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| Date Reviewed: 03/14/2006 |
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Strengths: FEATURES: Cool N' Quiet, Firewire, fast CPU ///
POTENTIALS: 64-bit XP, dual-channel memory, Socket 939, three PCI slots, PCI-e video slot, overclockable
Weaknesses: no floppy drive
Summary: Noisy? Uncat must have an unrepresentative sample. Mine is the quietest computer I've ever seen or not heard.
The $50 rebate is from Compaq's site until April. Fry's occasionally will knock another $70 off. That makes it $299 net, which was a deal I couldn't refuse.
My first one (Fry's) would hang all the time, so I took it back for a replacement. The second one works fine, except for a nonfunctional Firewire socket on the front panel (the rear one works, though).
Many deal-chasers managed to buy one during CompUSA/Compaq's notorious two-day $200 rebate back in January when this computer was launched. That made it something like $170 net, which was the best computer deal ever. These boxes are now on EBay for under $300.
If you get it, spend $40 at NewEgg for an LG 4167 DVD writer (does DVD-RAM too). You can then use it to burn one dual-layer DVD recovery disk.
And, add memory. Either buy a second 256M stick ($30) that's the same as the original, or get TWO 512MB sticks ($70) to REPLACE the original. When you pair-up the memory sticks this way, the machine runs in dual-channel memory mode for a little more performance.
The AMD processor is a unique OEM Socket 939 "Venice" Sempron that would be worth $120 if it was available retail (it isn't). "Venice" means it is a new CPU chip that can be operated 15% faster than stock in this computer (mine is). Socket 939 means that you could upgrade the processor to an AMD X2 dual-core when it comes down to $90 in a year or two.
All in all, a nice machine...
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| Date Reviewed: 02/11/2006 |
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 good entry-level PC Strengths: cheap, 64-bit cpu, can be easily expanded to a very powerful machine, 9-in-1 card reader, and firewire.
Weaknesses: Out of box, only 256M memory and 100G storage, no dvd burner.
Summary: This machine provides a baisc platform that can be expanded to a very powerful pc. It has a 64-bit CPU and you can intall 64-bit OS later. But out of box, you may want to add memory, storage and dvd burner.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/26/2006 |
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Strengths: Very low after-rebate price; outstanding 939 pin 64 bit Sempron processor; SATA HDD; easily upgradeable; PCI-E slot; surprisingly good toll free support
Weaknesses: Insufficient memory; no AGP slot; far too much useless pre-installed software; sparse BIOS
Summary: This is a truly unbelievable machine for the price. It comes with the phenomenal 64 bit 939 pin Sempron processor, a name brand SATA hard drive, and a name brand motherboard. Dollar for dollar, this is easily the best machine on the market right now, if you wait for the right sale/rebate offer. The sheer quality of every component part in this system is head and shoulders above the competition. Even the toll free tech support is quite good. I didn't even have to wait on hold for an eternity before speaking with a human.
However, this machine should be considered a base model that needs just a couple of minor upgrades before it can really be put to use. Right out of the box, it seems sluggish and slow. There are two reasons for this. First, 256MB of memory is not sufficient to run XP, especially with shared video. Second, the Power Options in the Control Panel were improperly set for Energy Star. All one needs to do to get this system moving is to switch the Power Options to the Home/Office Desk setting and add at least an additional 256MB memory chip. In addition, there's an inordinate amount of useless software pre-installed on this machine that should be removed to conserve hard drive space. Once that is done, it's a fantastic machine at a bargain price.
Adding a graphics card would also greatly improve performance. Unfortunately, the machine has only the new PCI-E type graphics slot rather than a traditional AGP slot. While that may be a wise, forward-looking move on Compaq's part, the cost of PCI-E cards is still too high, while AGP cards are being closed out at rock bottom prices. It would be nice to have the ability to add an AGP card, but that's a minor concern considering this unit's high quality components and amazing price.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/21/2006 |
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Strengths: Low price, good appearance, card reader installed
Weaknesses: AGP video card not supported
Summary: I bought this computer as a replacement of my old Dell. As an entry level desktop, SR1710NX is worth its price. With the upgrade of additional 512M memory and a video card, it can handle almost every 2D or 3D game in the market today. The pity is that there is no AGP slot in this computer which means you can only upgrade with a PCI-E video card.
The card reader works fine, can read all the formats.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/21/2006 |
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Strengths: Speed is decent, quiet keyboard, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive, RAM Upgradable to 4 GB, Appealing
Weaknesses: 256 mb RAM, Sempron Processor
Summary: At $125 AR, this computer was a steal. This computer completely exceeded my expectations. The speed is decent for an AMD Sempron. It would probably be a good idea to add at least another 256 MB of RAM. DVD/CD-RW drive is nice. The keyboard is quiet, but it makes it hard to type sometimes, because the keys are so low. It definitely has a nice look. Overall, a great value PC.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/16/2006 |
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Strengths: Cheap, powerful CPU,
Weaknesses: small memory, no DVD burner
Summary: It's a basic computer for those "light" user. It's has a powerful 2.0GHz CPU which is equivelent to 3.4GHz intel CPU and it also support 64bit operating system. The harddrive is 100GB which I think is enough for "light" users. The computer also come with a 9-in-1 card reader 1 firewire port, and 6 USB 2.0 ports which I think is very useful. The only weakness is 256MB memory, but most people can by memory stick and add into ti.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/15/2006 |
- uncat
from NY
- Member Since:
Jun 2005
View Member's:
Reviews
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Great Value for 64 bit enabled pc
Strengths: 64bit, 4 memory slots
Weaknesses: pci express and pci cards too close to each other. No recovery cds. Somewhat noisey even with cool n quiet.
Summary: 2006-03-01 13:39:42 This is really a great value at 300 dollars due to the sempron can support 64 bit. That's probably not an advantage if you don't install a 64bit o/s like the windows xp x64 edition. I had no problem installing windows xp x64 edition. Only needed msi drivers for the bus and ac97 drivers from realtek. It's good as a standalone product for web browsing, mp3 listening, and the 256mb really isn't a problem if you plan to leave the computer alone. The recovery cd's require 12 standard cd's or 2dvds which of course it's only a combo drive so 2dvd isn't an option.
When you start upgrading you should be cautious. If you replace the combo drive for a dvd writer... you probably should get another stick of memory. If you upgrade the onboard video card to pci express... You need to be aware it's extremely close to first available pci slot. For example a 6600gt card with the fan will only be 1/4 inch distance to the pci card if installed leaving you with only 2 available pci cards. It'll probably destroy it soon due to heat but than i'm just guessing. cool 'n quiet is a great feature and is half the noise if it's on anything other than minimum power management setting. You could probably make it less noisey by replacing the cpu fan and that's another sour point. It's held down on 4 sides with 2 snaps on each side instead of screws. Replacing will take a little work.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/06/2006 |
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Strengths: Great value for your money
Weaknesses: Only 256 MB Memory
Summary: This is a new computer that I bought one month ago. It includes nice software packages and good built-in hardwares. Especially, the desktop PCs feature a built-in, front access 9-in-1 memory card reader, FireWire (1394) and USB 2.0. So I can transfer my video/pictures easier. Plus, it is a AMD Sempron 3400+ CPU At 2GHz. So the speed is good for me as a software developer.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/31/2006 |
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Strengths: Memory expandable to 4G, front media card reader USB ports, firewire ports, SATA drive
Weaknesses: Only 256MB, PCI-E slot, No DVD+RW, lots of junkwares, power led too bright
Summary: Overall I am extremely happy with this computer as I got it relatively cheap with rebates/bundles. With a memory upgrade to 2GB, the computer speed is very satisfactory. It has SATA drive support but I wish it comes with a larger SATA drive since I have 100's of GBs of stuffs in another older computer and at some point, I plan to move those stuffs to this newer computer.
The green power (on) LED light is too broad and bright for me but it can be covered up.
Video cards for PCI-E is still relatively expensive and I have to wait till theirs prices drop a bit more before I consider getting a video card.
Overall it is great computer for its price and has many potentials for upgrades.
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| Date Reviewed: 04/18/2006 |
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Strengths: 64-bit CPU. Really functional after cheap memory upgrades.
Weaknesses: Stripped down BIOS. Next-to-Useless manuals and web-site support.
Summary: Came with XP-Home (Good value). Bundled with too many useless software (neutral). Came with only 256MB memory, but became much more functional after upgraded with non-HP after-market memory upgrades (Good). BIOS is absolutely stripped down, probably to prevent user from buying this model and upgrade with a more powerful CPU. Cannot even set the voltage used for the memory (bad). Came with two generic manuals, with minimal technical information specific to the model. Not even on which memory slot of the 4 to fill next when more memory is added. (Bad) Very little technical information is available on the HP site - probably because this is new. Only one I found is a 3-page summary of the motherboard. (Bad)
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| Date Reviewed: 04/03/2006 |
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Strengths: fast 64 bit CPU, 4 DDR slots, SATA hard drive
Weaknesses: no DVD writer, PCI-E slot, hard to install floppy drive, have to burn your own restore disk(s)
Summary: 2006-07-05 14:46:56 This is basically an excellent PC for the money. The CPU and motherboard go way beyond what you would expect for the price.
The front panel flash card reader slots and audio jacks are also a nice and unexpected touch.
However, I'm not sure what Compaq was thinking when they specified the PCI-E slot. It just wouldn't make sense to put an expensive PCI-E card in this machine. Fortunately, the integrated graphics are probably good enough for most of the intended users.
The single 256MB RAM stick installed in the machine is inadequate, but the motherboard has 4 slots, so you can use cheap 256MB (or even 128MB) DDR RAM you may have lying around. Any speed DDR RAM will work fine. Since it's a Socket 939 CPU you should try to install RAM sticks in pairs so it will work in dual channel mode (a little faster).
An annoyance is that the BIOS sets the amount of memory allocated to graphics automatically based on the memory size, and there's no way to set it manually.
As usual for Compaq/HP, the preinstalled software is a mess, and you will probably want to start over. Unfortunately this system doesn't come with restore disks, so you have to burn your own, and it will only let you do that once. Of course it doesn't come with a DVD writer, so you will have to hook one up unless you want to burn a whole bunch of CDs. Then you will find that the recovery disk can't install all the pre-installed applications (for example HP Image Zone). This is about the most annoying aspect of the product.
I can understand why Compaq doesn't include a floppy drive, but I wish they made it easier to install one. The cover plate for the external 3.5" bay doesn't have a floppy cutout and is a strange size. Instead I had to put the floppy drive in the extra optical bay and improvise a handle for the door flap.
It would also be nice if they included a reset switch... this is a PC, if you run Windows it's going to hang sometimes.
Otherwise the case is functional, but a little cheap looking.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/23/2006 |
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Strengths: Processor and CPU, ATI Graphics Card, Media Card Reader, Expandable
Weaknesses: Lack of DVD Burner, PCI Slots, Ball Mouse, 256mb Ram, Installed Software
Summary: Runs pretty fast compared to my athlon. Once I received it, I formatted it immediately so I can start it off the way I wanted it without all the junk software pre-installed. Added 512mb stick and it runs great! Build quality can improve. The Front panel of the case feels a bit filmsy though. Like the tool-less side panel. I highly recommend buying this. Compaq quality seems to have improved from years ago. This will be a great computer for my uncle.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/23/2006 |
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Strengths: fast. plenty of add on room. Cheap price
Weaknesses: small 100gb drive, only 256 memmory incl
Summary: Although you may have to add more stuff down the road, like memory and another hard drive and vid card, this is so well worth it. Super fast. Encodes my videos so much fatser than my p4 2.6 ht.
I got this at a great price of $150.00 and factor in 80 in gift checks I got this at a steal.
Oh yea, it comes with a SATA hard drive, but you can add a pata as there is a hook up for that, so I just swapped hard drives from my older system and sold the sata. Good stuff.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/22/2006 |
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Strengths: Price
8 USB ports /
2 Firewire ports /
Media Card Reader
Weaknesses: Low Memory - 256mb
Small HD - 100gb
No DVD Burner
Summary: For the price you can't beat this.
The computer was slow at first, but after I added 2x512mb RAM (1gig) this computer was much more stable.
I would also recommend upgrading the HD, 100gb is not enough now adays.
Besides that no complaints.4 stars, for great price and solid computer / after memory upgrade this computer is solid and stable.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/22/2006 |
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Strengths: Nice PC for the price, highly upgradeable!
Weaknesses: Only 256MB RAM, loaded with junkware.
Summary: Got this PC on a bundle deal. Very nice for the price. Highlights include: 100GB Hard Drive, CD-RW/DVD combo drive, built-in card reader, many USB slots and a couple firewire ports. The components are high quality and this PC is very upgradeable. I popped in 1GB of RAM, got rid of all the pre-installed junk software and this baby is blazing fast. Future upgrades will include a PCI-Express graphics card and a dual core processor. (The power supply is a bit weak to support upgrades, so replace that if you plan on upgrading.) Highly recommend if you can get this with a bundle deal/rebates!
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