Outstanding guide! Looks real nice and great detailed info. Dice should pay you for writing there manual. I'm looking forward to the rest!
May I suggest links for the topics text in "Table of Contents"? Will there perhaps be something on FOV - surround and performance? Very nice work Maniac I couldn't have done something like this, thanks for the guide.

Gotcha that's all been done. If you could explain a little more on how to post links I can show you the screen shot. Heres what gets me, Its not the video card and it still persist in a fresh OS install. I'm also noticing similar things in other games.  certain textures just aren't loading up or rendering at further distances as fast as they used too. 

------------------System Information------------------Time of this report: 10/7/2012, 14:23:28       Machine name: AUSTINSCOMP   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120503-2030)           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)System Manufacturer: To be filled by O.E.M.       System Model: To be filled by O.E.M.               BIOS: BIOS Date: 10/20/10 09:47:36 Ver: 08.00.10          Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 975 Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.9GHz             Memory: 8192MB RAMAvailable OS Memory: 8154MB RAM          Page File: 1468MB used, 14836MB available        Windows Dir: C:\Windows    DirectX Version: DirectX 11DX Setup Parameters: Not found   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode
 
 
Display Devices---------------          Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 Ti       Manufacturer: NVIDIA          Chip type: GeForce GTX 660 Ti           DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1183&SUBSYS_28431462&REV_A1     Display Memory: 4042 MB   Dedicated Memory: 1994 MB      Shared Memory: 2047 MB       Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)       Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor      Monitor Model: W2043         Monitor Id: GSM4E9E        Native Mode: 1600 x 900(p) (60.000Hz)        Output Type: DVI        Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2umDriver File Version: 9.18.0013.0623 (English)     Driver Version: 9.18.13.623        DDI Version: 11       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1  Driver Attributes: Final Retail   Driver Date/Size: 8/30/2012 14:14:00, 18229096 bytes        WHQL Logo'd: n/a    WHQL Date Stamp: n/a  Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-52C3-11CF-BD75-4E081CC2C435}          Vendor ID: 0x10DE          Device ID: 0x1183          SubSys ID: 0x28431462        Revision ID: 0x00A1 Driver Strong Name: oem3.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1:Section065:9.18.13.623:pci\ven_10de&dev_1183     Rank Of Driver: 00E02001        Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C 
 

I'm using Afterburner. And is my CPU really getting that old? haha 
 
I'm also using your recommended NVCP settings.  But I've tried messing with them and it didnt make much of a difference  

Awesome job!

dskudra

Hey. I recently bought BF3 for my computer but I am having trouble. I can run other games like max payne 3 and Guild Wars 2 on max graphics with no problems, but BF3 seems to give me trouble.  
 
The problem is, when I start playing the game it works fine for 10 seconds to 2 minutes, and then the game will crash and display this message: 

 
Anyways, I tried running the game on minimum graphics out of curiosity and it still happens. Here is some of the parts in my PC, if it helps to solve the problem. 
 
nVidia GeForce GTX 660Ti by EVGA 
8.00 GB RAM G.Skill 
Intel Core i5-3550 CPU 3.30GHz 
650w NZXT Hale PSU 
Z77X UD3H Gigabyte MOBO 
My screen resolution is 1920 x 1080P
I'm pretty sure the problem doesn't lie within my computers components because it can run extremely demanding games with no hassle. I have upgraded to the most recent drivers for my video card and made sure they were the most up to date twice. I also tried doing the repair install of the game through origins. Any ideas? Thanks. I tried asking this to some people on the EA help forums, but all I got was 10 answers that didn't change anything sadly. :( 

 
Go to Geforce.com download correct driver.   Make sure to select custom when installing, and select a clean install

Found this on another forum: 

 
The short story is the WHQL drivers that Nvidia released for the 660 TI 305.68 have PROBLEMS and caused me grief and nonstop crashing.  Use the 304.87 drivers that are available on the driver CD and for download  from Gigabyte.

I won't completely repeat myself, as I chronicled my pain already here:

overclock.net/t/1295690/nvidia-drivers-305-68-gtx-660-ti-suck-cause-constant-crashing-in-games-with-nvlddmkm-errors

Others on that forum experienced similar problems.

I got my shiny new Gigabyte GTX 660 TI on Friday 8/17, and decided to use the latest possible drivers, so I download 305.68 which Nvidia had just released.  (I was upgrading from a GTX 460 using the 296.10 driver).  Immediately games start crashing and my event log is showing these errors : "Event 4101, Display : Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding and has successfully recovered."

I tried to downgrade to the 304.87 several times, using the clean install option included in the drivers, and also by using a driver cleaner in safe mode to purge the Nvidia drivers.  No luck, couldn't stop the crashing.  I even went back to 296.10 and my GTX 460 and still crashing.  The 305.68 driver hosed up something very nicely in my system.  I had to restore from an older drive image (slightly less painful than doing a clean reinstall) to solve the problem.

Since I have no way to report this incident to Nvidia, all I can do is try to spread the word and hopefully someone will take notice.

 
 

maniacvvv

dskudra

Hey. I recently bought BF3 for my computer but I am having trouble. I can run other games like max payne 3 and Guild Wars 2 on max graphics with no problems, but BF3 seems to give me trouble.  

The problem is, when I start playing the game it works fine for 10 seconds to 2 minutes, and then the game will crash and display this message: 


Anyways, I tried running the game on minimum graphics out of curiosity and it still happens. Here is some of the parts in my PC, if it helps to solve the problem. 

nVidia GeForce GTX 660Ti by EVGA 
8.00 GB RAM G.Skill 
Intel Core i5-3550 CPU 3.30GHz 
650w NZXT Hale PSU 
Z77X UD3H Gigabyte MOBO 
My screen resolution is 1920 x 1080P
I'm pretty sure the problem doesn't lie within my computers components because it can run extremely demanding games with no hassle. I have upgraded to the most recent drivers for my video card and made sure they were the most up to date twice. I also tried doing the repair install of the game through origins. Any ideas? Thanks. I tried asking this to some people on the EA help forums, but all I got was 10 answers that didn't change anything sadly. :( 

You should have 306.23 for BF3 using a Custom/Clean install

Looking over your hardware, nothing stands out as being a problem

So that really leaves only your Nvidia NVCP setup, and how you are launching BF3

Have you made -any- changes in the Nvidia control panel?
What browser are you using?

Are you running any programs in the background when playing BF3?

 
Well, I launch BF3 through Origins while running it as an administrator, I use Google Chrome, and I am typically running skype and iTunes in the background while playing Battlefield. As for the Nvidia control panel, I was told by countless people on the EA forums to use it, but no matter what I try every time I try to run it, it crashes moments later. I have tried reinstalling the app, but it simply wont work for me. :(

I would reply, but I cannot send PM's until I have 10 posts or a few other things. Sorry. And I don't live in the USA btw, I'm in Canada.

I would do what you just said, but Nvidia control panel simply will not work. Every time I open it, I get the message "NVidia Control Panel Application Has Stopped Working" and I'm forced to close it. I have tried everything to make that application work but it simply wont. :(
 
My current drivers are 306.97.

Excellent guide, gonna have to follow this when I start playing bf3.

Alex_IW

Which settings will be best for me to get ~120 fps (for 120Hz monitor) with not terrible graphics? (i5 2500K / GTX 680 both not OC).

On high with AA turned off but I know for sure you will not get an average of 120fps but you will get 120fps on certain areas of each level. Or you can do everything on medium settings. Just keep in mind you cant be picky if you truly want an average of 120fps which most likely is not going to happen unless you put everything on low to medium settings with AA turned off. Just to let you know I have a 120hz monitor myself and I strive to get 120fps with the highest graphical settings possible. Fortunalty for me, I have two 670s and I can run everything on ultra and get an average of 117fps. The highest I seen I got on certain parts of a level is 200fps.

maniacvvv

 

      
 
 
 


Battlefield 3 Ultimate Guide
By MANIAC-VVV-
 
This Guide is intended to help users of NVidia graphics cards, have a stable and graphically satisfying experience when playing Battlefield 3 multiplayer on the PC.

With the outstanding rendering capacity of today’s modern graphics cards and the awesome computing power of the latest CPU's and Motherboards, only one thing is missing...

-The correct information on how to properly configure ones GPU drivers and system to run Battlefield 3-

This Guide will try and gather all the information available in one place, as an easy reference for users having questions, setting up the game for the first time or experiencing issues.
___________________________________________________________________________________  
*DISCLAIMER: I make no claim to know everything about graphics cards or systems which I have not used personally.
I am just another user, who is devoted to great gameplay and running as well as possible with the hardware available. Everything in this Guide is information that is available to anyone on the web, and certainly is not always my own personal experience or knowledge. Like everyone else, I have had to learn what works and what does not the hard way, with lots of help from others doing the same thing.
By making this Guide, I hope to make running Battlefield 3 an easier and more enjoyable experience for those who choose to play it.
**Any suggestions, settings or configuration information contained in this Guide, may or may not be applicable to your hardware, graphics card(s), system drivers or installed operating system.
-->As such, any actions taken based on information in this guide... is at the users own risk 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
 
  
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Battlefield 3
NVidia Drivers and Control Panel Settings
In-Game Settings
Performance Guide (what works best for the hardware you are using)
Additional Tweaking Options 

 BATTLEFIELD 3 
The release of Battlefield 3 is a milestone multiplayer gaming, made possible by the continued improvements in the hardware base of PC gaming users. With the technical features included in the Frostbite2 engine, DICE and Electronic Arts have brought gamers what they have been waiting for, a beautiful jaw dropping, heart pounding multiplayer gameplay experience.
64 player servers, massive maps, aircraft and tons of eye candy make Battlefield 3 a joy to play, and best of all it will run well on "almost" everyones config with the correct NVidia drivers and the proper settings for a users hardware.
-->And thats exactly what this guide is for, playing Battlefield 3 Multiplayer     

wow thanks for the quick reply man! But problems come hand in hand.. I was changing the core clock in steps of 10 and it kept crashing battlefield, well it started powering off my computer instead of crashing it -.- I'm kinda worried this never happened to me before. Well I will try running gw2 for a min and see if that will behave any different..

maniacvvv

Alex_IW

Which settings will be best for me to get ~120 fps (for 120Hz monitor) with not terrible graphics? (i5 2500K / GTX 680 both not OC).

With your CPU not overclocked.... you will have a slight bottleneck

Leave the NVCP at defaults (just your monitor settings)
-->No Vsync and framerate targets

Use the -all- the settings exactly as shown below


This will give you the performance your looking for -and- quality visuals

So tried everything but can't solve the problem! I deinstalled all the overclocking software, every driver and registry, reinstalled drivers. Keeps happening. I saved up for a very long time to buy this rig, you can only imagine how frustrating this must be! I can't even take it to a shop; I spend all my money on the hardware! Man I really need some help. Email:
 
Sincerely, 
Dan
 
edit: I've been monitoring the temperature so we can exclude that from the possibilities!
edit2: wow I see whats happening, the cpu temps are skyrocketing as soon as I go ingame what the (Edited/Foul Language)... I got a hyper 212 Ill try taking it off reaplying thermal paste reinstall it and see...