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Refurbished HP Pavilion Quad Core Desktop PC with 6GB RAM, for $449.99 + $5 shipping
Product: 1x HP A6720y AMD Phenom Quad Core 9550 Desktop w/ 6GB DDR2, 640GB HDD, VHP (64bit) with Media Center

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I've been pricing building a PC lately and this is a heck of a deal here.

Here are a few reviews and a much higher price.

Not a bad deal, I would jump all over this if i didn't have my laptop. w00t

If you want the best graphics you should build your own. The integrated graphics are always weak.

I don't like the Wired Keyboard and Mouse... Feels like a cheap add on.

Can this machine be downgraded to Win XP? I have too many programs that will not run on Vista.

I'm actually using this pc right now. I love it. Only thing I changed was the video card, the one that comes with it isn't meant for gaming. Put in a good card and you've got a decent gaming rig.

Do the AMD processors still have the problem of running hot? How good is the cooling of this box?

illinied wrote:Can this machine be downgraded to Win XP? I have too programs that will not run on Vista.

W7's the way to go.

everything on this computer seems solid, including the 64 bit OS, but i can't say that i'm a fan of integrated chips. luckily it seems like it's possible to upgrade the graphics card?

looks like a great core to build a gaming rig off of. throw a moderately high end video card in and a new PSU (stock 300W isn't going to be up to the job of powering a high end video card)

To help the average user know how good this computer is:

The 6 gigs of ram is nice, especially for a quad-core. The processor speed is also clocking in at 2.2GHz, which isn't bad, but for a desktop, it's not the best. This will however be more than enough speed for an average user. You should be able to listen to music, watch youtube videos and do reports with no problem whatsoever.

It contains 640GB harddrive, which is more than enough to last the everyday user a 5-year span and still have a large chunk of space left over. If you like to not delete things, this is your computer.

If you're an average user who doesn't do much multitasking, this is a great computer at a good price. If you multitask like noneother (and I mean playing a video game, listening to music, watching a movie, typing up a 50 page report, browsing the internet while talking to your buddies in Taiwan, Hawaii and Northern Ireland, and partitioning Mac, Windows and Linux) you might not want to get this computer.

So, great computer for an everyday user, bad computer for the computer nerd but you already knew this if you are one.

wanpakumono wrote:Do the AMD processors still have the problem of running hot? How good is the cooling of this box?

AMD processors have not run hot in a very long time.

For those wondering, you may encounter some problems with software that you are accustomed to using because the operating system is 64-bit. Most programs are written for a 32-bit operating system (which is what most are). If you wanted to avoid that, I'd suggest installing a "normal" 32-bit OS, but if you did that, you'd lose half of the RAM in the computer - 32-bit OSes can't use more than around 3.5GB of RAM.

I noticed x3 PCI express slots. I wonder if this motherboard can handle a dual or tri-SLI video card setup.

Also, on a side note, a few years back I acquired a refurbished HP desktop, and It has treated me very well. I haven't had a problem with it yet. Highly recommended. This also seems like a fantastic deal.

The intergrated graphics is a real killer for this one. The Geforce 9100 is NOT particularly good.
Then again, it's not particularly bad, either. Just don't expect 6 gigs of RAM to = killer gaming machine, here.

For more on the integrated graphics, check here: http://expertester.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/nvidia-geforce-9100m-g-benchmark-comparison/

HolyMythos wrote:To help the average user know how good this computer is:

The 6 gigs of ram is nice, but the fact that it's duo core kind of defeats the purpose. It's much better to have a quad core of 4GB of ram than 6GB in a duo core. The processor speed is also clocking in at 2.2GHz, which isn't bad, but for a desktop, it's not the best. This will however be more than enough speed for an average user. You should be able to listen to music, watch youtube videos and do reports with no problem whatsoever.

It contains 640GB harddrive, which is more than enough to last the everyday user a 5-year span and still have a large chunk of space left over. If you like to not delete things, this is your computer.

If you're an average user who doesn't do much multitasking, this is a great computer at a good price. If you multitask like noneother (and I mean playing a video game, listening to music, watching a movie, typing up a 50 page report, browsing the internet while talking to your buddies in Taiwan, Hawaii and Northern Ireland, and partitioning Mac, Windows and Linux) you might not want to get this computer.

So, great computer for an everyday user, bad computer for the computer nerd but you already knew this if you are one.

this is not a dual core. its a quad core amd phenom @2.2ghz, which isnt the best quad core but its still better than almost any dual core

so its a great computer for the price, only thing i'd change is to add a video card as opposed to the onboard graphics it has

For the average reader - this is a quad core not a duo core

HolyMythos wrote:To help the average user know how good this computer is:

The 6 gigs of ram is nice, but the fact that it's duo core kind of defeats the purpose. It's much better to have a quad core of 4GB of ram than 6GB in a duo core. The processor speed is also clocking in at 2.2GHz, which isn't bad, but for a desktop, it's not the best. This will however be more than enough speed for an average user. You should be able to listen to music, watch youtube videos and do reports with no problem whatsoever.

It contains 640GB harddrive, which is more than enough to last the everyday user a 5-year span and still have a large chunk of space left over. If you like to not delete things, this is your computer.

If you're an average user who doesn't do much multitasking, this is a great computer at a good price. If you multitask like noneother (and I mean playing a video game, listening to music, watching a movie, typing up a 50 page report, browsing the internet while talking to your buddies in Taiwan, Hawaii and Northern Ireland, and partitioning Mac, Windows and Linux) you might not want to get this computer.

So, great computer for an everyday user, bad computer for the computer nerd but you already knew this if you are one.

Lehk wrote:AMD processors have not run hot in a very long time.

I haven't been in the market for a pc in a very long time. Good to know, though.

wanpakumono wrote:Do the AMD processors still have the problem of running hot? How good is the cooling of this box?

I have run a 9550 with a stock fan for the last year-it usually runs at 54C, during heavy use goes up to 58-60 max.

also, does that mouse in the picture seriously have a PS/2 connection? i mean the computer has 6 USB ports lol

cubfan42494 wrote:this is not a dual core. its a quad core amd phenom @2.2ghz, which isnt the best quad core but its still better than almost any dual core

so its a great computer for the price, only thing i'd change is to add a video card as opposed to the onboard graphics it has

:P Completely misread. Good catch, thanks for not being a jerk about it.

wanpakumono wrote:Do the AMD processors still have the problem of running hot? How good is the cooling of this box?

Lehk wrote:AMD processors have not run hot in a very long time.

The dude got a 2 fer 1 dumb question in to be included in the "QUALITY WOOT" question of the day.

I hate to open up a can of worms but how does the AMD processor stack up to the Intel?

HolyMythos wrote:The 6 gigs of ram is nice, but the fact that it's duo core kind of defeats the purpose. It's much better to have a quad core of 4GB of ram than 6GB in a duo core

It is a quad core. Although, for what most people will be using this machine for, a duo core would have been fine.

Amazed! Have a quad core with 6 gb mem and only a 300w power supply. Limits the graphics to a low end card.

An anemic 300W power supply and integrated graphics Puh-leeze. How are you gonna put one 'o' them 1GB high-end video game cards in this puppy to play Crysis IV, huh? You aren't, that's how.

Don't buy this PC if you want to play shooter games, it won't support 'em.

ovalsquare wrote:It is a quad core. Although, for what most people will be using this machine for, a duo core would have been fine.

I know, I had a reading error hoho. It's been fixed.

Lehk wrote:AMD processors have not run hot in a very long time.

I have an Athlon 64 x2 3600 I'm sitting next to. I'm going to disagree. I also run an Athlon XP at work that's about 5 years old... also a nice space heater. Too much in summer, never enough in winter, though.

FriedSushi87 wrote:I noticed x3 PCI express slots. I wonder if this motherboard can handle a dual or tri-SLI video card setup.

As Lehk mentioned above, it would be fine, but you would probably have to upgrade the power supply as well. 300w is not much for a gaming rig.

Also, the CPU is only 2.2Ghz. I guess this is fine for a quad core.. but I would still get something faster, or overclock it. That's just me.

Will the antenna work with digital channels such as 21.1, 21.2....etc?

sheeper177 wrote:For those wondering, you may encounter some problems with software that you are accustomed to using because the operating system is 64-bit. Most programs are written for a 32-bit operating system (which is what most are). If you wanted to avoid that, I'd suggest installing a "normal" 32-bit OS, but if you did that, you'd lose half of the RAM in the computer - 32-bit OSes can't use more than around 3.5GB of RAM.

You really think so? I mean, 64-bit Windows has been around for years. You'd think that software writers would have ported by now.

I find people's expectations of comuters amazing.

HolyMythos wrote: You should be able to listen to music, watch youtube videos and do reports with no problem whatsoever.

ARE YOU baking KIDDING ME? My PII laptop with 256MB of RAM and a basic XP install will do all of those things just fine.

HolyMythos wrote:
If you multitask like noneother (and I mean playing a video game, listening to music, watching a movie, typing up a 50 page report, browsing the internet while talking to your buddies in Taiwan, Hawaii and Northern Ireland, and partitioning Mac, Windows and Linux) you might not want to get this computer.

I multitask like crazy, dual boot Linux and XP, I frequently have at least 10 programs running, everything you mention and more, and have as many as 20 tabs open in firefox or opera at a time. My computer runs fine. It is a 2Ghz P4 with 512 of RAM, about *5 years old*. It runs just fine with a whole load of programs open and running at the same time.

It helps to choose the right software - for instance, foobar2000 instead of Winamp, Opera instead of firefox, VLC instead of WM10, foxit or MUPDF or something instead of acrobat, etc. - better programs to use and less resource usage.

The best thing you can do for your speed is to hit "Windows-R", type "msconfig", go to the right hand tab "startup", and unclick everything you don't need. Worlds of difference. A 5 year old computer that is clean of spyware and run-at-boot garbage will run much better than a modern top spec computer that is all loaded down.

Let's bring this back to earth: For 99% of computer users, this is VAST OVERKILL. In ten years time, it will still be VAST OVERKILL.

Unless you're a professional CAD designer or computer animator, NOBODY will find this computer insufficient. Even for professionals, it's a solid computer.

If you're a gamer, drop an upgraded power supply and a graphics card in and you've got a fine rig.

grtgrfx wrote:You really think so? I mean, 64-bit Windows has been around for years. You'd think that software writers would have ported by now.

There are still currently updating programs that don't work on vista, let alone the 64-bit.

cubfan42494 wrote:this is not a dual core. its a quad core amd phenom @2.2ghz, which isnt the best quad core but its still better than almost any dual core

so its a great computer for the price, only thing i'd change is to add a video card as opposed to the onboard graphics it has


:P Completely misread. Good catch, thanks for not being a jerk about it.

Just another "quality poster" vying for the spotlight.

FriedSushi87 wrote:I noticed x3 PCI express slots. I wonder if this motherboard can handle a dual or tri-SLI video card setup.

Also, on a side note, a few years back I acquired a refurbished HP desktop, and It has treated me very well. I haven't had a problem with it yet. Highly recommended. This also seems like a fantastic deal.

Those are x1 slots, good for nothing actually. You need x16 slots for SLI / Multiple video card solutions, and naturally, a bigger power supply.

Aw dang it! I bought almost the exact same pc from HP three weeks ago, for $200 more, and it only had 4 gigs of ram :-(. Actually, mine didn't come with a wireless card and it was only a Duo core. Now I'm really sad.

You need a better video card.

I actually don't like it as much as I thought it would, granted this is a better machine thine mine, 2 gigs and twice the processing power probably make quite a difference.

I'm wondering about the power supply. 300W seems a bit anemic if you plan to add a graphics card in a PCI-E slot

WILL IT WORK WITH DIGITAL HD TV CHANNELS ??? Sorry not trying to yell but trying to get attention because I am looking for a computer to buy that satisfies my need of using it as media center-Digital TV, Podcasts, BOXEEEE you know. ... thanks