Is it supposed to mean "playable with a solid framerate, at the lowest resolution and lowest graphics settings," or does it just mean "the .exe will launch without crashing?" And recommended requirements I hope means "solid framerate at common resolutions [1080p] with medium/high settings?"
For the most part I don't play games on the cutting edge of graphical fidelity [or not even close to that at all; my rig is nearing the 7 year mark], but some multiplats are coming out that I'm not sure whether to get on console or if my PC can handle it. I've done some small upgrades over time, but of course I'm not going to get something that would get majorly bottlenecked by all my other components.
The two games in question are Dark Souls II and The Evil Within. I'm sure I got better than console performance with the original Dark Souls, so I'm pretty confident with being able to at least run DSII on par with consoles, but The Evil Within I'm not so sure about. What are people's experiences with games that run on the same engine and their requirements? The Evil Within is idTech 5, and the only other game on the market with that engine is RAGE. According to the requirements for that, I could probably run it quite decently, but it is also a three year old game.
Should I be buying multiplats with console counterparts for this rig:
3.15Ghz Intel Dual-core [C2D E6600 overclocked]
HD7770 1GB
4GB DDR2 RAM
[I know I'm very much in need of a new rig, but I just don't think I will until a new wave of PC games hits and my PC really no longer meets minimum requirements]
Updated: 07/06/2021 by The system requirements or software requirements is a listing of what software programs or
hardware devices are required to operate the program or game properly. System requirements are printed on their packaging, as shown in the image of the Windows 7 system requirements, or are found on the Internet. Below is an example of the Windows 7 system requirements, with
sections of the system requirements linked to the related definitions. In order to know if your computer meets the system requirements, you'll need to know what hardware is installed in your computer. If you need help identifying the hardware in your computer, see any of the following links.Example of system requirements
How do I know if my computer meets the requirements?
- How to determine the type and speed of a processor.
- How to find how much RAM is installed on a computer.
- How to find how much hard drive space is available.
- What video card does my computer have?
- How to find what operating system is on a computer.
- How to find what hardware is installed in the computer.
What if my computer doesn't meet the system requirements?
If your computer does not meet the minimum system requirements, the program you are attempting to install will not run and may not even install. If your computer meets the minimum requirements but does not meet the suggested requirements, the program is going to work, but it may be slow.
In some situations, you can upgrade your computer to help meet the requirements. For example, upgrading RAM, bigger hard drive, or a better video card can all help a computer meet the system requirements. Your computer may also support upgrading the processor, but in many cases, it requires that a new motherboard be installed. If the processor does not meet the requirements, we recommend considering getting a new computer.
- How to install computer hardware.
- How often should I buy a new computer?
Hardware requirements
The hardware requirements are the requirements of a hardware device. Most hardware only has operating system requirements or compatibility. For example, a printer may be compatible with Windows XP but not compatible with newer versions of Windows like Windows 10, Linux, or the Apple macOS.
If a hardware device is not compatible with your computer, it is up to the manufacturer to release drivers. Unfortunately, many manufacturers only release updated drivers to fix problems with older drivers and often do not release drivers for newer operating systems or alternative operating systems. If a hardware device doesn't have drivers for your operating system, the only solution may be to get a more up-to-date replacement device.
Note
In some situations, you can find either compatible drivers or drivers made by a third-party company. See our computer drivers from a third-party page for steps you can take in finding drivers elsewhere.
How do I understand the words in the system requirements?
Often the words and terms used in the system requirements can be difficult for most users not familiar with computers to understand. The easiest method of determining the meanings behind these terms is to perform a search for any word that confuses you.
For example, you can use the Computer Hope search box, at the top or bottom of any Computer Hope page, to search for "GHz". You will be directed to our GHz page and learn about this abbreviation being related to a computer processors speed. You can also browse our dictionary to find the meaning on over 15,000 terms.
Compatible, Hardware-dependent, Hardware terms, Runs on, Software terms, Specification, Support, System resource