XBMC needs a 3D capable GPU graphics hardware controller for all rendering. The required 3D GPU chips are common today in most modern computers, and even some set-top boxes. XBMC runs well on what (by Intel ATOM standards) are relatively underpowered OpenGL 1.3 (with GLSL support), OpenGL ES 2.0 or Direct3D (DirectX) 9.0 capable systems that are IA-32/x86, x86-64, or ARM CPU based.

When software decoding of a Full HD 1080p high-definition video is performed by the system CPU, a dual-core 2 GHz or better CPU is required in order to allow for perfectly smooth playback without dropping frames or giving playback a jerky appearance. XBMC can however offload most of the video decoding process onto GPU graphics hardware controller that supports one of the following types of hardware-accelerated video decoding: Intel's VAAPI, Nvidia's VDPAU, AMD's XvBA, Microsoft's DXVA, Apple's VDADecoder/VideoToolBox, OpenMAX, and Broadcom Crystal HD Enhanced Media Accelerator. By taking advantage of such hardware-accelerated video decoding, XBMC can run well on most inexpensive, low-power systems which contain a modern GPU.

A great place to discuss and ask about what hardware is good for XBMC is the Hardware for XBMC subforum

Contents 1 Supported hardware by OS 1.1 Android 1.2 iOS 1.2.1 ATV2 1.2.2 iDevices 1.3 Linux 1.3.1 Desktop 1.3.2 ARM/embedded 1.4 Mac OS X 1.5 Windows

1 Supported hardware by OS

1.1 Android

•  It is highly recommended for users to not make any purchases in anticipation of running XBMC on Android. In other words, don't buy anything yet until development is further along! 
• XBMC for Android is still too early in development to have firm hardware requirements. As such, this is subject to major changes. A conservative estimate would be:
  • something similar in spec to the Pivos XIOS (the development target for the initial Android port)
  • a NEON compatible ARM processor (for example: Tegra 1/2 probably won't be supported. Tegra 3 is okay.)
  • Android 4.0 or newer (might work on older versions such as 2.3, but this is a conservative estimate after all)
  • Hardware decoding support in XBMC is likely a must for HD video playback (720+). Don't expect this to work on any device until someone has specifically tested it and can confirm hardware decoding support for that device.
• The main aim for the initial port is set-top-boxes/sticks. Expect tablet/phone/touch/etc support to improve with time.

1.2 iOS

1.2.1 ATV2

• If you have a jailbroken Apple TV 2 running versions 4.1 to 4.4.4 then use these instructions
• If you have a jailbroken Apple TV 2 running versions 5.0 and up then use these instructions
• If you haven't updated your ATV, it is highly recommended to stay on ATV software version on or before 4.3 due to 4.3 being more efficient and giving XBMC more system resources.
• Look here to find out which version you are currently running.

1.2.2 iDevices

• To install XBMC for iOS you must have a jailbroken iDevice running iOS 4.x or higher.
• For hardware: iPad 1, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch 3rd gen (16GB and 32GB models only), iPod touch 4th gen.

1.3 Linux

1.3.1 Desktop

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• x86 (Intel/AMD-based) processor computer capable of booting to CD-ROM.
  • Intel Pentium 4, Intel Pentium M, AMD Athlon XP/64, AMD Opteron, or newer CPU (that support SSE).
  • Fast modern dual-core processor is required to decode H.264 videos in FullHD (1080p) unless you have hardware video decoding (see GPU requirements below).

• • For clarification; XBMC for Linux does not work on the Xbox game-console.

• ATI/AMD, Intel, or NVIDIA (recommended) graphic controller which supports OpenGL 2.0 or later.
  • ATI Radeon R420 (X800) or newer supported, ATI Radeon R700 (HD 4000) or newer recommended.
  • Intel GMA 950 (945G) or newer supported, Intel GMA X4500HD (G45) or newer recommended.
  • NVIDIA GeForce 6-Series and newer supported, GeForce 8-Series and newer recommended.

1.3.2 ARM/embedded

INCOMPLETE: This page or section is incomplete. Please add information or correct uncertain data which is marked with a ?

1.4 Mac OS X

• XBMC v11 runs on Mac OS X 10.4.x (Tiger) and later on both Intel and PPC Macs (G4 and above), as well as the Apple TV 1 (silver). Apple TV 2 (black) does not run XBMC for Mac, it runs XBMC for iOS.
• XBMC v12 and nightly builds and up will require Mac OS X 10.6 and only run on Intel Macs. For the Apple TV 1 you will need to use a Linux-based OS to run XBMC v12 and nightly builds.

1.5 Windows

• OS minimum supported: Windows XP with Service Pack 3.
• OS recommended: Windows 7, which is required for hardware video decoding.
• Windows Home Server and Windows Server are not supported but have been reported to work with some tweaks.
• For end-users the recommended minimum requirement is a x86-based computer, with a Graphic adapter that supports DirectX version 9.0c.
• x86 (Intel/AMD-based) processor with SSE support.
  • Intel Pentium 4, Intel Pentium M, Intel Atom or better CPU.
  • AMD Athlon XP/64, AMD Opteron, or better CPU.
  • Fast modern (last few years) dual-core processor is required to decode H.264 videos in FullHD (1080p) without the assistance of a hardware video decoder.
• ATI/AMD, Intel, or NVIDIA graphic controller.
  • ATI Radeon R420 (X800) or newer supported, ATI Radeon R700 (HD 4000) or newer recommended.
  • Intel GMA 950 (945G) or newer supported, Intel GMA X4500HD (G45) or newer recommended.
  • NVIDIA GeForce 6-Series and newer supported, GeForce 8-Series and newer recommended.