Would i lose a lot?

[imported_harper]

Any advice given would be great. Its time to replace my system and I'm debating whether to build a modest system (under $1000) or just buy one the deals available. Right now I can buy a HP with AMD 3700+ and a PCI express slot for under 600 dollars. Just buy a decent video card and be done. On the other hand build a system with robably slighty better specs. I may be getting to the point why build.
Would the HP system with a new video card be hamstrung at some major point??

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Do you no longer get any satisfaction from building?

 

[Broly]

HP probably has intergrated video and junk like that.

I do not like dells/HP's because the build quality is piss horrible

The case doesn't have the extra drivebays etc that is offered in a decent OEM case, rather they sacrifice that for a cool "bubbly:" look with some lights and sliding doors

 

[aloser]

HP just isn't the same company anymore - I stopped supporting HP when Fiorna decided that it'd be brilliant not only to run HP into the ground, to drag Compaq down with it besides. Build your own instead.

 

[imported_harper]

Thank you for your replies
Yes the HP has intergrated graphics but with the PCI Exp I can throw in a decent video card and things should improve. Heck the 19" Lcd is not that bad, I can get a deal on it.
We still have a HP PIII vintage that going strong as a storage unit and basic email.
I am typing on the computer I built a few years ago and just remember being able to get better deals comparable to buying new.
I just remember having to load all that software and worse the drivers. The unit is just a basic HP a1330y unit.

 

[ts3433]

Depending on what video card you put in there (although you probably know this already, make sure that one of the the PCIe slots is the x16 variant that accepts video cards, by the way), you may be constrained by the power supply included with the HP system.

Also, I'd rather load the software myself--I like having control over what goes into my system and making sure that no junk goes into it.

 

[essasin]

I rather build my computer. I'm a geek is it is fun buying and putting up my new rig. I get the satisfaction of knowing i put quality parts in my rig and I can customize it to my own needs.

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: aloser
HP just isn't the same company anymore - I stopped supporting HP when Fiorna decided that it'd be brilliant not only to run HP into the ground, to drag Compaq down with it besides. Build your own instead.

Fiorino was fired a year ago...the new HP stuff is quite excellent. HP is now run by all engineers...

 

[F1shF4t]

OK here is an example, the first comp i built 3 years ago is faster than the same priced comp u can get now. In other words building a high or midrange system is cheaper, low end on the other hand is cheaper to buy preassembled.

 

[aloser]

I knew Fiorna's been out for a while, but I just don't feel confident enough to go back to HP yet. I've heard the quality is (slowly) coming back though, which would be VERY good. It was a great company until they put "her" in charge.

 

[imported_Shepherd]

I just bought an HP system similiar to the one your looking at for $600. Opened it up and its basically all off the shelf parts. MSI board, Seagate hd etc.To build it would have cost me $1100Can. Threw in a 7800GT and it works great. Saved $500 and no compatability/set-up headaches. Unless your after a high end custom set-up i dont think you can beat a prebuilt price wise. Especially when you add the software/os included.

 

[Tostada]

It looks like you're talking about the "ready to ship" HP Pavilion Media Center a1310n PC:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3700+
HDD: 200GB 7200RPM
RAM: 2 x 512MB DDR400
CD: 16X DVD-RW

Price = $629.99, not including tax or shipping, but you do get a $50 mail-in rebate

If you wanted to build a similar system:

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego Socket 939 Retail $215.7 (ZipZoomFly)
mainboard: Biostar GeForce6100-M9 mATX $64.25 (newegg)
HDD: Western Digital 250GB SATA WD2500KS $103.9 (ZipZoomFly)
RAM: Corsair 2 x 512MB DDR400 $78.99 (ZipZoomFly)
CD: NEC ND-3550A black DVD-R $44.64 (newegg)
case: Cooler Master Centurion 541 mATX $58.99 (newegg)
PSU: Xclio 450BL $50.98 (newegg)
input: Microsoft black keyboard, mouse $30 (newegg)

$647.45 including shipping

So, you'd probably save a little money by building it yourself (I seriously doubt that $50 rebate is going to make up for tax and shipping) and you'd get some better stuff. I'm not saying that's the best system to build for that price. Most people around here would at least spend another $10 to get a motherboard that can overclock. I'm just saying it's comparable.

If you don't want to hassle with building your own system, it's not like it's worth it in that price range. The difference barely matters. Seeing as you're the type of guy to post on a hardware forum, though, I can't imagine you'd be that put out by it.

 

[Rockhound1]

Everybody responding to this post have made good points, but one point that has not been raised is HP's use of propriatary hardware/software and its impact on your ability to modify and update the system. I may be out of the loop here, but I have avoided these types of systems because of this reason. In the long run, it has been more economical for me to upgrade a system that I have built as opposed to buying a new system every two or three years.

Personally, I get a lot of satisfaction out of maintaining a system that I assembled. Maybe things have changed since I started building systems and Compaq and HP are easier to work with...

 

[aloser]

Dell is the same way with proprietary parts. The major benefit to the HP/Compaq merger is that their parts are now interchangeable; however, you're essentially limited to those 2 brands still.

Economically speaking, proprietary parts are better for the companies involved; it guarantees that you'll be back, since you can't upgrade unless you get THEIR parts.

 

[cubby1223]

HP / Compaq is generally fine for swapping out hardware later on - once in a while you will find a case where the i/o shield cannot be removed, but other than that they are fairly good.

Dell is hit-or-miss, and usually miss when it comes to ease of upgrading. And now they've switch everything over to the btx form factor, so they're going to be very tough right now to upgrade.