Monday 22 May 2006
Microsoft has revealed what specifications PC's will need to run its new operating system Windows Vista, without which PC gamers won't be able to play the next generation of Microsoft published games, including Halo 2, or use the new Live Anywhere online service.
While many PC's currently running on Microsoft's Windows XP will have the power to run a limited version of Vista, to get the full system - complete with Windows Aero, the flashy glass-like interface - a top-end machine will have to be used.
Below are the PC specifications required to run the full version of Vista.
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.
Microsoft annoyed many gamers when it announced that Halo 2 will only be launched for Windows Vista, which basically means that the new operating system must be purchased to play an 18-month-old Xbox game.
But with Microsoft keen to make Windows Vista the only choice for games it seems as though gamers will have to make the upgrade sooner rather than later. Or buy a 360.
