With the recent purchase of BF3, I would like to replace my near silent 8800GTS 512 for a improved gaming experience. I would like something that is far better in performance, but doesn't require a screaming fan to operate. My budget is $300. Any suggestions?

Update: Current computer specs:
CPU: Inteli7 930
MOBO: ASrock x58 extreme
RAM: Unknown 6GB
HD: Intel 80gb SSD
PSU: Seasonic x-750
Case: Antec P180
Monitor: ViewSonic VX2250WM @ 1920x1080

With the recent purchase of BF3, I would like to replace my near silent 8800GTS 512 for a improved gaming experience. I would like something that is far better in performance, but doesn't require a screaming fan to operate. My budget is $300. Any suggestions?

This should do marvelously and is my plan for a new video card soon.

EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti DS Superclocked - 01G-P3-1567-KR (http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclocked-Mini-HDMI-Graphics-01G-P3-1567-KR/dp/B004XUCCRM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=IRJF519NURTJH&colid=KOBSOZBO0MW2)

also -- make sure your psu can support that new video card ;). i think the 8800s needed at least 250w, but newer cards recommend at least 300w or more...

also -- make sure your psu can support that new video card ;). i think the 8800s needed at least 250w, but newer cards recommend at least 300w or more...

Yes, the one I plan on getting that I posted above requires at least 450W and is enormous so do not buy if you have a micro ATX case. This thing needs space and elbow room to fit most ATX cases. Then again, most high end video cards in the $250 to $300 are pretty big as it is.

There are tons of guides and recomendations out there for BF3 on the PC hardware sites http://pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/Battlefield-3-BF3-System-Build-Guide-What-you-need-succeed is one such site that has a ton of BF3 content. They go over everything. It depends on what resolution and how many monitors your playing at too.

There are tons of guides and recomendations out there for BF3 on the PC hardware sites http://pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/Battlefield-3-BF3-System-Build-Guide-What-you-need-succeed is one such site that has a ton of BF3 content. They go over everything. It depends on what resolution and how many monitors your playing at too.

Well I feel so inadequate and broke at the same time. My superclocked card to be will work for the "Medium" performance setting of 1680x1050 but would not hold water for High or Ultra settings. Oh well, on to the next one.

I upgraded to a XFX HD6870 a couple of months ago just for BF3. I can't remember the size of my monitor (not home right now) but it runs at 1600x900. My CPU is an Intel Dual Core E7200 OC'd to 3.0GHz.

At high settings (can't remember every setting) with the Beta, I was getting 35-40 fps. Playable but not great. Do note that I was using the latest driver but not the new Beta driver that was specifically created for BF3. I am hoping that when the stable version of the driver is released, my FPS will increase. Otherwise, I will try overclocking my GPU and reduce some of the settings. I would like at least 50fps.

This should do marvelously and is my plan for a new video card soon.

EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Ti DS Superclocked - 01G-P3-1567-KR (http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclocked-Mini-HDMI-Graphics-01G-P3-1567-KR/dp/B004XUCCRM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=IRJF519NURTJH&colid=KOBSOZBO0MW2)

Thanks for the suggestion. What are some reasons why your choosing this card?

Thanks for the suggestion. What are some reasons why your choosing this card?

Price (is not insanely priced)
Superclocked
I'm a big EVGA fan (have had two that have never even gotten close to failing me).
Strong enough to do whatever I need it to do. (Yes there are stronger ones on the market but this will do nicely for me for 3 or so years).
Amazon Prime member so free shipping for me getting it there.

This will play my Call of Duty: MW3, or any Call of Duty for that matter, BF3 if/when I get to it, Star Wars: Old Republic, Bioshock(any of them), Left For Dead, etc, etc. It will hook me up sweet. Am I as hard core as some people on these forums? No, not even close. Do I have more graphic rendering requirements than your average person? By far Yes.

Thanks for the suggestion. What are some reasons why your choosing this card?

And then there is this one.

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Mini-HDMI-Graphics-02G-P3-1568-KR/dp/B005760836/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1318480149&sr=1-2

This is a 2GB card but not superclocked, the shader clock, memory clock, and core clock are all a bit less compared to the 1GB superclocked variety.

If the superclocking is not an importance then this is a solid 2GB card for less than $300.

I think 560 Ti/6950 2GB will do for 1920x180 on high-ultra. 560 Ti currently ~$270 and 6950 currently ~$250. Or, spend a bit extra for a $300 6970. I prefer the 6950s because they're cheaper, easier to find with 2gb vram, and they perform slightly better than the 560 Ti. Although, if you're an nvidia fan, you could probably go with the 560 ti and not notice much difference.

I think 560 Ti/6950 2GB will do for 1920x180 on high-ultra. 560 Ti currently ~$270 and 6950 currently ~$250. Or, spend a bit extra for a $300 6970. I prefer the 6950s because they're cheaper, easier to find with 2gb vram, and they perform slightly better than the 560 Ti. Although, if you're an nvidia fan, you could probably go with the 560 ti and not notice much difference.

Good point. I'm an NVIDIA fan and not so much on AMD so I've not really looked around for any AMD cards that are comparable or even better.

Good point. I'm an NVIDIA fan and not so much on ATI so I've not really looked around for any ATI cards that are comparable or even better.

Technically not ATI anymore. Starting with the 6000 series, they are AMD branded cards. Sorry, just had to put that out there. With a $300 budget, you can get a very good card. I'd second looking into the 6970 or 6950 simply because they perform well and are pretty cheap.

I'm pretty much drawn between choosing 6870 or GTX 560 ti, simply because they are within my budget and seem to perform quite similar. I am leaning toward the 560, because noise levels are a concern to me and from the articles, it's the lowest of it's category. 6870 is cheaper and may be best if i ever do decide on CF.

I'm pretty much drawn between choosing 6870 or GTX 560 ti, simply because they are within my budget and seem to perform quite similar. I am leaning toward the 560, because noise levels are a concern to me and from the articles, it's the lowest of it's category. 6870 is cheaper and may be best if i ever do decide on CF.
if you're considering the GTX 560 ti, why not the HD 6950 that is a better card?
Its 2 GB of VRAM compared to 1GB,

The noise depends on the cooler, the stock GTX 560 ti cooler isn't very quiet, nor is it very good to be honest.

If you're looking at noise as a main factor in choice you'll want to look at some non-reference choices such as say the MSI Twin Frozr Cooling series
MSI makes Twin Frozr variants for all the cards mentioned in this thread, and their dual fans are very quiet.

EVGA's DS cards are loud, also reference cooler fans are usually very loud as well.

if you're considering the GTX 560 ti, why not the HD 6950 that is a better card?
Its 2 GB of VRAM compared to 1GB,

The noise depends on the cooler, the stock GTX 560 ti cooler isn't very quiet, nor is it very good to be honest.

If you're looking at noise as a main factor in choice you'll want to look at some non-reference choices such as say the MSI Twin Frozr Cooling series
MSI makes Twin Frozr variants for all the cards mentioned in this thread, and their dual fans are very quiet.

EVGA's DS cards are loud, also reference cooler fans are usually very loud as well.

I second this. But these variants can be $20-$40 more expensive depending.

I second this. But these variants can be $20-$40 more expensive depending.
well this is fair though because a quiet aftermarket cooling solution usually is about $50.00 and up.

well this is fair though because a quiet aftermarket cooling solution usually is about $50.00 and up.


True, but it might push him over budget depending on which card he decides on. Just something to keep in mind. I personally wish I had gone with a third party cooler. My 6870 is so loud --;

True, but it might push him over budget depending on which card he decides on. Just something to keep in mind. I personally wish I had gone with a third party cooler. My 6870 is so loud --;
well his post said his budget is $300
most of the price on newegg's cards for the GTX 560 ti, HD 6870, or HD 6950 is under 300

for good value/performance, get the Sapphire HD 6950 Toxic
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102951
its got a very high chance to unlock the shaders to make it equal to a HD 6970
and being priced under $300 is nice.

2x6870 crossfire =best for the buck