Vista System Requirements Discussion

According to Microsoft the following table is the system requirements provided for the different classes of Windows Vista.

Home Basic

  • 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
  • 512 MB of system memory
  • 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
  • Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory
  • DVD-ROM drive
  • Audio Output
  • Internet access (fees may apply)

Home Premium / Business / Ultimate

  • 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
  • 1 GB of system memory
  • 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
  • Support for DirectX 9 graphics with:
    • WDDM Driver
    • 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)
    • Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware
    • 32 bits per pixel
  • DVD-ROM drive
  • Audio Output
  • Internet access (fees may apply)

Additional requirements
Actual requirements and product functionality may vary based on your system configuration. Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor can help you determine which features and edition of Windows Vista will run on your computer.While all editions of Windows Vista can support multiple core CPUs, only Windows Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise can support dual processors.

Home Premium / Ultimate

TV tuner card required for TV functionality (compatible remote control optional).

Home Premium / Business / Ultimate

Windows Tablet and Touch Technology requires a Tablet PC or a touch screen.

Ultimate

Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption requires a USB Flash Drive and a system with a TPM 1.2 chip.

 

Windows Vista minimum supported system requirements

Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Ultimate
  • 800 MHz processor and 512 MB of system memory
  • 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
  • Support for Super VGA graphics
  • CD-ROM drive

 
 

Meuchel Computer Services Recommended Requirements
for Vista to run healthy.

  • 3 Ghz Processor or equivilant
  • 2 GB Memory
  • 80 GB Hard Drive
  • DVD-/+Burner
  • 512 MB PCI Express Graphics Card
  • Broad Band Internet access (ie. DSL or Cable)

Things you don’t want to have with Vista.

  • Less than or equal to 1 Ghz Processor
  • Less than or equal to 512 MB Memory
  • Less than or equal to 40 GB Hard Drive
  • Intergrated Graphics with less than 256MB shared memory
  • Standard cd-rom drive
  • Dial Internet Access