'''Demystifying Unity's Graphics Hardware Requirements'''

Test systems

We have tested Unity on the following systems. We use the systems to identify the minimum specs required for Unity. We make the reasonable assumption that newer hardware from AMD, Intel and NVidia will be even more capable than the one listed below.

• System 1: Dell Mini 9, 1G RAM, GMA 950, 1024x600 screen resolution
• System 2: Pentium 4 2.4GHz, 1G RAM, ATI 3450 AGP (256MB) + fglrx driver, 1280x1024 screen resolution
• System 3: Pentium 4 2.4GHz, 1G RAM, ATI 3450 AGP (256MB) + open source radeon driver, 1280x1024 screen resolution
• System 4: Pentium 4 2.4GHz, 1G RAM, NVidia Geforce 6600 AGP (128MB) + Proprietary NVidia driver, 1280x1024 screen resolution

Here are the results of our initial experiences with the systems listed above. We consider the system stability, as well has its responsiveness and graphics rendering performance.

• System 1: Good
• System 2: Good
• System 3: Graphics artefacts
• System 4: Good

OpenGL Version required by Unity

Unity requires OpenGL 1.4 of higher. Because of the decoupling between Opengl versions and the first implementation of new extensions by hardware vendors, just having OpenGL 1.4 isnot enough. The system must also have support for a number of OpenGL extensions.

OpenGL Extensions required

• Framebuffer Object
• Rectangle Textures
• Non power of 2 textures
• Vertex programs
• Fragment programs
• buffer objects
• GLSL shader support (Optional)

Other requirements

• Minimum 128MB of video memory
• Minimum texture width/height 2048
• Enough registers for vertex and fragment shaders programs

Hardware Release Dates

Here are some hardware release dates. They help us determine of far back we can go to find GPUs that can run Unity.

• GMA 950: May 2005
• Radeon HD 3450: 2008
• Geforce 6600: 2004

Main OpenGL Features Specification dates

• Vertex/Fragment assembly programs: 2002
• Frame buffer Objects: 2005

Summary

The following hardware have the required capabilities for Unity:

• All GPUs released today by either NVidia, AMD or Intel.
• GPUs released by NVidia and AMD over the last 5 years.
• GPUs released by Intel after the GMA 950 (*).

(*) Except for GPUs with no appropriate driver support or missing features.

Q&A Is Unity dramatically raising the minimum graphics hardware requirements? No, Unity tries to take advantages of features that have beeen specified or released many years ago.

What should I be aware of before I try Unity?

• Avoid exotic combinations. Use the right drivers for the right GPU. Avoid mixing libraries when trying to fix graphics problems. Not all GPUs have the computational power to drive a multi monitor setting at high resolution. Choose you hardware according to your needs.

What drivers do you recommend? AMD GPUs: The Fglrx driver! We have had some issues with the fglrs driver but we have been able to resolve them.

• The open source radeon driver can exhibit serious rendering artifacts on some hardware combinations.

NVidia GPUs: Nvidia propietary drivers Intel: Intel open source drivers. Avoid