Just bought a VPR Matrix OEM computer...thumbs up for it

[SerraYX]

Okay, I'm going away to college and I was all set to build my own computer again. Then the parents stepped in and said they wanted a store-bought one with a reliable labor warranty. At first I was like "Ughh..." but then I looked into the VPR Matrix line, which I believe comes from Best Buy itself.

Since everything was pretty much out of stock, I got the 1.8/60gb/GeForce2MX and bought the PNY 128mb Ti4200 with it. The guy at Best Buy was very helpful (imagine that!) being a gamer, explaining that I can replace any part I want inside without voiding the warranty, and all On-The-Spot warranties are done through Best Buy, no manufacturer BS to deal with. They either fix your computer or replace it before they leave (or so they say..). The monitor in the package is quite nice, 17" shadow mask Flat CRT, though I've never heard of "F.A.Porsche" but it does 1280x1024 at 85Hz and 1600x1200 at 75Hz, quite nice IMHO. It's pretty silent too.

I plan on reformatting and installing XP Professional (Home is missing some features I like/need) later today and replacing the video card. They supposedly build these things with upgrades in mind, the worker said that it's quite easy with the VPR Matrix line. The only problem is getting them in stock at the store is near impossible, but it can be had on their website.

I'll report when I've reformatted.

This is the first large Best Buy purchase I've been happy with, and the first OEM computer that hasn't sucked.

 

[bjc112]

This is the first large Best Buy purchase I've been happy with, and the first OEM computer that hasn't sucked.

Tell me about it... .

Even though not all of them do, your always better off with the custom...

but any how,

Congrats on the new System!.... Tweak away..

 

[fatbaby]

and all On-The-Spot warranties are done through Best Buy, no manufacturer BS to deal with. They either fix your computer or replace it before they leave (or so they say..).

This is usually not a good thing :|

You shoulda got a voodoo pc or a falcon!

 

[Shide1]

Even though I always build my own I have looked at these computers to recommend to people. They seem to be a good value, certainly better than anything else best buy sells. They use standard componets that are quality. From what I have seen they use Intel motherboards, inwin cases, sb live, visiontek videocards, and western digital hard drives. They seem to be cheaper than anything else at bestbuy and much more upgradable.

 

[EyePoker]

I have a vpr matrix 1820 that I got a few months ago and it's pretty nice. Would have cost close to it's cost to build it and it's made from quality parts. The only complaints I have are I can't oc it and it only has 2 banks for ram. The case isn't terrible looking and has another cd-drive bay and a 3x5 or whatever bay. It's 1.8 ghz with 256 mb ddr pc266 ram and a geforce 2 gts. I haven't had any problems with it yet and it runs pretty damn quiet. Got the whole package for around 1200$. Included a nice flat screen (not flat panel) 17" monitor and a cannon printer (we upgraded to a better one). I'll be toting it off to college in about a year. I might end up buying a new mobo/cpu/ram combo just cuz I always have the need for speed and the graphics card will be getting an upgrade in the near future but for right now it's rock solid and a value for when your parents won't let you build one yourself.

 

[JackBurton]

You shoulda got a voodoo pc or a falcon!

Dude, he's doesn't look like he is in the market for an overpriced PC.

SerraYX, the VPR Matrix machines are GREAT PCs! I checked one out for a friend and gave him the thumbs up. They use an Intel board with the i845D chipset and decent memory (will run at default FSB just fine). These are the core components and they are top notch. You already got a new video card, so the only thing that might go wrong is the sound card (unlikely), NIC or hard drive (I believe it is a Maxtor). Anyway, GREAT system and I'm sure you'll be happy with it. Oh, and my friend paid ~$900 for a P41.8GHz, 80GB HD, 512MB of PC2100, GF2, 17" Samsung Monitor, 32X CDRW, 16X DVD drive, and Canon S520 printer. Not bad.

 

[Judgement]

Does the BIOS let you tweak anything on the VPR Matrix?

 

[SerraYX]

You shoulda got a voodoo pc or a falcon!

No way. I would have rather built it myself than those things..and I want a company that I know will be in business the next three years to cover my warranty.

Yeah I'm impressed with everything except the speakers. The sound card seems fine, but the default speakers can't handle the slightest bit of bass. So I'll buy another KOSS two speaker set (don't feel like having a woofer) and be just fine.

Does the BIOS let you tweak anything on the VPR Matrix?

No, I haven't been able to get into the BIOS thus far. The giant VPR Matrix splash screen comes up upon bootup, which I would like to get rid of but unsure how to yet. The other thing is that I still haven't figured out the monitor brand, the only Porsche brand released was a flat screen line by Samsung.

The insides are designed quite well. Not crammed and crappy like the Compaqs or HPs, even two more IDE channels available for use...RAID perhaps? Installing the Ti4200 was a snap, except the clip on the Intel motherboard was a pain for a second..didn't want to break it.

 

[Shide1]

Yeah the extra connectors are raid or can be used as extra ata 100 connectors.

 

[JackBurton]

The giant VPR Matrix splash screen comes up upon bootup, which I would like to get rid of but unsure how to yet.

When you get into the BIOS, it will let you get rid of the image if you'd like.

 

[Chronic321]

I work at Best Buy as a technician and can say that the VPR Matrix line are definitly the best value we carry, although I prefer custom (Just built a new XP 2200+). The new models actual had their case and monitor casing designined by Porsche the car manufacturer. The top of the line model comes with two hard drives in RAID 0 (or 1 can't remember) and a TI 4200. The monitor is only 17in and the sound is lacking in both the audio card and speakers but over all they are usually a good value when you get the package deal with the rebates. VPR Matrix is owned by Best Buy and will be coming out with a laptop line this Fall, this should be more appealing as Laptops are impossible to custom build at an effective cost.

 

[ChoppedBroccoli]

Originally posted by: SerraYX
Okay, I'm going away to college and I was all set to build my own computer again. Then the parents stepped in and said they wanted a store-bought one with a reliable labor warranty. At first I was like "Ughh..." but then I looked into the VPR Matrix line, which I believe comes from Best Buy itself.

Lol! My parents are doing the exact same thing... I'm getting ready to go to college this year and I was so excited on getting the opportunity to build my own computer. My mom did not like the proposal however, and now i can't decide on what to do (i wan't a very customized system). I was looking through the cnet magazine and www.cyberpower.com looks to be a decent manufacturer. I have seen them pop in the forums from time to time. I checked their reseller ratings and they are decent...it seems as if lately (this year) their customers seem to be more satisfied than their customers from last year. Im going to post a topic and get some feedback about a possible system i configured.

P.S. my first post. yeah! i finally registered after browsing these forums for a year+!