Need help

[Stevevai9]

ok, so the build I had planned was postponed for a little bit because of insufficient funds. Well i was doing some looking at best buy the other day and found the HP Media Center.

It pretty much had everything I wanted, and alot cheaper. The only Thing it didn't have was 2gb of memory and the 7800 GTX, so I was thinking...

If I was to buy that system, could I replace the memory that was in there with 2x1024mb Corsair VS and a Geforce 7800GTX or maybe even a Geforce 6800GT/Ultra.

Thanks.

[ktkendall]

Give a link or actual exact model name and number for that HP you are looking at and someone can than pull it up and give you a better answer... Usually yes you can upgrade those machines but not as well as a true custom build, as they may take some parts that only HP makes, and that motherboard will not be as good as a custom build if you built yourself with a good quality motherboard like Asus..

[Stevevai9]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7247507&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat60700050018&id=1115365770583

[cmillar6]

HP's are rather friendly when it comes to upgrades, I have done several in the past. That particular model only has 1 available PCI slot left for expansion. It does have a PCI express slot, but it is occupied by the current videocard in the system. The memory upgrade will be no problem. Just make sure you use something like the crucial memory configuator to make sure you order the proper type of memory for that model HP. Here is a link for the exact specs for that system.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&lang=en&cc=us&product=483897&dlc=en&docname=c00388385

It actually has an ASUS motherboard in it.

[Alaron]

What worries me about upgrading that HP is the power supply. To run a Geforce 6800Ultra, you need at least 400w, something I would doubt that HP has. If you are looking for a high-end gaming system, it is probably best to wait and save up for your own build. Then you know you'll have the power you need.

[Stevevai9]

Power Output Wattage 400 Watt


From HP's website.

EDIT: If I wanted to, would I be able to ask HP to give me a better power supply or could i replace it with one of my own?

[Stevevai9]

Someone please answer my question

[cmillar6]

you cannot request what type of powersupply comes in that machine, they come as is. I would think the 400W powersupply would be enough. As for upgrading the PSU on an HP, you might want to contact HP regarding that one.

[glc]

Let's see. It comes with a X300SE, a very low power video card as PCI-E units go, it doesn't even have a fan, just a passive heatsink. Not only would I be concerned about the power supply, I'd also be concerned about adequate case cooling. HP's are not built for high performance, they are built to be quiet.

[Stevevai9]

I just got an email back from HP Technical Support. They told me that the power supplies within the HP Media Center desktop are user replaceable, so then I think I just might do that instead of building my own computer for now, just because it is cheaper then building one.

Thanks for the help guys.

[glc]

They may be user replaceable, but can you replace it with a generic standard ATX 2.0 unit? Sounds like that question has not been answered.

[Stevevai9]

Thank you for contacting Hewlett-Packard.

HP Media Center desktop PCs do have user-replaceable power supplies.
Although HP does not test or support third party products,ANY QUALITY THIRD PARTY POWER SUPPLY FROM A REPUTABLE MANUFACTURER SHOULD WORK FINE.HP does not currently offer a choice of power supplies as a customizableoption with current HP Media Center PCs. I apologize for any
inconvenience this may cause.


I hope that helps.

[Stevevai9]

Ok, so here's the 2 situations I will decide between:

1. Get the HP media center PC, along with:
BFG Tech BFGR78256GTXOC Geforce 7800GTX 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
ENERMAX All in One Noisetaker Series EG701AX-VE SFMA(24P) ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail

Total:$1938

2. Do my own build

ASPIRE X-CRUISE -BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
BFG Tech BFGR78256GTXOC Geforce 7800GTX 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
ENERMAX All in One Noisetaker Series EG701AX-VE SFMA(24P) ATX12V 600W Power Supply
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3500BPBOX
2x CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400
2x HITACHI Deskstar 7K250 HDS722516VLSA80 -13G0254 160GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM in RAID 0
SYBA SD-SATA-4P PCI SATA Controller Card With optional RAID function
Logitech Elite 967234-0403 Black USB + PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard
SCEPTRE X9g-NagaII Black 19" 12ms LCD Monitor
Logitech MX500 930763-0403 2 tone 8 Buttons 1x Wheel USB + PS/2 Optical Mouse
LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner Model SOHW-1673S BK
LITE-ON Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SOHD-16P9SBLK
CREATIVE Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS 70SB035000000 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card
Logitech Z-3e 40 Watts 2.1 Speaker
Microsoft Windows XP HOME Edition With Service Pack 2

Subtotal: $2,204.89


Which one do you think has the best feature to price ratio? I'm not looking for the "comfort of knowing what you have in your own custom build" I just want a GREAT gaming machine for the lowest price without sacrifice performance. So which one?

[glc]

That Enermax power supply is HUGE - I doubt that it would fit in the HP case.

On the build, you do not need a SATA controller card, the motherboard has SATA RAID built in.

Replace those Hitachi drives with Seagates for reliability reasons. You DO understand the risks involved with RAID 0, right?

The Audigy is a waste with 2.1 speakers, try the onboard sound first. You can always add a card later if you aren't happy.

Whether you mount it in the case or not, you need a floppy drive to install RAID drivers to get Windows installed.

Compare the features between the Deluxe and Standard A8N-SLI.

[Stevevai9]

That Enermax power supply is HUGE - I doubt that it would fit in the HP case.
hmm....well I can always e-mail HP about it and see what they have to say.

On the build, you do not need a SATA controller card, the motherboard has SATA RAID built in.
Ok, i was just making sure I had everything I would need.

Replace those Hitachi drives with Seagates for reliability reasons. You DO understand the risks involved with RAID 0, right?

Yes, I understand the risks, I heard somewhere that RAID 0+1 is just like doing RAID 0 except that you don't run the risk of losing your files or something like that. Correct me If I'm wrong.

The Audigy is a waste with 2.1 speakers, try the onboard sound first. You can always add a card later if you aren't happy.

Compare the features between the Deluxe and Standard A8N-SLI.

Ok, that saves me some money.

Well with the Deluxe I can go SLi, but I don't really know If I want to go SLi or not in the future. I would like the option open because I'm not sure about how difficult it is to replace a motherboard but I'm guessing it's pretty hard.

[Panama Red]

Another thing to consider is the warranty. The HP is probably one year unless you pay for some additional time. Check your individual components in your build and you'll find the mobo and cpu carry 3 year, the Seagate hdd's are 5 year and the memory is Lifetime.

[Stevevai9]

Ok, well I just want this question answered first.

Which one do you think has the best feature to price ratio? I'm not looking for the "comfort of knowing what you have in your own custom build" I just want a GREAT gaming machine for the lowest price without sacrifice performance. So which one?

[jfk]

Which one do you think has the best feature to price ratio? I'm not looking for the "comfort of knowing what you have in your own custom build" I just want a GREAT gaming machine for the lowest price without sacrifice performance. So which one?

Build it. The difference in price is minimal and you will end up with a better quality system that is built EXACTLY to your specs and fully upgradeable in the future. JMO.

Joe

[glc]

RAID 0+1 requires 4 drives, and you only get half the capacity of 4 drives. If I were going to use 4 drives, I'd use RAID 5. Why even RAID at all? Keep it simple and get one big fast drive, or put the OS and apps on a Raptor and use a big 7200 rpm SATA for all your data.

I was referring to the A8N-SLI (not the A8N-E) versus the A8N-SLI Deluxe.

[Stevevai9]

Yeah I've decided to build the computer. I'm trying to cut costs on the monitor a bit. GLC you meant use a 74 GB 10,000RPM Rapotr drive and a regular SATA drive right? How would I go about with using them together?

EDIT: I guess the Raptor would be my D: Drive and the Seagate woud be my C: Drive? Or is it the other way around?

EDIT 2: New List. total:$2,105.87

CASE: ASPIRE X-CRUISE -BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
PSU: ENERMAX All in One Noisetaker Series EG701AX-VE SFMA(24P) ATX12V 600W Power Supply
Mobo:ASUS A8N-SLI Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
Processor:AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor
Memory:CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory
HDD: Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA 160GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
Video Card:BFG Tech BFGR78256GTXOC Geforce 7800GTX 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
DVD Drives:
LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner Model SOHW-1673S BK
LITE-ON Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model SOHD-16P9SBLK
Monitor: acer AL1715smd-8 2-Tone 17" 8ms LCD Monitor
Speakers: SiCURO RW-360XL BLU 42 W 2.1 Speaker
Case Fan:ASPIRE CF4SL-UBL-LED 80mm Blue LED Light Fan
Keyboard:Logitech Elite 967234-0403 Black USB + PS/2 Wired Standard
Keyboard
Mouse:Logitech MX500 930763-0403 2 tone 8 Buttons 1x Wheel USB + PS/2 Optical Mouse
OS:Microsoft Windows XP HOME Edition With Service Pack 2

[glc]

Other way around. Put the OS on the Raptor. You also may only need the 37 gig Raptor, and get a bigger Seagate.

[Stevevai9]

Ok, I got a 250GB seagte and a 36.7GB Raptor. Anything else that you suggest I get or any incompatibilities?

[Stevevai9]

Quick question will my processor be good enough to handle some light programming? I'm talking beginner programming, nothing heavy, just some programming here or there. Do you think that it's overkill? Would a 3200+ do the job just fine? Or should I upgrade to a 3700+?

[glc]

My 233 MHz laptop would handle light programming. Buy the processor that fits best in your budget - anything 3000+ or better.

[Stevevai9]

I'm going to go with the 3700+. I'm trying to max out my budget as best as I can.un less you think I could spend my moeny on something more worthy.

EDIT: I also changed some things arund, cut costs on unnecesary things. total around $1927