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[Mr.Potato Head]

.. my local compusa is going out of business, i think all compusa's are closing its doors and they are having a liquidation sale right now.. they have 4 of these in stock now and im thinking about snatching one of these up soon as they open their doors this morning.

Its a HP Media center pc.. i know the bios is crippled and the videocard is weak as hell ..but i can buy a new mobo and get a 8800 GT 512mb..as replacements.

http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...5+4294963518&Ne=304016&product_code=346117#ts

HP Media Center TV m8120n Minitower PC
Tech Specs
(Based on manufacturer's information)
Processor Brand: Intel
Processor Class: Core 2 Quad
Processor Number: Q6600 with Viiv Technology
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Front Side Bus: 1066 MHz
L2 Cache Size: 2 x 4 MB
System Chipset: Intel P965 Express
Memory Speed: PC2-5300 (667MHz)
Memory Type: DDR2-SDRAM
Installed Memory: 3 GB
Maximum Memory: 8 GB
Memory Slots Total: 4
Memory Slots Available: 0
Hard Drives Installed: 2
Total Hard Drive Capacity: 640 GB
Drive Controllers: SATA-150
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Optical Drives: LightScribe Double Layer DVD SuperMulti Drive:

* Create a DVD+R DL at a maximum 8X Write speed
* Create a DVD-R DL at a maximum 8X Write speed
* Create a DVD+R at a maximum 16X Write speed or a maximum 8X Rewrite speed
* Create a DVD-R at a maximum 16X Write speed or a maximum 6X Rewrite speed
* Create a DVD-RAM at a maximum 12X Write speed
* Play a DVD-Rom at a maximum 16X Read speed
* Create a CD-Rom at a maximum 40X Write speed
* Create a CD-RW at a maximum 32X Rewrite speed
* Play a CD-Rom at a maximum 40X Read speed

Card Slots: 1 x CompactFlash
1 x MicroDrive
1 x Memory Stick
1 x Memory Stick Duo
1 x Memory Stick PRO
1 x Memory Stick PRO Duo
1 x MiniSD
1 x MMCmobile
1 x MMCplus
1 x RS-MMC
1 x SmartMedia Card
1 x Secure Digital(SD)/MMC
1 x xD-Picture Card
Audio Channels: High Definition Audio, 8 speaker configurable
Video Chipset Brand: NVIDIA
Video Chipset: GeForce 7350LE
Video Bus: PCI Express x16
Video Integration: Card
Installed Video Memory: 128 MB
Total Available Graphics Memory (Vista): 623 MB
Port Connectors:

* 6 x USB 2.0 (2 on front, 4 on back)
* 2 x FireWire (IEEE-1394) (1 on front, 1 on back)
* 1 x Video - VGA 15-pin D-Sub (on back)
* 1 x Video - DVI (on back)
* 1 x Video - TV-Out (on back)
* 1 x Audio - Microphone, Headphone (on front)
* 1 x Video - S-Video Input (on front)
* 1 x Video - Composite Video Input (on front)
* Audio - Audio Inputs (on front)
* 1 x Audio - Microphone, Line-in, Line-out (on back)
* 2 x PS/2 (on back)
* 1 x Digital Audio-out (on back)
* 1 x Rear speaker-out, Side speaker-out, Center (sub-woofer) (on back)
* Digital Audio (In, Out)
* 1 x RJ-11 Modem
* 1 x RJ-45 Ethernet LAN

PCI Slots: 2
PCI Express x1 Slots: 1
PCI Express x16 Slots: 1
Slots Notes:

* None open

External 5.25 Bays: 2
External Bays Notes:

* 1 x 5.25-inch open

Internal 3.5 Bays: 2
Internal Bays Notes:
Internal Bays (Notes):

* None open

Expansion Bays:
Expansion Bay (Notes):

* HP Personal Media Drive available

Network Support: Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps)
Wireless Protocol: 802.11b
802.11g
Modem Speed: 56 Kbps
Input Devices: Keyboard
Remote Control
Wheel Mouse
Installed Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium
Special Feature: MS Windows Vista Home Premium
Included Software: Photo and Video:

* HP Photosmart Essential to manage your digital photos
* Roxio Creator - featuring LightScribe Technology: Edit, burn and archive data to DVDs and CDs
* muvee autoProducer: Automatically create professional looking home videos with your remote control and burn to DVD
* Roxio MyDVD Basic: Make movies and slideshows and burn to DVD or CD

Entertainment:

* RealPlayer: Find, play and organize digital programming - sports, entertainment, news and more

Productivity:

* Microsoft® Works 8: Includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database and calendar
* Adobe® Reader 7.0: Read and print PDF files
* HP Total Care Advisor: Customizable desktop tool provides support, system health and shopping information

PC Security:

* Norton Internet Security 2007 Edition: Protect your PC out of the box (60 days of complimentary live updates)

HP Multimedia Desktop PC - The Pavilion Media-Center TV m8200n Desktop PC is designed and built for your digital life. Take control of your digital entertainment with a PC that helps you consolidate, organize, and enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, music, photos and videos.

* A built-in drive bay fits an optional HP Personal Media Drive, for up to 500GB of additional storage that you can carry away with you when you go (sold separately).
* The HP Media Center Remote Control provides access to your digital music, photos, and videos from across the room.
* The front-panel 15-in-1 memory card reader makes it easy to transfer photos, music, and other files to and from your digital camera and other peripheral devices.
* The SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe technology lets you create custom, silkscreen-quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe-enabled CD and DVD discs.

Watch and record live TV

The built-in TV tuner and personal video recorder (PVR) let you watch, pause, rewind, and record live television on your Media Center PC - with no monthly fee. A free online Electronic Program Guide (EPG) lets you review the TV schedule and choose a single episode or an entire series, so you can watch your favorite shows on your own time, at your own convenience. You can store many hours of digital video on the ultra large hard drive.

The world's favorite PC

HP computers are built to perform and built to last; that's why they're the world leader in consumer PCs. HP has sold more than 60 million consumer PCs since 1998-more than any competitor-and won more PC Magazine Editors' Choice Awards than any other company.

Latest Processor Technology

The Intel® Core™2 Quad processor is the latest in cutting edge processor technology for the desktop PC. Based on the Intel® Core™ microarchitecture, the Intel Core™2 Quad processor delivers four complete execution cores within a single processor, delivering unprecedented performance and responsiveness in multi-threaded and multi-tasking business and home use environments.

Capability meets possibility

The Windows Vista Home Premium operating system is the preferred edition for home desktop PCs. With extensive digital entertainment features, expanded search capabilities, and the fluid, three-dimensional Windows Aero™ user interface, it provides a truly extraordinary user experience.

Protection right out of the box

You get the enhanced protection you need from aggressive worms, hackers, and other on-line threats with preinstalled Norton Internet Security 2007 Edition. Includes a 60 day subscription of live updates.

Service and support

HP stands behind their products and protects your investment with award-winning service and support available around the clock by phone, e-mail, and online:

* HP Total Care offers expert assistance 24 x 7:
o Toll-free telephone support at 1-800-HP-INVENT (1-800-474-6836) in English and Spanish in the United States or English and French in Canada.
o Real-time online chat at www.hp.com/support
o E-mail, usually answered within one hour
* A desktop icon offers one-click access to online technical support, troubleshooting, and downloads at www.hp.com/support.

Notes:

* This model has 2 hard drives: 320GB capacities each.
* This model includes a NTSC TV tuner and over-the-air ATSC high-definition television tuner.


Return to Top

In the Box:

* HP Media Center TV m8120n Minitower PC
* Personal Video Recorder: NTSC TV tuner, over-the-air ATSC high-definition television tuner, and FM tuner and antenna
* HP wireless keyboard with extended range (up to 30 feet)
* HP mouse
* HP Media Center remote control with IR (infrared) receiver

Chassis Style: Tower (Mini)
Height: 16.5 in
Width: 7.6 in
Depth: 15.2 in
Weight: 32.0 lbs
Limited Warranty: 1 Year (12 Months)

 

[akachan ningen]

If you're getting a new mobo and gpu anyway, just go the full nine and build one yourself. It'll probablt end up cheaper too. Getting a quad core at this point is waste too.

 

[Mr.Potato Head]

If you're getting a new mobo and gpu anyway, just go the full nine and build one yourself. It'll probablt end up cheaper too. Getting a quad core at this point is waste too.

Just wondering.. why is a quad core a waste right now? Wouldnt it be future proofing for the "near" future of pc games?

Edit, by the way..i have a similar rig already..with a 8800GT..i just figured this deal was too good to pass up but i never went with a HP pc and the ram seems a tad lacking,etc

 

[Relix]

I thought that PC had a GeForce 8800GTS, I swear I was about to head to my CompUSA as fast as I could. Then I read it had some crappy GeForce 7200 or w/e. I almost cried.

 

[Zapperkhan]

Just wondering.. why is a quad core a waste right now? Wouldnt it be future proofing for the "near" future of pc games?

Edit, by the way..i have a similar rig already..with a 8800GT..i just figured this deal was too good to pass up but i never went with a HP pc and the ram seems a tad lacking,etc

I'm the same way with waiting on a quad. I got an e6750 instead of a quad a few months back because, by the time quads are used frequently by game devs, it will probably be in 1.5 years. By then better cheaper quads will be out with higher cache and whatnot. Since most mobos are quad capable, just splurge a bit on a decent mobo and get a decent C2D. A bigger chokepoint atm is the graphics card. You would do better future proofing getting a step up in video card then processor.

 

[tino]

If it doesn't play Crysis well, you might as well save the money for consoles and console games.

 

[Forgotten Ancient]

Just wondering.. why is a quad core a waste right now? Wouldnt it be future proofing for the "near" future of pc games?

Edit, by the way..i have a similar rig already..with a 8800GT..i just figured this deal was too good to pass up but i never went with a HP pc and the ram seems a tad lacking,etc

Intel's new line of quads are coming out very shortly - unless the rumored delay happens. I'd expect them to be available within a month or two. Someone else posted a chart of the different processors and prices a little while ago. Not that that really matters that much on this system since it's a prebuilt, but it's something to consider if you planned on building one yourself anytime soon.

 

[Forgotten Ancient]

If it doesn't play Crysis well, you might as well save the money for consoles and console games.

Joke post? Or does nothing exist for PC gamers that isn't Crysis...

 

[McLovin]

Looks like a good deal to me for $700. My local Compusa thinks that close out sale means 10% discount :lol So basically I'll be paying 15% more instead of 25% more then what everyone else pays for their stuff.

 

[VictimOfGrief]

Intel's new line of quads are coming out very shortly - unless the rumored delay happens. I'd expect them to be available within a month or two. Someone else posted a chart of the different processors and prices a little while ago. Not that that really matters that much on this system since it's a prebuilt, but it's something to consider if you planned on building one yourself anytime soon.

As far as that rumor goes, don't expect Intel to bow to mobo designers simply because the manufactures have a problem with making the boards.

Reason for the slump in mobo's in Nov/Dec is people waiting for the next wave in Jan/Feb on the X48 chipset along with the new penryn's.

Intel has had blood on it's nose from AMD and I would expect them to go in for the kill in 2008.

 

[Borys]

Wow, nice deal. If you have a little cash to spare get it.

 

[Durante]

I think it's overpriced. You can build a much better gaming system for the money. But that's true of almost all pre-built PCs.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

If you're getting a new mobo and gpu anyway, just go the full nine and build one yourself. It'll probablt end up cheaper too. Getting a quad core at this point is waste too.

Why do you think getting a quad core is a waste?

 

[Amankhan]

Why do you think getting a quad core is a waste?

What exactly do people plan on using the 4 cores for?

Also, 1066FSB, 2.40GHz and 65nm are all good, but will most certainly be upgraded in the next 6 months.

It never makes sense to buy brand-new technology and expect it to be future-proof.

 

[DeaconKnowledge]

build one yourself.

.

 

[SexConker]

I used to be in the "build one yourself" crowd, (and I still build all my own) but lately I've been seeing deals from Dell and HP that simply can't be beat. For those who haven't built a pc before, or don't game, I recommend getting a cheap Dell/HP/etc, and doing upgrades on your own.

Yeah - you get Vista Home or XP Home instead of Business/Ultimate or Pro, but you do get a valid license.

Most of the cost savings people talk about when building yourself come from the fact that you can steal your OS of choice (or use a free OS), and you don't get charged $80 to bump up to faster ram.

Some of the $430, free next day shipping Dell systems that show up on the bargain sites are amazing. They often come with a good monitor, too. The only thing these setups typically lack is a good graphics card and fast ram.
RAM is dirt cheap, and a good graphics card can be had for $250 or $300.
Doing these upgrades yourself will often beat the price of building your own, and most of the work is done for you.

If you're into tweaking your PC at all, you still need to build your own.
If you like controlling the look of your case, want to make sure your fancy heat sink will fit, etc., you still need to build your own.

I'm a nerd, so I like building PCs. Most people don't.
Since you're posting on GAF, I assume you have built / are capable of building a pc on your own. Go for it.

Problems with that PC are as follows:
Vista.
Slow RAM.
SATA (not SATA II) controller.
Less than desirable GPU.

My CompUSA is closing too, I went in for their 20% off sale.
20% off of 60% too much is still 28% too much.
The prices I saw on cables, blank media, even paper were ridiculous. No wonder they're going out of business.

If you want a gaming box, build your own, or buy that and upgrade the RAM and GPU, and rip out the useless software like Realplayer, Vista, etc.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

I stopped building PCs 3 years ago. No regrets...at all.

 

[OliveJuice]

Just wondering.. why is a quad core a waste right now? Wouldnt it be future proofing for the "near" future of pc games?

Edit, by the way..i have a similar rig already..with a 8800GT..i just figured this deal was too good to pass up but i never went with a HP pc and the ram seems a tad lacking,etc

There is no such thing as future proofing in the computer world. By the time quad cores are actually implemented and main stream you can get this one for dirt cheap.

 

[Mr.Potato Head]

Yeah i know with computer tech theres no future proofing..i was just wondering why he said getting a quad core cpu is a waste.. i was looking at games like crysis and other upcoming games that will be tailored to take advantage of more then two cores.. thats what i meant by future proofing.. i mean why not get a cpu with 4 cores.. i just didnt get how thats a waste but others made a few points about other quads coming out shortly that are more powerful then a q6600.

Anyways..i went ahead and bought this HP a little while ago

After i posted this thread..i added up the components in it.. the two 320gb hdds, the hdtv tuner card, the ram, the cpu, the sata dvd burner,etc and it was a good deal..regardless of it being prebuilt. Actually..this sucker is super quite..im shocked