What about HP's pre-build computers?

[Gusty987]

I saw in the Dell post that Dell's pre-builts suck, but what about HP? The computer I am customizing at HP.com will have:

A64 3200+
1 GB PC3200
120 GB HD 7200rpm
DVD-ROM
DVD-R-RW/CD-R-RW
8X AGP slot


It will come with a 250watt power supply and an GeForce MX card, but I will be replacing those with an Antec 430watt PSU and a Radeon 9800 PRO from newegg. Also, I will be getting a 19" flat screen CRT monitor from newegg.

Is there anything wrong with this PC and will it be any worse than Anandtech's recommendations?

 

[BHeemsoth]

why dont you just build your own instead of going through all that trouble? It would probably be cheaper, and you wouldnt be stuck with crappy HP hardware.

 

[Gusty987]

I already priced it out, I am getting the above HP PC for $1650, cheaper than building it myself.

And what do you mean by "crappy HP hardware"?

 

[Budmantom]

Check this sys tem out $720 add a bit more ram and your all set.

BTW you might not need a 430watt psu, my 250watt Dell works fine with a 9800pro, 1 gb of ram, 2 hd's, sound card etc...

 

[Diabolus]

There's very little chance (unless it's one of those $399 Dell deals) that you can't build that PC for less on your own than from HP.

Build it, you'll be a helluva lot better off.

 

[Diabolus]

Hell I did you a favor.. this is courtesy of ZipZoomFly.com, only because NewEgg was slow as sh*t...

AMD Athlon64 3200+ Retail - $280
Asus K8V Deluxe - $139
Kingston 1GB PC3200 Kit - $179
Lite-On 8X DVD+-RW - $123
CoolerMaster Wave Master - $150
Antec 450W Power Supply - $70

Total Cost is ~$940. Add some software and you're still way ahead.

 

[zodder]

Why do people always say "Don't buy that. Build one!". For some people, buying a premade machine might be easier or better in their situation. I know that most of us thoroughly enjoy building our PCs, but that isn't the case with everyone.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: zodder
Why do people always say "Don't buy that. Build one!". For some people, buying a premade machine might be easier or better in their situation. I know that most of us thoroughly enjoy building our PCs, but that isn't the case with everyone.

Because it use to be cheaper, but if you know what your doing you can save a bunch by buying a pre-built.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: zodder
Why do people always say "Don't buy that. Build one!". For some people, buying a premade machine might be easier or better in their situation. I know that most of us thoroughly enjoy building our PCs, but that isn't the case with everyone.

Because it use to be cheaper, but if you know what your doing you can save a bunch by buying a pre-built.

And building computers is so freaking easy. With the exception of mounting the CPU HSF, everything else is just plugging stuff in.

I have some experience with Dell and HP low end servers and I like the HP better because there's less quirky stuff with their builds. Dells are significantly cheaper though. Even though I have a lot of fun building my own PCs, I've still almost bought a Dell a few times when they've had deals on the 800 fsb HT systems.

 

[Fern]

Hp's can be a pain. I tried to upgrade my father's and ran into problems cuz the HP mobo had an embeded chip which is required to intialize the OS. Read this link, I don't know if they're still pullin this crap. But you should at least be aware of it. HP Forum Link

 

[kursplat]

Total Cost is ~$940. Add some software and you're still way ahead.

need to see what kind of bundle it comes with. i will never buy a prebuilt , but for some people it's the way to go. as easy as everything can be nowadays , you can still run into config\trouble shooting problems that not everyone can solve. unless everyone here is willing to hand out their phone number and guarantee 24\7 support for Gusty987 , it just might be the way for him to go.
good luck

 

[smahoney]

I'd go with a Dell before an HP - they don't suck, they just aren't for everyone. HP support has really fallen off - even corpoate support which is not a good sign. Better check to make sure you will be able to swap the Antec for the HP power supply which may not be a standard fit/mount. plus it will void your warranty. If you are going to go to all that trouble you may as well build it yourself and save some money and get a better rig.

With HP ( or Dell, IBM etc..)
The memory will not be the best - CAS 2.5 if you are very lucky.
No overclocking - I can hear the groans...
Upgrade - you don't need no stinkin upgrade...
Case - forget trying to put another motherboard in it - or additional hard drives easily.
AGP - Full height - better check that one.
Odds on finding out what your BIOS update fixes...

 

[Gusty987]

Is the only reason people build their own PC's cuz it's easy and saves money, or is it true that if I buy premade from HP it will have lower quality hardware?

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Gusty987
Is the only reason people build their own PC's cuz it's easy and saves money, or is it true that if I buy premade from HP it will have lower quality hardware?

Not necessarily lower quality, but less standard stuff. For example...people buying a Dell and realizing they need special PCI cards with different voltages or discovering there is no AGP slot or the motherboard lacks a feature in the BIOS or whatever. Many Dells also have ducting that, while effective, makes changing the PCU HSF someday a mod job. The bottom line is that it's a mystery what you'll find inside a Dell unless someone else already has one and can tell you for sure what's inside which is why threads on Dell deal in the HD forum are full of paranoid questions.

 

[smahoney]

The quality - from Dell anyway - is very good. Just not the 'best' components. Not the fastest memroy or hard drive - or the config you really want. And the slim cases do limit video card compatability and upgrades.

 

[Gusty987]

Well I know this HP PC has an AGP slot cuz it comes with a Nvidia MX card plugged into one. Would I see a big difference in gaming performance between a premade HP computer and a similar one I build myself?

P.S. The memory is PC3200 and the HD is 120gb 7200rpm. Isn't that fast enough?

 

[smahoney]

OK - it has an AGP slot - but is it full height.
Sure PC3200 memory - never any faster and probably CAS 3 latency - 2.5 at best.
7200 RPM - how about the cache size. Is it 2MB or 8MB cache and what generation drive is it - HP has the longest warehousing time for parts outside of Gateway.

If you get a system that has a slimcase, then you won't have a full height AGP slot so you won't be able to upgrade you video card. The memory is slower than what you could buy and costs you more. You won't get detailed info on your hard drive till you buy and take it out of the case.

If you are going to all the trouble of replacing your power supply and video card, you may as well build the whole thing yourself and get a better system.

 

[carni]

I would check pout www.monarchcomputer.com, or www.abscomputers.com if you want someoen to pre-build you a box.. They are two of the most affordable and highly rated companies out there. You will also never run into bios and configuration limitations that you will often encounter with Dell, Gateway, and HP.

Monarch is a great company and honestly builds and delivers a box for about 100 bucks more than what it owould cost you to build it yourself. The one i purchased through them cost about 1100-1300 dollars (USD) less than going through Alienware, Dell, Gateway, of HP.

ABS is teh parent company of newegg. I have never purchased from them but they have a solid rating on resellerratings.com.

 

[Gusty987]

Ok, well, you guys are starting to push me over to the "build it yourself" side of things, but if I do so, wouldn't I have to go out and buy Windows XP (already an extra $200), Media Player, Real player, MS Works/Word etc. etc. etc. and all the other software that I could get w/ a premade PC?

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: Gusty987
Is the only reason people build their own PC's cuz it's easy and saves money, or is it true that if I buy premade from HP it will have lower quality hardware?

Not necessarily lower quality, but less standard stuff. For example...people buying a Dell and realizing they need special PCI cards with different voltages or discovering there is no AGP slot or the motherboard lacks a feature in the BIOS or whatever. Many Dells also have ducting that, while effective, makes changing the PCU HSF someday a mod job. The bottom line is that it's a mystery what you'll find inside a Dell unless someone else already has one and can tell you for sure what's inside which is why threads on Dell deal in the HD forum are full of paranoid questions.

If you know what your buying you wont have a problem, the person that buys a Dell 2400 looking for an agp slot is the same person that buys a motherboard w/o an agp slot. It's like anything else you have to go do some homework, you don't go to the store and buy a nforce 2 motherboard and a p4.

The 4600/8300 are great and really easy to upgrade, full size agp slots and 3 or 4 pci slots plus they have clips that snap into the hard drive that make installing a snap. How about the case, what a neat design and how about how quite it is, try and make your home built that quite.

True Dell's/Hp's are not for everyone, if you want to squeeze every once of power out of your system those system are not for you.


One last point, do you think that the guy who doesn't take the time to find out if a computer has an agp slot will know what he is looking for when he builds his own?

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: Gusty987
Is the only reason people build their own PC's cuz it's easy and saves money, or is it true that if I buy premade from HP it will have lower quality hardware?

Not necessarily lower quality, but less standard stuff. For example...people buying a Dell and realizing they need special PCI cards with different voltages or discovering there is no AGP slot or the motherboard lacks a feature in the BIOS or whatever. Many Dells also have ducting that, while effective, makes changing the PCU HSF someday a mod job. The bottom line is that it's a mystery what you'll find inside a Dell unless someone else already has one and can tell you for sure what's inside which is why threads on Dell deal in the HD forum are full of paranoid questions.

If you know what your buying you wont have a problem, the person that buys a Dell 2400 looking for an agp slot is the same person that buys a motherboard w/o an agp slot. It's like anything else you have to go do some homework, you don't go to the store and buy a nforce 2 motherboard and a p4.

The 4600/8300 are great and really easy to upgrade, full size agp slots and 3 or 4 pci slots plus they have clips that snap into the hard drive that make installing a snap. How about the case, what a neat design and how about how quite it is, try and make your home built that quite.

True Dell's/Hp's are not for everyone, if you want to squeeze every once of power out of your system those system are not for you.


One last point, do you think that the guy who doesn't take the time to find out if a computer has an agp slot will know what he is looking for when he builds his own?

Okay, but I can SEE if the MB I'm buying has a slot. To find out if the Dell does, I need to call Dell sales and be forwarded to tech support or ask somebody on a message board and I have to hope I'm getting the right info for the right version of the right model.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: carni
I would check pout www.monarchcomputer.com, or www.abscomputers.com if you want someoen to pre-build you a box.. They are two of the most affordable and highly rated companies out there. You will also never run into bios and configuration limitations that you will often encounter with Dell, Gateway, and HP.

Monarch is a great company and honestly builds and delivers a box for about 100 bucks more than what it owould cost you to build it yourself. The one i purchased through them cost about 1100-1300 dollars (USD) less than going through Alienware, Dell, Gateway, of HP.

ABS is teh parent company of newegg. I have never purchased from them but they have a solid rating on resellerratings.com.

Please list the specs of your system and how much it cost.

If you know what your doing and when to buy you can buy a Dell system for substantially less than parts alone.

Tom

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: Budmantom

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: Gusty987
Is the only reason people build their own PC's cuz it's easy and saves money, or is it true that if I buy premade from HP it will have lower quality hardware?

Not necessarily lower quality, but less standard stuff. For example...people buying a Dell and realizing they need special PCI cards with different voltages or discovering there is no AGP slot or the motherboard lacks a feature in the BIOS or whatever. Many Dells also have ducting that, while effective, makes changing the PCU HSF someday a mod job. The bottom line is that it's a mystery what you'll find inside a Dell unless someone else already has one and can tell you for sure what's inside which is why threads on Dell deal in the HD forum are full of paranoid questions.

If you know what your buying you wont have a problem, the person that buys a Dell 2400 looking for an agp slot is the same person that buys a motherboard w/o an agp slot. It's like anything else you have to go do some homework, you don't go to the store and buy a nforce 2 motherboard and a p4.

The 4600/8300 are great and really easy to upgrade, full size agp slots and 3 or 4 pci slots plus they have clips that snap into the hard drive that make installing a snap. How about the case, what a neat design and how about how quite it is, try and make your home built that quite.

True Dell's/Hp's are not for everyone, if you want to squeeze every once of power out of your system those system are not for you.


One last point, do you think that the guy who doesn't take the time to find out if a computer has an agp slot will know what he is looking for when he builds his own?

Okay, but I can SEE if the MB I'm buying has a slot. To find out if the Dell does, I need to call Dell sales and be forwarded to tech support or ask somebody on a message board and I have to hope I'm getting the right info for the right version of the right model.

LOL, I hope your joking.

When you configure the system and it gives you an option of an agp card you know it has an agp slot and if it doesn't....

Tom

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: MiLLeRBoY

Originally posted by: Budmantom


Please list the specs of your system and how much it cost.

If you know what your doing and when to buy you can buy a Dell system for substantially less than parts alone.

Tom

Dude, Dell sucks man. WTF are you telling this guy to do? Dell is the most overpriced, crappy, underpowered computer you can have.

Dude.. well how can I argue with that...

Overpriced.

3.2ghz
9800pro
256mb
cdrw
dvd
17lcd
80gb hd
xp
etc..

$1020.. yeah way over priced.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: MiLLeRBoY
Give it up dude. No one's going to buy a Dell. They just suck.

I guesss no one made them the #1 computer retailer, dude.