System Requirements for Second Life
I’m often asked what kind of computer I run, so a while back I made a system specs page on my blog. This week I got a new computer so I just finished updating it. You can click over and see all the changes. From now on, all of my blog images and videos will be made with the computer and software listed there.
If you’re looking to purchase a new computer for yourself and you’re wondering what would work well with Second Life, make sure to check the minimum system requirements listed on the official Second Life website. UPDATE: I apologize for this phrasing as people assumed I was recommending these settings. My intention was just to remind people that there is a system requirements page and to look at that page before purchasing. The stuff listed there probably won’t even be available for sale now, hopefully, you will get something better than that. It’s why I also shared my settings. You don’t need to get what I have listed in my settings, but definitely better than the minimum requirements (and probably better than the recommended list on that page). Hope that clears it up and my apologies for the confusion.
Two other pages you might find informative are: Which computer should I buy for Second Life? and Graphics Cards by Jeremy Linden.
I did a quick live stream test on my YouTube channel yesterday at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which I found in the Second Life Destination Guide:
https://youtu.be/wVJ8jRRL5Nc
This video was a bit jumpy at times as I’m still getting used to the new system, and I forgot to use my 3D mouse, but here are some tricks to navigating the camera in Second Life and perhaps making your videos a bit smoother:
- Use a 3D mouse. I didn’t use it in this video. I often forget to use it, but honestly, it really makes a huge difference if you want to make polished machinima. I have the 3Dconnexion SpaceNavigator 3D Mouse.
- Try changing these settings in the debug menu and you’ll notice a huge difference:
- Set CameraPositionSmoothing to 9
- Set ZoomTime to 4
If you’re not sure how to find the debug menu, on your keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+D or Ctrl+Alt+Shift+D. On a Mac, press Option+Control+D. That will pop up the Advanced menu, and you’ll find “Show Debug Settings” near the bottom of the list.
Finally, just a reminder that a couple of years ago I did an extensive blog post covering loads of Second Life Vlogging & Machinima Viewer Tips. Hope you find them useful!
You are not only amazing, you are so very helpful. I am not looking for a comp. yet, but will be soon and I looked at your specs. Good grief I didnt even know what some of those things were ! I have a 5 year old Alienware that still works well, but I would NOT buy another one. I am hoping when the time comes that I have to get another one, you can simplify things for me ! LOL ! Thanks for all you do !
Those minimum requirements will run Second Life very poorly and slow again another out dated page and info from Linden Labs . anyway good luck anyone trying even the best of those minimum requirements 🙂
Dear Strawberry,
I would like to know if it is possible to run SL under a satellite Internet connection (I live in a small village and that would be the only way to increese my internet velocity).
I listened there could be problems because of the “delay” (time that data takes to arrive to our computers).
Thanks in advance.
Silky, my pleasure and thank you!
Gamer, my apologies for the phrasing, I didn’t mean to imply that I was recommending the minimum settings. I’ve updated my post. Thank you for pointing that out.
Oddity, I am not familiar with satellite internet, so I did a quick Google search and found this on the SL forums, hopefully you might find it helpful: https://community.secondlife.com/forums/topic/365429-will-sl-run-using-satellite-internet
Those 3D mice have always seemed nice, but the price tag is kind of “ouch” for a lot of people. Since joysticks are supported, that’s an option. But I’ve also tested a wired Xbox 360 in the past, use a wireless/bluetooth Xbox One controller currently. You use the analogue sticks for camera controls.
Strawberry Thank you! And since you now work for Linden Lab please ask someone from the Tech department to update that hardware list to at least 5 or 6 years old not 12. Thank You 🙂 Imo the minimum would be a a intel Haswell architecture like a i5-4430 a Nvidia GTX 750 ti or AMD card equivalent and at least 8 GB of Ram or parts with similar specs and this will kinda run SL fine Med high settings and even the 8GB of Ram will be eaten away real quick by SL. Of course if you if you can get higher and more modern hardware than this suggestion is even better and will handle Sl with more performance 🙂
Thank you both Natasha and Gamer. That is some excellent info. Hopefully it’ll help people when they are ready to make their decisions.
I too use the 3D Connexion SpaceNavigator 3D mouse. Lately the ability to use it disappeared from SecondLife for me. I was told by SL Support It’s no longer supported. Strangely if I use my laptop with a different internet provider, the driver ‘is’ seen by SL. But SL support remained adamant and told me it’s no longer supported. Go figure?
Hi Skate, it’s correct, the Space Navigator and certain drivers for it are not compatible with Second Life. However, I just plug mine in and it works right away with no drivers necessary. That is not the same for other people like Nalates, so she’s done a whole tutorial on how to get it to work, maybe it’ll help you too: http://blog.nalates.net/2016/09/07/spacenavigator-windows-10-and-second-life/
First, off Berry I would like to say congratulation on your new job with linden labs, it was always meant to be, and I am glad that they realized how much your commitment and influence to their game has helped us and them. Nobody deserves it more than you.
Secondly, I will miss your blogging. But life goes on and so must we all. It has been a wonderful journey you have taken us on.
I wish you all the best, in every thing you do.
🙁 I from Venezuela, and here can’t you get new computer tecnology from years! Thanks a God SL run with minimun requerimients. Ram:4GB GT-650 2.50GHZ windows 7
This is bittersweet sweet for me, Strawberry, and will miss your personal posts/vids about newly released products. Things always change, and from that perspective I’m grateful that new opportunities have come your way. I wish you well.
Hi I am from Venezuela and all knows all the problem we have now, so is a miracle i still log in SL. I have to deactivate all the lights, water reflections, even not adding clouds in the sky, a few days ago a friend told me I should adjust my skin brightness because it has different intensity on the body, the head… wow I had ignored all that completely because it is something I can’t enjoy, I don’t know if something is material or not. Anyway… I am using a old i3 intel processor, 8GB ram and a 2GB video card, and this is a very poor setting for play SL today. I am planning to sell some RL stuff i have to get the money to add just 16GB ram and, a new 4GB video card and maybe a 250 GB SSD. I can’t upgrade my processor now, so i recommend to everyone what i want… a good option is to add a 250GB SSD because these discs read 10 times faster the data you have stored in it. So my recommendation is to buy this type of disk and install your operating system and your SL viewer. With this new SSD you will feel your PC as a I7 processor with a traditional hard drive disc.