Compaq Presario CQ5110F capability for easy upgrades and replacements

[blackrain]

I have always put together my own PCs. However, my parents are looking for a value/budget line PC and there some really great deals out there that it doesn't even make sense for me to spend the time in putting something together.

My main concern is what happens 2 years from now if the PSU dies or something else needs to be replaced. I don't want to be at the mercy of an OEMs ridiculously overpriced and underperforming "replacement parts".

Looking at the Compaq/HP website, there are generic explanations for processor and memory upgrades. In my opinion, these are horrible. I would like to know the exact specifications for replacement parts. For example, what specific processor types can I upgrade to?

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00840496.pdf
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...oduct=3978596&lang=en#


So I found this link, which shows the motherboard for this desktop and its specs:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...oduct=3978596&lang=en#
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...ang=en&product=3978596


Is this information specific enough for supported processors? Will every Phenom II Triple and Quad Core really work, or do I need more information about limits?

AMD Phenom II Quad-Core
AMD Phenom II Triple-Core
AMD Phenom Quad-Core (Agena core) 9xxx series (AM2+)
AMD Phenom Triple-Core (Toliman core) 8xxx series (AM2+)
AMD Athlon X4
AMD Athlon X3
AMD Athlon X2 (Brisbane) (AM2+)


Next, there is supposed to be a PCI-E x16 slot for this motherboard, but Newegg reviews talk about an AGP slot. Huh??
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16883109032


Finally, the most important thing I am looking for is whether this takes a standard ATX power supply. If the current psu dies or if I upgrade with a good video card and need more wattage, I am going to need a new psu. I couldn't find any information on the website or in manuals about psu replacement. An online representative said that the replacement part for the psu is 5188-2625. I googled that replacement part and got some hits.

http://www.cputopia.com/hp-480w-hp-5188-2625.html
http://itwinkle.stores.yahoo.net/beathp3024ps.html


Also, the agent said that this was a microATX power supply. I don't see that. It looks like a regular ATX power supply. Can anyone confirm whether any garden variety ATX power supply will do?? Can I throw in a Corsair 450W psu if I wanted to?

 

[mpilchfamily]

If the CPU goes bad in a couple of years then there is a major problem with the system to start with.

Most people who write the newegg customer reviews are clueless. Yes the system has a PCI-e slot so a video card upgrade isn't a problem. Though there will be no need for an upgrade.

As for the PSU all the OEMs use standard ATX PSUs in there regular tower desktops. If its one of those slim line systems then it won't have a standard PSU.

 

[blackrain]

It doesn't look like a slimline. Can you tell whether its microATX or ATX?

Also, I see that there is a modem. My parents used their last pc to fax stuff with their fax modem. I can't tell whether the included modem is just a regular modem, or whether it has the capability to fax