Battlefield 3 Multiplayer Beta Plans, System Requirements
EA is launching an open multiplayer beta for Battlefield 3 next week, and has now provided the minimum and recommended system specs for PC gamers.
Electronic Arts is now inviting gamers to participate in the Battlefield 3 multiplayer beta which begins on September 29, 2011 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC. The beta will be set in Paris on the Operation Metro map and pit two elite tactical units against each other in the series’ popular Rush Mode. One side will take the offensive by attacking M-COM stations while the opposing squad will defend and protect.
"Gamers who pre-order the digital PC version of the game at Origin (powered by EA) will be granted early access to the beta starting on September 27, 2011," EA said Tuesday. "In addition, all customers that pre-ordered a Limited Edition of Medal of Honor will also receive early access to the beta starting on September 27, 2011."
In addition to the beta announcement, EA provided the minimum and recommended system requirements for the PC version, as seen below:
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
- GPU (AMD): DirectX 10.1 compatible with 512 MB RAM (ATI Radeon 3000, 4000, 5000 or 6000 series, with ATI Radeon 3870 or higher performance)
- GPU (Nvidia): DirectX 10.1 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
- GPU: 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
"Gamers in the beta can also log onto Battlelog, the game’s free social media network that allows gamers to communicate and compete with friends, track their stats and share their progress," EA added Tuesday. "Battlelog extends the in-game experience to be accessible anywhere, whether on a PC, console or handheld device. Players are also invited to join the EA Gun Club for the latest shooter news, and to receive in-game benefits including access to the M1911 pistol and distinct badges in Battlefield 3. The M1911 pistol will also be available to registered Battlefield veterans."
For more information about the upcoming Battlefield 3 beta, head here.

Unless it's some sort of mistake, it seems that the engine will hugely favour Nvidia's architecture (like HAWX 2). I mean, a 560 is essentially an overclocked 460, right? That's like mid range card vs a high end one...i know it's a TWIMTBP title...but the contrast...
At this rate, SSDs need to be a whole lot cheaper for them to ever get popular. BF3 still looking good.
Hope my gtx 570 sli will work good lol.
Well bring on the 7XXX series, I am bypassing the 6XXX this time as 5850 still plays everything at 1920x1080!
Pity though as I will not support EA so no BF3 for me
It's just sad that my computers won't even meet the minimum requirements anymore
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
Processor: Quad-core CPU
Memory: 4 GB
Hard Drive: 20 GB
GPU: 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
Lets try to think about this.
First, they ask for a quad core, and dont even specify speed (so we asume its optimized for 4 cores?! yeah sure...
Second, 64 bit system (what is that even better for?)
Third, 560 or 6950 (you mean 560 Ti i guess, or did they just randomly chose a good gpu?)
That might be fun. If it really needs that much, wow, that would be great assuming they use the engine well.
Unless it's some sort of mistake, it seems that the engine will hugely favour Nvidia's architecture (like HAWX 2). I mean, a 560 is essentially an overclocked 460, right? That's like mid range card vs a high end one...i know it's a TWIMTBP title...but the contrast...
First: They say 2 GHz dual core is minimum, so it's pretty obvious that the AI doesn't need any more. A Quad core would not hold back the high-end graphics, maybe handle a little physics (the rest goes to the card), is better able to run AI scripts, etc, etc.
Second: For the recommended 4GB RAM. Duh
true but its all up to the architecture.
yay for you. keeping shooting yourself in the foot. it entertains me.