Mass Effect 3 PC Review

Graphics are a big staple for ME3, even though the developers still severly restrict the customisation options on the games engine to what may as well be a “good graphics on / off”, fortunately the game is superbly optimised for most modern systems, meaning it does its best to provide a smooth experience for your PCs configuration.

Mass Effect 2 was no slouch in the looks department, but the developers have really pushed the boat out here with well detailed characters, enemies, landscapes and some of the best looking back drops I’ve seen in a game for a long while.

Minimum system requirements:

• OS – Windows XP SP3 / Vista SP1 / Windows 7
• CPU – 1.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD CPU
• RAM – 1 GB for Windows XP / 2 GB for Vista or Windows 7
• Disc Drive – 1x speed
• Hard Drive: at least 15 GB of free space
  Internet connection is required to play
• GPU – 256 MB with Pixel Shader 3.0 support
  • Supported chipsets: Nvidia 7900 or better; ATI X1800 or better.  Please note that Nvidia GeForce 9300, 8500, and 8300 are below minimum system requirements, as are AMD/ATI Radeon HD3200, HD3300, and HD4350.
• Sound – DirectX 9.0c compatible
• DirectX – DirectX 9.0c
• Please note that if using an AMD Dual Core CPU, we recommend utilizng the AMD Dual Core Optimizer, available for free download by AMD.

Recommended system requirements:

• OS – Windows XP SP3 / Vista SP1 / Windows 7
• CPU – 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent AMD CPU
• RAM – 2 GB for Windows XP / 4 GB for Vista or Windows 7
• Disc Drive – 1x speed
• Hard Drive: at least 15 GB of free space
  Internet connection is required to play
• Video – AMD/ATI Radeon HD4850 512 MB or greater / Nvidia GeForce 9800GT 512 MB or greater
• Sound – DirectX 9.0c compatible
• Please note that if using an AMD Dual Core CPU, we recommend utilizng the AMD Dual Core Optimizer, available for free download by AMD.

Our review system specifications

• Windows 7 64bit
• AMD 955 BE Quad Core @3.8Ghz
• 4GB DDR 1800
• EVGA Nvidia GTX 460 SSC+

Running on my gaming review rig, which as you can see is fairly modest, I had no problems with maximum graphics on this game, frame rate did occasionally take a dip down to near 30FPS, but kept a good average around 60FPS for the majority of the game.