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A great gaming desktop: the HP OMEN 25L (Ryzen 5 5600G) (2024)
Introduction
I recently got my hands on the HP OMEN 25L Gaming Desktop and have been putting it through its paces to see how it stacks up in real-world gaming scenarios. I love gaming and look for performance, reliability, and value for money in any rig, and this setup with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor performs pretty well.
Specifications
| Property | Value | Property | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Uses For Product | Gaming | Brand | HP |
| Personal computer design type | Computer Tower | Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Screen Size | 1 Inches | Ram Memory Installed Size | 32 GB |
| Model Name | HP OMEN | Included Components | Keybord |
| CPU Model | Ryzen 5 | Color | White |
Prices
Check prices of the HP OMEN 25L Gaming Desktop White on:
Performance Analysis of the HP OMEN 25L
The HP OMEN 25L Gaming Desktop with its AMD Ryzen 5 5600G processor is built to manage gaming and multitasking without breaking a sweat. From my personal experience, here’s a rundown of how it performs in the real world:
- Processor: The 6-core Ryzen chip handles CPU-intensive games and stream-processing with ease.
- Memory: 32GB of DDR4 RAM means minimizing in-game stutters and quicker load times.
- GPU: While not the latest card, the GTX 1660 SUPER still holds its own for gaming at 1080p.
- Expandability: There’s potential to upgrade components down the line, a big plus.
I’ve noticed startlingly quick boot times and application launches, a testament to the combo of a 1TB PCIe SSD and additional 1TB HDD for storage – a luxury for anyone with an extensive game library.
During my test runs playing AAA titles, the HP OMEN 25L performed admirably. There was a tangible difference in speed and responsiveness. I’m not one to keep a cluttered desktop, but even when I ventured into some heavy multitasking, flipping between games, browser tabs, and streaming services, the system didn’t falter.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER Graphics card is an interesting topic – while it delivers vibrant visuals and steady frame rates in most current games, I’m mindful it may not handle future titles as well as we march into more graphically demanding releases. Yet, for gamers on a budget or not inclined to chase ultra-settings on every new game, it’s a solid choice.
Aesthetically, the white chassis of the tower adds a clean, modern look to my desk setup. Also, connectivity is a strong point, with ample USB ports and the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6, though I did upgrade the Wi-Fi card to ensure top performance.
However, while the RAM and storage are top-notch, I’m slightly cautious about the GPU’s future-proofing capabilities. With the evolution of gaming graphics, there may come a point when an upgrade is necessary to maintain performance quality.
In terms of noise, the HP OMEN 25L remains commendably quiet even during more taxing gaming sessions. Cooling seems to be effective, ensuring that throttling isn’t an issue.
While not the absolute pinnacle of gaming desktops, the HP OMEN 25L provides a powerful, upgrade-friendly platform at a competitive price point. It skillfully balances the requirements for both gaming and productivity, which is an achievement that many gamers like me definitely appreciate.
Expanding Gaming Horizons with NVIDIA GTX 1660 SUPER
The heart of any gaming desktop is its graphics card, and for the HP OMEN 25L, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER plays this vital role with finesse. Having spent countless hours gaming on this rig, I can attest to the 1660 SUPER’s ability to push pixels beautifully across my screen, making for a captivating and fluid gaming experience. Its 6GB of GDDR6 memory assures that games run smoothly, even when the action gets frenetic.
Here are some key takeaways from my time with the GTX 1660 SUPER:
Visual Performance: Games look crisp and vibrant; I’ve seen excellent frame rates even on demanding titles at 1080p. It’s not the top-tier card for 4K gaming, but at standard resolutions, it’s a beast.
Cooling and Noise: The HP OMEN’s cooling system keeps the GPU temperatures in check. I’ve noticed that even after hours of gaming, the system remains relatively quiet, which is a big plus for me.
Value for Money: This GPU hits that sweet spot between performance and affordability. It’s a solid midrange choice that won’t break the bank.
Now, while I praise the GTX 1660 SUPER for its capability to provide an immersive gaming experience, it’s not without its limitations. It doesn’t support ray tracing, which is something future games might demand more. Also, for 4K gaming aficionados, this card may not suffice, as it’s really built with 1080p to 1440p gaming in mind.
Despite these drawbacks, the GTX 1660 SUPER is a solid choice for gamers like me who are looking for great performance without going all out on the most expensive hardware. And when I decided to upgrade the Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi 6, it was an acknowledgment of the system’s excellent foundational features and my intention to future-proof my rig as much as possible.
From my perspective, this graphics card pairs admirably with the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G and the generous 32GB DDR4 RAM to provide a gaming experience that’s hard to fault at this price point. I’ve been able to play the latest titles with settings cranked up, and the responsiveness provided by the combined hardware gives me an edge in competitive play.
Bottom line, the HP OMEN 25L, bolstered by the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER, is an adept gaming machine that has allowed me to expand my gaming horizons without worrying about sluggish performance or choppy visuals. It strikes a balance between affordability and potent gaming capability.
Storage Solutions and Their Impact on My Gaming
When it comes to gaming, I always say that storage is the unsung hero, and on the HP OMEN 25L Gaming Desktop, it’s a game-changer, quite literally. With a 1TB PCIe SSD plus a 1TB HDD, I’ve got the best of both worlds at my fingertips. Here’s how I see it:
SSD: This is where I keep my operating system and main games. Lightning-fast load times? Check. Snappy system boot-up? Absolutely. HDD: All my other media, downloads, and less frequently played games go here. Ample space? Sure thing. But it’s slower, which matters less for these files.
Now, I won’t sugarcoat it — the HDD speed isn’t top tier — but honestly, for mass storage where speed isn’t crucial, it’s more than sufficient. It’s like having a sports car for the highway and a sturdy truck for off-road; both serve their purpose perfectly.
When I first heard the 32GB DDR4 RAM, I was like, “Overkill much?” But boy, was I wrong. Multitasking is a breeze. I can switch from gaming to streaming to browsing with zero lag. I mean, why settle for less when you can run Chrome with a gazillion tabs open and not a single stutter, right?
However, it’s not all sunshine and roses. I noticed that the initial Wi-Fi card didn’t quite cut it. So, I upgraded to Wi-Fi 6 for a more robust online experience, especially in multiplayer scenarios. You don’t want a weak link when you’re in the heat of an online battle.
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER Graphics card is a separate story — one of beauty and performance in games. But let’s stick to storage for now.
Bottom line: The dual storage of the HP OMEN 25L makes sense for a gamer like me. Seamless and efficient for the fast-paced stuff, while spacious and reliable for everything else. The upgradeable aspects — like the Wi-Fi card — show that even a great system can be tweaked for personal perfection.
Sure, there might be meatier setups out there, but for the balance of speed, size, and scalability, this OMEN rig hits a sweet spot. It gives me the confidence that when the next big title drops, I’ve got the space and the speed to jump right in without a second thought.
Navigating Windows 11 Pro on a Gaming Rig
Navigating through Windows 11 Pro on the HP OMEN 25L Gaming Desktop has been a refreshing experience for me. As an avid gamer, I appreciate an OS that not only supports my gaming needs but also integrates seamlessly with my hardware, providing a stable and rich environment. Windows 11 Pro brings to the table a sleek interface and a multitude of features which are particularly advantageous for gaming.
First off, let’s talk about the start-up times. Thanks to the combination of a 1TB PCIe SSD and the latest operating system, boot-up is as quick as a flash, and I’m up and running my games or apps in no time. The 1TB HDD, while slower, offers ample storage for my expansive game library without any hiccups.
As for features unique to Windows 11 Pro that enhance my gaming rig’s capabilities:
DirectStorage: This new feature significantly speeds up load times for games that can utilize it, which for me is a major plus.
Auto HDR: It breathes new life into games, providing rich, vibrant colors that are a perfect complement to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER Graphics.
Virtual Desktops: I can easily toggle between gaming and other tasks, thanks to the improved layout and smooth switching mechanism, which helps keep me organized.
A noteworthy consideration for me was the reliability of the OS; Windows 11 Pro offers robustness required for long gaming sessions without any signs of slowdown.
However, it hasn’t been all sunshine. The transition to Windows 11 Pro did come with some drawbacks. The new UI took a bit of getting used to; tasks that I could do almost instinctually in previous versions required a little hunting around before becoming second nature again. Furthermore, the need to upgrade my wifi card to the wifi 6 standard showcased that to take full advantage of Windows 11’s capabilities, additional upgrades might sometimes be necessary.
From a gaming perspective, the HP OMEN’s combination with Windows 11 Pro mostly hits the mark in providing a balanced and high-performing platform. It’s not perfect—the learning curve for new UI elements and the need for a few hardware tweaks can be stumbling blocks. Nevertheless, those are minor niggles in an otherwise smooth experience that keeps gaming as the focus. For fellow gamers looking for a system that marries up-to-date software with solid gaming hardware, this rig is undoubtedly worth considering, especially if you’re already vested in the Windows ecosystem.