AMD Quad Core A6-3600?

[AKShockwave]

So this is a pretty weird situation. About a week ago my computer had a hard drive/motherboard failure so we for some reason sent it in to best buy to get it fixed. Well, they instead decided to give us a completely new computer, an hp pavilion p7-1154 to be exact. The previous was an hp slimline s5360f. Now these computers seem to have a lot of fundamental differences. The first thing I noticed is that there was no hdmi or vga port on the computer, only dvi. That's fine because I'm also getting another computer that will have hdmi (big family). There's also a strange whining/screeching noise coming from the back, probably from the fan or something, I'll have a look at that. The real issue isn't really an issue, it's just the processor. The old computer had an AMD Phenom II X4 820 at 2.8 GHz. This has an AMD A6-3600 at 2.1 GHz. Now this is way lower, and for some reason there is almost no information at all on this processor. Can someone give me some details on this processor? The lack of information is bothering me. Is it at least on par with the last processor? This seems like a really weird computer, so I would like some more detail on this. At least the graphics card completely blows away the last one (radeon 6530 in this compared to a 4350 before)

 

[alyarb]

The A6 is nearly identical to the Phenom II, but the Phenom II's run at a higher speed and have a big L3 cache. The selling point of the A6 is the powerful/cheap graphics (6530) that are included in the package.

For conventional web/productivity, you shouldn't notice a difference in speed between either machine. But if you are encoding a lot of video or doing a lot of photo editing you might prefer the Phenom II.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

they ripped you off in my opinion. the new, slower amd chip "featuring" faster graphics are mostly a step down from earlier stuff

 

[VirtualLarry]

was the original computer purchased at bestbuy? was this warranty work? I'm having trouble understanding how they ended up giving you a whole new computer.

 

[waffleironhead]

The replacement should be of equal or greater value, something they definitely did not do.
The downgraded your processor by quite a high margin.

 

[Vesku]

Your processor is slower than what you had while the graphics are a bit better.

Was this under Best Buy coverage? I believe their verbiage means they have to provide you an equivalent replacement in terms of price and overall function. I think your best point of attack, if you aren't happy with what they gave you, is to point out the video outputs you lost. Although, who is to say you'll like what they then provide with the proper outputs.

That's why a lot of computer enthusiasts avoid those store warranties.

 

[AKShockwave]

was the original computer purchased at bestbuy? was this warranty work? I'm having trouble understanding how they ended up giving you a whole new computer.

It was purchased from best buy, about a year and a half ago. I don't know if it was warranty, it cost like 350 bucks though. I wasn't really the one dealing with it, it was my parents. Basically the motherboard on my old computer broke and wouldn't read the hdd, resulting in a bsod then a bunch of other errors. So best buy, being idiots, decided that instead of switching the motherboard they were just going to give us a completely new computer. On top of that, the old computer had a tv tuner, a bunch of ports and other features this one completely lacks. We tried getting the tv tuner back but they said it wouldn't fit, which I'm pretty sure is a lie, so instead they ordered us a new one that's gonna take like 2 weeks to arrive. And apparently, when we asked about the hdmi port, none of their new computers have it. whatever.

Your processor is slower than what you had while the graphics are a bit better.

Was this under Best Buy coverage? I believe their verbiage means they have to provide you an equivalent replacement in terms of price and overall function. I think your best point of attack, if you aren't happy with what they gave you, is to point out the video outputs you lost. Although, who is to say you'll like what they then provide with the proper outputs.

That's why a lot of computer enthusiasts avoid those store warranties.

Yeah well if that's the case and they owe us one of equal or greater value, screw those guys. I just looked up this computer, it costs about 600 bucks from them, the computer we bought seems to now have prices ranging from 800-1000, 1.5 years later. It's not on their website anymore so I don't know what they sold it for. But this is way cheaper. I figured the processor was worse, and I would be fine with the graphics card from the old computer if it meant a better processor anyway...because I don't really do a lot of intensive gaming. So yeah they ripped us off and have terrible service. In short screw best buy.

 

[Vesku]

I'd call and reasonably explain what your original PCs current value is and that you are not satisfied with the replacement. Also, read your agreement first. Forewarned is fore-armed.

It was purchased from best buy, about a year and a half ago. I don't know if it was warranty, it cost like 350 bucks though. I wasn't really the one dealing with it, it was my parents. Basically the motherboard on my old computer broke and wouldn't read the hdd, resulting in a bsod then a bunch of other errors. So best buy, being idiots, decided that instead of switching the motherboard they were just going to give us a completely new computer. On top of that, the old computer had a tv tuner, a bunch of ports and other features this one completely lacks. We tried getting the tv tuner back but they said it wouldn't fit, which I'm pretty sure is a lie, so instead they ordered us a new one that's gonna take like 2 weeks to arrive. And apparently, when we asked about the hdmi port, none of their new computers have it. whatever.



Yeah well if that's the case and they owe us one of equal or greater value, screw those guys. I just looked up this computer, it costs about 600 bucks from them, the computer we bought seems to now have prices ranging from 800-1000, 1.5 years later. It's not on their website anymore so I don't know what they sold it for. But this is way cheaper. I figured the processor was worse, and I would be fine with the graphics card from the old computer if it meant a better processor anyway...because I don't really do a lot of intensive gaming. So yeah they ripped us off and have terrible service. In short screw best buy.

 

[AKShockwave]

I'm probably just gonna keep this because dealing with best buy is way too much of a hassle. And I'm getting a new computer on top of this that should be more than sufficient, considering it will have an i5 instead of some obscure amd line.

 

[cebalrai]

I'm probably just gonna keep this because dealing with best buy is way too much of a hassle. And I'm getting a new computer on top of this that should be more than sufficient, considering it will have an i5 instead of some obscure amd line.

It's hardly obscure or weird. It's just new. Those things came out just a few weeks ago.

Not sure what you're using this computer for, but if it's just office tasks, internet, and media, you will notice no difference at all. And you have better graphics. You can actually play games on your computer now.

 

[mrjoltcola]

I'm probably just gonna keep this because dealing with best buy is way too much of a hassle. And I'm getting a new computer on top of this that should be more than sufficient, considering it will have an i5 instead of some obscure amd line.

Hey if you are satisfied, keep it, but if it were me, I'd demand an equivalent replacement.

You might find, with the right approach and patience, you'll walk out with something better than both previous rigs. Even if you've an i5 coming, consider the future resale value of your current box, if anything. Someone would be more likely to buy the Phenom II from you, it isn't exactly a twinky of a chip.

Good luck.

 

[AKShockwave]

It's hardly obscure or weird. It's just new. Those things came out just a few weeks ago.

Not sure what you're using this computer for, but if it's just office tasks, internet, and media, you will notice no difference at all. And you have better graphics. You can actually play games on your computer now.

Oh haha well that's probably why there was little info, it just seemed obscure because I couldn't find much on them.

But yeah this computer will mostly just be used for everyday tasks like you said, and a bit of light gaming. So I guess it's not that bad. Maybe I will put an ssd in here, which would probably make it way faster. I mean it's not that noticeably slower, I can feel it's not quite as fast but it's by no means slow so I'm fine with this.

 

[mrjoltcola]

Google on Llano, that is what you now have. You'll find plenty of info and comparisons with the Phenom II and the i5.

 

[mosox]

Was this your thing?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883147098

List ALL the new specifications including the HDD, etc.

The new CPU is slower but the video card is way better. Overall not a bad deal but if if I were you I would demand an A6-3650 quad and get something much better than what I had. You can tell them you had a quad and you want a quad.

 

[AKShockwave]

Was this your thing?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883147098

List ALL the new specifications including the HDD, etc.

The new CPU is slower but the video card is way better. Overall not a bad deal but if if I were you I would demand an A6-3650 quad and get something much better than what I had. You can tell them you had a quad and you want a quad.

Yes, that was exactly it. This new processor is a quad though. It seems to be the least popular of the llano cpus though, I can hardly find anything at all on it compared to the 3650 or 3400 or whatever else.

They gave us this model as a replacement:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pav...1154&cp=1&lp=1
except they installed a blue ray drive and a second 1 tb hard drive in an attempt to better match the specs. 2 tb is overkill for me, I still had like over 500 gb on the previous 750 gb hdd. Would have preferred an ssd or something. Whatever.

So I've figured this processor/processor line is mainly a budget gaming product right? I mean it's pretty cheap with a decent gpu and good enough cpu for gaming. This 2.1 GHz still seems really low, but the difference isn't that noticeable so far. I'd consider overclocking but I've never done that before and the power supply in this already feels pretty weak, it was making a strange whining noise but that's mostly stopped now. Overclocking probably wouldn't be safe without upgrading the psu, but there's no point in that since I'm getting that other computer anyway.

 

[Abwx]

I guess the "replacement" should have been a A8 3850 or a slightly slower A8 3800 , but a better option in perfs/watt, though..

 

[mosox]

Oops, that's a quad, right. 2.4GHz with turbo, the 3650 has 2.7GHz with turbo. But overall that's not a bad deal IMO. It would have been better if it had some faster RAM but if you're gatting another computer use this RAM in it and get some 1600 MHz RAM for this one.

What's wrong with all these HW sites, they don't make reviews for many FM1 socket CPUs? Can't find an overclocking guide.

 

[Spikesoldier]

While you can argue the CPU frequency is lower, I would consider that a comparable replacement, and a significant upgrade on the GPU. Rather generous if you ask me. Be glad you got a NEW unit rather than a refurbished one.

You've got a capable gaming computer - you should be able to play a lot of games with that setup, but not necessarily a gamer pc.

 

[AKShockwave]

While you can argue the CPU frequency is lower, I would consider that a comparable replacement, and a significant upgrade on the GPU. Rather generous if you ask me. Be glad you got a NEW unit rather than a refurbished one.

You've got a capable gaming computer - you should be able to play a lot of games with that setup, but not necessarily a gamer pc.

True, this computer has a better GPU than any computer I've had in the past. Even though it's not exactly super high end. Wish it would have an hdmi port with it though, that's weird. And I only do light pc gaming, so this is probably perfect for that.