How's this for a budget desktop?

[imported_sanjuro]

This is one I put together through HP's online store. It's $490 shipped. I just want to see what you guys think about it. Keep in mind this PC will be mostly used for just the basics and listening to music. Definitely no gaming.

Vista Home Basic
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200 + dual-core - 2.4GHz
1GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2 x 512)
Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE
160GB HDD 7200 rpm SATA
Integrated 5.1 audio (will upgrade later)

 

[Arkaign]

Will be decent enough. Do yourself a favor and go over to newegg and buy a 2gb ram kit, depending on whether you have 2 slots or 4, you will be at 2gb or 3gb total memory, which makes Vista much happier than 1gb.

Those HPs also usually have PCI-E slots, so a cheap Nvidia 8500 or ATI 2400 would make things nicer if you're interested in HD video or very light gaming.

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: sanjuro
It's $490 shipped.
Vista Home Basic
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200 + dual-core - 2.4GHz
1GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2 x 512)
Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE
160GB HDD 7200 rpm SATA
Integrated 5.1 audio (will upgrade later)

Certainly enough PC for your tasks.

If you'd like to save a $100 on it, do one of two things:
1] Hang out/Search one of the bargin websites for deals or coupons, HP has several deals each week. I like BensBargins.net but their are dozens. I got a similiarly speced Compaq in June for $200 +S&H.
2] Wait for Black Friday. I would expect that box to go for $250 on BF.

Your money, your choice.

 

[harpoon84]

More than enough for basic tasks, and should you ever intend to play 3D games, simply plug in a 8800gt and you're good to go.

I'd recommend DDR2-800 as the AM2 platform benefits considerably from faster RAM, DDR2-800 will be 5 - 10% faster than DDR2-667. Thats equivalent to the difference between 1 - 2 CPU speed grades, so if the price difference isn't too great (and it shouldn't be) definitely consider DDR2-800.

Also, as arkaign suggested, get some extra RAM for vista, 2GB should do nicely.

 

[imported_sanjuro]

OK, I'll look to get 2GB of memory. But like you suggested, I'll buy from Newegg. It costs more than it should to upgrade from 1GB to 2GB on HP's website. And they only offer DDR2-667, not DDR2-800. What brand of memory should I buy? Any suggestions?

21stHermit: I'm not really in a hurry. I might as well wait for some better HP deals or Black Friday. I didn't realize I could save that much.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the help.

 

[AFG34]

over priced imo

 

[trOver]

black friday ftw

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: sanjuro
This is one I put together through HP's online store. It's $490 shipped. I just want to see what you guys think about it. Keep in mind this PC will be mostly used for just the basics and listening to music. Definitely no gaming.

Vista Home Basic
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200 + dual-core - 2.4GHz
1GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2 x 512)
Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE
160GB HDD 7200 rpm SATA
Integrated 5.1 audio (will upgrade later)

As noted - good chance for this rig to go below $400 on BF. That will more than pay for your ram upgrade.

I think most of these HPs use an OEM Asus mobo - no joy with an OC on an HP bios but maybe you could use nTune for a little bump

 

[imaginepc]

As noted above vista is a memory hog so 2GB's minimum I recommend. I wish I had 4GB