New computer

I finally got a new computer. I'm pretty sure I'll be asked my computer's specs before my question can be answered. I haven't played a recent game in years (adventure, detective/scary) due to the fact my older computer couldn't handle them.
Where do I find the specs? I would love some recommendations on new or newer games. I have Windows 10, of course. Thank you.

You could probably find your specs by running dxdiag and poking around the different tabs, but a utility like speccy or the Belarc Advisor would be easier to understand.

Inferno (our expert in the XP days) used to like the Belarc Advisor
https://belarc.com/products_belarc_advisor

you can get speccy here
https://www.ccleaner.com/speccy

and the newness of the computer won't help if the video card is no good for games.

Following are my computer specs. Please don't get me wrong, I am not asking for a lot of work on GB's part, just would like an idea of how compatible my computer is with new or recent games. Thank you!

OS Name Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Version 10.0.17763 Build 17763
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name DESKTOP-E8N74EM
System Manufacturer HP
System Model HP Pavilion Desktop 590-p0xxx
System Type x64-based PC
System SKU 3LA53AA#ABA
Processor AMD Ryzen 3 2200G with Radeon Vega Graphics, 3500 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date AMI F.21, 12/12/2018
SMBIOS Version 3.2
Embedded Controller Version 10.20
BIOS Mode UEFI
BaseBoard Manufacturer HP
BaseBoard Product 8433
BaseBoard Version 11
Platform Role Desktop
Secure Boot State On
PCR7 Configuration Elevation Required to View
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "10.0.17763.194"
User Name DESKTOP-E8N74EM\Owner
Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 5.92 GB
Available Physical Memory 3.24 GB
Total Virtual Memory 10.1 GB
Available Virtual Memory 5.38 GB
Page File Space 4.19 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
Kernel DMA Protection Off
Virtualization-based security Not enabled
Device Encryption Support Elevation Required to View
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions Yes
Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware No
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection Yes

So no separate video card. Video is combined with the processor.
I found some benchmarks here from last year
https://www.techarp.com/computer/amd-ryzen-3-2200g-apu-review/4/

Definitely low end, and there might be some compatibility problems with the new technology.
You'd be better off with a separate graphic card similar to one of those on the benchmarks page -- the nVidia GTX 1050 or 1060 or the Radeon RX 560

Unfortunately those specs don't list the wattage of the power supply, so we don't know how much of a video card the computer can take without replacing the power supply too.

+_+_+_+_+_+

I don't know what the specs of the computer you're replacing were, or what games you want to play, but if you want to play recent 3D games you'll probably want a better graphics card than the built-in graphics. Also 8 GB of memory isn't a whole lot for a new computer. I'd want 16 GB or at least 12 GB.

As Jenny said, new does not mean anything if a computer doesn't have a video card that can play new games. Unfortunately, your new computer does not have a good stand alone video card, so you still may not be able to play new more demanding games.

Is there the possibility of still purchasing a stand alone video/graphics card?

Hi Laurette. I'm NOT a techy at all but Jenny mentioned this above: "Unfortunately those specs don't list the wattage of the power supply, so we don't know how much of a video card the computer can take without replacing the power supply too."

So maybe if you can find out what size power supply you have, they can help you out.

I tried to find the wattage of the power supply, but couldn't find anything. In such a low end computer, I'm going to suspect it's pretty low wattage. The only way to find out is is probably to remove the side of the case and look at the label on the power supply.

I did find a user guide and a updgrade and repair guide. Both of them look like this is a very, very small computer. What are the dimensions of the case? If it's a micro case, you may or may not be able to find a low profile video card for it.

Of course, by the time you buy a new power supply and a new video card, you might as well have spent a little more on a better computer capable of playing new adventure games. You could have gotten a pretty decent one built for you by eCollegePC for about $670. I don't suppose you could take this one back?

Hey all,
I just wanted to pop in and see if I could add something to help.
It looks like this is your pc https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06006068
If that's right one, it only has a 180W PSU. Unfortunately that would be too weak to add in a graphics card.

Even though your built-in card may not be amazing, it can run a lot of newer games, just be prepared to set everything on low.
You can get the general idea of what to expect from this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi5vI9rTq18

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about it until you actually have an issue playing something.

Just as a point. I purchased and installed The Testament of Sherlock Holmes, and so far (crossed fingers) it is playing well. Only thing is, when I minimize the game and go to another program, they load very slowly.

Dradvr: My computer's size is about 5" wide and approx. 12" in height. Doesn't appear small to me.

Thanks everyone who gave me input.

Thank you for that information, Overmann! That's kind of what I figured with the power supply. They will only use the minimum to run the low end components.

That's great to hear, Laurette! If you can deal with the slowness and do like Overmann said and reduce the graphics to low, you should be fine. Just be sure to double check on computer spec requirements for games before you buy them.

Oh, that is VERY tiny for a computer! It's a micro-case and you won't be able to do much if any upgrading in there. I just rebuilt my computer in a new case and it is 8 1/2 " wide and 19" tall. But my video card is quite large and I have two hard drives and two solid state drives in it.


Rosewill Prism

The Testament of Sherlock Holmes came out in 2012, so at this point it can hardly be considered a new or even new-ish adventure game. Having said that, I'm glad to hear that you are able to run the game, Laurette - just keep in mind that at this point it is an older game. Time is passing so quickly - it doesn't seem that long ago that the game was released.

Hard to think that 2012 is already SEVEN years ago and Sherlock Holmes Testament is considered an older game!