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Microsoft unveils Vista requirements

  • By Staff, GameSpot
  • Posted May 18, 2006 6:44 pm PT

Microsoft reveals more information on its upcoming operating system--including what kind of computer you'll need to run it.

Microsoft has updated its official Windows Vista "Get Ready" page with new information on its upcoming PC operating system. The updated page includes the system requirements for the OS's native 3D interface, "Windows Aero." According to the page, Aero will require:

A DirectX 9-class graphics processor that:
-Supports a WDDM Driver
-Supports Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware
-Supports 32 bits per pixel

Adequate graphics memory:
-64MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor less than 1,310,720 pixels
-128MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions from 1,310,720 to 2,304,000 pixels
-256MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions higher than 2,304,000 pixels
-Meets graphics memory bandwidth requirements, as assessed by Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor running on Windows XP.

The "Get Ready" page also suggests that by the time the new operating system launches, Microsoft will have at least two designations for Vista-compatible computers: the "Windows Vista Capable PC" and the "Windows Vista Premium Ready PC."

Windows Vista Capable PCs will include, at minimum, a "modern processor (at least 800MHz)," 512MB system memory, and a DirectX 9-compatible graphics processor.

Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs will include, at minimum, a 1GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor, 1GB of system memory, a graphics processor that runs Windows Aero2, 128MB of graphics memory, 40GB of hard drive capacity with 15GB free space, a DVD-ROM Drive3, audio output capability, and Internet access capability.

The Vista site also states that the operating system will be available in five versions: Business, Enterprise, Home Basic, Home Premium, and Ultimate (the latter version will apparently include all the functionality from the other four versions in one package). The site also suggests that curious users try the beta version of the Windows Upgrade Advisor to see whether their computers will be able to run the OS.

Windows Vista will be the next operating system from software giant Microsoft, and it's intended to replace Windows XP. The upcoming operating system was recently delayed until 2007. For more information on Vista and what it will mean for playing games, visit GameSpot tech's recent feature story on Vista and its functionality.

282 Comments

  • mailbox2112

    Posted Feb 15, 2007 8:06 pm GMT

    sounds like a bunch of crap.

    but even if its crap, its better than a mac.(LOL)

    note: its just a joke.

  • brandontek

    Posted Jan 27, 2007 10:54 am GMT

    Well I've already got the RC2 for Windows Vista. It's a great OS. People should get it.

  • Rickiej

    Posted Jan 23, 2007 12:19 am GMT

    The windows upgrade advisor advises me to use Ultimate lol.
    The only reason why i am going t oget vista, is because of Direct X 10.....
    Those stupid Microsofties are tearing my fast system down!
    ill just take the Vista version that has the lowest requirements, so i can get the most out of my games.

  • endo666

    Posted Dec 29, 2006 9:08 am GMT

    its getting really bad when the crazy graphic designers are starting to convince me to switch to a mac. the problem with a mac is that alot of my software that i use you can only get for the pc so i need to keep some form of windows around. i think id just go with Linux. but again you don't have direct support for windows software. all game developers need to do is make games for Linux then you would get a mass of people to get Linux to a point where it is very easy to use. in my opinion as of lately the only good thing to come from M$ is the XBOX.

  • thestrateger

    Posted Dec 21, 2006 2:56 am GMT

    wow, i can't run windows vista on my computer never,
    i need to upgrades my computers allot...

  • ATHF_Bum

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 9:03 pm GMT

    Flight Sim X plays horribly on a system at my school that has a Pentium D 945, X1900XTX, and 1GB of RAM.
    I think Flight Sim X is meant to be played on a DX10 vid card..

  • linkthewindow

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 10:32 pm GMT

    Heck, with these requirements, im not suprised im getting a mac, and dual-booting with Win XP for gaming.

  • tommyvercetti1

    Posted Oct 16, 2006 1:39 am GMT

    I saw a Flight Simulator X (9...isn't it?) box that said "works great on XP, works better (should be worse) on Vista!" Cheap -blam-tards.

  • xche78x

    Posted Oct 3, 2006 4:25 am GMT

    my pc is ways over the recommended for vista but i aint jumpin on the vista bandwagon until the real/original "ZeroCool" puts some of his mighty code in it.

  • -KinGz-

    Posted Oct 1, 2006 7:23 pm GMT

    holy cow...

  • citymaster

    Posted Sep 29, 2006 3:29 pm GMT

    pix shader 2!?!? For a freekin OS!?!? Micro$oft does it again...

    And another thing: DirectX 10! It's not compatible with Game Maker 6 worth beanz(at least beta 2 isn't)

  • evolutionex

    Posted Sep 17, 2006 8:35 am GMT

    Damn, Look at that, Vista is going to chew most PCs inside and out amazon is taking pre orders for Vista, The Vista Ultimate Edition is priced at (hold your breath) $399!!!! Holy Cow, in that much money, you can get yourself a Good Quality mid Range graphics cards

  • m_shameel_14

    Posted Aug 24, 2006 11:45 pm GMT

    Screw vista and especially bungee and any other gaming companies that make games for vista. I guess for lots of people, vista is going to be really expensive. I mean, to install vista, you might have to buy a new PC! I don't think its worth upgrading unless you are a really hardcore gamer, AND vista improves your gaming performance, because those system requirements are way too high for an average user.

  • pakao

    Posted Aug 6, 2006 11:54 pm GMT

    The new windows are what can I say NEW!

    It has great desires (at least 1Gb ram) so I'm just fine with XP Pro.

  • loading123

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 10:32 pm GMT

    well...microsoft is really giving problems to it's users by upgrading the OS versions from time to time....windows vista would be a good release but most people wont buy a pc with 1 GB RAM , a graphic card , fast processor just for running windows vista...microsoft is really taking bad advantages from it's users..hell i am a microsoft user too........Some words for microsoft:havent you earned enough....and vista better be good...or else

  • HeavyMG

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 11:42 am GMT

    i think i realize what bill gates is doing. this whole vista thing has nothing to do with the pc or the people who use them. he is launching vista. because he is attempting to destroy what he has created. and if vista fails....why should he care? he has BILLIONS of dollars. and is retiring from Microsoft in 2008. So...why should he care. Vista is the downfall of PC gaming.

  • lgoldberg

    Posted Jul 15, 2006 5:11 am GMT

    I'm just fine with Windows 98. Vista will just probably be a computer with more abilities.

  • dude488

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 7:45 pm GMT

    why microsoft.... why? screw pc games. im just gonna go with consoles.

  • bristowlfc

    Posted Jul 3, 2006 8:28 am GMT

    what does vista actually do different from xp? my friend has vista beta 2 and it just looks different ! i'm happy with xp at the moment unless vista actually does something substantually different.......

  • K_blue5

    Posted Jul 1, 2006 1:14 pm GMT

    I just rebuilt my system for under 1k got the vista beta last night, runs great. this is what i have...

    Gigabyte GA-G1975X
    Intel Celeron D 336 2.8 GHZ
    ATI x1600 pro 128bit 256mb
    Corsair XMS 1gb in single
    Ultra x-connect power (I have had this for 2 years the best power supply I have ever used)
    Thermatake shark case
    Seagate baracuda 80gb sata2

    got all this around 600-700 and vista looks good the beta is a little quirky (couldnt get the 64 bit to work and it took me three times to install the 32 bit version secsusfully, if you have probles just keep trying)

  • julian79

    Posted Jun 26, 2006 11:46 pm GMT

    I read somewhere that vista can boost your grapics quality by 50%+.With the system requirements i think it might be possible.

  • MrNib

    Posted Jun 22, 2006 7:30 pm GMT

    i have no problem meeting theese requierments, besides DX10

  • gamingexpert13

    Posted Jun 6, 2006 8:34 pm GMT

    oh i get it. i was wondering what a DVD-ROM Drive3 was. on the microsoft site, where its listing the requirements, it says DVD-ROM Drive and has a little 3 after it that's a link to a footnote. so i guess Mr Staff just copied it and didnt notice the 3. :]

  • codgamer2004

    Posted Jun 4, 2006 2:36 pm GMT

    i guess its pretty bad

  • Venomus3213

    Posted Jun 3, 2006 2:41 pm GMT

    hmmm i wonder how much vista will cost...500$$???

  • sabrefencing

    Posted Jun 2, 2006 3:02 pm GMT

    i think vista is a great step, but some of the requirements are ridiculous, what about DX10 games? I don't want to buy another like $500 card! Screw microsoft and anyone who makes games not capable with DX9 cards!

  • sammyboy2

    Posted Jun 2, 2006 4:14 am GMT

    Can you actually change back to windows xp after you installed vista and everything? im worried about that!

  • jecht290

    Posted May 31, 2006 4:48 pm GMT

    ill get it about 1 or 2 years after the relase to wait for tthe bugs to be fixed out first

  • skeetoids

    Posted May 31, 2006 2:33 pm GMT

    Bring back the Acorn electron!

  • rehaniscool

    Posted May 31, 2006 2:08 pm GMT

    Ya i have Windows Vista Beta 2 and it was well enough but the problem is that i cant find the drivers of my audio and other devices which meets to Windows Vista. But Windows Vista Beta 2 is the Perfect Windows.
    www.Raptherock.com

  • GrimBee

    Posted May 31, 2006 3:02 am GMT

    Its bizzare to say the least.
    Anyone know about the GENUINE reminder system out for xp business users now?
    Its BIZZARE! All Microsoft plan to do is rope people into getting vista. WHY? Well, people who get a mac, always say this because they want widgets, simple applications, powerful tools, clean and simple gui etc etc.
    Windows xp trys to emulate this, however it SO full of bugs and hackers and can get viruses easily, businesses almost always turn to a mac instead.

    Microsoft plan on re-doing past mistakes with vista, and have signed contracts to hardware creators to actually make THEM business for the lead up to large stores (like pc world) to sell all their old xp stock, and make vista as standard.
    Another reason why microsoft havent catered for the casual pc buyer. The sales for pcs are usually from right out of stores, like dell for instance, and dell sell like the most up to date and best spec and price pc's. For windows vista you will need more hardware, so dell makes lots of money telling you that the new pcs are bigger and better.

    SO, in effect, its not actually surprising, because microsoft are doing what they always do, just like sony in this respect - They are making it like this, they are making vista to be of a high spec as standard because they are telling you that this is the norm.

    Eventually, you will get some microsoft agent saying "oh yes, pcs will have to be more powerful to run the future applications.. so it will be as standard for pcs to have this spec from now on". And because they say so, that is why it will be as standard

  • bloodwolf808

    Posted May 30, 2006 11:14 pm GMT

    67u65u

  • CideEffeX

    Posted May 30, 2006 7:53 pm GMT

    Thanks, but I'll stick with my mac and play games on consoles.

  • thedominator911

    Posted May 30, 2006 6:00 pm GMT

    Well theres nothing extra ordinary about the requirements because half of us guys have already this specs and I still dont understand why cant they just stick to one interface isnt thats simple??? anyways ill hope it will improve through time because theer already screens that has filtred the MS office and tehy look bad. But yea theres nothing special about the specs!

  • t3h_MarK

    Posted May 30, 2006 1:37 pm GMT

    check this link

    http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=31121

  • kaos_monstar

    Posted May 30, 2006 1:35 pm GMT

    hopefully it wil be better enough to stop all the whinners inlcuding mac and apple about how much windows sux!!! time for a tight operating system!!

  • DragFire24

    Posted May 30, 2006 12:02 pm GMT

    Krillk is right there. Don't forget that vista can also run in 2D like XP (I've read it some where) so it will work for those that run smoothly win. XP.

    I think that to run only the GUI it uses lots of resaurces but while playing games there's no need of the desktop items... so, for those who said what will remain for other applications, think that Vista will be able to minimize "background" applications resaurces to use it for the game or something...

    I am still waiting to see the price for this vista. It will surely be too much for me.

    Have fun wallets

  • Krillk

    Posted May 30, 2006 11:26 am GMT

    Bahh.. you dont get Vista for Vista!.. you get Vista for the DX 10 capabilities!

  • Nickstock

    Posted May 30, 2006 10:05 am GMT

    Vista promises same thing as XP, bugs. Its a sad thing that the game developers doesnt make Linux friendly games. That would open the Linux market a lot!
    Linux is a powerfull and friendly OS, with several graphic interfases. It would be nice that everyone worked on this license-free and bug-free OS.

  • titomag

    Posted May 30, 2006 12:52 am GMT

    the high requirements is only for the 3D desktop

  • dcoy8

    Posted May 29, 2006 7:42 pm GMT

    damn those are some requirements all right...put money towards the 360 and the ps3? or get a new comp.?...

  • Cligini

    Posted May 29, 2006 1:04 pm GMT

    Ok this is cute, lets see what this has to offer and I hope that Microsoft has something good about this one by way of security and all that good stuff. It seems it'll be a good system to work under I must admit.

  • buuuuuz

    Posted May 29, 2006 12:52 pm GMT

    who needs vista?

  • lao1992

    Posted May 29, 2006 4:46 am GMT

    if i ever get it it will be when there are no new games that run on xp

  • brahma_bull_boy

    Posted May 28, 2006 11:44 am GMT

    I'm happy with XP all I use my desktop for is basic browsing and communicating with my friends and family while I'm oversees. Of course Microsoft will eventually require all programs to run Vista, so I'll hold out as long as I can

  • Jmonti

    Posted May 28, 2006 5:36 am GMT

    The most interesting part about vista is the DX10... it's the new future of gaming!

  • Idiom

    Posted May 28, 2006 4:05 am GMT

    Well if you think you can give vista a miss or "wait it out" for service packs then you're living in a dreamland that doesn't contain a micro$oft. DX10 will not be released for XP, they will also stop supporting XP, so you really won't have a choice.

  • lancerex6

    Posted May 27, 2006 8:25 pm GMT

    Cool...my comp can use Vista!

  • torchicfire

    Posted May 27, 2006 3:38 pm GMT

    For those requirements, Windows Vista better look like one of those crazy GUIs from the japanese sci fi cartoons, where grids and maps and random stuff are popping up all over the place and looking cool as freaking heck. (Eureka Seven probably has an example of that somewhere)

  • DonTsetsi

    Posted May 27, 2006 9:36 am GMT

    ? ? ? wtf ? ? ?
    So my computer can run most new games but can't run Vista, very thoughtful MS. If those requirements are realistic many won't be able to run anything more demanding than minesweeper! Why do we users need to use anything besides the os?

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