System requirements
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 (1994) needs:
Spider-Man, 2002, will need:
Not only computer games need these features, but any substantial programs such as Encarta, DVD players (on the computer), file managers and the like.
See also
