Will my PC Run this? What CPU/GPU to get? What settings? System Specifications.

[GOLGO_13]

Thanks for the infos guys!

this has been fixed in the 1.60 (and the later beta patches). Those fixes are NOT available in the demo.

While a SSD will improve the texture loading time, it will NOT fix the issue with network warping you are reporting.

I was testing only on SP, I haven't tried MP or Coop yet.
I know the game lags quite a bit online, but I'll try it anyway.

First up try these tried and tested settings.
That rig should definitely be able to play at 100% 3D.
And overclocking your 2500k will definitely help.

I'll try out those settings as soon as I get home.
About overclocking the 2500K, I've been thinking about somenthing around 4.2GHz. Is it enough (and safe) to get a good performance boost?
I don't know much about overclocking, but I don't wanna make huge changes on the voltage(and end up reducing the lifespam of my CPU). That's why I'm wanna try to keep it at a low OC.

[BangTail]

@BangTail: i feel sad for you, i really hope AMD will be able to fix their issues. Might want to contact their support, i am pretty sure they are not well aware about a niche game such as A2 and your issues...

Yep, it's a shame.

There was a new driver today so I will give them another try over the weekend before returning them on Monday (should I not be able to resolve the problems).

It is a shame, but as HardOCP's article points out, and as I have said many times, great hardware but terrible CF drivers and since I need to run 2 cards for my res, I need the best solution and time and time again, that has been SLI.

I'm really hoping I can get this sorted over the weekend as these cards are very fast when they work.

*EDIT*: Unfortunately, after testing with the new driver, I've decided to return one and keep one for my second box as the single card performance is excellent.

7970 CF, on the other hand, is an unmitigated disaster area that I would advise anyone to avoid like the plague. Whenever I see an AMD user claiming flawless CF performance with every game, I have to admit I am highly sceptical.

In recent history I have tried 4870 CF (best experience with CF), 5870 CF (lots of problems), 5970 (Awful card), 6870 CF (Not so bad but issues remained), 6970 CF (Again, not on par with SLI but ok), 7970 (AVOID, AVOID, AVOID).

You can argue that they are new etc but when you've just spent $1200.00 on video cards, that isn't comforting, especially with AMD's track record vis a vis CF support.

I desperately wanted CF to work out this time, but yet again, it has let me down. I also found out today that the author of 'RadeonPro' (something like Nvidia Inspector) purchased an Nvidia card(s) and hasn't been heard from since.

People always say that SLI and CF have problems and while this is true, SLI is a far better and far more supported dual (or more) GPU solution. The problem with all these benchmarks that show the 7970 CF as being faster than 580 SLI, is that even though the 7970s may well be scoring higher, the way that translates onto the screen does not coincide with the numbers.

ArmA 2 is a prime example. With Vsync on, both CF and SLI will pin 60. The difference being that the SLI 60FPS is as smooth as glass and the CF 60FPS is a stuttering mess.

At any rate, as a single GPU, the 7970 is an amazing card and in CF, it is also amazing when it works properly, but sadly, CF still has a long way to go.

I would also add that FXAA/SMAA are worlds better on Nvidia hardware.

[domokun]

I'll try out those settings as soon as I get home.
About overclocking the 2500K, I've been thinking about somenthing around 4.2GHz. Is it enough (and safe) to get a good performance boost?
I don't know much about overclocking, but I don't wanna make huge changes on the voltage(and end up reducing the lifespam of my CPU). That's why I'm wanna try to keep it at a low OC.

Any luck with those settings and/or software tweaks?

As for overclocking your 2500k, 4.3-4.4 Ghz should be possible without increasing voltages.

Any yes it will make a significant difference.

[GOLGO_13]

Any luck with those settings and/or software tweaks?

As for overclocking your 2500k, 4.3-4.4 Ghz should be possible without increasing voltages.

Any yes it will make a significant difference.

I spent the weekend playing the demo mission, just learning the controls and stuff.
My PC is running everything on Very High and 3D res @ 100%, Post Processing disabled, VD 3000m and getting around 50fps (25-30 fps with a lot of AI in a city).
It's weird because the game was laggy before with the same settings, but after turning it down and turning up again, it's working well. LOL!

I can't wait to get a SSD and OC the 2500K(specially now I know I won't need to change the voltage).
BTW, which is a "safe" CPU temperature when playing? (I'm getting around 73 C @ 3.7GHz, using the stock cooler).

About OCing the GPU, is it safe?(my GTX 570 has an OC feature, but I'm scared of messing with it).

[Leon86]

Overclocking isnt that hard, just remember to always do extensive stability testing, otherwise you might end up with strange lockups or corrupted files.

Good programs to test are prime95 (do the blend test for 8 hours straight). LinX is very heavy on the cpu, might not want to do that more than 15 minutes, but it''s a good way to gauge if you're close to stability. If it passes 15 mins LinX start prime.

Gpu overclocking is mainly altering clockspeed with a program like msi afterburner. Problem is there's not many proper stability tests. Dont bother with furmark, many gpu's are furmark stable but crash in 3dmark. Maybe let the unique heaven benchmark loop overnight, might be a good test. Dont expect huge overclocks on the gpu, they're closer to their max potential than cpu's.

[TheCapulet]

Im running about 70 degress underload, but for me its a little too warm.

Im running at 4GHz with an akasa venom HS with an air penetrator fan in pull formation. Cant have pushpull because of the ram and height of the HS.

I want to push for 4.5Ghz possibly 5GHz. Im not at home at the minute, but Ill get some CPUz and temp shots soon as I get home.

Ive never really tweaked around with voltages, but ive pushed the multiplyer beyond 40 and my pc decided to shit itsself on me.

I'm sitting at 67 celcius at 4.7 Ghz, on a cheap $30 coolermaster HS. So either something is wrong with your HS application, or the akasa venom sucks real bad.

And don't plan on hitting 5 Ghz. It's not sustainable, even if you got lucky and got your hands on a chip capable of it.

[GOLGO_13]

Overclocking isnt that hard, just remember to always do extensive stability testing, otherwise you might end up with strange lockups or corrupted files.

Good programs to test are prime95 (do the blend test for 8 hours straight). LinX is very heavy on the cpu, might not want to do that more than 15 minutes, but it''s a good way to gauge if you're close to stability. If it passes 15 mins LinX start prime.

Gpu overclocking is mainly altering clockspeed with a program like msi afterburner. Problem is there's not many proper stability tests. Dont bother with furmark, many gpu's are furmark stable but crash in 3dmark. Maybe let the unique heaven benchmark loop overnight, might be a good test. Dont expect huge overclocks on the gpu, they're closer to their max potential than cpu's.

Thanks dude!

I've already got my CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus(that thing is huge, lol!), now I'm waiting for the Thermaltake TG1 Thermal Compound. It'll help to low the temp a little further. I'll try to set 4.2GHz, do the tests, and see if it works well.

About the GPU, I'll only OC it if it's really necessary, considering they're almost maxed out anyway.

[domokun]

I run CO on an C2D overclocked to 4GHz, with 4890 and 4GB of DDR2 RAM.
As my E8400 runs off a P35 mobo, I'm stuck with DDR2.
Currently DDR2 is x2-x3 more expensive than DDR3 (8GB = €100 vs €40).

So I'm wondering what would be the most cost-efficient upgrade? (highest "bang for buck")

a) 4x2GB of DDR2 for 12GB RAMdisk? for OA pbos?
b) 64GB SSD for OS, OA + paging file? Crucial M4?
c) mid-range (€200) gfx card? 6950? or 560ti?

Given that I game 1920x1200 (24" TFT) and I can't afford the ubiquitous 2500k/560ti/16GB-DDR3 combo.

[Leon86]

I run CO on an C2D overclocked to 4GHz, with 4890 and 4GB of DDR2 RAM.
As my E8400 runs off a P35 mobo, I'm stuck with DDR2.
Currently DDR2 is x2-x3 more expensive than DDR3 (8GB = €100 vs €40).

So I'm wondering what would be the most cost-efficient upgrade? (highest "bang for buck")

a) 4x2GB of DDR2 for 12GB RAMdisk? for OA pbos?
b) 64GB SSD for OS, OA + paging file? Crucial M4?
c) mid-range (€200) gfx card? 6950? or 560ti?

Given that I game 1920x1200 (24" TFT) and I can't afford the ubiquitous 2500k/560ti/16GB-DDR3 combo.

Well, maybe take a look on the secondhand market. I got an i5-750 + motherboard for 150 euros. 40,- for 8GB ram. Then I sold my old stuff so it only cost me 90,-

Also, a 2320 with a P67 mobo is much cheaper and will still allow you to overclock to about 3.5 Ghz, still quite fast, about what you'd get with an i5-750 on 4Ghz.

[Npk]

So I'm about to complete the purchase of my new computer. Yet I cant set my mind on which GPU to get. So I'm hoping you guys will help me.
Seeing as I'm on a budget, I've boiled it down to 2 choices;
A GTX560 Ti (2GB preffered)or a HD6950 (Unlockable and 2GB). Yet I can't make up my mind.
I hope you are able to help me make up my mind.

The rest of the system is;
i5-2500k
GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 Sandy Bridge
8GB Corsair Vengeance 1600MHZ
Will buy a proper PSU.

I'm currently playing BF3, ArmA2 and Skyrim (With Hi-Res Tex packs)