Q6600 to 2500K for BF3?

[suklee]

Current rig: q6600 @3.1ghz, ep35-ds3l, 8gb, 560ti, 640+500gb hdd, vista x64

Current use: bf3, and that's it. Will probably try installing OS X on a spare HD in the future though. I game at 1920x1200 and notice slight lag on 64p servers. I also see that my GPU usage goes as low as 75%.

Thinking of going to a 2500k with 8GB DDR3 RAM, on one of these mobos, though I am not sure of the differences:

Gigabyte Z68MA-D2H
Gigabyte Z68X-UD3H-B3
Gigabyte Z68MX-UD2H-B3

Where I live I'll be forking out about US$430 for 2500K + mobo + 8GB RAM and I figure I can sell my Q6600 + mobo + RAM on eBay for ~ US$130. I'm okay with spending the difference on the upgrade assuming the change in performance is noticeable.

• RAM for the 2500k: what speed should I go for? I'll be shooting for a moderate overclock.
• My Corsair VX550W should be okay for the new CPU/mobo yes?
• other tips & advice, or anything else I should consider?

 

[skipsneeky2]

The move from a e8200@ 3.2ghz to a simple dual core i3 2100 showed vast improvements with BF3 for me.

In short the 2500k would blow the doors off the q6600 .

You won't regret the upgrade.

Which gpu are you going with or are you gonna use?

 

[suklee]

Planning to keep the 560ti

 

[greenhawk]

using a q6600 @ stock, 8GB, SSD OS, v'raptor for the game and GTX570, 1920 res in BF3 works fine for me.

 

[suklee]

using a q6600 @ stock, 8GB, SSD OS, v'raptor for the game and GTX570, 1920 res in BF3 works fine for me.

What's your gpu usage like?

 

[Hubb1e]

I considered this upgrade as well. I'm running a Q6600 at 3ghz 4GB ram ATI 5850 on Vista 64 19x12. Instead I did a simple Ram upgrade to 8GB and it fixed my issue on large maps. Things run smooth as butter now.

 

[greenhawk]

What's your gpu usage like?

never checked, appears smooth enough, but I am guessing it is not 60+

I'll have to check as I am sure the cpu is maxed out (well, some cores are), but if that is heavly limiting the GPU, I've no idea.

 

[severus]

My pal had a similar setup and went to a 1090T. He picked up between 20-30fps an the 1090 isn't overclocked. That game likes cores! the 2500 would be a huge improvement too

 

[sep]

Suklee,

I upgraded from a Q6600 to a 2500k (didn't play with oc'ing yet). You will see a difference in performance, but I can tell you my biggest performance increase was going from HD to SSD. Not sure if Win7 vs Vista will be an increase too...I've never used vista and kinda glad I didn't.

The lag might be from the GPU and your settings. You can always drop the setttings to the lowest and see how it performs. If you still get sluggish...then it's other components. If not then it's pointing to the GPU ; )

Right now I only playing BF3 with my setup and love it. Same Resolution @ Ultra w/MSAA 2 (I think, I'll ahve to check the MSAA).

P.S. If you do upgrade I'm selling 8gb of ram sealed in the box ; ) that will support this CPU/Board.

 

[Idontcare]

I upgraded from a Q6600 to a 2500k (didn't play with oc'ing yet). You will see a difference in performance, but I can tell you my biggest performance increase was going from HD to SSD. Not sure if Win7 vs Vista will be an increase too...I've never used vista and kinda glad I didn't.

I was gonna mention this, but since sep already did I will just +1 this.

 

[Smartazz]

I made the same upgrade and it'll be worth it if you play in bigger servers, where your fps will get considerably better if you were cpu bound. I also kept the same SSD and the difference between the q6600 and 2500k on it was impressive.

 

[videogames101]

It will make a large difference, do it.

 

[suklee]

I was gonna mention this, but since sep already did I will just +1 this.

SSD wouldn't actually improve my gameplay experience (number of fps) would it? I was under impression that it would improve level load times, BF3 boot times, etc... but in-game it wouldn't make a difference -- Correct me if wrong.

I did look at an Intel SRT video on Newegg yesterday. Is that worth doing? Haven't ventured into the world of SSDs yet.

Regarding RAM: I'll be looking at getting DDR3 @ 1600MHz rated for 1.5v. This seems to be the way to go...

 

[upsdriver]

SSD wouldn't actually improve my gameplay experience (number of fps) would it? I was under impression that it would improve level load times, BF3 boot times, etc... but in-game it wouldn't make a difference -- Correct me if wrong.

You are correct.

 

[suklee]

SSD is probably lower on my priority list then... I think I would rather 'upgrade' my 560Ti than hop on the SSD wagon, even though I know it will feel really snappy.

 

[Smartazz]

The 560ti is no slouch, so I'd wait for 28nm gpus. Thanks to my ssd and 2500k Im usually among the very first people in a game which is helpful if u want vehicles.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Yes

 

[suklee]

Just took a look at Eyefinity on BF3 - Damn, I want that at some point in the future. Is the 2500k + z68 mobo gonna be good enough, i.e. won't be a bottleneck assuming I get decent video card(s)?

 

[Smartazz]

Just took a look at Eyefinity on BF3 - Damn, I want that at some point in the future. Is the 2500k + z68 mobo gonna be good enough, i.e. won't be a bottleneck assuming I get decent video card(s)?

There isn't anything much faster than an overclocked 2500K. Just look for a motherboard with good overclocking capabilities and supports higher speed PCI-e slots when multi-GPU is in use.

 

[skipsneeky2]

ssd would be a nice addition.

I dropped in a corsair force gt 60gb based off the sata 6 controller i can tell you for under $120 its a epic upgrade.

BF3 loading is about 3x as fast my mechanical drive and windows index gives it a 7.9 out of 7.9 in windows 7 which is sweet

 

[GoStumpy]

SSD wouldn't actually improve my gameplay experience (number of fps) would it? I was under impression that it would improve level load times, BF3 boot times, etc... but in-game it wouldn't make a difference -- Correct me if wrong.

As far as I know, FPS is not the only 'gameplay experience' ()

Switching levels went from 45 to 10 seconds, I have to say BF3 was irritatingly slow loading levels and switching maps until I got a SSD... Now it just changes and I barely remember the days before SSD!

And I think that is large part of the 'gameplay experience' just as much as a few less eye candies traded for a few extra FPS...

My $0.02.

 

[suklee]

Yes

Yes and I am now holding a bag with 2500k, z68xp-ud3 and 8gb of corsair ram. Will update later

 

[sep]

As far as I know, FPS is not the only 'gameplay experience' ()

Switching levels went from 45 to 10 seconds, I have to say BF3 was irritatingly slow loading levels and switching maps until I got a SSD... Now it just changes and I barely remember the days before SSD!

And I think that is large part of the 'gameplay experience' just as much as a few less eye candies traded for a few extra FPS...

My $0.02.

Well said!

 

[suklee]

My board has a mSATA port on board for putting a SSD in, for SRT purposes. Might pick up a cheap and small SSD for it -- if SRT makes a difference.

 

[sangyup81]

I vote for SSD. A q6600 to 2500K isn't as much of a difference as an e8200 to 2100

I would also ask if putting that money difference in the video card (with selling your 560ti) would do more