I Have aSneaking Suspicion.....
 

That the minimum system requirements have not been updated in years and the actual minimum is much higher than what they say it is.

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I agree as most games minimum spec is very low and with any major mod added even recomened spec maybe on the lowside.
At the moment I am on xp pro with gefoce 9600gt and waiting to see the spec I will need to run pt boats knight of the sea and or shv and if I will need to change to winows7 for x10
So I am watching the forum all the time to see what i will need. :):)

You be fine with 9600GT, it performs almost on par to a 8800/9800GT
which are usually around the recomended specs for most games now.
Xp pro and DX 9 will probably be supported for some time yet as it still what most people run, I wouldnt expect to see them phased out untill 2011 TBH

Im still on XP home dont plan on upgradeing until this summer at least (when I plan to build a whole new system)