Which of these 2 HP computers would be the better one to...

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Hooterville,

Given the specs are somewhat similar the price of the machines then comes into play.

I have not seen YOU respond as to the price of the machines. I have seen others speculate on which machines you are looking at but they may or may not be correct.

Let us know which specific model number and price for each and we can likely help you more. If it is true that the Intel box is $100.00 more I would recommend the AMD box.
 
Looking at the price and specs of the two machines I would have to say go with the AMD.

Please be advised that BOTH machines are using partially shared video memory. If you are intending on purchasing these machines for gaming you will likely need to rethink the video subsystem (Depending on the game of course).

I know this has not yet been posted but for the sake of information you may be able to better doing it yourself.

The $300.00 emachines and the like are tough to beat in a "build it yourself environment. But in this case you are looking at spending $750 - $850 dollars. You can probably do a lot better for yourself with a build.

I do realize that Brick and Mortar stores offer you something most online vendors can't (0% financing for 12/18/24 months). But if you can afford the price up front a build is likely the best way to go.

Even if you do not build it yourself. Pay a bud with a six pack (after the build 😉) to come over and build it for/with ya!

What are your intentions for usage of this purchase??
 
I was leaning towards the Intel one as I have always had Intel computers and I don't think you will see that much of a difference in performance between the two?

The intel is $100. more but it's not a big deal.

Can you upgrade the CPU on a OEM HP Computer?
 
Hooterville,

Many OEM PCs are what we call proprietary.

What that means is the vendor often builds as much into the motherboard as possible but restricts your capabilities to a point where it is convenient for THEM to correct any issues or THEM to perform an upgrade.

For instance many of the aftermarket motherboards will easily allow you to upgrade to a new processor and may only require a BIOS flash (or maybe nothing at all). But in some OEMs even the same class of CPUs, like swapping a E6300 for a E6400 will not work sometimes.

The system is setup to a minimum which suits the OEM not the customer.

The integrated part is what worries me most about many OEM PCs. An integrated video card with shared system memory can be slow at best.
 
Hooterville,

Be advised that you can scavange parts for another machine later but do not look to use THAT machine as the base.

For instance, You will likely need to get another MB, possibly a case (based upon some OEMs I have seen), very likely a new PSU for your new case...

You may however be able to use things like the memory (DDR2 may be phasing out when DDR3 comes on board), the hard drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor, ...

So it may not be a total loss. Others that have told you that the AMD has a better upgrade path are going purely on speculation. Just like people would be speculating if they thought the Penryn processor would drop into the intel system.
 
Hooter,

Are you against doing your own build?

Never have done a build?

Many on this site would be glad to help you remotely if you were to take this on.

Still no substitute for an on site person that has accomplished a build before.

But we can help..

You might find that you get much better bang for your buck.
 
logainofhades said:
Normally no you can not upgrade the cpu or much of anything else. That is why I suggested the AMD system. It is a faster system, costs less, and has better video. The AMD version is a better system.
Click to expand...

Are you guys speaking from experience ? I've not had any problems upgrading CPUs in OEM boxes. Back in the day, I upgraded my dell P2-450 to a 1GHz, Aslo had 512MB of ram, when they said only 384 was supported.

I've upgrade my brother and his friend's Compaq PCs from 1.7s to 2.4Ghz (which was the highest the the 400MHz FSB chips went). I've added sounds cards, Video cards and the whole mess to Dell\Compaq\HP PCs.

HP even has directions on their website on how to upgrade everything, to include the CPU
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07139&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=501964&lang=en

The $600 HP I bought last year, comes with a 3400+ 939 chip and supports all the 939 chips. I can upgrade at will, just like any other motherboard
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00361528&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=501964&lang=en

Sure you can't overclock, and I don't blame an OEM for limiting that, I wouldn't want people frying the CPU and asking me for a new one either.

I think some of you guys are reaching back to the old Compaq and Packard Bell days when things were truly "specialized". The AMD system that I got for the stepson uses a MSI motherboard and the new Intel system uses an ASUS, Pretty standard stuff, save the BIOS changes to lock people out of the overclocking.

Note, I don't buy OEM PCs for myself, I build my own. But every now and then a system comes along that the price is right and it's $200-400 cheaper to buy it over building one. Especially for a 14 and a 10 year old or my Mom, who's most advance game is Mahjong.

If you're not looking for cutting edge gaming system, OEM PCs have a place, as long as they are cheaper than building one. Not to mention, OEMs tend to have better warranty's for those that aren't good with fixing it themselves
Click to expand...
 
Mad,

I have owned and maintained many OEM PCs over the years (only one personally a compaq with AMD 900mhz).

Many have had issues with CPU upgrades. Video card upgrades have also been a challenge at times. As it turns out some of the MBs left resources used even after the onboard was disabled. Have found some onboard sound card changes were difficult as well. Again problems with persistent resources upon disabling on-board device.

So mostly CPU and Video upgrades for me. Many companies offer information stating what you CAN upgrade to. Getting ahold of a BIOS that actually lets you is sometimes a different thing.

Gateway got really bad there for a while.

Did not say that things like sound cards or memory was that hard. Usually (now a days) they are not hard at all. I have also run into the proprietary PSU instance as well. PSU dies and standard PSU will not FIT.

That is all...
 
Mad_Murdock said:
Normally no you can not upgrade the cpu or much of anything else. That is why I suggested the AMD system. It is a faster system, costs less, and has better video. The AMD version is a better system.
Click to expand...

Are you guys speaking from experience ? I've not had any problems upgrading CPUs in OEM boxes. Back in the day, I upgraded my dell P2-450 to a 1GHz, Aslo had 512MB of ram, when they said only 384 was supported.

I've upgrade my brother and his friend's Compaq PCs from 1.7s to 2.4Ghz (which was the highest the the 400MHz FSB chips went). I've added sounds cards, Video cards and the whole mess to Dell\Compaq\HP PCs.

HP even has directions on their website on how to upgrade everything, to include the CPU
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07139&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=501964&lang=en

The $600 HP I bought last year, comes with a 3400+ 939 chip and supports all the 939 chips. I can upgrade at will, just like any other motherboard
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00361528&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=501964&lang=en

Sure you can't overclock, and I don't blame an OEM for limiting that, I wouldn't want people frying the CPU and asking me for a new one either.

I think some of you guys are reaching back to the old Compaq and Packard Bell days when things were truly "specialized". The AMD system that I got for the stepson uses a MSI motherboard and the new Intel system uses an ASUS, Pretty standard stuff, save the BIOS changes to lock people out of the overclocking.

Note, I don't buy OEM PCs for myself, I build my own. But every now and then a system comes along that the price is right and it's $200-400 cheaper to buy it over building one. Especially for a 14 and a 10 year old or my Mom, who's most advance game is Mahjong.

If you're not looking for cutting edge gaming system, OEM PCs have a place, as long as they are cheaper than building one. Not to mention, OEMs tend to have better warranty's for those that aren't good with fixing it themselves
I agree. Both Dell and HP release bios updates frequently now to support new processors. Both of which have windows based bios updates that even the biggest noob can handle.

No problems upgrading any recent cpu's on HP systems here. Especially not since HP switched to mostly Asus boards.

...
900mhz a recent OEM PC?
Click to expand...
 
I had a nightmarish flashback. Dont do that!!!! :lol:

@Hooterville
Similar performance and unlikely to overclock on OEM platform, then the cheapest solution is the best choice. You could reinvest the saved $100 into some updates, a couple of games, some nice peripherals, etc.
 
My most recent dealings with OEM vendor (wont mention their name but it starts with a D and ends with an ell) are their small form factor desktops.

NOT A GOOD THING!! PSUs are definitely proprietary/bad!!!
 
I completely agree there. The OEM SFF's all suck!!! :!: :!: :!: :!:

They all need to get some sort of agreement going with Shuttle or the likes so they can get those SFF's built right.
 
I recall giving a 900mhz Duron Compaq box to a brother back then.

As you can tell that brother wasnt exactly on the good list that year. 😀
 
Mine went to my church and is used to serve powerpoint to the projector to this day!! It was an upgrade from the previous machine 8O 8O 8O
 
Mad,

I have also run into the proprietary PSU instance as well. PSU dies and standard PSU will not FIT.

That is all...
Click to expand...

Now I will support you on that one. I got bit by a old Compaq PC and that ugly a$$ case they had for a while. I was trying to change out the mobo and it had a 24pin PSU connect and the Intel mobo only had a 20pin. Not a problem, I said I'd change the PSU out as well and that's where I got bit, as none of the 3 PSU I had would fit into that case, which I swear was designed just to keep me from swapping out the PSU. And Compaq wanted something like $200 for a 20pin PSU that fit the case. Which is about where I learned to really hate Compaq

But that has changed, my other friend had a older 2GHz intel Compaq box where the mobo died and we were able to drop a Intel i848 mobo in and it all fit and worked fine

I could understand if someone spent alot of time working with e-machines, though I haven't touched one of those in years, though things were unbelievable pieces of crap back in teh day. But hey, they were $300-400, so what do you expect ?

recall giving a 900mhz Duron Compaq box to a brother back then
Click to expand...
We must shop at the same store, I bought my mom a 700Mhz duron and she used it up until it died last year, at which time I bought her a new one (a $500 HP system, E-mail and Mahjong fly now!)
 
Hooter,

Have you looked at this one?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pavilion-Media-Center-TV-PC-M7750N/sem/rpsm/oid/171277/catOid/-12962/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

HP Pavilion Media Center m7750n TV PC

It has the AMD 5000+ with the Nvidia graphics (still shared), 400gb HD and is only 819.00

Also has the tuner built in....

Web Only deal though!!
Click to expand...

Yea, This one looks pretty interesting.

I guess it would be faster/Better then the 2 I was looking at?

I don't want to build my own computer, it's just one for my Wife to play around with at home.
 
Hooter,

I took the liberty to look around at the Big Box stores and that deal I linked to looks to be the best deal in the 700 - 1000 range.

I tried BB (Ewww), CC (was good, now getting like BB with Restocking fees), Office M/D, Staples, Wally World, Sams, Target,....

SO far the linked to PC seems to be the best deal.

One thing of note: Nearly all the vendors carrying the HP line have identical model numbers across the board. This is a change since the last time I looked. Used to be the model number and machine would change per store. This was nuts because you had to look EVERYWHERE and at every single machine to find the best deal. Now just look who has the best deal on this model number. Gotta like that!!
 
Both systems CPU's are about equal but the intergrated GPU on the AMD is the best choice. You will have to check Intels website for every program you buy just to see if the integrated 945g is compatable. On the AMD system the Nvidia 6150le, while both are slow, compatability is expected.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00820204&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3339287&lang=en

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00838760&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3340229&lang=en
Its one thing to be slow and another to just not work so check Intels 945g compatability list. This is an old list so guess how many red dots you see on new games. Intel video drivers stinks.
http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/intel945g/sb/CS-020666.htm
 
Both systems CPU's are about equal but the intergrated GPU on the AMD is the best choice. You will have to check Intels website for every program you buy just to see if the integrated 945g is compatable. On the AMD system the Nvidia 6150le, while both are slow, compatability is expected.
Intel video drivers stinks.
Click to expand...

I would hope that the he's not going to stick with that video card. The system I got is a E4300 with a 7300LE, which stands for Loser Edition. It's horrible. It plays Doom3 on low settings at about 35-40fps, with alot of slow downs into the 20s. It for whatever reason won't complete the 3dmark06 benchmark, as it errors out along the way (I've tried with 2 different set of drivers).
The 7300LE is fine to have for Vista Aero support and play the 3D mahjong, but it just sucks. I can't imagine the 6150LE being any better.

Just to make sure there was nothing wrong with the system, I popped in both a 6600GT card (with the 101.41 drivers) and my X1900XTX card (7.2 drivers) and FEAR, Doom3 and 3dmark06 run fine, but with a lowly score of 1391. The 6600GT isn't that great of a card, but much better than the 7300LE, as it would at least finish the 3dmark06 test. With the 1900XTX it scores a respectable 5685

Hopefully, you have another $100 available to at least get something like a X1600 Pro or 7600GS
 
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