|
| | | 
Administrator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 8/22/2008 10:02:32 AM
Posts: 2,102, Visits: 2,247 |
| Windows Vista Hardware Requirements
When the final release of Windows Vista comes out, it will support the widest range of hardware ever for a Window's release. There has been much discussion and controversy regarding the hardware requirements to run Windows Vista, mostly because of the varying requirements of the interim builds released so far. Currently there is only limited driver support for many hardware items, especially in the area graphic cards. This will change dramatically over the next year as major manufacturers devote more devlopment teams to the upcoming Vista release.
INTEL, AMD, ATI, and NVIDIA have now released preliminary guides of current hardware that should be Vista ready.
Below are excerpts from Microsoft, Intel, AMD, ATI and NVIDIA concerning hardware requirements for Vista, as well as hardware that is either currently supported, or is expected to be so by final release.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Windows Vista Ready PC Requirements
Windows Vista Ready PCs need to pass the current certification requirements for Designed for Windows XP logo. In addition, these PCs would need the following combination of essential PC hardware for good overall Windows Vista performance:
CPU — 1.5 GHZ CPU (or 2000+ AMD Equivalent)
RAM — PC systems should have 512MB of memory or more.
GPU — PC systems should have a graphics processor that will support Windows Vista Display Driver Model.
Windows Vista offers significant improvements to the graphics user experience. To take advantage of these advances in the graphics user experience, graphics processor will need to support the Windows Vista
Display Driver Model.
Graphics processors capable of supporting Windows Vista Display Driver Model:
Are designed to ensure that graphics user experience scales up with hardware capabilities
Offer improved graphic stability and performance.
May be able to support additional desktop productivity features.
Ready vs. Capable Systems
Systems that meet and/or exceed the above requirements should be able to provide a good experience while running Windows Vista.
PC systems that do not meet the above hardware requirements for CPU, RAM and GPU may be capable of running Windows Vista. However, such Windows Vista-capable systems may not offer all the features and benefits of Windows Vista.
PC systems with GPUs that do not support Windows Vista Display Driver Model will only be able to provide a Windows XP-comparable desktop graphics experience, with regards to features, stability, and performance.
Hardware Specifics
Processor (CPU)
As a general guideline, just about any mid-range and better processor shipping from Intel or AMD is a good fit for basic functionality in Windows Vista. The lower end of the current processor range will work, but those processors wont provide the optimal experience for most users and definitely wont provide the best experience for high-end gaming or video editing.
Both Intel and AMD are starting to ship dual-core processors at the upper end of their processor lines. These powerful processors will be excellent choices for Windows Vista.
Now is the time to decide whether youre ready to make the jump to a 64-bit processor. The current x64 processors from Intel and AMD will be excellent processors for Windows Vista, and I think well see a widespread move to 64-bit by the time Windows Vista ships. The x64-enabled processor lines include Intel Pentium 4 with EM64T, Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition with EM64T, and the AMD Athlon 64, AMD Athlon 64 FX, Mobile AMD Athlon 64, and AMD Turion 64. Because these x64 processors will run 32-bit or 64-bit Microsoft Windows equally well, and because these processors are at the upper end of the processor spectrum, they are an excellent choice in getting ready for Windows Vista, and they let you build a system thats ready to move into the 64-bit processing world whenever youre ready.
Memory
To take better advantage of Windows Vista functionality, you should have at least 512 MB of RAM, on your PC. This provides enough memory for both the operating system and a typical application workload. And while 512 MB is great for many scenarios, more advanced users will want 1 GB of memory or more. If your typical workload is heavy, you do a lot of image editing or development, or you run multiple applications all the time, then more memory is good. In general, an investment in additional memory is wise, and you should certainly make sure that the computer you buy has room to add additional memory later.
Graphics
One important thing to keep in mind as youre thinking about the graphics capability of your new system is that while Windows Vista will have a new and graphics-intensive look, it will also be able to automatically and gracefully degrade down to the current graphics look of Microsoft Windows XP.
The new graphics capabilities in Windows Vista will require support for Windows Vista Display Driver Model, if you want to take full advantage of all the new and cool stuff, such as the new AERO Glass look. While more information about specific video cards will come later, some general rules can prepare you for getting the most out of Windows Vista.
If you are building or buying PC today, you probably want to avoid the low end of the current GPU range and make sure you get a GPU that supports DirectX 9 and has at least 64 MB of graphics memory.
Whether you are building or buying a PC today, choose a design that includes a separate PCI Express or AGP graphics card. This way, even if the card you choose ends up not being an optimal choice, you can easily upgrade just the graphics card. And the choice of AGP or PCI Express will ensure that you have sufficient bandwidth to support the enhanced graphics of Windows Vista.
If you choose a system today that has integrated graphics, look at the specific chipsets that are targeted to support Windows Vista Display Driver Model, such as Intels 945G express chipset or ATIs RS400 or RS480 family chipsets. You may also want to consider dual channel UMA solutions and 1 GB of system memory.
When choosing a notebook today for use in Windows Vista, you may run into the trade-off between better graphics or thinner and lighter ultra portables. Exactly which chipsets for mobile PCs will end up fully supported is still open at this point. However, if you are purchasing a mobile PC today, and want to get AERO Glass experience, you will need a discrete card. When buying a notebook today, ask your PC vendor for more concrete information regarding graphics cards that would support Windows Vista Display Driver Model.
Whether you choose desktop or mobile configuration today, not all graphics cards will have in-box drivers in beta 1. Note that, to get the AERO Glass look with beta 1 of Windows Vista today, your system will need discrete cards. However, you should be able to get AERO Glass on systems with advanced integrated graphics choices with the later builds of Windows Vista.
Storage
Windows Vista will enable some exciting new capabilities for digital image processing, and those capabilities will push the need for large amounts of storage ever higher. If youre buying a PC, specifying one with a large hard disk is a good idea, but even more important will be the ability to add one or more additional hard disks later if you find you need the extra storage capacity.
Because the hard disk is generally the slowest core element in your PC, you can often get useful gains in overall performance by carefully selecting technologies that improve basic hard disk performance. The typical Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) hard disk has a speed of 7200 RPM and a 2 MB cache. By selecting a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) drive with an 8 MB cache and Native Command Queuing (NCQ), you can give your system a boost in performance, especially if your typical workload involves running several different applications simultaneously.
A DVD drive that is capable of both reading and writing DVDs will be an important element of a Windows Vista PC. These drives have come down in price dramatically, and you should look for a drive that can handle both -RW and +RW formats (i.e., DVD±RW) to ensure maximum compatibility.
Networking
Windows Vista will take full advantage of the connected world in which we operate, so you should make sure that the PC you buy has the latest networking capabilities built into it. For a laptop, this means built-in 802.11 wireless capability, and for the home PC, you should include at least 100 Mb of Ethernet capability. Adding wireless 802.11 capability to a home PC gives you greater flexibility in where you use that PC and makes it easy to connect your mobile laptop to your home network.
Microsoft
Microsoft Windows Vista Hardware
Intel Hardware
Intel has been working closely with Microsoft to identify and develop key hardware components for Windows Vista*. Intel is supplying this information to assist enterprise customers in procuring and deploying PCs before Windows Vista launches. This list will be updated periodically as newly enabled products are released.
Recommended Business Platform
Intel® Processor
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 600Δ sequence with HT Technology1 and Intel® Extended Memory 64 TechnologyΦ
Intel® Chipset / Graphics
Intel® 945G Express Chipset
Intel® Communications
Intel® PRO/1000 PM LAN Connection
Additional Business Processors
Intel Processor
Intel® Xeon® processor (Dual Processor)
Intel® Pentium® processor Extreme Edition (Dual-Core)
Intel® Pentium® 4 processor with HT Technology Extreme Edition
Intel® Pentium® D processor (Dual-Core) I
Intel® Pentium® 4 processor supporting Hyper-Threading Technology
Look for systems with the Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology logo which your system vendor has verified utilize Hyper-Threading Technology. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use.
The Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950 is a component of the Intel® 945G Express Chipset and is targeted to support the Windows Vista* Display Driver Model.
Intel processor numbers are not a measure of performance. Processor numbers differentiate features within each processor family, not across different processor families.
Intel® EM64T requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers and applications enabled for Intel EM64T. Processor will not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel EM64T-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary depending on your hardware and software configurations.
Intel Mobile Platforms
2005 Intel SIPP Laptop PCs: Laptops based on the Mobile Intel® 915GM Express Chipset, which launched in January 2005, provide breakthrough mobile performance, great battery life, integrated WiFi capability and thinner, lighter form factors. After the launch of Windows Vista, laptop PCs with Mobile Intel® 915GM Express Chipset will be able to run Windows Vista providing a Windows* XP-comparable graphics experience. On newly shipping systems with Mobile Intel® 915PM Express Chipset platforms, additional functionality, including support for the Windows Vista Display Driver Model, may be available with certain 3rd party graphics cards. Please contact your graphics or PC vendor for additional information.
2006 Intel SIPP Guidance for Laptop PCs: Intel's next generation mobile platform, code-named "Napa", is scheduled to launch in early 2006. Napa-based laptops using either Intel's integrated or certain 3rd party discrete graphics are targeted to support the new Windows Vista Display Driver Model. As part of the Intel Stable Image Platform Program, which defines annual transition cycles for desktop and laptop systems, Intel is recommending that IT managers begin qualification and deployment of Napa-based laptops in early 2006.
Mobile Platforms with Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology (2005)
Intel® Processor
Intel® Pentium® M processor
Intel® Chipset / Graphics
Mobile Intel® 915 Express Chipset family
(providing a Windows XP-comparable graphics experience)
Intel® Communications
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG Network Connection
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection
Additional Business Processors
Intel Processor
Intel® Celeron® M processor
Intel
Intel Vista Technology
AMD Hardware
AMD has been working closely with Microsoft® to identify and develop key hardware components for Windows Vista™, the next generation Windows® operating system. AMD is supplying this information to assist enterprise customers to procure and deploy PCs before Windows Vista launches. We plan to update this information as new products are developed that satisfy the criteria for the Windows Vista Ready PC program.
AMD and Microsoft are continuing to collaborate on Windows Vista, coming in 2006 (previously codenamed "Longhorn"). Windows Vista is designed to take full advantage of key AMD innovations such as AMD64 technology, dual core processing, Enhanced Virus Protection*, AMD Cool'n'Quiet™, and AMD PowerNow!™ technologies.
Following is a list of AMD processors that are designed to be ready for Windows Vista.
Desktop
AMD Athlon™ 64 FX Processor
AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor
AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor
AMD Sempron™ Processor
Mobile
AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology
Mobile AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor
Mobile AMD Sempron™ Processor
Workstation
Single and Dual-Core AMD Opteron™ Processors
AMD
AMD Vista Technology
ATI Hardware
ATI Technologies Inc. has been working closely with Microsoft to identify and develop key hardware components for Windows Vista™, the next generation Windows® operating system. ATI Technologies are supplying this information to assist enterprise customers procure and deploy PCs before Windows Vista launches. We will update this information as new products are developed that satisfy the criteria for the Windows Vista Ready PC program.
The following products support Windows Vista™, Display Driver Model (formerly known as LDDM):
By ASIC Name:
All DX9 GPUs
M10 or above
R300 or above
RV350 or above
RS400, RS480, RS482, RC410
By Brand Name:
Desktop
All-In-Wonder® 9600 Series or higher
All-In-Wonder® X600 Series or higher
Radeon® X300 Series or higher
Radeon® 9500 Series or higher
Integrated
Radeon® Xpress 200
CrossFire Radeon® Xpress 200
Mobile
Discrete
Mobility™ Radeon® X300 Series or higher
Mobility™ Radeon® 9500 Series or higher
FireGL V5000 (RV410GL) Series or higher
FireGL V3100 Series or higher
FireGL T2-128 Series or higher
Integrated
Radeon® Xpress 200M
Workstation
Discrete
FireGL V3100 Series or higher
FireGL V5000, V7100 Series or higher
FireGL T2-128 Series or higher
FireGL X2-256 Series or higher
FireGL X3-256 Series or higher
ATI
ATI Vista Technology
NVIDIA Hardware
Continuing our commitment to develop innovative products that enhance the end-user experience, NVIDIA has been working closely with Microsoft to identify and develop key hardware components for Windows Vista™, the next generation Windows® operating system. NVIDIA is working closely with Microsoft to develop and support key display components of the Windows Vista OS. NVIDIA fully supports the Windows Vista Display Driver Model, which will greatly improve the stability and performance of the OS. PCs equipped with NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPUs) and Windows Vista Display Driver Model drivers will also enable users to take full advantage of the new graphically rich user interface experience in Windows Vista.
NVIDIA offers a complete top-to-bottom line up of NVIDIA® GeForce™ graphics processing units (GPUs) that will take full advantage of the new Windows Vista features and functionality when the final OS is released.
We are supplying this information to assist enterprise customers procure and deploy PCs before Windows Vista launches.
The following NVIDIA desktop GPUs are "Windows Vista Ready:
GeForce 7800 GTX GPUs
GeForce 7800 GT GPUs
GeForce 6800 GPUs
GeForce 6600 GPUs
GeForce 6200 GPUs
GeForce FX 5900 GPUs
GeForce FX 5700 GPUs
GeForce FX 5600 GPUs
GeForce FX 5200 GPUs
GeForce PCX GPUs
NVIDIA is also fully supporting our mobile OEM partners for all needed drivers for Windows Vista Beta 1. Please see your OEM partner to secure the proper drivers for the devices they choose to support during this beta period.
The following NVIDIA notebook GPUs are "Windows Vista Ready:
GeForce Go 6800 GPUs
GeForce Go 6600 GPUs
GeForce Go 6400 GPUs
GeForce Go 6200 GPUs
GeForce FX Go5700 GPUs
GeForce FX Go5650 GPUs
GeForce FX Go5600 GPUs
GeForce FX Go5200 GPUs
GeForce FX Go5100 GPUs
The following NVIDIA workstation GPUs are "Windows Vista Ready:
Quadro FX 540
Quadro FX 1000
Quadro FX 1100
Quadro FX 1300
Quadro FX 1400
Quadro FX 3000
Quadro FX 3000G
Quadro FX 3400
Quadro FX 4000 SDI
Quadro FX 4400
Quadro NVS 280 PCI
NVIDIA alpha drivers for Windows Vista Beta 1:
NVIDIA has made available the following alpha drivers for Windows Vista Beta 1. The current ForceWare alpha driver is a preview release that will enable you to test the basic features and capabilities of the new operating system. This alpha driver has no performance optimizations included and has received limited stability testing.
ForceWare alpha driver for GeForce GPUs
nForce Audio and Networking 32-bit alpha drivers
nForce Networking 64-bit alpha drivers
NVIDIA
NVIDIA Vista Technology
Source: http://msfn.org
Source: http://www.microsoft.com/Windowsvista/
AMD64 X2 5200+ 2.60GHz | 3GB DDR 667 | RAID 0 SATA3.0 WD Caviars 320GB total | Foxconn MCP61VM2MA-RS2H Geforce 6100 nforce400 chipset | Vista Ultimate x86
 |
| |
| | | |
Administrator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 8/22/2008 10:02:32 AM
Posts: 2,102, Visits: 2,247 |
| Graphics hardware requirements
Vista's graphics requirements are defined in relation to the different desktop experiences.
Aero Glass
This graphics mode adds support for 3D graphics, animation and visual special effects in addition to the features offered by Aero Express. - Intended for mainstream and high-end graphics cards.
- 64 MB of graphics memory recommended, 128 MB for 1600x1200+.
- At least 32 bits per pixel.
- 3D hardware acceleration with capabilities equal to DirectX 9.0c.
- A memory bandwidth of 2 GB/s, and as much 8 GB/s can be supported.
- Capable of drawing ~1.5 M triangles / second, one window being ~150 triangles.
- A graphics card that uses AGP 8X or PCI Express 16X 8-lane bus.
- Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WVDDM) Drivers.
It is likely that such a configuration will be an average configuration by Vista's release in 2006. During Vista's early alpha testing stages, the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro and the nVidia GeForce FX 5900 were the only cards compatible with Aero Glass. Since, support has been extended to most DirectX 9 Graphics cards. At this point, the nVidia FX family and up, and ATI Radeon 9600 and up are supported.
Some graphics cards already support WVDDM. In Vista builds 4074 (WinHEC 2004 Build), 5048 (WinHEC 2005 Build), 5112 (Beta 1), and 5219 (PDC 2005 Build), WVDDM is already supported to run Aero Glass.
Aero Basic
The new Vista look & feel without any visual special effects, similar to the visual style Luna of Windows XP in that it resembles merely an application skin. As with Luna, no additional hardware requirements compared to the classic Windows interface. - A simple option for consumer upgrades, and mobile / low-cost devices.
- No additional requirements compared to the lesser Classic mode.
- Fallback mode in case the hardware requirements for Aero aren't met.
Previously, a "To Go" tier was rumored, which was going to resemble the XP Luna interface (probably a Plex-ish interface). Now, the To Go and the Aero Express tiers were mixed to form Aero Basic.
Classic (Windows 2000)
The most basic user interface offered by Vista, which is also seen in Windows 2000, or Windows XP with its visual style Luna deactivated. - An option for corporate deployments and upgrades.
- Requires Windows XP Display Driver Model (XPDM) or WVDDM drivers.
- No graphics card hardware requirements exceeding those of Windows XP.
Previously, an experience called "Aero Diamond" was rumored, but later it was found to be untrue. A previous version of this article described it as "A graphics mode customized for the Windows Vista Home Premium Edition and Windows Vista Ultimate Edition, which will have Windows Media Center included. Not much information is currently available, but it appears that it will be the most advanced level of graphics in Vista, requiring hardware at the same level or greater than the Aero Glass visual style."
System hardware requirements
Microsoft has not released specific details of Windows Vista's hardware requirements; however, Microsoft has released some general Windows Vista Ready PC Hardware Guidelines for those wishing to upgrade to Windows Vista and have the full Aero Glass experience. - CPU: Intel x86-compatible 32-bit or AMD64-compatible 64-bit microprocessor(s)
- Motherboard: ACPI compatible firmware is required.
- Memory: At least 256 megabytes for 32-bit systems, probably more for 64-bit systems
- Graphics Card: A DirectX 9–compatible GPU that is capable of supporting Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WVDDM) and has 64 megabytes of VRAM
- Hard Drive space: At least 1.5 gigabytes for installation files, possibly more, depending on the version of Windows Vista
Source: WikiPedia
AMD64 X2 5200+ 2.60GHz | 3GB DDR 667 | RAID 0 SATA3.0 WD Caviars 320GB total | Foxconn MCP61VM2MA-RS2H Geforce 6100 nforce400 chipset | Vista Ultimate x86
|
| |
| | | |
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/19/2006 10:12:15 AM
Posts: 6, Visits: 6 |
| | Any word on when SLI will be supported? As of right now since, I upgraded, I cant turn SLI on. Is this an issue with the Nvidia driver or with Vista? It was my understanding that Vista is supposed to be great for gaming. One would think that SLI support should/would be supported. |
| |
| | | | Vista Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/23/2007 2:13:14 AM
Posts: 23, Visits: 8 |
| Jason (1/2/2006)
To take better advantage of Windows Vista functionality, you should have at least 512 MB of RAM, on your PC.I disagree. 512MB severly limits you, especially if you want a better firewall and a virus scanner. Already working in Photoshop nowadays takes you over 100MB. Install Vista and monitor memory usage with performance monitor and you'll see who many times it hits over 512MB with just some very basic installation. |
| |
| | | | 
Xtr3m3 G4m3r
Group: Vista Forum Moderator
Last Login: 8/4/2008 3:18:43 AM
Posts: 223, Visits: 221 |
| SLi Still might take a while. And no it's not a problem with the drivers it's just that vista isn't used to it yet.
Vista PC XP PCAsus M2N-X ASRock P4G HD 2600XT 256 X1650 Pro 512 AMD 4200+ X2 Pentium 4 2.53 GHz 2 GB DDR2 Corsair 675 MHz 1.5GB DDR Kingston 400MHz 250 GB Western Digital Caviar 80GB Damaged Seagate HDD 6GB Western Digital Boot Drive |
| |
| |
|