Im so fed up with my current pc, ive been thinking of getting this system, but before I go further in debt, I liked to get a litle impression if this system is any good...and if anyone has had problems with it



HP Pavilion d4100y

Processor :Intel(R) Pentium(R) D 920 (2.8GHz, 4MB,800MHz FSB)


Memory : 2GB DDR2-533MHz dual channel SDRAM (4x512)





Hard drive : 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive


Optical drives : 16x Dvd +/- R/Rw , 48 x Cd Rom Drive


Graphics :
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE with Turbo Cache

Sound ; Integrated 7.1 Capable Intel(R) High Def. Audio


Chipset i945P
Communications High-speed 56K data/fax modem
10/100 Base-T Fast Ethernet interface

Thanks

Howdy Nimblesloth,
Its a nice pc. But I bet it is over 1,500. When you could build the same one for under 1,000. Is the gpu intergrated into the motherboard? If so its not worth it. But if you dont want to build your own its a good box.

Nimblesloth...

Can you do your own installs?

Here's some real BANG for your buck...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2120037&sku=A455-2116%20A

If you want a monitor with that I've had great luck with Tiger's refurbs-- a lot of them are from "lease programs"

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/refurb/refurb_slc.asp?page=1&CatId=12&category=Monitors

Of course it won't come preloaded with OS, or any software, but if you already own retail version CD's --you don't need em

Even if you buy software through them you STILL won't spend 1500.00-- and you'll get a rig that will blow you away.

Right now , ive got it customized down to 939 for the 1 gig RAM version after rebate , and since i didnt need speakers, keyboard , mouse or monitor .....


Im having trouble finding out if the gpu is intergrated....


I would be lost with that barebone kit

OK... I can understand your hesitation... but they advertise that video card (it IS an NVidia card) as being top-notch, but with only 64MB video RAM --I disagree . If you play any games --I would go one step up for $50-- and add the 256 MB ATI X1300 PRO . Also--if you have or... want to add a decent speaker system... you should go with the next level of sound card-- though if that's not in "the budget" right NOW-- you could add it later on. Upgrading parts like sound/video cards is so easy you won't believe it. I can change one in ten minutes. Just takes a few precautions-- and a liitle common sense.

Some vendors-- like Dell will actually help you do it-- IF you buy the parts through them ...it doesn't even affect your warranty.

Wow , i didnt even see it was just 64, that will need to come out then.... I havent used anything but Nvidia....would the Ati be compatible with most games>?>?

Ive actually got a good soundcard in my system now, i just planned on swaping it .....

I might call them and see if they have any Geforce 7600, or at least 6800

As always thanks

Yes ati is compatible with all games. Just as Nvidia. Just a prefeence. Ati has been coming out with better drivers latley. For awhile they were getting sloppy but have came back with a vengence. But yes stick with something with at least 128 megs and 256 bits.

Yeah --after checking a couple of video card rating sites I'd say that this particular ATI-- is not worth it. It's rated as mediocre at best... they compared it with the Nvidia 6600GT and the GT beat it.

Since you are definitely more comfy with NVidia-- that's how you should go-- I would personally consider ordering your PC without a card & buying after-market... you'll get much better quality that way-- but if you don't agree-- it's your money...!

That sounds exactely what Ill do , Id like to atleast get a 6800, but a 7600 would be cool... ive just never used anything but nvidia, itd be hard for me to switch


thanks again

Let us know how you make out...
While I know enough now so that (personally) I would not buy an -off-the-shelf PC...nothing against them --they work fine for most people. I'm just fussy, and if a HD/Fan/Video card/even a Mobo-- goes-- I can figure it out-- and fix it myself

I am curious to see if the vendors will work with their customers to satisfy their personal tastes-- or if it's "take one of our options,or else".

If you feel like building a system though and dont need a monitor this is a little better than what there offering..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116238 (cpu)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811105147 (case)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135225 (mobo)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220068 (ram)

then a video card plus you have a nice shiny upgradable case..

somthing like the card below this way you can go SLI and have 2 cards running in SLI mode when you get the money to get another card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122245

That would make a very nice rig--

Beautiful case at a great price... especially with side-mount HD bays and 120mm rear fan-- while the internal stuff is important, few realize How much difference a well-thought-out case makes over the lifetime of a PC.

It makes replacing those burned-out components later on SO much easier. When I get ready-- I'd consider a case like this. Mine has removable hard-drive cage... but pulling those in and out-- if there's a problem-- is tricky without unplugging the PCI cards--especially the video card. I'm not as happy with it as I thought I would be.

Wow that case does look awesome...i have only had 2 computers in my life, first was a Gateway then this Dell i have and Ive never tried to build one. I can change Video & Sound cards and Ram, but thats simple stuff...anything more than that and Id be afraid id screw up my investment.

Recommend any Build it yourself for dummies sites, Ive looked at some stuff on motherboards and was quickly confused when it talkeda bout jumpers, or something like that ....

Thanks everyone

Most motherbpard today you dont have to mess with Jumpers. All you do is put in the vid card cpu and connect the power supply to the mother board and wires to the hard drives and a couple others here ant there and your ready to go. It takes me about an hour to build a pc. My first real time it took about an hour and a half. And everything is warrantied for 3 years to a lifetime guarntee. But Im not trying to push ya , just giving you an alternitive. As ihtebills said its your money. Just trying to same ya some.

Heres a good step by step build it yourself site.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2002/09/18/building_your_own_pc/

Yeah --most newer/better-quality Mobos configure "jumper settings" in the bios these days-- for a basic build-- you would not need to change anything right away.

I found this site in 2 sec google search...

http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/

it really is within the realm of possiblity to build your own PC -- I've done it several times now-- 6 years ago I didn't know how to turn one on.

The big issue with building your own is NOT assembling the machine-- it's the software you already own. If it's a FULL version of :

Windows-- you OWN the software (not a recovery disc)
Your favorite Firewall?
Your AntiVirus?
Your Office apps (Word-- whatever)

any other favorite apps that came WITH your old PC-- you can save that money-- you don't need to buy it again.

While Newegg is one of the BEST places online to buy hardware... you need to thoroughly research EXACTLY what you get with all your hardware-- if you buy everything through them. BEFORE you buy.

If you need a retail version of WIN XP--would they throw it in as part of a "package deal" ? Same with any other paid software.

If you already own the full-versions of all this there's no sense in buying a PC off-the-shelf with preintalled versions of all that on it.
Commercial machines today often come with a buch of stuff that:

a) you don't like,want,or need

b) are only 'trial versions' --so when you get used o it-- a window pops up saying basically "now you have to pay for this-- or it'll stop working" or some other extortionist tactic.

With a few hours of preparation / research-- you can have a beautiful/stable/long-lasting PC... that you now have the confidence to upgrade/troubleshoot/fix yourself-- that will save you a few bucks now-- and maybe MANY down the road-- because you'll be starting off with better-quality hardware NOW-- and installing EXACTLY what YOU want on it and NOTHING MORE.

<<< YOU CAN DO THIS>>>