The upcoming update to the Civilization series, Civilization V, is just around the corner. Firaxis has revealed the minimum and recommended system requirements.

Minimum System Requirements
Operating System: Windows XP SP3/ Windows Vista SP2/ Windows 7
Processor: Dual Core CPU
Memory: 2GB RAM
Hard Disk Space: 8 GB Free
DVD-ROM Drive: Required for disc-based installation
Video: 256 MB ATI HD2600 XT or better, 256 MB nVidia 7900 GS or better, or Core i3 or better integrated graphics
Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card
DirectX: DirectX version 9.0c

Recommended System Requirements
Operating System: Windows Vista SP2/ Windows 7
Processor: 1.8 GHz Quad Core CPU
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Hard Disk Space: 8 GB Free
DVD-ROM Drive: Required for disc-based installation
Video: 512 MB ATI 4800 series or better, 512 MB nVidia 9800 series or better
Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card
DirectX: DirectX version 11

Other Requirements: One-time Internet connection for Steam authentication; software installations required (included with the game) include Steam Client, Microsoft Visual C++2008 Runtime Libraries and Microsoft DirectX.

A few interesting notes here is that authentication is now down via Steam (though you only get to use it once for activation, the rest for downloading updates) and the requirement of having a multi-core PC to run it.  Seems like Firaxis has done good on their multi-core optimization for establishing this as a minimum spec.  Still, it’s going to be interesting to see how the game will stress our PCs.

Civilization V is scheduled to release September 21, 2010 in the US and September 24, 2010 in the UK.

source Firaxis