.:BMK
Media :: Articles:: Windows Vista™ System
Requirements
A
Look at the Windows Vista™ System Requirements
Expect
an upgrade when upgrading to Microsoft's new OS.
The
following specifications are pulled from the Microsoft
Windows Vista™ Pre-release hardware requirements
information page. Basically, unless you bought your
computer in the last 2-3 years and spent more than $2,000
on it, you'll most likely need to upgrade your hardware
in addition to buying the Vista upgrade. Below is a
table of the absolute minimum system hardware
requirements to run Windows Vista:
| Vista™
Minimum Supported Requirements |
| Processor |
800
MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor |
| System
Memory |
512
MB |
| GPU |
SVGA
(800x600) |
| Graphics
Memory |
-
- |
| HDD |
20
GB |
| HDD
Free Space |
15
GB |
| Optical
Drive |
CD-ROM
Drive |
Y
ou may be thinking "Those requirements are just
a little higher than today's standards... so what's
the big deal?" Well, the problem is that even Windows
XP would perform poorly on those requirements, and this
operating system is even hungrier for specs.
The
new OS has a 3D graphical desktop engine called Aero;
think of it as the arcade version of Windows. Things
fly around, spin open, and have transparent attributes...
but only if your system meets the requirements
for a Vista "Premium Ready" PC. Almost double
most of the basic Vista specs, the Aero-capable requirements
are JUST for the OS... prepare to add more memory to
cater to videogames, graphics applications, and maybe
even the new Office suite. The chart below shows a side-by-side
comparison between "Capable" and "Premium
Ready" Vista machines.
| |
Windows Vista™
Capable PC |
Windows Vista™
"Premium Ready" PC |
Processor |
Modern
processor
(at least 800 MHz2) |
1
GHz 32-bit (x86)
or 64-bit (x64) processor |
| System
Memory |
512
MB |
1
GB |
GPU |
DirectX
9 Capable |
Windows
Aero Capable-
DirectX 9-class GPU that supports
- A
WDDM Driver
- Pixel
Shader 2.0 in hardware
- 32
bits per pixe
- Adequate
graphics memory
|
| Graphics
Memory |
- - |
128
MB |
HDD |
20GB |
40
GB |
| HDD
Free Space |
15
GB |
15
GB |
Optical
Drive |
CD-ROM Drive |
DVD-ROM
Drive |
So
while Vista PC's may look pretty, have a better
firewall, user account management, and desktop search
capabilities; expect hidden costs if you plan on running
Photoshop or F.A.T.E. on your new (or upgraded) Vista
machine.
.:Windows
Vista IS pretty...but it'll cost you.
Screenshot of the Windows Aero Alt+Tab program switching
in action.
.:About
the Author
William Kinirons
is the president of BMK Media, a web and graphic design
company based in Coconut Creek that also offers in-home
computer hardware & software support. For more information
on web design, onsite computer software support, or
managed web hosting call BMK Media at (954) 818-2010.
|
