Battlefield 3 beta system requirements

by Ludwig Kietzmann on Sep 21st 2011 11:15AM

Given the proximity of the Battlefield 3 launch, the beta system requirements shouldn't differ much (if at all) from the final game. Don't throw out your GTX 560 between now and October!

Minimum System Requirements

OS: Windows Vista (Service Pack 2) 32-bit
Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core (Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or Athlon X2 2.7 GHz)
Memory: 2 GB
Hard Drive: 20 GB
Graphics Card (AMD): DirectX 10.1 Compatible with 512 MB RAM (ATI Radeon 3000, 4000, 5000 or 6000 SERIES, with ATI RADEON 3870 or higher performance)
Graphics Card (Nvidia): DirectX 10.0 compatible with 512 MB RAM (Nvidia Geforce 8, 9, 200, 300, 400 or 500 series with Nvidia Geforce 8800 GT or higher performance)
Sound Card: DirectX compatible
Keyboard and Mouse
DVD-ROM Drive

Recommended System Requirements

OS: Windows 7 64-bit
Processor: Quad-core CPU
Memory: 4 GB
Hard Drive: 20 GB
Graphics Card: DirectX 11 compatible with 1024 MB RAM (Nvidia Geforce GTX 560 or ATI Radeon 6950)
Sound Card: DirectX compatible
Keyboard and Mouse
DVD-ROM Drive

Via: @Battlefield
Source: Battlefield (Official Site)

Tags: battlefield-3, beta, dice, ea, pc, specs, system-requirements

Reader Comments (110)

To anyone wondering. The Rec. settings will get you around medium settings, confirmed by DICE on Twitter.

In order to achieve Ultra graphical settings, you would at least Two GTX 580s in SLI, a 6990, or an overclocked GTX 590.

No one plays multiplayer with all the bling turned up any way.

@SmokemeaKipper I do

@xiLeShadow

I dont think DICE is expecting many to run on Ultra, i think its just future-proofing the game. but yes generally, the game will look at its best with SLI.

@SmokemeaKipper im afraid i do for the LULZ of it

@awesome indeed my ass

@xiLeShadow

Well that's not actually true because your screen resolution plays a large role in that. When they were running the game @ Ultra settings on those SLI'd GTX580's they were also running the game in Quad HD believe it or not, I think @ 1920x1080 you'd be just fine with a single GPU, and @ 720P a GTX460/GTX560 will do just fine for 60fps @ ultra granted your CPU is not a bottleneck.

Many of the people I encountered complaining about BC2's performance had good GPUs, but dated CPUs, and in a game with such a large scale, and most everything destructible, it's going to rely heavily on a good CPU.

@xiLeShadow

LOL 2 580's in SLI. You're so full of shit. I maxed out the alpha on one GTX 570 at 1920 x 1080 and it ran smooth

@iceveiled

I guess DICE is full of whatever than...

Recommended = Medium by DICE

http://twitter.com/#!/zh1nt0/status/116140116820504576

Confirmation of Dual GTX 580's in order to Ultra game;

http://smidig.se/files/inte_hemsida/580.PNG

@iceveiled

The Alpha was just the base game so it didn't have all the bells and whistles.

All the graphical goodies are added on top afterwards. They also added and/or changed hundreds of things compared to the Alpha in the Beta.

@iceveiled

The alpha graphics were turned off. Alpha graphics were nowhere near high or ultra. More like low settings.

@xiLeShadow They say two GTX580's to run Ultra but not at what resolution. I would wager they are adding the highest available game resolution to that.

@Kinjiro

Well it is better to assume higher than lower..

We shall see. If my two overclocked GTX 460's can pull Ultra settings at 60FPS and 1920 x 1080, I'll be a happy man. =D

@xiLeShadow

I think what most people are taking issue with is what "Ultra Settings" entail. If DICE's definition of Ultra is to run the game at 2500x1600 with everything image quality preset maxed out in addition to 4x MSAA, then the dual GPU set up would be required; drop the resolution to 1920x1080 (half) and a single GTX 570/HD 6970 would be sufficient.

@aea0a095
During the alpha (when they have worst possible optimization) on a 460 I ran it at max settings. Ofcourse I wasn't running it at a big resolution as my monitor doesn't go above 1600x900. But I ran it pretty smoothly.

@xiLeShadow

If a 6990 is needed then you could just go the cheaper and more efficient path of crossfiring two 6970s.

I will be playing this game on my PS3. I'll see you PC kiddies next year!

@Mr Hett
Guess what, dumbass, this game on PC with have 3x better graphics, twice as many players in a single game, and bigger maps. So just STFU.

@Warlock234

*wipes drool from Warlock234's mouth*

Sorry guys I'll put him back in his cage.

@Mechazawa Prime
Not sure if you'd want to do that, based on his avatar.

@Mr Hett
I will be playing this on the Wii.
It's the true experience.
PC / PS3 / 360 kiddies.

@Zaia

WiiU?

@Warlock234

I never said I wasn't playing this on PC. I'm just not going to drop $700+ on video cards just to play this game. I know all video cards dont cost $700, but why would I spend a couple hundred on a GTX 560 or HD6950 when I'll be stuck at medium settings, I might as well get it on the PS3. I have a habit of spending my money wisely.

side note: What is your Origin name? I would love to take your tags during the open beta!

@Mr Hett
I'm not sure your question is sincere..

@Mr Hett

You make no sense.

"..why would I spend a couple hundred on a GTX 560 or HD6950 when I'll be stuck at medium settings, I might as well get it on the PS3."

The PS3 version, in addition to the Xbox 360 version, are similar to BELOW and/or LOW graphical settings on PC.

A $220 graphics card (GTX 560Ti and/or HD 6950) can give you medium settings. It is an option.

I'm not hating on consoles, just telling the truth. Comparing the two is kind of illogical.

@xiLeShadow

And that is where you're wrong. I have BC2 on PC and Xbox 360 and I have MoH on PC and PS3. And the console version are very close to the PC version on medium. Have you played BC2 on low and the lowest possible settings? It looks like a PS2 game.

@Mr Hett

Why would you think that the 5 year old based GPU in the PS3 would outperform medium settings on a PC???

@Mr Hett

Why you comparing Bad Company 2 (a game developed for consoles and ported to PC) to Battlefield 3 (a game developed on/for PC and ported to consoles).

Of course, Bad Company 2 medium settings on PC played at 720p, looks similar to the console game.

Battlefield 3 is another beast in general. They are going drastically improve the graphics on PC, using the newest hardware. That drops to BF3 on consoles to below low and/or low settings due to static hardware.

You can optimize all you want, but you can only send so much via the pipeline.

@Mr Hett

Bad Company 2 MAXED OUT on PC will most likely look like Battlefield 3 on Low-Medium/ Medium settings.

That is how much of new level it is in.

@veyper Optimization can mean the difference between great performance and crap performance regardless of your hardware.

@Mr Hett medium settings on PC will still run at 1080p with good detail. as dice said on twitter, the 360/ps3 version will only run at 30fps @ 704p

the consoles are outdated. still fun, but you cant ever compare them to modern pcs. Even a $100 5770 will run this game with better graphics than the ps3. and as mentioned, it will feature more players and vehicles too

@xiLeShadow

I don't want to drag this on. DICE said that the PS3 version would look similar to the PC version. I've heard from people that have played the demos of the PS3 version and they say it looks very good. So I'm getting the PS3 version. I'm not going to get the PC version and deal with PC related issues, just to play at medium settings. I buy games on PC because they look better. If a game doesn't look drastically better than the console version, I get it for the PS3 or 360. I want to play BF3 the way it's meant to be played, on the highest settings. If I cant do it without spending $600+ on video cards, then I wont get it on PC this year. I'm confident that there will be some price drops or more efficient video cards next year, but I'll be on the PS3 version until I can play it on Ultra for a reasonable price.

@senormoll You just had to say "5770" .. Yeah I am a bit out dated. :(

I wish I had a money tree!

@Mr Hett I think people got all angry when you said "kiddies" and that's why everyone responded with such ire. When I read your comment I took it to mean that you were just going to get the PC version later (and, as someone who owns a PS3 and solid gaming rig) took no offense.

I understand what you're saying and it makes total sense. I just wanted you to know that you're not the only sane one. :)

@wrongThinker

I know. It's a bad habit of mine. I wish there was an edit button! Sorry if I offended anyone!

@Mr Hett

I ran the alpha on my old rig- Q9650 with 2-285gtx on 1980x1080 and it ran everything on high no problem. When I ran it in 3D my frame rates would drop to about 25- 28, but in non-3D I was running 45-50 comfortably. I personally think it ran better than BC2. Also the alpha was limited to 32 people, so that might make a difference.

Of course I don't get DX 11 graphics, but it looked pretty darn good.

@Mr Hett LOL. The discussion ended when you compared a 6950 with a PS3, don't think you're gonna have to spend 700+ on GPU's for this game, A single 6950 it's more than enough for max settings.

@jmr1986

1) If you're going to reply to a thread that ended 2 hours ago, at least know what you're talking about.

2) To run this game a max settings, you need a GTX 590, a HD 6990, or two (2) GTX 580s. So, no a single 6950 wont cut it.

3) The discussion ended when I remembered most Joystiq commenters haven't worked on the game and have no idea what they're talking about.

4) The Frostbite 2 Engine was created for PC, but the game is optimized for the PS3. Many early previewers say the PS3 version looks very good.

5) This whole thread amazes me because all I originally said was that I am getting the PS3 in Oct. and I'll be picking up the PC version next year.

6) Why has no one posted their Origin names? Are you guys scared? Yes, I'm getting the PS3 version, but I still plan on playing the PC beta next week. I'm a dogtag hoarder! I WANT YOUR TAGS!

@Mr Hett

If the knifing is like the alpha, then it sucks. There is a cut scene when you knife some one. I am not much of a tagger so I only collected a few in the alpha, but it was way crappy compared to say BF2 or BF2142. Not very satisfying. Look for me Papaspud....every one gets my tags, I get to carried away with shooting, don't watch my back well.... :)

@Papaspud

http://www.bfbc2dogtags.com/?platform=pc&username=Papaspud#top

Good news! You've got more tags than me!

My PC Stats aren't working so here's my 360 stats:

http://www.bfbc2dogtags.com/?platform=360&username=Mr%20Hett#top

They confirmed that knifing is the same as it was in the alpha and that you cant counter :(

I'm the opposite of you! I get too carried away with knifing that I forget to shoot!

Sent a friend request. Maybe I can get your tags next week?

@Warlock234

werty

@Mr Hett PS3 is a toy, for kids, techno fobs and for poor people who cannot afford a good PC. Its ok playing blurays though

@(Unverified) Your comment just made you worse than him, it's these comments that makes PC gamers looks bad, seriously.

I play both my PC and PS3 and both your comments are really unwelcome, common, get a grip, it's just a game.

Now for the good part, I recently got my new PC:
i7-950 GTX480-1.5gb 8gb RAM , so I think I am pretty safe for BF3 but I don't know about Maxing graphics, but the least I would get is pretty high custom settings...right?

Wow just made it into the recommended settings. I guess this is were pc gaming starts to take off again.

@bxgt

Tell me about it, I was worried a bit worried but I think I'll be pleased with my GTX470 for now, I overclocked the hell out of it so I'm getting slightly better than GTX480 performance out of it.

Definitely waiting until GTX6XX and AMD7XXX for my next upgrade. Probably going for the $300 - $400 that should in theory be faster than the current GTX580.

Glad I upgraded to an i5 2500k, 8GB RAM, and GTX 560TI in June in anticipation for this and other high-end games :)

@stiqlol

Tell that to my uncle's TI-83 (about 20 years old) which I'm using in college today.

those specs aren't to impossible, even for the recommended settings.

Yes! GTX 560 Ti FTW! I'm happy I meet the qualifications.

Hefty. My 5870 and Phenom II X4 965 just gets me to recommended...

Holding out for a 7970... until then I might play like the console people... my system should still wipe the floor with this game on ultra if I reduce it to 720P.

ST

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Battlefield 3

Battlefield 3 beta system requirements

Reader Comments (110)

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:19AM xiLeShadow said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:43AM SmokemeaKipper said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:57AM awesome indeed said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:02PM dioxholster said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 1:52PM 1OhhOne said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 2:12PM CookieMillz said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 2:34PM aea0a095 said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 3:04PM iceveiled said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 3:33PM xiLeShadow said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 3:38PM xiLeShadow said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 5:08PM pierogi210 said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 5:17PM Kinjiro said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 5:31PM xiLeShadow said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 5:37PM jackal said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 6:33PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 7:08PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:22AM Mr Hett said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:28AM Warlock234 said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:33AM Mechazawa Prime said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:36AM TRONdll said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:41AM Zaia said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:46AM Mr Hett said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:56AM Mr Hett said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:56AM Zaia said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:18PM xiLeShadow said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:25PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:28PM veyper said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:33PM xiLeShadow said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:35PM xiLeShadow said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:37PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:41PM senormoll said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:50PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 12:52PM drunkingamebar said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 1:32PM wrongThinker said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 1:38PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 3:28PM Papaspud said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 3:35PM jmr1986 said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 3:57PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 8:08PM Papaspud said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 8:59PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 9:02PM SKYRIM111111 said

Posted: Sep 22nd 2011 8:33AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 23rd 2011 5:43AM hamboza88 said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:23AM bxgt said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 7:39PM BoBsS said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:25AM Anciegher said

Posted: Sep 22nd 2011 11:58AM killerjuice said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:27AM Roxas560 said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:29AM Warlock234 said

Posted: Sep 21st 2011 11:29AM Steel Toad said

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