The HP Victus 15L is a budget-friendly prebuilt gaming PC offering a decent enough performance, particularly for less demanding games. The HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop, equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, NVIDIA RTX 3050 graphics card, and a 512 GB SSD, aims to provide an accessible entry point for gamers. While it ticks many boxes for a budget-friendly gaming PC, it does so with some caveats.
Design and Build Quality
Despite its small footprint, the interior layout is well thought out. Accessing the components is relatively easy, which is a plus for users who may want to upgrade parts in the future. The smaller chassis restricts airflow, which can lead to higher internal temperatures, especially during prolonged gaming sessions. The cooling solution, though adequate for most tasks, could struggles when the system is pushed to its limits.
HP’s own Omen Gaming Hub is a welcome inclusion, allowing users to monitor system performance, adjust fan speeds, and tweak RGB settings. It’s a useful tool, but its effectiveness is limited by the hardware constraints of the system. The fan control feature, for example, highlights the cooling issues rather than resolving them.
Performance
At the heart of the HP Victus 15L lies the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, a solid mid-range processor known for its strong performance in both gaming and multitasking. Paired with the NVIDIA RTX 3050, this setup should deliver respectable gaming performance at 1080p resolution. Titles like “Call of Duty: Warzone” and “Fortnite” should run smoothly on medium to high settings, averaging around 60-75 FPS.
For less demanding games, the RTX 3050 handles ultra settings comfortably, showcasing the GPU’s ability to offer good visuals without compromising too much on performance. For competitive gamers who need high refresh rates, this machine might not fully satisfy your needs. It’s competent, but it isn’t a powerhouse.
Upgrade and Expansion
For those needing more storage, the PC includes additional slots for upgrades, allowing you to expand as your needs grow. The system is moderately upgradable. Recommended upgrades could include a better GPU, more RAM (32GB), and additional storage (1TB SSD), which would significantly enhance performance. The HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop serves as a good starting point for those looking to get into PC gaming without breaking the bank.
It’s not ideal for high-demand gaming or users needing extensive storage without upgrades. Anyone serious about gaming or looking for a system that will last more than a couple of years should look elsewhere. There are better options available at this price point that offer superior performance, better cooling solutions, and greater upgradability.
The HP Victus 15L Gaming Desktop with AMD Ryzen 5, RTX 3050, 512 GB SSD is a capable system, but it’s clear that HP made compromises to keep it within a budget-friendly range. These compromises are worth noting before making your decision.
