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Blizzard Reveals WoW: Cataclysm System Specs

By - Source: Tom's Hardware US

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.

***

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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Top Comments
  • 25
    XZaapryca , October 21, 2010 5:22 AM
    I know it can be fun to ridicule things people end up doing while waiting for death, but unless you're working on a cure for cancer or figuring out how to replace fossil fuels, most don't have a leg to stand on. Fantasy football, hiking, blowing money at the club/bar, and watching TV are all equally as pointless as WoW.
  • 25
    tallpaul02 , October 21, 2010 4:20 AM
    mac needs more power to play the game because OSX uses more system resources than Windows typically.
  • 21
    jellico , October 21, 2010 4:13 AM
    If you have only the minimum system specs, you better have your viewing distance (and most other video effects) turned way down. Otherwise, you would be standing in Dalaran and think your system locked up (you'd be getting about 1 FPS).
Other Comments
  • 21
    jellico , October 21, 2010 4:13 AM
    If you have only the minimum system specs, you better have your viewing distance (and most other video effects) turned way down. Otherwise, you would be standing in Dalaran and think your system locked up (you'd be getting about 1 FPS).
  • 6
    hellwig , October 21, 2010 4:19 AM
    Yikes, why does Mac take twice the memory? And why does a "mobile" mac need so much more graphics processing power than a "desktop" mac? Doesn't really affect me, but those reqs seem odd.
  • 25
    tallpaul02 , October 21, 2010 4:20 AM
    mac needs more power to play the game because OSX uses more system resources than Windows typically.
  • 12
    samdsox , October 21, 2010 4:21 AM
    As always you don't need much to play wow. But hey thats a good thing.
  • 8
    lukeiamyourfather , October 21, 2010 4:39 AM
    TomtompiperThey forgot the razor blade to slit your wrists because you no longer have a life.


    Also the unemployment benefits application paperwork because you got fired for skipping work.
  • -6
    wiinippongamer , October 21, 2010 4:53 AM
    wow is GAY
  • 1
    Twoboxer , October 21, 2010 5:01 AM
    The system specs provided by Blizzard are worthless. No screen resolution = no spec.
  • 3
    nforce4max , October 21, 2010 5:07 AM
    lukeiamyourfatherAlso the unemployment benefits application paperwork because you got fired for skipping work.


    What about the rest of us who got downsized or the company went belly up?
    I HATE not having a job and the dead end jobs are hard to find and getting worse.
  • -5
    JOSHSKORN , October 21, 2010 5:10 AM
    Maybe if Blizzard were to release more CPU & GPU demanding games, it would force most users to upgrade their PCs so they're able to play other demanding games. We'd end up with less MMORPG players and maybe more FPS gamers.
  • 25
    XZaapryca , October 21, 2010 5:22 AM
    I know it can be fun to ridicule things people end up doing while waiting for death, but unless you're working on a cure for cancer or figuring out how to replace fossil fuels, most don't have a leg to stand on. Fantasy football, hiking, blowing money at the club/bar, and watching TV are all equally as pointless as WoW.
  • 5
    anonymous@guest , October 21, 2010 5:23 AM
    This is kind of funny... notice how on Windows (or WINE, I bet!) you can play with a 1.3ghz processor, half the memory, and less graphics power - whereas Mac users will need a minimum of 2 cores.
  • 6
    Ogdin , October 21, 2010 5:29 AM
    hellwigYikes, why does Mac take twice the memory? And why does a "mobile" mac need so much more graphics processing power than a "desktop" mac? Doesn't really affect me, but those reqs seem odd.

    The mobile spec doesn't require more power,its just that a 9600m is so gimped by the power/heat requirements its about as fast as a 7600 desktop part.
  • 4
    theroguex , October 21, 2010 5:30 AM
    "Hitting the MMORPG on December 7, the expansion will introduce gamers to two new races, revamped zones, new game mechanics and more."

    ...of the same. This is still WoW. It's long past its prime.
  • 0
    kingssman , October 21, 2010 5:44 AM
    WOW kinda a bit of an upgrade for many mac users. Its good to know that my 5 yr old PC can still handle the game, but my 4 yr old mac won't be able to handle it.

    Its a shame to because the Mac WOW version has lots of great in game video recording features for Machinima makers.
  • 3
    tychoblu , October 21, 2010 6:06 AM
    If you plan on downloading the patch, you're gonna need much more than 25gb of free hard drive space. The game couldn't upgrade to the new patch on my 40gb ssd, I had to move it to my 128gb ssd. After the install it trims down to 26gb.
  • 3
    captjack5169 , October 21, 2010 6:13 AM
    The only thing wrong with WOW is the players who don't know when to turn it off. I have been playing for 4+ years and only once in that time have I found myself not taking care of things outside the game.

    On the other hand, if you want to be in the top 100 toons on your realm you have no choice but to be hand cuffed to it. I raided for 18 Months and I got bored of doing the same thing week after week.

    All in all the game is still worth the 15 bucks they soak us for every month.
  • 3
    RazberyBandit , October 21, 2010 6:32 AM
    Kevin. You let the end of the video specs start the audio specs.
    Quote:
    Video

    * 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 256 MB Nvidia GeForce 8600 or ATI Radeon 2600 or better.

    Sound

    * DirectX-compatible sound card or motherboard sound capability

    There, FTFY.
  • 1
    anonymous@guest , October 21, 2010 6:41 AM
    Interesting that they still require DirectX-compatible audio for Windows. You'd think they'd add OpenAL support for all the Vista/7 users who lack a proper DirectSound3D implementation.
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