Compaq Presario SR1630NX Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 3500+ processor, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, LightScribe Dbl Layer Drive) | List Price: $757.00
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Platform: Windows XP Home Edition
Brand: Hewlett-Packard
Binding: Personal Computers
Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features: - Affordable desktop PC with 2.2 GHz AMD Athlon 64 3500+ processor
- 200 GB hard drive, 512 MB of RAM (4 GB max), multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner with dual-layer support
- Seven USB 2.0, two Firewire, one VGA, one parallel, microphone, headphone, multi-format memory card reader
- Integrated video/graphics card with up to 128 MB of allocated video memory; 10/100 Ethernet, 56K modem
- Windows XP Home edition, SP2
nice mid-level pc [Posted on 2005-12-13]
I just got this machine a couple of days ago. So far I'm impressed with the speed (I upgraded from a Celeron 2.5 GHz machine running XP). The box itself looks nice on the front, with a glossy black plastic covering the various drive bays.
As soon as I hooked my machine up to verify that it worked, though, I knew I had to "open the hood" to do some upgrading. In went a second optical drive, which was easy to install once I twisted away the metal that covered this spare drive bay, and another 512MB of RAM (somewhat difficult to install because the memory banks are on the system board right at the back of the various internal drives, meaning there were a lot of cords in the way). I also added a hard drive from my previous PC, and this is where things got a little strange: Even though there is plenty of room to add another hard drive, Compaq has included a cable that only has a connection for a primary hard drive; the second cable does have both primary and slave connectors. Fortunately I had a spare cable and could simply replace the one that only had one connector.
My only other criticism thus far is the design of the optical drive bays. They are unlike any other pc I've seen. That pretty, glossy black front of the machine actually hides the drives underneath and has push buttons that are in front (on top) of the open/close buttons on the drives underneath. Unfortunately this design works fine for opening the drives but the only way to close the drives is to push on the front of the drawers until they start to close. I guess this is a case where the look of a design took precedence over its functionality.
Wonderful for a mid-priced PC [Posted on 2005-12-27]
Having replaced my 10 years old desktop, I can't help but marvel at the SR1630NX' performance. This desktop is so quiet that you have to listen hard to hear any sound coming from the computer. I've been using it for two weeks, and I've experienced no crashing so far. The processor is powerful enough to handle my every day activities, including playing Guild Wars. The hard drive is roomy enough for my computer needs, and the lightscribe enabled burner is a big plus. At the front of the computer, there are slots to hook up a firewire, two 2.0 usb's, and audio equipment. This is a very, very convenient feature, and something that I was looking for in choosing to buy a new computer.
However, there are some minor issues to raise. First the preinstalled 512 mb ram is simply not enough. If you play a dvd, surf the internet, and run aim all at the same time, you're going to experience lagging. This is because the pre-installed memory is inadequate. Fortunately, you can buy a 512 mb memory stick on sale from Best Buy at $40 bucks, and stick it into your computer. Once you physically install the stick, the computer will recognize it without any problem.
Second, the pre-installed graphics card is set at 64 mb video ram, and the BIOS does not allow you to change it. I guess if you have more ram installed, the 64mb will bump up to 128 mb automatically. But I'm currently at 1.5 gb ram, and it's still set at 64 mb vieo. So if you need better performance from your video, you will need to install a new video card. Fortunately, this computer comes with a PCI Express slot, which allows you to install higher end cards if you so desire.
Finally, as the first Amazon reviewer recognized, the internal setup slots for the drives are a bit quirky. When I opened the case to install my two 512 mb memory sticks, I noticed that there was only one internal 3.5" slot, and it's occupied already for the hard drive. This is significant in the sense that you don't have an open slot to install a second internal hard drive. Even though there is physically enough space between the slot for the audio and firewire/usb equipment, and the internal hard drive. The first reviewer managed to install a second internal hard drive anyway, and you may be similarly inclined to try. But I will just stick with external hard drives, rather than tempt fate and mess up with the cables and whatnot. The lack of a second internal hard drive slot is probably the best reason not to buy this computer. This may or may not be relevant to you, depending on your hard drive needs.
Nonetheless, the Compaq Presario SR1630NX delivers the performance you expect for a mid-priced desktop computer.
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