What's an ASUS and should I get one?

Good point Argent.

Building a computer based on chipset and specs is totally different than buying and using a manufactured computer. I imagine that most of those programs are "techie system monitors" that most new owners would be just fine uninstalling anyway.

I saw an article a few weeks back that commended ASUS as being the brand that loads the least amount of crapware right out of the box.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/352927/the-crapware-con

Asus does have a fair number of programs installed, but all of it was to add functionality, like adjusting the power settings, changing the screen viewing, connecting wireless/bluetooth profiles, overclocking and system monitoring. It did not have any trial software or limited versions of commercial packages that tend to add bloat without adding capability.

I will agree that documentation is Asus' weak point. They have fairly generic user manuals for a range of models. While my laptop manual was well translated, I have an Asus router that had a few WTF moments in the documentation.

I love ASUS and always build using their motherboards (The ROG - Republic of Gamers series ); rock solid and a joy to over clock.

When will you check my warantee again Lear?

I've ordered my ASUS.
My sincere thanks to all of you - but please keep adding for more info for players who need this type of info.
I guess I have a lot of friends who are gonna require benefits

OCing is the best reason to buy ROC MOBOs. The BIOS is MMMMMMMMMMMMM creamy.

How do y'all feel about this one:
http://www.excaliberpc.com/593955/asus-k70ic-a1-17.3-notebook.html#TabDescription ?

I had to do some searching to find specs on the GT 220m, but it appears to be a rebadged 9600 chipset with more/faster memory. It will run medium-high settings in SL. Plus it's a reasonably fast CPU. Not a bad laptop.

I have a similar problem but am looking at desktops. A lot of the machines I am looking at have:

512MB ATI Radeon HD4350 graphics, which I don't see listed at system requirements. Will that work?

Or these types of processors:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E5300 processor (2.6GHz, 2MB Cache)

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 processor (2.5GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 4MB Cache)

None of the machines I am looking have components listed in the support requirements, so I have no idea if that means they are better or worse.

Veritable, to which machine were you responding? I know so little about the names and numbers manufacturers use, I don't really know if was in response to my question.

Amara, I think it was you?

So, for an idiot's sake,

SL will run on an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M?

Please tell me.

According to Veritable's post above, that should be the equivalent of something like the old 9800, which would be more than adequate.

Pep (Don't worry Jig, the guys have looked after you here; you'll be back inworld before you know it.)

I think I want Veritable to come with me

I dont care what other peopel say about you sometimes - you have a lovely "voice" and remind me of a family friend of some repute of whom many tales have been told to me. Who my Dad knew well in London
It must be teh Irish in you!
{Just joke about Irish) He was also very Welsh.
He never forgot his roots even though he sometimes wished he could.

In your heart, you are very kind.

Please delete or revise the above post!

Pep (I can't afford my reputation besmirched like this!)

The Nvidia Geforce GTX 260m card is a fairly reliable product with mature drivers. It should service you well where SL is concerned.

As for the other components, it would be helpful to know exactly what you plan on using the system for primarily. Are you a graphic designer? Video editor? Musician? They all have different needs.

Sorry for causing confusion...the GT 220m is in the laptop Amaranthim Talon is looking at...it will run SL at medium-high settings.

Jig is looking at the much more powerful GTX 260m in her laptop. It will run at ultra settings.

And for Laurin Sorbet, the ATI 4350 is a mid-range ATI card. It will run at medium-high settings, but it will be more troublesome than the Nvidia cards. If you can find a desktop with an Nvidia 9800 series or a GT 220 or better, it will be easier to get SL running smoothly. Pentium processors are reliable, but a bit outdated. The Core 2 series are the mainstream Intel units at the moment, and the i7/i5 series are the newest that will eventually replace them. That Core 2 Quad is a good CPU.

Anyone else?

Thank you Veritable.


Looked up Jig's- wow! I need to sell alot more lashes!

Thank goodness for Veritable

I am essentially cross-eyed at this point but think I found one that should work?


Intel® P43 Express Chipset
Processor Name
Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E7400, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology
Processor Manufacturer
Intel®
Processor Speed (GHz)
2.8
Number of Cores
2
L2 Cache (MB)
3
Frontside Bus (MHz)
1066

NVIDIA® GeForce® 9300M GS GPU
Total Available Graphics Memory 2015MB and dedicated GDDR3 Video Memory of 256MB

This is a fairly weak GPU. In the 9000 series, I would look for at least a 9500 to get medium settings in SL.

If you can give me an idea of your budget, I can recommend some models for you.

Take a look at http://tinyurl.com/sldesktops for some models with modern CPUs and GPUs that will run SL at medium or better settings.

Is it? Argh. You have been a tremendous help.

What do you think of this puppy? No monitor included, but it looks like the graphics you recommended. Is this processor also poor? I'd like to get the whole kit and caboodle for 9-ish if you know anything off the top of your head.

http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfullat.asp?productcode=ECE1818296#spec

Thank you!

Better. The CPU is good, the graphics will run medium-high settings on SL. Add this http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfull.asp?productcode=ECE1610572 monitor and you're close to 900 and have a decent rig (I have an earlier version of this as a second monitor, and it works well).

Oh thank you again Veritable. All these numbers are starting to run together o.O I'm hoping to order next week, so will try to nail the decision over the weekend.