Would this PC run SL?

[Moonlight Foxclaw]

I would like to know if this PC will run SL properly and well or if I should look elsewhere?

 

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/desktop-pc-monitors/desktop-pcs/refurbished-pcs/hp-pavilion-500-152ea-refurbished-gaming-pc-21732512-pdt.html#longDesc

[Ohjiro Watanabe]

I would look for something with an Nvidia graphics card. AMD is said to not work so well with SL (it is also said that most of the problems have been fixed) This type of spec will work ok for general SL usage.

[Madelaine McMasters]

Hi Moonlight.

As Ohjiro says, NVIDIA graphics cards seem to play better with SL than AMD/ATI. Here's a table of GPU benchmark data that will allow you to compare the performance of video cards in the computers you consider...

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_list.php

The Radeon HD 8670D scores 797, which is on the low end for a "gaming" PC. The integrated GPUs of current Intel chips are approaching that score.

In that same chart, I find an NVIDIA GT 750 card for USD$99.99 that scores 3240.

Unfortunately, it may be difficult to find a low end PC with a high end graphics card. SL works the GPU much harder than the CPU, but most manufacturers reserve the top end graphics cards for top end machine.

Sorry if I've just added to the confusion. SL does that to a person.

Good luck in your hunt!

[sven Homewood]

While the CPU part is pretty ok for SL, the GPU (graphics card) part is low end and SL will run at low or maybe even mid if the place isn't too busy. Getting a better graphics card and put it in the PCI Slot would help, but you will need also a new, more powerfull PSU. The 300 W won't be enough.

[Lindal Kidd]

Not only do NVIDIA graphics cards tend to work better with SL, but that particular AMD/ATI Radeon "card" isn't a card at all, but graphics functions integrated into the main processor.

My Resident Geek never recommends integrated graphics for SL, even though the newest Intel HD4400 graphics will work semi-OK.  Get a dedicated, discrete graphics card and install it in the PCI-E slot in your motherboard.