Minimum hardware to run Windows 7 "usably?"

pantsaregood · 22 Dec 2010

So, I recently installed Windows 7 on my aunt's old PC: Pentium 4 Prescott "A" 2.8GHz, 768 MB RAM, GeForce FX5200. Runs quite well, even with glass on and MSE running in the background.

Now, my mom needs her computer reformatted. It's currently running Windows XP, and I wonder if it can make the jump to 7: Celeron 1.2 GHz (I do believe it's a Tualatin, though; if it is, that makes it as good or better than Pentium 4 Willamettes) 512 MB PC133 SDRAM, and some newer nVidia PCI card.

Can it manage it? I actually made Windows 7 "usable" on a Duron Mobile 800 MHz with 512 MB RAM and integrated GPU before, so I'm very tempted to try it.

Golden · 22 Dec 2010

I would use the upgrade advisor here Windows 7 System Requirements, and run it on your Mum's PPC.

DocBrown · 23 Dec 2010

You can run win7 on older computers, but not great for high memory programs.
Use SIW | System Information for Windows by Gabriel Topala to see how much memory the MB will take.

Here's my Dinosaur

Oldest "Dinosaur" Running Win7

pantsaregood · 23 Dec 2010

I don't particularly trust upgrade advisor because, in my experience, Microsoft recommend ridiculous hardware for the average user. Internet, e-mail, music, and video don't require 2 GB+ RAM, a dual-core CPU, and a DX11 GPU.

I'll probably just test drive it. Worst case scenario, I back down to XP.