Though it's not releasing at the same time as the console versions, fans eagerly anticipating the PC version of Max Payne 3 should not feel like they are being cheated out of anything. Yes, they might be receiving the game almost two weeks after PS3 and Xbox 360 players, but it's always better to start prepping early. Along with revealing the PC specs for Rockstar Games' next entry in the noir shooter, they also released a couple of PC screens for the game (in all of their Direct X 11 goodness) and teased some pre-order bonuses for those who are into that sort of thing.

On the PC specs side of things, Max Payne 3 doesn't appear to be a game that will tax your machine, or require a complete overhaul, but it's also no slouch.  The most confusing part of the specs is the claim that 2-16 GB of RAM is necessary to play the game. That's far too big a spectrum for any PC gamer to know if they might need an upgrade.

Operating System:

Windows 7 32/64 Service Pack 1, Windows Vista 32/64 Service Pack 2, Windows XP 32/64 Service Pack 3

Processor:

Intel Dual Core 2.4 GHZ -  i7 3930K 6 Core  x 3.06 GHZ / AMD Dual Core 2.6 GHZ - FX8150 8 Core x 3.6 GHZ

RAM:

2GB - 16GB

Video Card:

NVIDIA® 8600 GT 512MB VRAM — NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 680 2GB VRAM / Radeon HD 3400 512MB VRAM - Radeon HD 7970 3GB VRAM

Sound Card:

100% Direct X 9.0 compatible — Direct X 9.0 compatible supporting Dolby Digital Live

HDD Space:

35 GB

As an added bonus Rockstar also announced a wide selection of pre-order bonuses for Max Payne 3 that vary by retailer and geographic location. For example, Amazon is including with a digital pre-order of Max Payne 3 a copy of Max Payne 2, some unique multiplayer upgrades, and a character and weapons pack.

Rockstar is also offering a Special Edition PC version of Max Payne 3 that is similar to the console versions. The Special Edition ships with a ton of goodies, including a Max Payne statuette and the game's soundtrack. GameStop, however, will also be offering a cemetery multiplayer map for anyone that pre-orders any edition of Max Payne 3.

And finally, there were a few new Max Payne 3 screens released, screens that show off the capabilities of the PC version of the game. While it's nothing gamers haven't seen before, the amount of detail further reinforces Rockstar's claim that the game was developed in parallel to the console versions rather than as a side project.

[gallery order="DESC" columns="1"]

To see which of your favorite retailers is offering the best PC pre-order bonus make sure to head to their site to check the deals out.

What do you think of the PC specs for Max Payne 3? Where do you plan on pre-ordering your copy of the game?

Max Payne 3 releases May 29, 2012 for the PC.