What Size Graphics Card Is Needed to Run Wow?

The World of Warcraft is an online RPG game with intense graphic details and plenty of action. Before signing up for the game, the user should be sure that their computer will be able to handle the strain. If the correct graphics card is not used, the game will be wrought with interruptions and "gliching" which decreases the enjoyment of the game. It is possible that without the correct came card, the game wouldn't run at all.

System Requirements

There are minimum system requirements for running World of Warcraft (WOW) that are essentials for running the game. Without these, it doesn't matter what kind of graphic card is installed. Once the minimum system requirements have been verified, there are several versions of graphic cards that can be used. WOW has tested several and supports their use. If the graphic card isn't on this list, it doesn't mean that it can't be used, it just means it hasn't been tested.

PC System Requirements

For Windows XP / Windows Vista (with latest Service Packs), the minimum processor should be Intel Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1500+ (It is recommended to have at least a Dual-core processor, such as the Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2. The computer should have at least a Minimum of 512 MB RAM (1GB for Vista users) and it is recommended that 1 GB RAM (2 GB for Vista users) is used. A broadband connection to the Internet must be used, and there should be 15GB of hard drive space available.

MAC System Requirements

For Macs, OS X 10.4.11 or newer with a PowerPC G5 1.6 GHz or Intel Core Duo processor as the minimum and an Intel 1.8GHz processor or better is recommended. This system should have a minimum of 1 GB RAM, with 2 GB recommended.

Video (Graphics) Card

The bare minimum card that is recommended is a 3D graphics processor with Hardware Transform and Lighting with 32 MB VRAM (64 MB VRAM for MAC) Such as an ATI Radeon 7200 (ATI Radeon 9600 for MAC or NVIDIA GeForce 2 (NVIDIA GeForce Ti 4600 for MAC) class card or better. A recommended card would be 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 128 MB VRAM such as an ATI Radeon X1600 (ATI Radeon X1600 for MAC) or NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT (same for MAC0 class card or better.

WOW Supported Cards - ATI

WOW has tested and supports the ATI Radeon 7200, 8500, 9000 and 9250 for XP with the Catalyst 6.11 driver, ATI Radeon 9000 Series, X000 Series, X1000 Series, HD 2000 Series, HD 3000 Series, HD 4000 Series for XP/Vista with the Catalyst 8.10 driver. ATI Integrated Video cards include Radeon Xpress 200, X1200, 2100, 3200, 3300 for XP/Vista with the Catalyst 8.10 driver for its game.

WOW Supported Cards - Nvidea

WOW has tested and supports the Nvidea GeForce2 MX and MX400 for XP with the 93.71 driver, Nvidea GeForce2 GTS and Pro for XP with the 71.89 driver, Nvidea GeForce3, GeForce4 series for XP with the 93.71 driver, Nvidea GeForce FX 5000 series for XP with the 175.19 or Vista with the 96.85 drivers. Nvidea GeForce 6000 series, 7000 series, 8000 Series, 9000 series, GTX 260, GTX 280 for XP/Vista with the 178.24 driver, and the Nvidea Integrated Video cards GeForce 6150 LE, 6150 SE, 7050, 8200 for XP/Vista with the 178.24 driver for the game.

WOW Support Cards - Intel

W.O.W. supports the Intel 82945G for XP with the 14.32.4.4926 driver and for Vista with the 15.8.3.1504 driver, G31/G33 for XP with the 14.36.3.4990 driver and Vista with the 15.11.3.1576 driver, G965 for XP with the 14.36.3.4990 driver and Vista with the 15.11.3.1576 driver, Mobile 965 XP with the 14.36.3.4990 driver and Vista with the 15.11.3.1576 driver, G35 for XP with the 14.36.3.4990 driver and Vista with the 15.11.3.1576, G41/G43 for XP with the14.36.3.4990 driver and Vista with the 15.11.3.1576 driver for its games.

Resources

• WOW Technology FAQ