Specing a computer for SL

I'm desperately in need of a new computer as my laptop is dying, but funds being low, im being forced into buying a low spec second hand desktop computer.

Now, im techie trained, so I can upgrade anything I buy until eventually it is a decent machine, but that will take time so I need to ask one question:

In terms of running SL, which is more important, a high power graphics card or CPU?

Basicly, im asking if i'd be better off getting a pc with CPU into the recommended spec now or using the cash difference on a just within minimum spec CPU'd PC to get a decent spec graphics card?

SL is CPU-intensive. You want a *decent* graphics card (nVidia *400 or better) but don't go nuts on the graphics... make sure you have enough CPU and memory first.

Thanks Argent that confirms a lot of what im thinking.

You can get by with a P4 dual core 1.5 gig (or equivalent AMD) CPU without any problems. SL is more graphics intensive than CPU.....but only a little. I would load up with as much RAM as the motherboard can accept (or my budget allows) and then go for a good mid range nVidia card. Geforce 7600 or somthing like that.

Avoid single core CPUs and AGP video cards. Single core CPUs are slow, and AGP video cards are a technological dead end as far as upgrading is concerned.

The minimum spec CPU and video cards on the system requirements page are woefully inadequate. Find something with an Intel dual core (either Core 2 Duo or Pentium Dual Core) CPU. They're much faster than the old single core Pentiums.

Those CPUs are also very good for overclocking. You can overclock a cheap Pentium Dual Core a LOT with the stock fan.

Nvidia 8600GT video cards are available for less than fifty dollars. IMO, buying anything less is false economy.

i would really go with a *600 or better, theres quite a bit of beef tween a *400 and a *600 for barley any bank

other than that, get a good cpu and as much ram as you can afford