10% tax that we have.

On my side I'm saving up for a Samsung Series 7 Gamer. That thing is going to be a MONSTER! Finally having 2 jobs and no time will pay off.

Raj, in the Chicagoland suburbs we have a 7% tax here xD

I feel that Mangekyo's suggestions are your best bet. Don't go get a Zambezi/Bulldozer (nicknamed as the FailDozer). Even with the convincing gain in cores, you have barely any performance gain against Phenom II's, with the exception of the very light graphics ability which won't help at all in BF3.

Endrane wrote:

Raj, in the Chicagoland suburbs we have a 7% tax here xD

I feel that Mangekyo's suggestions are your best bet. Don't go get a Zambezi/Bulldozer (nicknamed as the FailDozer). Even with the convincing gain in cores, you have barely any performance gain against Phenom II's, with the exception of the very light graphics ability which won't help at all in BF3.

Yeah and also not many applications need or can use eight cores so ya