System Requirements

Only requirement is a port of libsdl for your system. DOSBox should compile on every system with a decent C++ compiler like GCC.

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The system requirements for smooth gaming vary depending on the system requirements for the original game, the desired gameplay experience, and the hardware being emulated.

Protected mode games are very resource-demanding. Although they will likely run on a 1 GHz machine, it is unlikely they will run quickly or smoothly. Be sure to read the sections on special function keys used by DOSBox, and how to run resource demanding games.

Rough CPU Equivalency Chart

Host Architecture	Host CPU Speed	Emulated CPU Class	Comments
x86 (Pentium II)	400 MHz	2/386-class
x86 (Pentium III)	1.0 GHz	3/486-class	DOS games from early '90s should be ok.
x86 (Pentium M)	1.8 GHz	high-end 486	Performance adequate for most DOS games. SVGA games will stress it.
x86 (Athlon XP)	1.8 GHz	high-end 486	Performance adequate for most DOS games. SVGA games will stress it.
x86 (Athlon 64)	1.8 GHz	Pentium-class	All DOS games will play adequately.
x86 (Core 2 Duo)	(any speed)	Pentium-class	Excellent performance.
Apple G3	500 MHz	3/486-class	Games tested: Leisure Suit Larry 6, Fuzzy's World of Miniature Space Golf. Extrapolated from ~50% CPU usage on a 1GHz G4.
Apple G4	1.0 GHz	486-class	Performance adequate for most DOS games. SVGA likely to be too much.