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My impressions of the HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop, Mica Silver (2024)
Introduction
I recently got my hands on the HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop. Quite a budget-friendly yet powerful desktop. Below is my experience with it.
Specifications
| Property | Value | Property | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Uses For Product | Gaming | Brand | HP |
| Personal computer design type | Computer Tower | Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 512 GB | Screen Size | 20 Inches |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB | Model Name | HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop |
| Included Components | RGB Lighting | CPU Model | Ryzen 5 3400G |
Photos
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Prices
Check prices of the HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop, Mica Silver on:
Design and Build Quality of HP Victus 15L
When it comes to the design and build quality of the HP Victus 15L, there are several aspects worth highlighting:
Compact Form Factor: I appreciate that this desktop doesn’t demand a lot of real estate on my desk.
Sleek Aesthetics: The mica silver color and subtle design elements give it a modern look that blends well with my setup.
Build Materials: The materials feel solid, not the premium of a high-end custom build, but sturdy enough for everyday use.
LED Lighting: The customizable LED lighting adds character and is a nice touch for a gaming setup, though it’s nothing too flashy.
First off, the size is spot-on for those who are tight on space. Unlike some monstrous gaming rigs, the Victus 15L fits comfortably in my limited area, which is a major plus. Its sleek design isn’t overly aggressive as I’ve seen in other gaming towers; it’s got a sort of understated elegance to it. I find the mica silver color to be a nice break from the typical black box, adding a touch of class to my gaming environment.
Getting down to the nitty-gritty, the materials used are what you’d expect from a mid-range build. While it doesn’t feel as luxe as those ultra-expensive custom PCs, it doesn’t feel cheap or fragile, either. It strikes a good balance between being lightweight and feeling durable, which is perfect for me because I like to rearrange my setup often without feeling weighed down.
The customizable LED lighting gives it that undeniable gaming PC aura, but without being too in-your-face. Some might find the LED customization software to be a bit of bloat (I’m not a fan of extra software taking up space), but it’s a minor quibble.
Now, there are a couple of drawbacks:
Sticker Placement: The choice to slap a sticker on the front panel wasn’t brilliant. Thankfully, it peels off without leaving marks, but it still feels tacky.
Port Accessibility: I found the positioning of the power button and ports slightly awkward. It’s a small annoyance that requires some fumbling around, especially in a dimly lit room.
In the grand scheme, these downsides are pretty negligible when weighed against the advantages. It’s not going to be the star of a flashy gaming setup, but it doesn’t need to be. Its subtlety is its strength, and the overall build suggests a focus on performance over pomp.
All things considered, the Victus 15L has been designed with a respect for space, aesthetics, and practicality that many users will appreciate. It marries functionality with a touch of gamer flair without going overboard. While it’s not going to set the world on fire in terms of innovative design or build materials, for a pre-built option, it definitely holds its own in the market.
Performance and Gaming Experience
When it comes to evaluating the HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop for performance and gaming, there’s a good amount of positive stuff to dig into, but it’s far from perfect. Here’s a rundown of my thoughts on its capabilities:
CPU: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is a solid processor, capable of handling gaming and multitasking without breaking a sweat. The six cores and 12 threads make it reasonably future-proof.
Graphics: The AMD Radeon RX 6400 GPU isn’t top-of-the-line by today’s standards, but for someone stepping into PC gaming, it suffices, especially if you’re sticking to 1080p gaming.
RAM: 16GB of DDR4 is usually the sweet spot for modern gaming and ensures smooth performance. However, the machine I initially eyed had only 8GB, which could lead to potential bottlenecks.
Storage: A 512GB NVMe SSD is a dream for snappy Windows 11 boot times and quick game load times. Yet it could be limiting for an expanding game library, necessitating an upgrade or external storage solutions.
During my time with the HP Victus 15L, I’ve been pretty impressed with its ability to handle a variety of tasks. Multitasking is a breeze, and the system handles everyday productivity tasks as easily as it runs games. Booting up is snappy, courtesy of the solid-state drive, and that’s something you feel every day.
Gaming, on the other hand, has been a bit of a mixed bag. For most titles, the Ryzen chip and RX6400 combo hold up decently well on medium settings. You can manage to pull off smoother gameplay in less demanding games like Fortnite and Overwatch. But if you’re looking to push the latest titles on higher settings, you start to feel the limitations of the hardware.
It’s also worth mentioning that during some of the more intense gaming sessions, I noticed the system could get a bit warm. Not alarmingly so, but I do think more robust cooling would benefit performance.
The stock configuration had some issues when trying to push Forza, which solidified my belief that for serious gamers, customization is key to unleashing the full potential of this rig.
Another point to consider is the Windows 11 experience. The new OS is sleek and user-friendly, but it can be a bit of a resource hog, and some have mentioned better game compatibility with Windows 10. That’s something to keep in mind if you’re encountering performance issues.
In short, the HP Victus 15L is a solid base for new gamers or for those entering the PC gaming world on a budget. It’s not built for the high-end market, but for its price, it’s a good starting point. You’ll likely need to invest in some upgrades down the road, especially in the RAM and cooling department. It’s far from the best gaming machine out there, but it’s a decent performer for its tier.
Upgradeability and Expansion
When I first got my hands on the HP Victus 15L, upgradeability was one of the key aspects I honed in on. Let’s face it, in the fast-moving world of tech, being able to swap out older components for newer ones can breathe fresh life into your setup and save you from having to buy an entirely new rig.
Here’s a quick rundown of the Victus 15L’s upgrade potential:
RAM: Out of the box, you might find 8GB a bit on the lean side, especially if you’re tackling more demanding games or creative tasks. But the good news is, it’s expandable. Adding more RAM is straightforward, and doing so can significantly improve performance.
Storage: With a 512GB NVMe SSD, you get speed and a fair amount of space to start with. If you’re like me and you’re stockpiling games or heavy media files, you’ll want more. There’s room to add more storage, thankfully.
GPU: The equipped AMD Radeon RX 6400 is capable but by no means top-of-the-line. You can swap it out, although the small form factor might limit your choices when looking at the beefier cards on the market.
I’ll admit, I was a bit miffed when I realized the motherboard was an HP custom job. It puts a cap on just how far you can push this desktop’s expandability — you can forget about case-swapping without a complete overhaul. It’s a tad disappointing for those of us who like to tinker and personalize every aspect of our PCs.
Despite these limitations, the HP Victus 15L is surprisingly adaptive for a pre-built machine. Upgrading the memory to 32GB made a substantial difference in performance, turning it into a multitasking powerhouse. However, it’s worth noting that it’s important to stick with compatible memory upgrades or you risk bottlenecking your system.
And though the possibilities with the GPU are more constricted due to space, with a bit of research, you can still find suitable upgrades that’ll boost your gaming experience without overheating your system or needing a hammer for installation!
Overall, the upgradeability of the HP Victus 15L strikes a reasonable balance. It’s not a free-for-all like some open-architecture setups, but it’s not a closed shop either. If you’re someone who enjoys future-proofing your investment and doesn’t mind a couple of interior gymnastics, this desktop has the potential to grow with your needs. Just keep in mind that your upgrade path isn’t endless with this compact tower.
Value for Money and Overall Impression
Evaluating the HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop from a value for money and overall impression standpoint, I’ve come to a balanced view. Here’s a quick list to give you an idea:
Pros:
Solid AMD Ryzen and Radeon combo
Ample front and rear ports
Upgrade potential with empty RAM slots and space for additional storage
Attractive price point for entry-level gaming
Cons:
Initial 8GB RAM may be inadequate for heavy gaming
Potential mismatch between listed and actual specs
Comes with bloatware
Encounters with Windows 11 issues
The pros signal that HP has put together a machine catering to users who want a reliable, budget-friendly starting point into PC gaming. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor and Radeon RX 6400 graphics strike a sweet balance between cost and performance for the gamers on a budget. The inclusion of a variety of ports is thoughtful, ensuring connectivity is never an issue.
Furthermore, the potential to upgrade RAM and storage adds an element of future-proofing. This capability is particularly significant for me as needs grow with time, and the gaming landscape evolves. However, it’s pertinent to bear in mind that these upgrades, while extending the functionality, will add to the overall cost.
On the cons side, the initial 8GB of RAM is a limiting factor, and to some extent requires an immediate upgrade, especially for more demanding games or multitasking. I also found it concerning to note the potential specs mismatch which some users mentioned – receiving the accurate components is fundamental. Additionally, while the pre-installed bloatware is an annoyance, it’s not unique to this PC and is more of a ubiquitous software issue in today’s pre-built systems.
The OS situation is a bit tricky. The bundled Windows 11 may not sit well with everyone, especially since there have been reported performance issues in combination with AMD processors. However, for those accustomed or preferring the Windows ecosystem, this may not be a dealbreaker.
As a conclusion, the HP Victus 15L comes across as a solid choice for those who are dipping their toes in PC gaming waters or need a capable desktop for other demanding tasks. The price-to-performance ratio is fair, recognizing that a few tweaks straight out of the box can transform it into a formidable machine. For gaming enthusiasts who are just starting out or looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on essential features, this desktop is definitely worth considering, keeping an eye on the need for potential upgrades down the line.