Almost all computer software requires some features to be present on a computer system before it can be used with the computer. These necessary features are known as system requirements, and are often used as a guideline as opposed to an absolute rule. Often two sets of system requirements are given for an item of software: a minimum set of requirements (which must be satisfied for the software to be usable at all) and a recommended set of requirements (for maximum performance).

System requirements for software tend to increase over time, and have done so to a large extent over the last decade.

For instance, while StarCraft(C) (1994) needs:

Windows(C) 95 or NT or superior
Pentium(C) processor at 90MHz or higher
16MB RAM
80MB available in the hard disk
CD-ROM, 2x or higher
DirectX(C) 3.0 or higher

Spider-Man(C), 2002, will need:

3D Hardware Accelerator
Windows(C) 98/2000/NT/XP
Pentium(C) III processor at 500MHz or higher
128MB RAM
1.5GB available in the hard disk
DirectX(C) 8.1

Not only computer games need these features, but any substantial programss such as Encarta(C), DVD players, file managers and the like.

See also