Is this PC spec OK?

I'm seriously considering buying a new PC. It must be compatible with SL or I may have to stab someone I'd appreciate any insights on what people in the know have to say about the following specs on what I've found:

- CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+
. ( http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_9485_9487,00.html?redir=CPAT01 )
- Motherboard: VIA K8M800
. ( http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/chipsets/k8-series/k8m800/ )
- Memory: 1GB DDR 400 Ram (Upgradeable to 2GB)
- Hard drive: 250GB Ultra SATA 7200rpm Hard Drive
- Graphics: GeFORCE 6200 256MB
. ( http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce6200_agp.html )
- Audio: Realtek ALC655 6-Channel Audio
. ( http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/products1-2.aspx?modelid=2003051 )
- Ethernet: VIA® VT6103 10/100 Network Plug
- Slots: 1 - AGP 8X / 3 - PCI

The other stuff -- keyboards, CDROM drives, etc. -- is all included and fine, but doesn't affect SL compatibility.

My sense is that this is not a top end computer, but for about $500, it sounds like a steal. Does anyone see fatal flaws in my thinking?

If it is what I purchase, I'll be sure to write a review of it for other curious shoppers. Thanks.

- Lavanya

I've heard of people having problems with VIA motherboards but i wouldent worry about it.

What sorts of problems?

Some things about the GeForce series GPU's not running well. It might of just been their sys config. I think the game will run great on your system though.

sounds similar to the one im thinking of getting. let me know if it works for you. I just got a 3ghz dell at work, Intel Pentium D, with Nvidia Quadros FX 3500, 2 gigs ram. It ran SL super sweet. Better than i ever saw it.

but i need soemthing in the 500 range

Descent enough, but its agp, so upgrading it later will get hard as agp fade out and pci-e take over ,eventually doesnt seem to happen this year tho, still manufacturers that make even the 7800 card for agp

Via motherboards is picky with drivers, without the performance can be very low, but not really a problem, just get the right drivers : p

Motherboard comes with Integrated VIA UniChrome™ Pro IGP (?) euw : p , but its ok pc , just not sure how viable its for upgrading later.

You be they skimped on powersupply tho, prob 350watt or lower

500$ , cheap

Like what? My VIA mobo has been running fine with the latest Hyperion drivers. Are there performance boosting 3rd party drivers I should know about?

Nuh, its the right drivers, just the default windows driver awhile back didnt go to well and made pc especially video go really slow, quick 4in1 (hyperion) drivers fix

I've had trouble using VIA motherboards with some ATI video cards. I haven't had trouble with nvidia and VIA together.

A good SL computer needs a fast processor, lots of RAM, and a good video card. The system described will probably work okay.

You might consider an nvidia GeForce 7600 GT instead of the listed video card. You'll get much better video performance. The GeForce 7800 and GeForce 7900 are good as well, but they are newer and still higher on the price curve.

I suggest a double-layer DVD-RW drive. Also remember to update Windows and your video drivers regularly.

Good luck.

The 6200 video card isn't going to be a stellar performer, its scores running 3D games is on the unimpressive side. A 6600 GT or 6800GS would serve you better and run SL the way it should be.

Do not buy this.

It's already hard enough to find a good AGP card, in the future it'll be near impossible. Honestly, I'm sure you can find a computer of comparable stats with a PCI-Express video slot for the same $$.

Thank you all so much for your feedback. My general sense is that this would be a satisfactory machine, but that there are a few potential issues, including:

1.) AGP adapters don't have much of a future; PCI-E is the emerging standard.
2.) VIA brand motherboards' drivers have a spotty history for SL.

I think we can call this thread done and leave it for future shoppers. That said, I checked out another PC that looks more promising for a similiar price. I've also started a new discussion thread to discuss it:

/111/de/92601/1.html#post927461

Thanks, again, everyone. SL rocks and the SL community spirit is alive and well.

- Lavanya