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Understanding Minimum System Requirements
Wednesday, 16 December 2009 09:14 | Written by Gregg Housh
When new software is released, most users will plan their system setups around meeting the requirements required to use the program. On the other hand, there are some important considerations to weigh when investing in a pricey PC build to use a new piece of software. Failure to take note of these warnings could result in a machine acquisition that does not deliver sufficient performance.
When new software is released, most users will plan their system setups around meeting the requirements required to use the program. On the other hand, there are some important considerations to weigh when investing in a pricey PC build to use a new piece of software. Failure to take note of these warnings could result in a machine acquisition that does not deliver sufficient performance.
Minimum system requirements can be a little deceptive. While a few users could find them to be helpful, they often describe the hardware needed to get the program to start. This doesn't mean that the performance will be sufficient to really use the software for anything. Some users perceive this as misleading. Since there are computers that meet the basic guidelines which can actually run the program, it is not false advertising. Unfortunately, any unforeseen problem will be much more pronounced when your PC barely meets these guidelines. If you intend to run a program using the minimum hardware requirements, complete driver compatibility will be needed. Your computer must be optimized in every way. Realistically, minimum requirements aren't going to be reliable statistics by which to choose a new set up.
If your system currently meets these minimum requirements, it may not be risky to try to run the software. There is a chance that you will be able to get decent performance. Nevertheless, you are likely to have significant problems.
The recommended requirements are better data to take into account when buying a PC to use for a particular piece of software. It may be prudent to go beyond these requirements. Future patches may involve extra features that further stress your machine. You don't want an exciting new patch to cause performance problems.
If the software has already been released, you can gain further data from online forums where current users discuss their issues. There are often technical support discussions where professionals weigh in on the most affordable machines that can comfortably run the software. There are also a number of components that have poor compatibility with a program. These things are not often indicated in the recommended requirements. For example, a video game may suggest that you need a 3D graphics card with a minimum amount of memory. Unfortunately, certain cards may have individual compatibility problems while meeting this specific mark.
In the end, tread with great care when building a computer to meet the needs of a specific piece of software. You want to be sure that it will run the program. However, deceptive minimum requirements may cause you to spend money on a machine that will simply not run the software. The software company is not likely to refund your purchase. You will wind up having to upgrade your computer again. If the necessary upgrade involves significantly advanced hardware, you might have to buy an entirely new system. The best idea is to exceed the recommended requirements. This might be more expensive, but you won't have to worry about upgrades in the future. You should be able to run your software in addition to many future patches.
by GreggHoush
When new software is released, most users will plan their system setups around meeting the requirements required to use the program. On the other hand, there are some important considerations to weigh when investing in a pricey PC build to use a new piece of software. Failure to take note of these warnings could result in a machine acquisition that does not deliver sufficient performance.
Minimum system requirements can be a little deceptive. While a few users could find them to be helpful, they often describe the hardware needed to get the program to start. This doesn't mean that the performance will be sufficient to really use the software for anything. Some users perceive this as misleading. Since there are computers that meet the basic guidelines which can actually run the program, it is not false advertising. Unfortunately, any unforeseen problem will be much more pronounced when your PC barely meets these guidelines. If you intend to run a program using the minimum hardware requirements, complete driver compatibility will be needed. Your computer must be optimized in every way. Realistically, minimum requirements aren't going to be reliable statistics by which to choose a new set up.
If your system currently meets these minimum requirements, it may not be risky to try to run the software. There is a chance that you will be able to get decent performance. Nevertheless, you are likely to have significant problems.
The recommended requirements are better data to take into account when buying a PC to use for a particular piece of software. It may be prudent to go beyond these requirements. Future patches may involve extra features that further stress your machine. You don't want an exciting new patch to cause performance problems.
If the software has already been released, you can gain further data from online forums where current users discuss their issues. There are often technical support discussions where professionals weigh in on the most affordable machines that can comfortably run the software. There are also a number of components that have poor compatibility with a program. These things are not often indicated in the recommended requirements. For example, a video game may suggest that you need a 3D graphics card with a minimum amount of memory. Unfortunately, certain cards may have individual compatibility problems while meeting this specific mark.
In the end, tread with great care when building a computer to meet the needs of a specific piece of software. You want to be sure that it will run the program. However, deceptive minimum requirements may cause you to spend money on a machine that will simply not run the software. The software company is not likely to refund your purchase. You will wind up having to upgrade your computer again. If the necessary upgrade involves significantly advanced hardware, you might have to buy an entirely new system. The best idea is to exceed the recommended requirements. This might be more expensive, but you won't have to worry about upgrades in the future. You should be able to run your software in addition to many future patches.
About the Author:
Gregg Housh holds the position of Technician Manager at Geek Choice. At Geek Choice we solve computer problems such as: Slow computer, Virus Removal, Spyware Removal, Computer startup problems, and much more.