Windows Vista System Requirements

<h1>Windows Vista System Requirements</h1>Author: <a title="Lyle Cochran" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/lyle-cochran/7329.htm">Lyle Cochran</a> Microsoft has designated 2 levels of compatibility for the Windows Vista release. These 2 levels refer to hardware that will support Windows Vista to varying degrees. These levels are designated Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium.

Windows Vista Capable PC

Windows Vista capable, means that your present hardware meets the absolute minimum requirements install and run Windows Vista.

<ul><li />A modern processor (at least 800MHz).

<li />512 MB of system memory.

<li />A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable, with a minimum of 64mb of RAM.</ul>

Windows Vista Premium Ready PC

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC, means your hardware meets the minimum requirements to use most additional features of Windows Vista that enhances the user experience. In other words, the higher minimum requirements will improve the system performance and enhance advanced media such as Windows Aero. These are the recommended minimum requirements.

<ul><li />1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor). <li />1 GB of system memory.<li />Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.

<li />40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.<li />DVD-ROM Drive.<li />Audio output capability.<li />Internet access capability.</ul>

Summary

The biggest difference between Windows Vista and Windows XP are the system memory and video requirements. Windows XP will run well with 128 MB video card and 1 GB of system RAM. Ironically that should be considered the minimum to install Windows Vista.

Windows Vista is much more graphic intensive than Windows XP and creates a richer media experience. Of course these requirements increase the cost of hardware needed to run Windows Vista. For those who have been dragging there feet on the video and RAM front have the media creators and PC gamers to blame for the extra cost.

If you have read some of my other computer articles or guides you will already know that I never recommend using advertised minimum hardware requirements. When you read the words "minimum requirements", the bare minimum is what you get. Any time you upgrade a PC to the minimum recommended requirements the results will always be a disappointing.

With that in mind, my recommendations for installing Windows Vista are the following.

<ul><li />2 GHz +, 64 bit or Duel Core processor (Intel Duo Core or AMD X2 for Gaming)<li />2 GB +, of matching system RAM

<li />256 MB +, ATI or nVidia graphics card (not integrated on board)

<li />40 GB +, Hard Disk (15 GB free space required for Vista install)

<li />CD-DVD ROM

<li />Other required hardware should be obvious.</ul>

Windows Vista will run smoothly on a PC meeting these recommendations. Most users will only need to upgrade their video card and add system RAM. Windows Vista supports most of the same hardware that Windows XP supports. Motherboards, Modems, Ethernet, Hard Disks and other common hardware in use today are supported.About the Author: Is your PC Windows Vista Capable? <a href="http://bytepowered.org/windows_vista_requirements.php#vista_test">Test Your PC Now - <a target="_blank" href="http://bytepowered.org/windows_vista_requirements.php#vista_test">http://bytepowered.org/windows_vista_requirements.php#vista_test</a></a> 
Lyle Cochran is the owner of <a href="http://bytepowered.org">Cheap Computer Solutions - <a target="_blank" href="http://bytepowered.org">http://bytepowered.org</a></a>, 
and <a href="http://bytepowered.org/articles">Bytepowered Articles - <a target="_blank" href="http://bytepowered.org/articles">http://bytepowered.org/articles</a></a>.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/windows-vista-system-requirements-161740.html" title="Windows Vista System Requirements">Windows Vista System Requirements</a>

Microsoft has designated 2 levels of compatibility for the Windows Vista release. These 2 levels refer to hardware that will support Windows Vista to varying degrees. These levels are designated Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium.

Windows Vista Capable PC
Windows Vista capable, means that your present hardware meets the absolute minimum requirements install and run Windows Vista.

A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
512 MB of system memory.
A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable, with a minimum of 64mb of RAM.

Windows Vista Premium Ready PC
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC, means your hardware meets the minimum requirements to use most additional features of Windows Vista that enhances the user experience. In other words, the higher minimum requirements will improve the system performance and enhance advanced media such as Windows Aero. These are the recommended minimum requirements.

1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor).
1 GB of system memory.
Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
DVD-ROM Drive.
Audio output capability.
Internet access capability.

Summary
The biggest difference between Windows Vista and Windows XP are the system memory and video requirements. Windows XP will run well with 128 MB video card and 1 GB of system RAM. Ironically that should be considered the minimum to install Windows Vista.

Windows Vista is much more graphic intensive than Windows XP and creates a richer media experience. Of course these requirements increase the cost of hardware needed to run Windows Vista. For those who have been dragging there feet on the video and RAM front have the media creators and PC gamers to blame for the extra cost.

If you have read some of my other computer articles or guides you will already know that I never recommend using advertised minimum hardware requirements. When you read the words "minimum requirements", the bare minimum is what you get. Any time you upgrade a PC to the minimum recommended requirements the results will always be a disappointing.
With that in mind, my recommendations for installing Windows Vista are the following.

2 GHz +, 64 bit or Duel Core processor (Intel Duo Core or AMD X2 for Gaming)
2 GB +, of matching system RAM
256 MB +, ATI or nVidia graphics card (not integrated on board)
40 GB +, Hard Disk (15 GB free space required for Vista install)
CD-DVD ROM
Other required hardware should be obvious.

Take note that video integrated on to the motherboard is NOT recommended. Integrated video uses system RAM which robs your system of resources and increases your memory requirements. Also there are add-on video cards that use system RAM and have very little memory of there own. When buying an add-on video card read the memory specifications very carefully.

Windows Vista will run smoothly on a PC meeting these recommendations. Most users will only need to upgrade their video card and add system RAM. Windows Vista supports most of the same hardware that Windows XP supports. Motherboards, Modems, Ethernet, Hard Disks and other common hardware in use today are supported.

Is your PC Windows Vista Capable? Test Your PC Now - http://bytepowered.org/windows_vista_requirements.php#vista_test
Lyle Cochran is the owner of Cheap Computer Solutions - http://bytepowered.org,
and Bytepowered Articles - http://bytepowered.org/articles.

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/windows-vista-system-requirements-161740.html

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

How to Tweak Windows Vista for Faster Performance

Play

How to Make Windows Vista Faster

Play

Windows Vista Desktop Icons, Settings, Tips and Tricks

Play

How to disable the sidebar to speed up Windows Vista

Play

How to Disable Transparency to Speed Up Windows Vista

Latest Software Articles
More from Lyle Cochran

BlueStar Sets Date for VARTECH NORDIC 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden

By: Market Wire | 27/11/2009
#1 Tradeshow for Value-Added Resellers Continues to Expand Industry Relationships Throughout Europe

Dell Printer Drivers - How to Get the Latest Dell Drivers the Easy Way

By: Jim Marshall | 27/11/2009
Is your Dell printer driver out-of-date? Did you get a new computer and now need to re-install your Dell printer only to find that you lost the CD that contained your installation information? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We can help you with all your Dell printer driver needs.

How to Update Drivers - Learn To Update Your Drivers Quickly and Automatically

By: Jim Marshall | 27/11/2009
Before you learn why having up-to-date drivers is vital to your computer, you should understand exactly what a device driver is. You can think of it as a kind of miniature program, or group of files, that acts like a translator altering the output from one device into a language that another device can understand. For example, your keyboard, mouse, monitor, sound card, graphics and video cards and many of your software programs all require drivers in order to function correctly.

How to Get the Latest Multimedia Audio Controller Drivers

By: Jim Marshall | 27/11/2009
Out of all the computer peripherals out there, sound cards are almost certainly the most in demand. A lot of computers contain built-in audio systems so installing a sound card to your machine may not be required.

Best Driver Update Software - How to Select the Best Software for Updating Drivers

By: Jim Marshall | 27/11/2009
If you are looking for the best software for updating your drivers, you have come to the right place. You’ve already determined that the culprit of your computer woes is likely an outdated or corrupted driver. You’ve also determined that the next step is to purchase software to update your drivers. If you do a quick Internet search for this software, you have likely been inundated with choices. How do you know which one is the best?

Google Hijack Virus – How To Remove The Google Hijack Virus

By: Jim Marshall | 27/11/2009
Learn how to stop the pesky virus from redirecting all your searches.

Get CardDeluxe Windows Drivers Quickly

By: Jim Marshall | 27/11/2009
Are you looking for an update to your CardDeluxe Window drivers? If you’re experiencing a lack of sound or poor sound quality, then you need to update your drivers. Acting as a translator, a driver is a group of files that interacts with your PC. With driver update software, you can update your drivers in just a few minutes.

Windows Vista System Requirements

By: Lyle Cochran | 08/06/2007 | Software
Microsoft has designated 2 levels of compatibility for the Windows Vista release. These 2 levels refer to hardware that will support Windows Vista to varying degrees. These levels are designated Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium. I decided to test Microsoft's minimum requirements. The results are eye opening.

Install Windows Xp Built-in Fax Service

By: Lyle Cochran | 10/01/2007 | Computers
Hey, wouldn't it be great to send and receive faxes from your Windows XP computer without having to buy expensive software? If you have a fax modem installed or you can have one installed, you can do just that. Here's how.

Microsoft Windows is a Greedy Memory Hog, the Cure is to Feed it

By: Lyle Cochran | 03/09/2006 | Hardware
Get a new faster PC for the price of a RAM module. Take your computing to the next level. Speed up your PC increase stability and reduce Windows crashes. Finding the right memory for your PC is easy.

Copyright Procedures; Quick and Easy

By: Lyle Cochran | 23/07/2006 | Copyright
The digital age of cyber publishing and intellectual property raises many questions about copyrighting. If you have never published anything in your life, you still hold copyrights. If you do publish your work, how do you know your copyrights are in place? Copyrighting is not complicated or difficult, there is a quick and easy way to copyright any creative material you produce.

Temporary Internet Files - Truth and Consequences

By: Lyle Cochran | 20/07/2006 | Computers
Much has been written about temporary internet files. To my amazement, there seems to be a lot of misunderstanding about how these files are put on your computer and the effect they have on your computing experience. Some articles propose these files slow your computer to a crawl, others indicate they are memory hogs. While some suggest that these files only affect the MS Internet Explorer browser.