Low Cost 2.4 GHz P4 Replacement

[backpackcat]

I have a system based around:

• 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 (with 512 KB of cache)
• 2.5 GB of DDR (no bloody G, 2, 3, or D!) 400 MHz memory
• 2x 40 GB and 1x 80 GB 7,200 RPM PATA hard drives

This stuff is old enough that I've been seriously considering throwing a few hundred bucks at a temporary replacement until I can safely spend the money on a midrange-high end machine. (It's about 7-10 years old.)

My budget would probably be a flexible $250. I use the current machine for (in order of frequency):

• Watching TV and YouTube series
  • (Standard Defintion; 480p-576i/p)
• Web browsing and downloading YouTube videos
  • (Firefox with Adblock Plus, HTTPSEverywhere, BYTubeD, and DownThemAll!)
• Downloading things using BitTorrent
  • uTorrent limited to 56 KBps up and unlimited down

I really have no idea what the requirements for those activities are. I know I certainly don't need to spend thousands of dollars, but what would suffice with comfortable breathing room?

If I wanted to play HD video would I start leaving my budget, or would modern graphics on-die be sufficient? I'd also like to be able to multi-task, will these machines handle a handful of browser tabs while playing a video? My current machine struggles at both of these things, to the point where the former is impossible and the latter is iffy.

The cheapest machines I've seen pre-built have been those net-PCs that are about the size of a small DVD player or large wireless router. Would one of these, even though they have sub 2 GHz CPUs, work for my desired use?

Any experience is welcome.

 

[Enigmoid]

Even a 1.5 ghz dual core celeron will give you a better experience than that.

For a substantial improvement you probably will have to increase your budget to ~$300-350 mainly because the E-2100/E-350/etc series chips are overall very close (though behind) a pentium 4 at 3.2 ghz and the jump simply isn't worth it though they will be much snappier than your current system they still lack certain functions such as hardware encode for certain program.

Recommendations

1) 4GB RAM for lots of tabs and video playback

2) Dual core CPU (recommend a celeron at 1.5 ghz or kabini series).

3) Modern integrated graphics will be fine for video playback.

Are you looking for a mobile or desktop replacement?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

The cheapest machines I've seen pre-built have been those net-PCs that are about the size of a small DVD player or large wireless router. Would one of these, even though they have sub 2 GHz CPUs, work for my desired use?

Yes.

Any mITX board with an integrated Celeron 1007 or 1037 (Heck, even an 847) will be an upgrade from the system you have. 4GBs of RAM and an SSD will probably round the price out to around $200.

Throw it in any old case and you're good to go.

I have a Celeron 847 based machine (4GB DDR2, 320GB HDD) that works fine for those tasks. (But I won't lie - another 400 MHz and an SSD would make a nice improvement.)

It has the advantage of being quieter and using way less electricity than your Pentium rig. You'll probably want to keep it around even if you replace it in a couple years with "big iron."

 

[Torn Mind]

2.4 GHz Pentium 4-Ms are hot garbage(they do run hot) and even a Pentium M 1.86 Ghz laptop would be an upgrade. Hence, rummaging around for a $100-200 used dual core Core 2 Duo or perhaps an E-350 would outright dominate the Pentium 4.

 

[backpackcat]

Thanks for all the information.

Are you looking for a mobile or desktop replacement?

I'm definitely looking for something I can use a full size keyboard and display with. If a mobile device can do that I will consider it- if it's price and specs fall in my range- when shopping around, but I have no reason to buy a mobile device at this time.

 

[Torn Mind]

You are better off purchasing used and getting a system with an E8400, whose performance is on par with budget processors like the G1610 today. It'd be so fast you wouldn't know what hit you because Pentium 4s are slow slow slow, the low clockspeed ones especially.

 

[backpackcat]

Where is a good place to shop for this stuff?

 

[cbn]

Where is a good place to shop for this stuff?

Here is one place to start:

http://www.microcenter.com/search/s...t=Desktop-Computers-:-Computers-:-MicroCenter

As you scroll down the used (advertsied as refurbished) systems get progressively more expensive (and faster).

 

[Torn Mind]

The outlet section of select vendors, such as Dell Outlet, outlet.lenovo.com, can have some decent finds. HP has the most obtuse system; it is not a simple "add to cart" and buy. As of this writing, Lenovo has some good deals on refurbs.

Ebay is also a good choice for whole systems and legacy parts, but check the buyer's listing carefully for what they will give you in terms of support, return policy, etc. You can ask about hardware here if you're not sure.

Amazon could have some used models for sale too.

Craigslist, too, could be a place to look, but you need to know what you're getting hardware and software-wise.

 

[sm625]

Go onto ebay and type in

HP DC5800

Find one that comes with an OS, 2GB of RAM, and is at least 2.66GHz.

 

[jacktesterson]

i just sold a complete A10-5800k desktop for $300 used

look around

I bought my father a used complete E-machines desktop with a X2 250 3.0 GHz with onboard ATI 4250 for $125. added a $80 SSD. He thinks its blazing fast.

Look around. Both can handle 1080p fine

 

[Zodiark1593]

2.4 GHz Pentium 4-Ms are hot garbage(they do run hot) and even a Pentium M 1.86 Ghz laptop would be an upgrade. Hence, rummaging around for a $100-200 used dual core Core 2 Duo or perhaps an E-350 would outright dominate the Pentium 4.

Heck, my parent's Athlon XP @ 2.1 GHz eats the high clocked Pentiums for breakfast.

 

[Aarondeep]

I would hitup the lenovo outlet. You can find a great refurb/scratch dent for real cheap there.

 

[nForce2]

Heck, my parent's Athlon XP @ 2.1 GHz eats the high clocked Pentiums for breakfast.

^ This.


backpackcat, if you're really desperate for a temporary replacement, you're basically at the point where you could double your performance for $40 or less by buying a used machine at your local thrift or second-hand store. :biggrin:

The last one I picked up as a spare was an Athlon XP 3200+ (2.2GHz) / 2GB DDR / 120GB HD in a SFF shuttle-imitation case with a nice DVD burner, for $25.

I wouldn't necessarily suggest you do this - as even that small amount of money would still be better put towards something newer. But it's an option if you're desperate. :thumbsup:

 

[Matt1970]

You are better off purchasing used and getting a system with an E8400, whose performance is on par with budget processors like the G1610 today. It'd be so fast you wouldn't know what hit you because Pentium 4s are slow slow slow, the low clockspeed ones especially.

I want to second the E8400 or if you cannot get a system with a fast enough bus than the E2220 is a good alternative.

 

[seitur]

If I wanted to play HD video would I start leaving my budget, or would modern graphics on-die be sufficient? I'd also like to be able to multi-task, will these machines handle a handful of browser tabs while playing a video? My current machine struggles at both of these things, to the point where the former is impossible and the latter is iffy.

~40$ Celeron G1610 with on-die graphics will play Full HD 1080p videos smoothly.
~40$ A4-5300 also does have no problem with this at all.

For 250$ you have basically two options:

1. Small pre-build "small DVD player" pre-build PC - look for something with 2 cores on relatively new architecture (Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge Celerons or Trinity AMD) and clocked with at least 1,5 GHZ

2. cheap mATX board (try to get B75 chipset if you go for Intel) + G1610 Celeron or A45300/5400K + Fractal Design Core 1000 case + 4 GB Ram + some 128 GB SSD or 500GB HDD+ some PSU (look for basic models from reputable makers like Corsair or something) . - you should be around ~250-280$ for that. It will have higher performance than option nr.1 and will be much easier to uppgrade - at cost of well being bigger.

Here is a link to Fractal Design Core 1000 case with photos:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/416831/Core_1000_mATX_Computer_Case_-_Black


Imho don't buy some old Core2Duo builds. Really there is no sense to do that. Will be louder, use more power, will be bigger, no warranty or short warranty. Nah.