HP Pavilion AMD Phenom X4 Quad Core 9550 2.2GHz Computer - refurb $599.99 - Warm?

[heypeterman]

I saw the other thread about building your own at NCIX but this looks pretty good as a complete package. This seems to be selling pretty quick today. Started at around 150 in stock. Now there's around 40 left.

The video card isn't great but a 1TB HDD, 8GB of RAM and a Blu-ray drive seems pretty good for $599.99. I also like that it comes with Photoshop Elements 8 and Premiere Elements 8. I had those pre-ordered on amazon.ca until they cancelled my order because of a price error.

What's the consensus on refurbs? Should they be avoided?

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10126254&logon=&langid=EN

[nite4evr]

$599.99 for Phenom 9550 is overpriced but with the Blu-ray Drive and the 8GB, it'll make it decent.

The new Athlon II X4 really raised the bar.

[Taft]

It's a pretty good PC for the price. The motherboard must be terrible since it doesn't even have a gigabit NIC, and of course the CPU is very terrible but the HD, RAM and Blu-ray are definitely above entry-level stuff.

[nick227]

It's a pretty good PC for the price. The motherboard must be terrible since it doesn't even have a gigabit NIC, and of course the CPU is very terrible but the HD, RAM and Blu-ray are definitely above entry-level stuff.

I wouldn't call the CPU terrible, it's waaay more than what most average users need for everyday computing (just look at the atoms). Sure, compared to a core i7 it's terrible but compared to an old P4 or something it's great

[nite4evr]

It's a pretty good PC for the price. The motherboard must be terrible since it doesn't even have a gigabit NIC, and of course the CPU is very terrible but the HD, RAM and Blu-ray are definitely above entry-level stuff.

The CPU is not "terrible", it's better then a lot of computers out there. Much better then my workplace computer (we're using P4s, Pentium D and first generation Core2).

[heypeterman]

compared to an old P4 or something it's great

And this is what I'm thinking about replacing right now...a 7 year old P4 3.4GHz. I've upgraded as much as possible and I don't necessarily need to replace it but that doesn't mean I don't want to. ;)

[Brian99]

And this is what I'm thinking about replacing right now...a 7 year old P4 3.4GHz. I've upgraded as much as possible and I don't necessarily need to replace it but that doesn't mean I don't want to. ;)

I replaced a P4 2.66 w/ a 9500 and it's like night and day. I think an i7 would have knocked me completely off my seat :P

[Mr FAT Head]

8gb memory is overkill.
The new Athlon II processors really raised the bar like nite4ever said.

Personally I would build myself if there was no OS problem.
$110 Athlon II X4
$60 Mobo
$80 HDD
$60 PS+Case
$80 BluRay
$50 Ram

$440~

Maybe a 9600 GSO or HD 4670 to even things out.

It's a good system if you don't want the hassle of building and don't have a spare OS lying around.

[kennysze]

8gb memory is overkill.
The new Athlon II processors really raised the bar like nite4ever said.

Personally I would build myself if there was no OS problem.
$110 Athlon II X4
$60 Mobo
$80 HDD
$60 PS+Case
$80 BluRay
$50 Ram

$440~

Maybe a 9600 GSO or HD 4670 to even things out.

It's a good system if you don't want the hassle of building and don't have a spare OS lying around.

Hmmm... where can I get 8 gb ram for $50?

[Mr FAT Head]

Gah... I meant 4gb since you don't need the 8gb.
I did get my 4gb for $20 after rebate though! :)

[supermike]

The CPU is not "terrible", it's better then a lot of computers out there. Much better then my workplace computer (we're using P4s, Pentium D and first generation Core2).

My workstation is P4, and the OS is win2000.

[FerrisB]

My workstation is P4, and the OS is win2000.

Sir, I recommend you crank your motor carriage to life post-haste and frequent said purveyor of computational machinery! :cheesygri

[kmchow]

The deal is fair, you benefit the OS for the deal. For the self build system, you maybe able to squeeze some possible future cpu upgrades.

Using a modified version of a $700/$1000 desktop threads, a closer approximation of the cost to build the FS $599 yourself. While the self build components are slightly/faster, there is less RAM than the FS deal.

So all in all, it's a tight draw I say. You're not overpaying, but you're not necessarily getting a killer deal. If it was say $399 or $499, the deal would be considered hotter.

Antec Three Hundred Mini Tower ATX Case - $53.99
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=29812

OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Power Supply - $59.98 - $20 MIR = $39.98
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...0&promoid=1192

Gigabyte GA-MA770-UD3 ATX Motherboard - $78.50 after price mach - $10 MIR = $68.50
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=35762
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...70&cid=MBD.350

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Quad Core Processor Socket AM3 2.6GHZ 2MB Cache 95W Retail Box - $113.98
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42600&vpn=ADX620WFGIBOX&manufacture=AMD&promoid=1192

PC Assembly and Testing with 1 Year Limited NCIX System Warranty - $41.09
This is a combo with the Phenom II. Add it at the same time.

Corsair XMS2 PC2-8500 4GB (2x2) after price match it's $69.79 - $17 MIR = $52.79
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=38282
http://www.bestdirect.ca/products/21...00C5C/CORSAIR/

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA2 3.5IN 8.5MS 7200RPM 32MB Hard Drive OEM *3YR MFR Warranty* - $84.99
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=37232&vpn=ST31000528AS&manufacture=Seagate&promoid=1192

LG CH08-LS10 Black BLU-RAY 8X Reader & 16X DVD Writer Combo Internal SATA Lightscribe Retail Box - 119.99

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=36860&vpn=CH08LS10%2EAVBR00B&manufacture=LG%20Electronics

ASUS GeForce 9600GSO V2 550MHZ 512MB 1.4GHZ DDR3 PCI-E VGA DVI HDMI HDCP Video Card -59.99 - $20MIR
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=42599&promoid=1192

$682.30 - $57= $615.30

[heypeterman]

^^ Wow! ^^

Thanks for doing that, kmchow. With the system you've spec'd it would actually be $470.32 for me. I don't need a hard drive, I have two functional internal drives and my current video card (HD 4350) is fairly capable for my needs. I also don't need an OS. I pre-ordered Windows 7 upgrade when it was $65 and have a XP and Vista key.

The prices at NCIX must change fairly often because the total comes to $639.14 for me before price match and rebates and without a HDD and video card. Regardless, this gives me a good a idea of what I can look for.

Now to convince my wife that we need a new desktop...

[johnsa]

I need an opinion on this..I was about to order this system when I cam e accross the following at my local staples for the same price:

HPA6734F
Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33 Ghz
1333Mhz front side bus
socket 775

INtel G33 Chipset
Asus MB
350w Power supply

500 GB Sata 3G, 7200rpm
Blur ray player
GeForce 9500GS w 512 MB GDDR2 memory

4 GIG RAM

I think this would be a better system based on the CPU and Video card but I am a tech moron..pls provide any opinion..thks

[ipse]

Does this system qualify for a free Windows 7 upgrade?

/EDIT I checked HPs website and it looks like it does qualify for W7 Home Premium

[G77]

I need an opinion on this..I was about to order this system when I cam e accross the following at my local staples for the same price:

HPA6734F
Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33 Ghz
1333Mhz front side bus
socket 775

INtel G33 Chipset
Asus MB
350w Power supply

500 GB Sata 3G, 7200rpm
Blur ray player
GeForce 9500GS w 512 MB GDDR2 memory

4 GIG RAM

I think this would be a better system based on the CPU and Video card but I am a tech moron..pls provide any opinion..thks


Personally I would go with that since you have the option to Hackintosh it then later on it you want to.... It can be done with AMD, but it's more difficult....

But then if you're a tech moron, hackintosh might not be for you :cheesygri

If you priced that up with components, it'd come out around the same price, so I'd say that's a pretty good deal....

[johnsa]

The other issue is The Intel at Staples is new, full warranty, this deal at F.S. is REFURB, 90 days.

[kmchow]

^^ Wow! ^^

Thanks for doing that, kmchow. With the system you've spec'd it would actually be $470.32 for me. I don't need a hard drive, I have two functional internal drives and my current video card (HD 4350) is fairly capable for my needs. I also don't need an OS. I pre-ordered Windows 7 upgrade when it was $65 and have a XP and Vista key.

The prices at NCIX must change fairly often because the total comes to $639.14 for me before price match and rebates and without a HDD and video card. Regardless, this gives me a good a idea of what I can look for.

Now to convince my wife that we need a new desktop...
Unfortunately, I can't take credit for the supposed builds as they're from another thread that inspired by another forum! ;) If you can self-build or recycle compoents from past systems, the price difference widens btwn self builds and pre builds, giving self builds an advantage. Of course, some RFDers don't want the hassle or aren't too handy with computers so that's why they buy a complete system.

[Mayday Malone]

Ordered during the sale. Received yesterday and set up today. Looks absolutuely brand new, still had all the plastic "peel off" wrapping, not a single scratch, dent or anything. I'm starting to believe that some of these refurbs are really new just slap "refurb" on box to clear out inventory with shorter warranty. Orignailly there were 60 some units during the sale, now i see another 100 or more back up to regular price. Can there really be that many returns???
In any case could not be happier with this purchase, especially wireless mouse/keyboard