Windows Best place to buy Battlefield 3 for a 1st time PC gamer?

As the title says really, i want to know where is the best place to buy a pc edition of the new battlefield 3 game (when it comes out or pre-order). Would like to have the option not to use the disk every time but i am not bothered.

I have never played PC games before, hence i dont know where would be the best place. Always been on consoles.

It will be on Windows 7 home, and i am based in the UK.

Thanks.

(P.S. also is there a software test i can run to check the game will perform? besides reading the spec and checking)

 

Tesco are doing it for 22 pounds I think.

Taken from the steam sales thread.

Theres some cracking pre-order deals listed on savygamer atm by ordering through tesco entertainment with discount codes


AssRev, PC – £18.54 delivered
Space Marine, PC – £19.65 delivered (Registers on Steam)
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings [Premium Edition], PC – £16.24 delivered
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, PC – £20.41 delivered
Batman: Arkham City, PC – £18.54 delivered
Battlefield 3 [Limited Edition], PC – £22.96 delivered
Modern Warfare 3, PC – £26.36 delivered
Rage [Anarchy Edition], PC – £16.84 delivered
Deus Ex: Human Revolution, PC – £20.24 delivered (Registers on Steam)

Might only work on one at a time though

 

Yep! I pre ordered it from there, they guarantee day of release delivery too!

 

Thanks, also I wouldn't mind getting the limit edition.

 

In regards to seeing how the game will perform, no particular software test (though if your PC will play Bad Company 2 on Max you should be well set). List your specs and we'll give you our best estimation.

 

I've got my copy pre-ordered through Game, Who are generally pretty good with Pre-Orders.

Sam

 

Didn't work with the codes for me I just got a message saying "You can't use that promotional code here."

 

same here

looks like im destined to pay £30

 

Pre order codes for Tesco don't seem to want to work anymore :/

 

Looking on my voucher codes, looks like both of those code expired on sunday

So looks like I'll keep my pre order on Amazon for now.

 

To know if the game will run well, what is your computer specifications?
They are a variety of free programs like this one: http://www.piriform.com/speccy, which will tell you what you have.

Computer games have adjustable graphic settings.. so you can get the game perfectly playable by cutting down on the visuals. Of course, the best is to be able to play a game at max or near max setting at native resolution of your screen, perfectly smooth (>60fps). But that usually requires a quiet powerful computer.

 

Prices differ so much for this game.
Just Googled it and loads came up.
26 - 40+

 

thanks.

specs (using speccy, quite a neat program):

Code:

[B]Summary:[/B]
Operating System
	MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
	Intel Core i5 750  @ 2.67GHz	33 °C
	Lynnfield 45nm Technology
RAM
	4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz (7-7-7-19)
Motherboard
	Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. P55M-UD4 (Socket 1156)	35 °C
Graphics
	SyncMaster (1920x1080@59Hz)
	ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series 
Hard Drives
	977GB SAMSUNG SAMSUNG HD103SJ ATA Device (SATA)	30 °C
	488GB Western Digital WDC WD5000AAKS-00YGA0 ATA Device (SATA)	27 °C
	195GB ST3200822A SCSI Disk Device (RAID)	26 °C
Optical Drives
	TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223C ATA Device
	LOT 74XI38PURK SCSI CdRom Device
Audio
	Realtek High Definition Audio

More details:

Code:

[B]CPU[/B]
		Intel Core i5 750
			Cores	4
			Threads	4
			Name	Intel Core i5 750
			Code Name	Lynnfield
			Package	Socket 1156 LGA
			Technology	45nm
			Specification	Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz
			Family	6
			Extended Family	6
			Model	E
			Extended Model	1E
			Stepping	5
			Revision	B1
			Instructions	MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, Intel 64
			Virtualization	Supported, Enabled
			Hyperthreading	Supported, Disabled
			Fan Speed	919 RPM
			Bus Speed	133.2 MHz
			Rated Bus Speed	2398.3 MHz
			Stock Core Speed	2666 MHz
			Stock Bus Speed	133 MHz
			Average Temperature	35 °C
				Caches
					L1 Data Cache Size	4 x 32 KBytes
					L1 Instructions Cache Size	4 x 32 KBytes
					L2 Unified Cache Size	4 x 256 KBytes
					L3 Unified Cache Size	8192 KBytes
				Core 0
					Core Speed	1199.2 MHz
					Multiplier	x 22.0
					Bus Speed	133.2 MHz
					Rated Bus Speed	2398.3 MHz
					Temperature	41 °C
						Thread 1
							APIC ID	0
				Core 1
					Core Speed	1998.6 MHz
					Multiplier	x 23.0
					Bus Speed	133.2 MHz
					Rated Bus Speed	2398.3 MHz
					Temperature	36 °C
						Thread 1
							APIC ID	2
				Core 2
					Core Speed	3064.5 MHz
					Multiplier	x 9.0
					Bus Speed	133.2 MHz
					Rated Bus Speed	2398.3 MHz
					Temperature	33 °C
						Thread 1
							APIC ID	4
				Core 3
					Core Speed	3064.5 MHz
					Multiplier	x 9.0
					Bus Speed	133.2 MHz
					Rated Bus Speed	2398.3 MHz
					Temperature	29 °C
						Thread 1
							APIC ID	6


[B]RAM[/B]
		Memory slots
			Total memory slots	4
			Used memory slots	2
			Free memory slots	2
		Memory
			Type	DDR3
			Size	4096 MBytes
			Channels #	Dual
			DRAM Frequency	666.2 MHz
			CAS# Latency (CL)	7 clocks
			RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD)	7 clocks
			RAS# Precharge (tRP)	7 clocks
			Cycle Time (tRAS)	19 clocks
			Command Rate (CR)	2T
		Physical Memory
			Memory Usage	46 %
			Total Physical	4.00 GB
			Available Physical	2.14 GB
			Total Virtual	8.00 TB
			Available Virtual	8.00 TB
		SPD
			Number Of SPD Modules	2
				Slot #1
				Slot #2


[B]Graphics[/B]
		Monitor
			Name	SyncMaster on ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series
			Current Resolution	1920x1080 pixels
			Work Resolution	1920x1040 pixels
			State	enabled, primary, output devices support
			Monitor Width	1920
			Monitor Height	1080
			Monitor BPP	32 bits per pixel
			Monitor Frequency	59 Hz
			Device	\\.\DISPLAY1\Monitor0
		ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series 
			Memory	1024 MB
			Memory type	2
			Driver version	8.821.0.0
[B]Hard Drives[/B]
	977GB SAMSUNG SAMSUNG HD103SJ ATA Device (SATA)	30 °C
	488GB Western Digital WDC WD5000AAKS-00YGA0 ATA Device (SATA)	24 °C
	195GB ST3200822A SCSI Disk Device (RAID)	22 °C

thanks. i think it should be good enough.....

 

You'll be fine yeah!

 

You'll have no problem paying the game... you should be able to play it at max or near max settings.

 

I've not checked specifically for Battlefield 3 but I generally pre-order games from either game or amazon. Amazon are great if you pre-order a long time in advance as they have a pre-order price guarantee, so you pay the lowest price from to time you order the game until it's released. For example I currently have Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Augmented Edition (PC DVD) on pre-order for £25.91, which I think will be pretty hard to beat elsewhere. The downside to amazon is you have to pay extra for delivery if you want it on release day. Free postage will be a day or two later.

If they are selling at a good price (sometimes do, sometimes not) game are good because they post several days in advance, so you'll almost certainly have the game before release waiting to be installed at midnight.

Edit: Btw, I should say welcome to the world of PC gaming, it's great

 

thanks!

confirmed my thanks!

thanks!!

now i can make use of my logitech G110 gaming keyboard and NAOS 5000 mouse!!

Also i should really remember my pc spec since i built it my self (need to add it in my sig so i dont forget), but was a while back, i remember spending £250 on the graphics and was thinking "i really need to make use of this". got a titan fenir heat sink as well


Back to the original question: I guess i need to search the net for cheapest. Is it true "steam" wont be selling this? if they did i believe most people tend to buy from them?

Will post results here, in case it helps anyone.

 

As of this moment, no, it's not available on Steam. It's probably safe to say that most prospective players would otherwise use Steam but there are a variety of factors.

Some advantages:
-No need to keep discs around, you can always download your games at any time.
-Buy it online and you're done, no need to go out and purchase a box or wait for shipping.
-Steam friends list and related features can make keeping in touch with and playing games with friends easier.
-Unintrusive DRM system. Games are verified online when purchased and can then be played offline at any time.

Some disadvantages:
-The system is reliant on Valve always being around to keep the service running. There are contingency plans in place but some people see this as a big flaw.
-Downloading a large amount of data can be bad for people with data caps.
-Pricing isn't always the cheapest.
-Anecdotal complaints about offline gameplay not working, your mileage may vary.

For someone with reasonably fast and reasonably "unlimited" broadband it's usually a great system. Also keep in mind that there are other digital distribution systems such as Direct 2 Drive, some of which offer Battlefield 3.

 

Thank you for the informative answer. I did like the look of the web site, shame they don't sell it.

Would i be able to make an ISO image then use something like daemon tools after? Just being lazy thats all, and less chance of damaging the disc. I guess am being anal. I should be ok to be honest, but am curious now.


Found a few prices:

Prices are for Battlefield 3 Limited Edition: Physical Warfare Pack in the UK
Info: http://www.ea.com/uk/news/battlefield-3-limited-edition-physical-warfare-pack-available



£32.99
http://www.ziip.co.uk/gamestore/action/33-battlefield-3-limited-edition-5030930102999.html
Free delivery

£29.99 (i might have some £ on my loyality card)
http://www.game.co.uk/Games/PC-Game...ical-Warfare-Pack/~r355081/?d=1z13mn1Z1z13fsu
Free delivery

£29.91
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Battlefield-3-Limited-PC-DVD/dp/B004MKM958
Free delivery

£39.89
http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/18287018/Battlefield-3-Limited-Edition/Product.html
Free delivery

£34.95 (Download)
http://www.direct2drive.co.uk/10560/product/Buy-Battlefield-3-Limited-Edition-Download


£29.99 (i might have £ on my loyality card)
http://www.gamestation.co.uk/gs/bat...e-pack-131798?pageSize=20&searchTerm=modern 3
Free delivery

£32.90
http://www.tescoentertainment.com/store/games/-battlefield-3-limited-edition/8:736650/
not free delivery

£34.99
http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1;-1&sku=960849
Free delivery

£29.85
http://www.thehut.com/games/platforms/pc/battlefield-3-limited-edition/10353529.html
Free delivery

£29.99
http://shop.gameplay.co.uk/pc/battl...sical-warfare-pack/_/RM10430/productpage.html
Free delivery

Best options seems to be game or gamestation. I know a guy who works in gamestation, lets hope he still does and can sort be out, i doubt it though. Plus some of the other web sites would require to set up an account, i already have one with game, amazon, and play.

 

So i guess most people will be buying it on a disc?

Am assuming there are. since direct 2 download seems the only place to download and its more money for now having a physical copy.

I think that answers my question.

thanks to all that helped.

EDIT: if you see any offers let me know. cheers