Can i build better for less???

N

nitrorocket

New Member
I have been contemplating either building a pc or buying a store model. I really want the AMD 955 processor but am not sure on the rest of the stuff to compliment it. Seems when you look at "built" stuff, you dont end up with Wireless lan and bluetooth, an operating system, or a card reader.

If I buy a store model I get this stuff, but have a week processor, power supply, and hard drive, or am I worng??



http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pa...ssor/9549465.p?id=1218122580572&skuId=9549465

HP 9220 From Best Buy for $799.
Product Height
15.8"
#
Product Width
7.1"
#
Product Weight
13 lbs.
#
Product Depth
16.9"
#
Processor Brand
AMD
#
Processor
AMD Phenom™ II X4
#
Processor Speed
2.6GHz
#
System Bus
4000MHz
#
Cache Memory
2MB on die Level 2
#
System Memory (RAM)
8GB
#
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To
16GB
#
Type of Memory (RAM)
DDR3 SDRAM
#
Hard Drive Type
SATA (5400 rpm)
#
Hard Drive Size
1TB
#
Graphics
ATI Radeon HD 4350 graphics
#
Video Memory
512MB (dedicated); up to 3327MB total available as allocated by Windows 7
#
Audio
High-definition (8-speaker configurable)
#
Speakers
None
#
Network Card
Built-in 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet
#
Wireless Networking
Built-in wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n)
#
Recordable DVD Drive
Yes, double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
#
Recordable DVD Drive Speeds
12x DVD+R DL; 12x DVD-R DL; 16x8x16 DVD+RW; 16x6x16 DVD-RW; 12x DVD-RAM; 40x32x40 CD-RW
#
Direct-Disc Labeling
Yes
#
Digital Media Reader or Slots
Yes, digital media card reader
#
Available Expansion Bays
External: 1 (3.5"), 1 (5.25"), 1 Personal Media Drive; Internal: 1 (3.5")
#
Available Expansion Slots
2 PCI Express x1, 1 MiniCard
#
USB 2.0 Ports
7 (3 front, 4 rear)
#
IEEE 1394 Ports
1
#
S-Video Outputs
None
#
Serial Ports
None
#
Parallel Ports
None
#
Game Ports
None
#
Keyboard Description
HP USB
#
Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.)
HP USB optical mouse
#
Operating System Platform
Windows
#
Operating System
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
#
Software Included
Microsoft Works 9; Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe; HP MediaSmart Software Suite and more
#
ENERGY STAR Qualified
No
#
HDMI Output
Yes
#
Blu-ray Player
No
 
The processor isn't weak, in fact it's the strongest thing in that computer.

The graphics card is pretty weak, would only be good for light gaming and could probably only handle COD4 and less recent games on high settings.

I see no mention of the power supply, though I'm guessing a cheap one would be used and the wattage and amperage low as the Radeon 4350 really doesn't require a lot of juice, so upgrading would be an issue.

Hard drive, 5400rpm is low - especially for a 1TB drive. Your looking for 7200rpm ideally.

Finally, like with most pre-builds I doubt there will be much room for improvement on the motherboard, but to be honest $800 isn't bad considering it's a pre-build from HP. As I said the processor is good, but I'd recommend looking elsewhere.


EDIT:
Just noticed this in the customer reviews

" I recently came across a problem were the graphics card could not be upgraded because the power supply was already maxed. So if you want to upgrade to the ATI 4650 or 4800 series be aware this limitation. "

Yeah, cheapo power supply as I thought.
 
Last edited:
What do you use the PC for?
If you want to play game, the video card is not enough.

And I do think you can build better for $800.
 
 
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