What is required to get Vista's 3-D Effects?

Windows Aero requires a DirectX 9-class graphics processor that supports the following:

• WDDM driver
• Pixel Shader 2.0
• 32 bits per pixel
• Adequate graphics memory
  • 64 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at a resolution lower than 1,310,720 pixels
  • 128 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions from 1,310,720 to 2,304,000 pixels
  • 256 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at a resolution higher than 2,304,000 pixels

If your system meets the above requirements and has 512 MB of system memory, you can enable Windows Aero using Control Panel in Windows Vista. Additionally, on some systems with shared graphics memory, it is possible to adjust system configuration to obtain the Windows Aero experience. Contact your computer manufacturer to see if your system is capable of running Windows Aero.

What is required to run Windows Vista?

If you purchased a PC in the last two years, chances are good that you can run Windows Vista. To install and run the core functionality of Windows Vista, you need:

• An 800 MHz processor
• 512 MB of RAM
• A 20 GB hard drive with 15 GB of free space

Advanced features, like the new user experience Windows Aero, require advanced or additional hardware. See system requirements for details.