Bought an hp elite system

[cr2250]

why would it be more expensive to upgrade than any other computer. I have a fsp psu laying around + 9800gtx
cheap upgrade for me

 

[cr2250]

Originally posted by: OILFIELDTRASH
In no way is a dell or hp case better than what you can get in a aftermarket case even in a cheapie but remember the one I picked out is a name brand Thermaltake. Unless your talking about the high end alienware or cases of that ilk. I'm sure the case hes getting with it is one of the generic cheap plastic hp nightmares. More than likely the case hes getting is not even a micro atx mobo size but a size thats made specifically for Hp which basically means he can't use that same "great" :roll: HP case for future upgrading. They are in no way designed for good airflow. They are put together as cheaply as possible and might include 1 and if your lucky 2 120mm fans. Nowhere near what you could put in an aftermarket case. Oh yeah btw could you fit a aftermarket heatsink in that famous HP case. Why no mention that in my build he gets a blu ray player, a decent gaming gpu that can actually play games (a 4350 would be good for running vista aero but thats it), a more reliable ps, and upgradability which in the long run could save cash?

Thermaltake isn't even that good...I had a tsunami, it looked fantastic but gosh was it a real pos. If your like me, I was always upgrading my computer, requiring me to open the case often, well as far as durability, it sucked. The door was flimsy, the main door was too heavy for the case its self, held by little hinges. I just remember it was a terrible case, something I trashed about a year after. So yeah I could've built a better pc for a little bit more after rebate, but heck, I think I did well for a computer built at my door. Every part in that pc has been tested to work with each other, which I think is a good factor to play into. I mean, I can always buy a aftermarket MB and put it in the hp case, they use microatx mb. I've done it to a compaq case, i dont have any doubt i can do it to an hp case. The really only main difference is the mother board, and maybe the psu. I can see in the future the motherboard being under a 100, and as someone stated they wanted to have the ability in the future to overclock, well guess what! In the future MB will be dirt cheap, I can just do a motherboard swap and have a fully fledged over clocking capabilities. If you bring up ram, well ram will also be dirt cheap by then, and by that time i bet 6gb will be insufficient. No worries, I think what I have will suit me best, as why I bought it. I don't care what speed I burn my discs, I usually do the slowest, and will always will.

 

[tcsenter]

You still paid too much. All those other advantages may or may not make it worth it to you, but on its face, you paid a good $125.00+ more than you could have built an equivalent system for.

Edit: One other advantage to OEM systems is that they always (or almost always) standby and hibernate properly, because those specific components have been tested together before production. If the OEM finds a problem with standby or hibernate, they have the people to debug it and the direct contacts to get it solved in a BIOS, firmware, driver, or application update.

Only about 25% of the systems I build have properly working standby and hibernate. Its always something; one or more fans running at full speed, the system won't enter hibernate using PM timer but does when manually hibernating, the mouse or keyboard not waking the system even when configured in BIOS and using 5VSB+ power for the rear USB ports, peripherals not working properly after wake, always freaking something.

 

[ibex333]

Originally posted by: cr2250
Times have changed and for some reason hp was much cheaper than building. Here are the specs. Did i do good?

No you didn't do good at all. You couldnt possibly be more wrong about the changing times. For the same $860 I can build a system which would absolutely decimate yours in gaming.

True, I wouldn't have the case, mouse/keyboard, windows, speakers, 2nd DVD drive, and all that junk software you are getting. Plus I would have 4gigs ram vs. your 6gigs.

However, I would have a 4870 1gig, and a 1TB hard drive! I'd rather run that sucker in a wooden box or with no box at all, then to use a crappy 4830 in a case.


For only $40-50 more I would have the case, and for $20-30 more I'd have the keyboard and mouse.

 

[M0RPH]

You guys keep talking about how you can build it better and cheaper, but only a couple here have listed the hardware and prices, and they always seem to leave major things out.

ibex33... Did you stop to think that maybe a 4830 is all that he needed? So why don't you go ahead and list your build with a 4830 and everything else he has and let's see what you get. Of course if he wants to spend more money he can also upgrade his video card, just like you proposed in your build.

As for cases, IMHO that HP case is nicer than any of the $50 cases you get at Newegg. It looks stylish, unlike the boxy clunkers you find in those 3rd party cases. And at least it has a modern design, dispensing of the stupid 3.5" bays like you still see so much. Still see lots of cases with 2x 3.5" bays... dual floppies anyone? I wish I could get a hold of some of the cases that HP and Dell use.

 

[cr2250]

Originally posted by: ibex333

Originally posted by: cr2250
Times have changed and for some reason hp was much cheaper than building. Here are the specs. Did i do good?

No you didn't do good at all. You couldnt possibly be more wrong about the changing times. For the same $860 I can build a system which would absolutely decimate yours in gaming.

True, I wouldn't have the case, mouse/keyboard, windows, speakers, 2nd DVD drive, and all that junk software you are getting. Plus I would have 4gigs ram vs. your 6gigs.

However, I would have a 4870 1gig, and a 1TB hard drive! I'd rather run that sucker in a wooden box or with no box at all, then to use a crappy 4830 in a case.


For only $40-50 more I would have the case, and for $20-30 more I'd have the keyboard and mouse.

Ok AGAIN i have a 9800gtx laying around, I don't need a 4870, I AM USING THIS FOR AUTOCAD. Plus what junk software? Norton 2009 internet security to me isn't junk, I mean two years cost over $100 dollars. Try building a Computer with norton for 3 years, and every single item in my original HP list, even mouse keyboard (wireless). Absolutely Decimates? Yeah a 1TB, and a 4870 will blow my autocad pc to dust, but having 2gbs less will make it still superior. I did not spend over money wise, I still get the standard specifications. Ignoring the over clocking. Plus some people do not own a copy of windows that they can just put on there

 

[cr2250]

Originally posted by: tcsenter
You still paid too much. All those other advantages may or may not make it worth it to you, but on its face, you paid a good $125.00+ more than you could have built an equivalent system for.

Edit: One other advantage to OEM systems is that they always (or almost always) standby and hibernate properly, because those specific components have been tested together before production. If the OEM finds a problem with standby or hibernate, they have the people to debug it and the direct contacts to get it solved in a BIOS, firmware, driver, or application update.

Only about 25% of the systems I build have properly working standby and hibernate. Its always something; one or more fans running at full speed, the system won't enter hibernate using PM timer but does when manually hibernating, the mouse or keyboard not waking the system even when configured in BIOS and using 5VSB+ power for the rear USB ports, peripherals not working properly after wake, always freaking something.

ok, build me a same exact setup, including software, accessories etc.
I want to see I paid over 125+

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: cr2250
ok, build me a same exact setup, including software, accessories etc.

No.

 

[cr2250]

yeah...b/c you can't

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: cr2250
ok, build me a same exact setup, including software, accessories etc.

No.

Originally posted by: cr2250
yeah...b/c you can't

This thread has degenerated into a school yard squabble...
Time for a LockDown :laugh:

 

[zerogear]

People seriously have a mental block about getting OEM vs building here.

 

[cr2250]

I'll be getting the system next monday, ill post what parts they use etc, if anyone is curious

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: cr2250
yeah...b/c you can't

You're right and I retract my statement. For some reason, I thought Core i7 920 was much cheaper than it actually is.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

You did Ok. I just hate Hp and Dell for some reason. I have fun building and tweaking my computers so for me even if I pay more I would just for the ability of customization, and overclocking, etc... I also believe you get higher quality parts with DIY builds. I can understand if you get it a little cheaper and don't want to mess with it.

 

[cr2250]

Received the computer yesterday, it has everything I needed! Auto cad installed the fastest I've ever seen. It has two pci express x16, seagate hard drive, and everything else is what it is i guess. The case is fantastic, very nice.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: alyarb
you could've done it yourself for a little cheaper.

there is noway he could have done it himself a little cheaper unless he cut corners and used less ram...etc..

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: alyarb
There's nothing wrong with sub-$200 X58 boards, provided you get 6 DIMM slots. Do you want a bunch of extra crap like free SLI bridges or eSATA bracket or a little device to hold your hand through an overclock? anand got a 920 to 4 GHz with that matx MSI board, which I'd like to see firsthand as well. At any rate, what motherboard do you think HP uses for their $800 i7 machines?

CPU $280
mobo $175
RAM $85
HDD $70
DVD $20
card reader? uh $10
GPU $30
PSU $55

thats $725 without even looking at any combos. which leaves 135 for a case or heatsink or something nice, but even if a DIY build did cost $100 more, the customizeability and overclockability are worth that. but yeah, those fancy USB 2.0 speakers closed that deal tight.

your blowing smoke you have no clue!

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: OILFIELDTRASH
In no way is a dell or hp case better than what you can get in a aftermarket case even in a cheapie but remember the one I picked out is a name brand Thermaltake. Unless your talking about the high end alienware or cases of that ilk. I'm sure the case hes getting with it is one of the generic cheap plastic hp nightmares. More than likely the case hes getting is not even a micro atx mobo size but a size thats made specifically for Hp which basically means he can't use that same "great" :roll: HP case for future upgrading. They are in no way designed for good airflow. They are put together as cheaply as possible and might include 1 and if your lucky 2 120mm fans. Nowhere near what you could put in an aftermarket case. Oh yeah btw could you fit a aftermarket heatsink in that famous HP case. Why no mention that in my build he gets a blu ray player, a decent gaming gpu that can actually play games (a 4350 would be good for running vista aero but thats it), a more reliable ps, and upgradability which in the long run could save cash?

You do not know what you are talking about!
They have no missues with air flow!
As far as fans go the HP cases have no problem handling 120mm fans-- more fy=ud on your part...
yes you can fit an aftermarket heatsink if you so choose.
But in actuality you do not need an aftermarket heatsink unless you are going to some heavy duty over clocking. You would be suprised the quality of the heatsink.
Before you go on about heatsink....I have over 100 heatsinks in my collection and I know quite abit about heatsinks....so again you are wrong...
Plus your build deals with product rebates...
most rebates suck big time....without those rebates your preice would suck ass!

total price if you factor in the rebates-- 939 + 139 = $1058..........

 

[JEDIYoda]

In fact I bought my HP elite system a few months ago...it was a special order through Best Buy that was never picked up...so I jumped when i saw the price.
I found this computer for exactly as I am describing it for just under $400...I believed it was $379....

yes-- it has vista home...and yes it was ordered with too much memory for vista home which is 32 bit to recognize.

I am still a happy camper.....the only thing I added was a 4770 video card which i picked up for $95.
It came with the rv730 Pro vid card which is basicvally the raedon 4650 and YES..I could game..but the 4770 I boought is a much better card!

So I went shopping and I found this computer for exactly as I am describing it for just under $400...I believed it was $379....

HP Pavilion m9500z AMD Phenom II X4 940 3.0GHz 6GB 500GB
AMD Phenom II X4 940 (3.0GHz/6MB L3 Cache)
500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
6GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x2048MB and 2x1024MB)
Total memory slots: 4 DIMM
LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVDRW w/Double Layer
onboard video RV730 Pro w/512MB, which I will be getting a video card.
Of course it comes with a keyboard and mouse.
Then the mobo has all the regular features...

EXTERNAL PORTS
Front:
15-in-1 memory card reader
Two USB
One IEEE-1394
Headphone
Microphone
Audio

Back:
Two PS/2 (keyboard, mouse)
One VGA
Four USB
One IEEE-1394

DIGITAL MEDIA
15-in-1 memory card reader

OPERATING SYSTEM
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32 bit)

Anyways I felt I got a very descent deal....
This computer is much faster and definately more stable than the one I am replacing.

Peace!!

 

[cr2250]

update!
after 2 weeks, i've had some issues
dvd drives both don't read
and bsod after every switch user

solution: figured i would re rout the sata plugs to the other empty two, both drives work
and about the bsod, i just removed an unused display adapter in hardware manager, it worked

but I can see where this can have some issues when you first get it, overall its pretty speedy

 

[alyarb]

at least they were ports on the board and there's nothing wrong with the drives themselves.

also,

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Before you go on about heatsink....I have over 100 heatsinks in my collection and I know quite abit about heatsinks....so again you are wrong...

lol. this guy has over 100 heatsinks. so whatever you want to discuss with him, well, watch out because you're wrong!