$99.99 refurb PCs @ NeweggFlash.com

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

catilley1092

Member
Mar 28, 2011
159
0
76
The HP dc5800 came in yesterday, runs really good, especially after adding 4GB more RAM in it, and did install the Radeon HD 7570 as a test, runs good. Same 6.9 WEI, highest rated component in the system, though at 6.5 for both the CPU & RAM, that's not shabby either.

Though I didn't care for a 64 bit PC shipping with a 32 bit OS, since it hadn't been activated yet, used my AIO Windows 7 install DVD and the same COA to install 64 bit 7 Home Premium, updated, activated & validated fine. Not a bad PC for $79.99 after rebate, though I may try the GPU that shipped in the Optiplex 740, it's low profile & uses less juice.

Anyway, here's the Speccy snapshot.

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/BxNuzlJzWinufWxw17ZrH78

Almost the 2nd best PC in the house. For the price paid, not much to complain about, the mouse was the only item that died, though it was rattling when it came here, surprised it lasted a day. PC shipped lightning fast, very clean inside & out.

4 out of 5 egg deal.

Cat
 

catilley1092

Member
Mar 28, 2011
159
0
76
Another egg removed from the deal, this is just another 'enhanced IDE' type of MB, not true SATA-2.

The ones who sells these computers should be stating these things in their listings. This is a weird standard to implement, either the units should be IDE or SATA, not a hybrid blend.

Couldn't even leave a review at Newegg.

Will be contacting PayPal in regards to false advertising of this vendor. Check out this snapshot.

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/rssl8klYj15PmqCq3GJRUTp

Cat
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,570
10,205
126
Another egg removed from the deal, this is just another 'enhanced IDE' type of MB, not true SATA-2.

The ones who sells these computers should be stating these things in their listings. This is a weird standard to implement, either the units should be IDE or SATA, not a hybrid blend.

Couldn't even leave a review at Newegg.

Will be contacting PayPal in regards to false advertising of this vendor. Check out this snapshot.

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/rssl8klYj15PmqCq3GJRUTp

Cat

Curious, why do you think it's not SATA-2? It's a Core2-era chipset, those should all be SATA-2. They may not be AHCI, if they are an ICH7 or ICH8 instead of ICH9 or ICH10. That's not a significant limitation, though.
 

waffleironhead

Diamond Member
Aug 10, 2005
7,041
544
136
Another egg removed from the deal, this is just another 'enhanced IDE' type of MB, not true SATA-2.

The ones who sells these computers should be stating these things in their listings. This is a weird standard to implement, either the units should be IDE or SATA, not a hybrid blend.

Couldn't even leave a review at Newegg.

Will be contacting PayPal in regards to false advertising of this vendor. Check out this snapshot.

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/rssl8klYj15PmqCq3GJRUTp

Cat

The q33 chipset board in that system should be full sata-2. What evidence are you basing your claim on? That link is mostly unreadable errors btw.
 

cbn

Lifer
Mar 27, 2009
12,968
221
106
Another egg removed from the deal, this is just another 'enhanced IDE' type of MB, not true SATA-2.

Are you referring to not being able to select AHCI mode in the BIOS?

If so, this appears to be very common with Core 2 era Pre-builts. One workaround I have read is to enable RAID which enables the features from AHCI for single disk operation, but its not available on my DC 5800. (Other models of HP Core 2 desktops apparently do have the ability to select RAID though.)
 
Last edited:

Macgyversite

Golden Member
Dec 8, 2002
1,172
117
106
Whatever program you are using. Dont use it.

Run CPUID or CPUZ, Go to the Motherboard tab and see what board is in your tower. Google the model number and find out what it actually is.

I have installed windows XP w/o loading SATA drivers. No slipstream. That doesnt mean that it isnt SATA.
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,570
10,205
126
It says it has "Intel HD Graphics 2000". It also has gigabit ethernet. I'm leaning towards yes it is a sb pentium. Afaik ThinkCentre M81 is always sb or newer.

I guess I missed the HD 2000 bit. That would indeed indicate SB. That might be a good deal. Only a DVD-ROM though, on that class of machine?

Edit: Can you add a GPU? I've got some GT630 Kepler cards... if only I can remember where I stashed the LP brackets.
 
Last edited:

jiffer

Senior member
Sep 14, 2007
375
54
91
I looked up the specs for the Lenovo ThinkCentre M81:

http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/documents/pd013522 EDIT: this is the tower version, not the small form factor (SFF) version

The chipset is the Intel Q65, which only supports Sandy Bridge processors. The processor appears to be a Sandy Bridge Pentium G620, which has Intel HD graphics (not the more advanced HD 2000). You could upgrade to a more powerful Sandy Bridge Core i3, i5, or i7. The memory could be either DDR3 1066 or 1333. It has four DIMM slots but it's hard to say how many are free and how many are occupied. The power supply could be either 320W 90plus or 280W 85plus (I'd bet the latter). It has USB 2.0 only (not 3.0) and no PS/2 ports, so you'd be using a USB mouse and keyboard. You can add a full-height PCI Express x16 video card. EDIT: the SFF version only has low profile slots and no mention of a PCI Express x16 slot.

Windows 7 Professional 64-bit makes it a great deal. If I needed a computer in this class, I'd jump on it. I'm just afraid that if I bought one, I'd spend more money to add a nice video card and upgrade the CPU, memory, hard drive, and optical drive, which tells me I don't need this one.
 
Last edited:

cbn

Lifer
Mar 27, 2009
12,968
221
106
Here is a picture of the Lenovo H81 SFF mainboard:

http://www.getcomputerparts.com/ibm...rd-systemboard-03t8181-refurbished_p5354.html

13554766560.jpg


So yes, it does have PCIe x16.
 

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
3,199
6
81
Dang... My refurb PC has stopped working. It shut down fine, but does nothing when I try and power it up. I'm going to start an RMA. I'll pull out the extra memory and video card and try it again (just for giggles), but I'm pretty sure this has to be sent back.

I'm thinking that perhaps I should copy over the HD. It took a while to do all of those updates and get the software I wanted installed. I have a 'spare' 96GB SSD so maybe I'll copy the refurb onto that and use that on the new PC. The question I have is: If I do that, can I switch over to a different COA? (assuming they'll send me a whole new PC rather than repair that one)

Anyone else have problems with their refurb PC? I had the HP DX 7400.
 

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
3,199
6
81
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2PF2CK8779&ignorebbr=1

That $94.99 Sandy Bridge Pentium refurb with Win7 Pro 64-bit is now on Newegg's main site, and on the front page, under "Marketplace Spotlight".
Ughh.. I just got my RMA for my HP DX 7400 and am sending it in this week. I would ask to switch from a exchange to a refund and buy this system but: I have heard bad things about Lenovo (perhaps it was only their laptops) and this system is a Small Form Factor which means that I'd also have to exchange the video card I just bought.

So tell me, should I ask for a refund instead of the exchange?
 
Oct 16, 1999
10,490
4
0
The "bad things" for Lenovo are probably their malware shens which have had a bright enough light shined on them to be mostly resolved now, and I don't think they applied to this system anyway. If you want it as is it might be worth the exchange, but the Lenovo is probably going to be harder/more expensive to upgrade to the level where a xeon & whatever video card gets you on the HP. I'm still torn on picking this up myself for the same reason.


Edit: I'm leaning towards getting this Lenovo to replace an old Vista/Phenom machine my Dad's using that will really be of more use to break down than to keep using. That way I won't have it setting in front of and taunting me to tinker.
 
Last edited:

cbn

Lifer
Mar 27, 2009
12,968
221
106
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2PF2CK8779&ignorebbr=1

That $94.99 Sandy Bridge Pentium refurb with Win7 Pro 64-bit is now on Newegg's main site, and on the front page, under "Marketplace Spotlight".

That is a good deal.

I wonder when we see the price drops on used i5-2400/i5-2400S and i5-2500/-5-2500S? Currently prices are starting at $110 shipped for the ebay "buy it now" auctions.

The i3-2100 currently starts at $62.50 shipped in ebay "buy it now" auctions.
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,570
10,205
126
That is a good deal.

I wonder when we see the price drops on used i5-2400/i5-2400S and i5-2500/-5-2500S? Currently prices are starting at $110 shipped for the ebay "buy it now" auctions.

The i3-2100 currently starts at $62.50 shipped in ebay "buy it now" auctions.

Are those prices you quoted, for the CPU alone, or a complete refurb computer? Because if they are for a complete refurb, that deserves to be posted as a deal in itself!
 

cbn

Lifer
Mar 27, 2009
12,968
221
106
Are those prices you quoted, for the CPU alone, or a complete refurb computer? Because if they are for a complete refurb, that deserves to be posted as a deal in itself!

Those are the prices for just the cpu (sometimes with heatsink).
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
C'mon. Just because it doesn't appeal to you, personally, doesn't mean it's a bad deal for those that might need a cheap PC. Think of it this way, pay for Windows 7, get a FREE PC. Because that's basically what it is. And they should qualify for a free Windows 10 upgrade in the future, hopefully.

I'd bet that our typical Anandtech member probably has a better computer than this sitting in their closet, though. Most of us probably upgraded to shiny new Core i5 and i7 systems two years ago.

Maybe it's worthwhile for the Windows 7 license if you can take advantage of the free Windows 10 upgrade with it.