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

[elbert]

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.

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
The OP would be better off staying clear of the 945G for the 6150 and if the op plans on upgrade a cheap DX10 card would be better than a 7300LE. Using the 6150 until nvidia/ATI get their cheaper low power DX10 GPU's on the market is the best upgrade path. I wouldnt suggest buying an OEM system, due to the junky PSU's they are know for, with any intent of upgrading the GPU right away.

 

[hooterville]

Ended up getting the AMD machine and it seems pretty fast.

 

[ches111]

Hey good luck with the Bloatware removal..

Also, if you are not sure whether or not something can be removed just Google it...

Google the app name with the term removal.. I am sure someone has tried it..

Something like this (+"HP Control Center" +removal)

 

[Beastyben1]

I had an easy time removing the bs on my A1330E A64 3200+ that I got for $429 with 17" LCD in Jan 2006. Came with ASUS mobo "LE" edition ha. Overclocking is practically impossible. Will take x2 though so I can upgrade for about $100 to a 3600+ or 3800+ (yes there is a 3600+ for s939), not sure if a bios update would recognize it.

No problems adding:

Foxconn 7600GT
2 more 256ddr
WD 120gb sata
PCI fan & 80mm
Leadtek PVR2000

All on a Bestec 300watt psu. 19amps on the 12V.

PS: They went cheap on the original 40gb hdd bc it was only 2mb cache which absolutely kills any game. True Image and a new hdd fixed that. No need for backup cds yet, and the WD40gb is good for music/anime etc.

Other notes: damn quiet. No stability issues, except when I added a Leadtek 6800GS Extreme that was too much for the psu. Yes I'm a Leadtek fan for sure, and seeing how Foxconn makes them then I'm a Foxconn fan too.

-Ben

 

[hooterville]

I ended up with this computer:

HP Pavilion Desktop PC (A1730N)

•AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+
•320GB hard drive
•LightScribe-enabled •2GB of DDR2 memory
•Burns DVDs and CDs
•Windows Vista Home Premium

And it seems pretty fast for what we need it for.

I was wondering what Nvidia video card I could upgrade to without changing the power supply?

It has the Nvidia 6150 LE Graphics now and I would not mind upgrading it.

What Ya Think?

 

[mad_murdock]

Like I noted early, I have put a X850 in a a1114n (AMD 3400+) series and it's worked fine for playign Battlefield 2. I also put my X1900XTX in a a1750y model (Intel E4300). Both use the generic 300w PSU. Again, I don'tknow about your model, but since the a1750y is only 2 weeks old, I'm guessing yours doesn't have a PCI-E 6 pin power plug connector for the card, so you'll need to grab this $3 adapter from newegg or maybe check out radio shack\compusa.

So I think you would be able to goo as high as a 7900 or X1900 without any problems