DVD vs Steam Download

[confused]

I have HL2, Episode 1 which I purchased retail versions and now want to get Episode 2. My question is (keeping in mind I have dialup)....which would be a faster download time for me? Buying the retail Orange Box (and DLing only Episode 2 or purchasing it on Steam directly.

I understand the cost difference but I'm only concerned with downloading time.

 

[spunge]

Is there a dl time with retail ? :S

I thought it just had to validate

 

[confused]

Hummm well, maybe I'm confusing validation with something else. The retail versions of HL2 & Episode 1 took hours and hours (percentage took hours to get to 100%)....could that be validation process?

 

[jerkasaur]

^^ :S is that so?
i'm gonna have a real bad time with my shitty dialup then..

 

[RoBe]

i bought hl2 on the highstreet, but once i'd installed off the disc I had to download them from steam. Could this be what you mean by retail?
If so it makes no difference

 

[jerkasaur]

ok i don't get this, does this mean i have to download the full game (which is around 5GB) after i install it from the disc?

 

[Narvi]

Buy retail. You won't have to download the entire game that way.

 

[Para]

Actually you do have to update HL2+stuff through Steam with retail while buying from Steam gives you instantly the latest available version.

You can also scratch, break and/or lose the DVD while Steam always holds your game ticket which can be used anywhere you log in to Steam network.

 

[jerkasaur]

this updating thing, is it optional?

 

[Nitre]

this updating thing, is it optional?

Not as far as i know.

 

[confused]

i bought hl2 on the highstreet, but once i'd installed off the disc I had to download them from steam. Could this be what you mean by retail?
If so it makes no difference

By retail I mean buying the boxed version from the store...then I installed it and still had to DL (something)from Steam till it reached 100% (which took most of the day). Sooooooo I was wondering if I'd save any time DLing if I just bought EP1 from Steam. I guess I'm wondering why buy it at the store if it takes the same amount of time DLing directly from Steam. Dialup will take hours and hours in any case but is one faster than the other?

 

[giant384]

the dvd only installs the gcfs and thats it. when you update steam your updating it so it will have all of the hl2/css/portal/etc. folders. plus you will have to decrypt the gcfs. after it is installed.

 

[confused]

the dvd only installs the gcfs and thats it. when you update steam your updating it so it will have all of the hl2/css/portal/etc. folders. plus you will have to decrypt the gcfs. after it is installed.

Thanks Giant384

...er....ummm...can you translate thatg into which is the two would be the shorter time I'd have to endure wirh Steam? Its sounds like I'd save a little time with the store bought DVD.....correct?

 

[k3ithrm]

What are we talking About? :|

 

[giant384]

Thanks Giant384

...er....ummm...can you translate thatg into which is the two would be the shorter time I'd have to endure wirh Steam? Its sounds like I'd save a little time with the store bought DVD.....correct?

yes you would. hours/possiblly days.