The HP Compaq Presario SR1820NX is Power on a Budget Price!
by surferdude7 - Written: Dec 06 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A fast 64-bit processor!
Cons: An integrated video that shares main memory!
The Bottom Line: It is very upgradeable and the cost is very reasonable!
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| surferdude7's Full Review: Hewlett Packard Compaq Presario SR1820NX (ER919AA)... |
The HP Compaq Presario SR1820NX computer is a bargain if you look for it. The computer (Monitor Not Included) retails for $489.99, but you can find it as low as $350, making it a bargain. This model uses 64-bit processing and PC3200 memory for performance and speed.
The system looks fancy with the glossy black faceplate. Built-in is a CD/DVD Burner, Card Reader and seven USB ports.
The Processor
The Presario SR1820NX comes with the AMD Athlon 64 3400+ processor 2.2GHz, with 512KB L2 cache and a 1600MHz system bus. This is the single core processor, not the Dual Core Processor, which actual does better in gaming then a 3400+ Dual Core.
This processor works with all Windows software, 32-bit and 64-bit. AMD is the first company to offer a 64-bit processor that works with all Window software and in my book is still the “Best.”
The processor is used with an Asus A8N-LA Nagami motherboard that features an integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150LE that shares up to 250MB of memory from the 512MB memory onboard and 7.1 audio system.
Other Features
For memory, it includes 2 x 256MB of PC3200 DDR SDRAM memory for a total of 512MB, maximum upgrade of 4GB of memory. There are two blank slots open for adding memory.
The hard drive is a 160GB of 7200-rpm (revolutions per minute) Ultra DMA hard drive, which has plenty of storage space and running at a decent speed.
In the front of the computer is a built-in 9-in-1 memory card reader that supports Compact Flash II Card, Compact Flash I Card, Micro Drive, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Multimedia Card, Secure Digital (SD) card, Smart Media Card and xD Card. There are also 3-USB 2.0 ports in the front and 4-USB 2.0 ports in the back. Plus one FireWire ports in the front and one in the back.
One of the two 5.25-inch drive bays is filled with a Dual-layer DVD burner with LightScribe technology. LightScribe lets you print laser-etch labels on special CDs and DVDs made for it. The drive allows the following discs; 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+RW, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 24x CDRW and 40x CD-ROM.
The motherboard has three PCI slots (2 empty) and one PCI Express 16x slot that is empty. The motherboard incorporates a 10/100Base-T network interface and a 56K modem.
Included!
Included with the computer is a keyboard and mouse.
A blank LightScribe 52x CDR disc
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Computer Security: Norton Internet Security 2006 (60 days of complimentary live updates)
Productivity Software: Microsoft Works 8, Microsoft Money 2006, Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003 (60-day trial version), Quicken 2006 New User Edition, Compaq Organize, MSN Encarta Standard Online and Adobe Reader 7.0
Entertainment Software: Sonic DigitalMedia Plus, Sonic MyDVD, HP Photosmart Premier and
RealPlayer
Warranty is one year on parts, labor and 90 days of technical support.
My Thoughts!
This is a basic entry-level computer with a decent built-in powerhouse to provide plenty of processing power.
My main con is the integrated video card, it does a good job, I just don’t like integrated video cards that use my system memory. The good part is there is a PCI or PCI express slot for adding a video card, I recommend using the PCI express slot. Playing Doom 3 was a little sluggish at times, but playable, adding more memory and a PCI express card should give this computer smooth sailing on most all games. If the integrated video decides to use all of the 250MB of allotted memory then you will have only 262MB of main memory left and that will slow down the system. If I owned this system, I would either add another 512MB of memory or add a good PCI express video card.
Playing back a DVD was smooth without any problems as was general use of the computer. The only slowdown I did see was in a few of the newer games that require a good video card. This computer has plenty of processing power and is upgradeable to make it more productive for gaming and any applications in the future that seem to need a little more boost in the future.
The hard drive running at 7200 rpm is a plus, many low cost systems have a tendency to put in a 5400 rpm drive, which is too slow for this processor. Having 160 gigabytes of hard drive space is plenty for most everyone; you can add a second drive in the future if you need more space.
The 512MB of PC3200 DDR SDRAM is plenty for most general use. However, another 512MB would be useful if you are into some heavy computing.
Dual core or Single core processors? Dual core processors are generally better for a person who multitasks a lot because the dual core is like having two processors in one chip. The single core processors generally run at a faster speed and are better for gamers and if you do a lot of graphics. For general use either one will work just fine.
I helped a friend set this computer up; they did buy an LCD monitor to go with it and a 5.1 speaker system. Setting up was easy, I plugged the monitor into the computer, connected the speakers and plugged the computer and monitor into an AC outlet. Everything worked right out of the box, they could have done it by their self, but they asked me to help them. My friend has been using it for about six weeks now and loves it very much; he has had no problems with it. He plans to add another 512MB of memory in a few weeks and next month he wants to add a good video card.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 349
Operating System: Windows
RAM: More than 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
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