How Long Does It Take to Download Black Ops 3 on PC?
The time it takes to download Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (BO3) on PC varies significantly, primarily dependent on your internet connection speed. It can range from under 2 hours for users with high-speed connections to as long as 12 hours or more for those with slower connections. A download that might take you just 30-40 minutes on a 200 Mbps connection could stretch to 6 hours or longer with an average ADSL speed of 24 Mbps. In short, there is no single answer. The time is directly proportional to your download speed and the game’s total size. Let’s delve into the factors affecting download times and explore other aspects of downloading and playing Black Ops 3.
Understanding Download Times: The Key Factors
The primary factor dictating your download duration is your internet download speed, usually measured in Megabits per second (Mbps). The game’s total size is also a crucial element. Black Ops 3 requires a substantial download, often cited as being around 45 GB, although this number can vary slightly with updates. Here’s a simple formula to understand this relationship:
Download Time (hours) ≈ (Game Size in Gigabytes / Download Speed in Megabytes per second) / 3600
Keep in mind that 1 Megabyte (MB) is equal to 8 Megabits (Mb). Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) will often advertise in Mbps, so you need to convert this to MB/s when making the calculation. For instance, a 100 Mbps connection equates to roughly 12.5 MB/s download speed.
It’s also important to note that advertised speeds are often “up to” speeds, and real-world speeds might be slightly lower, affecting the accuracy of any calculations.
Examples of Download Times at Different Speeds
Here’s a look at estimated download times based on different connection speeds, assuming a 45 GB game download:
- 10 Mbps Connection (Approx. 1.25 MB/s): Approximately 10 hours.
- 24 Mbps Connection (Approx. 3 MB/s): Approximately 4-6 hours.
- 30 Mbps Connection (Approx. 3.75 MB/s): Approximately 3.5 hours.
- 100 Mbps Connection (Approx. 12.5 MB/s): Approximately 1 hour.
- 200 Mbps Connection (Approx. 25 MB/s): Under an hour (30-40 minutes in practice).
Factors That Might Slow Down Your Download
Even with a good internet connection, there are a few things that can slow your download:
- Network Congestion: During peak hours, servers can be congested, reducing download speeds.
- Distance to Servers: Your distance from game servers can also affect speeds.
- Other Downloads: Multiple concurrent downloads will reduce speed for each.
- Background Apps: Apps using internet bandwidth in the background can also slow things down.
- Hardware Limitations: An old router or network card may not fully utilize your internet plan’s speed.
- Steam Issues: If Steam’s servers are experiencing issues or are overloaded, download speeds can also be impacted. It might be worth trying to switch to a different download region within the Steam client.
Black Ops 3 Installation Size
While the download size is approximately 45 GB, the total disk space needed for Black Ops 3 can be higher. The game requires around 60 GB of disk space for the base game and the season pass. Note that this disk space requirement may also vary depending on any post-launch updates. It’s wise to ensure you have over 100GB free, as reported by some players, to avoid any installation issues.
How Long Does Installation Take?
Once the game is downloaded, you will then have to install it. This process typically takes considerably less time than downloading. The article you sent suggested that BO3 took about 45 minutes to fully install on PC. But, this can vary depending on your PC’s specifications, specifically the performance of your storage drive (SSD or HDD) and your CPU.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the minimum PC specs needed for Black Ops 3?
The minimum PC specifications for Black Ops 3 include an Intel Core i3-530 or equivalent processor, an AMD Radeon HD 6970 or similar graphics card, and 6 GB of RAM. However, it is recommended that you have a more powerful PC to enjoy the game fully, especially at higher settings.
2. Is Black Ops 3 demanding on PC?
Yes, Black Ops 3 can be demanding on PC, particularly if you want to play at high graphics settings and frame rates. The game was released in 2015, but its graphics were fairly intensive for the time, and are still decently demanding for older PC’s. You might find that you need to dial down your settings for the game to run smoothly, if you are using an older PC.
3. Can I run Black Ops 3 on a low-end PC?
Yes, Black Ops 3 can run on a low-end PC, but you will likely need to play on low settings and at lower resolutions. It also means you will need to have hardware that meets the minimum specs to achieve a playable frame rate. The article suggested a configuration of a GeForce GTX 470/Radeon HD 6970 paired with a Phenom II X4 810/Core i3-530 2.9GHz CPU will achieve 25-35 FPS on low graphics at 720p resolution.
4. How many hours long is the Black Ops 3 campaign?
The campaign for Black Ops 3 is approximately 9 hours long on average, according to HowLongToBeat. This may vary depending on your play style and difficulty setting.
5. How long does it take to 100% Black Ops 3?
If you are seeking to fully complete and unlock all content of the game, you’re likely looking at around 79 hours for 100% completion.
6. Is Black Ops 3 still worth playing in 2023?
Yes, despite its age, Black Ops 3 is still worth playing, particularly if you enjoy zombies mode or enjoy older-style Call of Duty gameplay. The game has a great zombies mode, and was also regarded as the best Call of Duty for Zombies, as of the article provided. It also holds a significant number of people online, if the multiplayer is your focus.
7. What is the best Call of Duty for Zombies?
According to the provided article, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 is considered the best Call of Duty for Zombies. Other high ranking titles include Black Ops Cold War, Black Ops and World at War.
8. Is Black Ops 3 free on Steam or PlayStation?
Black Ops 3 is not free by default, but it has been offered as part of PlayStation Plus subscription programs. Check your subscription service for potential availability, though.
9. Why does Call of Duty take so long to download?
Call of Duty games often take long to download due to large file sizes caused by high-resolution textures, audio, and other complex game assets. The large file sizes allow for more detailed graphics, but at the cost of download time.
10. How big is the Black Ops 3 update?
A specific update, 1.09, for Black Ops 3 was reported to be around 1 GB, although other updates may be smaller or larger, depending on the changes and added content.
11. Why is Black Ops 3 still $60?
The price point for older games like Black Ops 3 is primarily driven by consumer expectation. Game publishers often maintain a price of $60 to avoid deterring potential buyers with a higher cost.
12. Is it safe to download games from SteamUnlocked?
While SteamUnlocked claims to be safe, it’s generally advised to only download games from authorized platforms such as Steam itself. Unofficial platforms often carry the risk of viruses or other forms of malware. Always ensure your antivirus is up to date.
13. Is Black Ops 3 safe to play on PC in 2023?
Playing Black Ops 3 on PC carries a risk because of RCE exploits. If your game is not updated with the community patch, it is advisable to be cautious, as these exploits can be used by hackers to access your system. Ensure you have antivirus running, and consider using community patches.
14. What is the maximum FPS in Black Ops 3?
Multiplayer in Black Ops 3 is capped at 60 FPS by default with VSync enabled. Disabling VSync allows you to increase the FPS cap up to a maximum of 240 FPS.
15. What Call of Duty is best for low-end PC’s?
Several older Call of Duty titles are well-suited for low-end PCs. These include Call of Duty 1, Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty World at War, and the Call of Duty Modern Warfare trilogy. These older games often require far less power than modern titles.
By taking all these points into consideration, you will hopefully have a clear understanding of how long a Black Ops 3 download will take you, as well as some of the related topics that you may have interest in.