Blizzard Reveals WoW: Cataclysm System Specs
Here are the PC and Mac requirements for Blizzard's upcoming World of Warcraft expansion, Cataclysm.
While we haven't seen anything official in the inbox, Blizzard reportedly unveiled the minimum and recommended system specs for the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion, Cataclysm. Hitting the MMORPG on December 7, the expansion will introduce gamers to two new races, revamped zones, new game mechanics and more. Here are the specs to see if your rig can handle the new content:
Minimum Requirements
Operating System
- Windows XP 32-bit (SP3), Windows XP 64-bit (SP2), Windows Vista 32-bit (SP1), Windows Vista 64-bit (SP1)
Processor
- Intel Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1500
Memory
- 1 GB or more of RAM
Video
- Nvidia GeForce FX or ATI Radeon 9500 video card or better
Sound
- DirectX-compatible sound card or motherboard sound capability
HDD
- 25 GB free hard drive space
A keyboard and mouse are required. Input devices other than a mouse and keyboard are not supported. You must also have an active broadband Internet connection to play.
Recommended Requirements
Operating System
- Windows XP 32-bit (SP3), Windows XP 64-bit (SP2), Windows Vista 32-bit (SP1), Windows Vista 64-bit (SP1) Windows 7
Processor
- Dual-core processor, such as the Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2
Memory
- 2 GB RAM (2 GB for Vista users)
Video
- 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 256 MB Nvidia GeForce 8600 or ATI Radeon
Sound
- 2600 or better DirectX-compatible sound card or motherboard sound capability
A broadband Internet connection is required, and a multi-button mouse with scroll wheel is recommended.
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For gamers on a Mac, Blizzard provided the minimum and recommended specs for Apple gamers as well:
Minimum Requirements
Operating System
- Mac OS X 10.5.8, 10.6.4, or newer
Processor
- Intel Core Duo processor
Memory
- 2 GB RAM
HDD
- 25 GB
A keyboard and mouse are required. Input devices other than a mouse and keyboard are not supported. You must have an active broadband Internet connection to play.
Recommended Requirements
Operating System
- Mac OS X 10.6.4 or newer
CPU
- Intel Core 2 Duo processor
Mobile Video
- Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT or ATI Radeon HD 4670 or better
Desktop Video
- 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 128 MB VRAM such as an ATI Radeon X1600 or NVIDIA 7600 class card or better
Memory
- 4 GB RAM
Multi-button mouse with scroll wheel recommended.
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Those min specs are a joke. Yes the game may run but it wouldn't be playable!!
Yeah it will. My backup laptop is a HP530 "Core Duo 1.6 GHz - RAM 512 MB" can play the game at around 10-25fps in most areas. Sure Dalaran is a pig but when isn't it? You just gotta be conservative with your video settings. Something that the new 4.0.1 patch allows you to do with even more precision.
TBH though, anyone running a "recommended spec" system really needs to think about an upgrade...Most stores are trying to get rid of old stock and flogging low end systems which would actually be an upgrade.
A Dell Inspiron 560 for example: Dual Core 2.8GHz, 2GB DDR3 ram, and an Intel GMA X4500 graphics card for £350? There are much better bargains around too.
Minimum specs are stupid - they should be rated for a minimum rate of 30fps at minimum details settings. However, in MMOs, I imagine that this is hardly ideal - try a siege in Aion with even a very good spec and it falters, though I do swear that the game is trying to load character models even when you've specified that they be turned off for everyone not in your party, for example.
Can Blizzard guarantee a smooth gameplay experience with those specs? And does WoW really need a Mac with 4GB of RAM?
Well im running Win7 x64, amd64 fx55 4gb of ddr400 & a sapphire radeon 3850agp card at a res of 1280x1024 all settings on ultra apart from ultra terrain textures due to lack of dual core cpu and i can pull 55-75fps in a 25man raid no problem at all