Both NVIDIA and AMD have released beta/preview video card drivers optimized for Battlefield 3. Since these drivers were designed by both companies specifically to improve performance for BF3, everyone should download them to prepare for the beta.
To ensure the latest graphics driver is installed, be sure to uninstall your previous display drivers before running the new setup program.
Download links:
NOTE: The AMD link above does not yet link to a working installation package. The following mirror is confirmed to have the working 11.10 installer: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3WWCL7UO (thanks, Guru3D!)
Awesome catch on the driver updates, espically with the broken file on the first one. Fixed my problems, thanks!