Compaq Presario SR1630NX Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 3500+ processor, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, LightScribe Dbl Layer Drive)

Average customer rating: 4.5

Wonderful for a mid-priced PC
nice mid-level pc

Compaq Presario SR1630NX Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 3500+ processor, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, LightScribe Dbl Layer Drive)

Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Office
Product Group: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers
ASIN: B000BCDF86

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Product Description

Need a better desktop PC to streamline your computing tasks? With its 2.2GHz processor, Windows XP Home, roomy hard drive, and double-layer LightScribe DVD+-RW CDRWdrive, the Compaq SR1630NX is ready to make it happen. Create a killer music collection, copy data CDs, and back up files with the CD writer drive Make home videos with the included muvee autoProducer photo and video software Store loads of music, video, and data on the roomy 200GB 7200 rpm Ultra DMA hard drive Surf the Web via DSL or cable using the 10/100 Ethernet adapter Bring details to life with integrated ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 graphics with up to 256MB shared video memory Boost performance with the 512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM memory (2 x 256 for ultimate performance), expandable to 4GB (4 DIMM slots) Connect accessories like joysticks, driving wheels, and MP3 players with the top- and back-access USB 2.0 ports (three in front, four in back) and FireWire (IEEE 1394) ports, 1 front, 1 in back Access the 9-in-1 digital media card reader and audio ports via the front of the computer Protect your PC against viruses, hackers, and worms with the included Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 Guard against viruses, spam, and spyware with the preinstalled Norton Internet Security 2005 (60 days of protection, after which you must update the subscription) Sound - Integrated audio, six-speaker configurable (speakers sold separately) Monitor Sold separately Unit Dimensions - 7.17 W x 16.54 D x 15.35 H (unpackaged) Monitor is not included

Amazon.com Product Description

Whether editing your family photos, balancing your online checkbook, or listening to your digital music collection, Compaq's SR1630NX offers a versatile, strong base for your home computing needs. Focusing on affordability, this desktop has room to grow with two available expansion slots (one 3.5-inch and one 5.25-inch), 2 available PCI slots, 7 USB ports for connecting peripherals, and the ability to add up to 4 GB of RAM. This desktop comes with a large 160 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, 2.2 GHz AMD Athlon 64 3500+ processor, multi-format DVD/CD burner with dual layer support, and a multi-format memory card reader.

The Basics
<ul>

Hard Drive: The 200 GB hard drive (7200 RPM) is generously sized when compared with other family-oriented desktops. It provides a good size for a wide range of software applications and a large digital audio library.

Processor: AMD's Athlon 64 3500+ processor is built for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, which will require a processor with significant power. This 2.2 GHz processor offers a system bus with speeds up to a blazing 2200 MHz and 512 KB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.) It includes such AMD features as HyperTransport Technology (which increases the communication between integrated circuits) and Cool'n'Quiet Technology that conserves power while also keeping the PC nicely quiet.

Memory: The 512 MB of installed RAM (PC3200) is enough to get you started, but you'll want to add more RAM to handle today's demanding multimedia and productivity suites. This desktop has a very good 4 GB maximum RAM capacity.

CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, this multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 2.4x DVD+R DL Write Once, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD+RW, 4x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM speeds.

This LightScribe DVD+/-RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs . Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label--anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art .

Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Compaq keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections. </ul> Screen, Graphics and Sound
The integrated video/graphics card (with up to 128 MB of allocated video memory) is adequate for streaming Internet video, but won't be enough for today's demanding immersive 3D games. It also features an integrated audio card and headphone, microphone, and line-in jacks.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the SR1630NX has three PCI slots (two available), one PCI Express slot (available), two 5.25-inch external bays (one available), two external 3.5-inch bays (one available) and one internal 3.5-inch bay (occupied), and three PCI slots (two available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors: <ul>

7 USB 2.0 ports (3 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players

2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 in front, 1 in rear)

1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners

2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice

1 VGA monitor port

9-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card </ul> It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 operating system with Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes preloaded with Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), HP Image Zone Express 1.5, Symantec Norton Antivirus 2005 (with 60 days of LiveUpdate), Encarta Encyclopedia 2005, Quicken New User Edition 2005, Microsoft Money 2005, RecordNow, WinDVD Player, Sonic DigitalMedia Plus, iTunes, and PC Doctor.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop measures 15.4 x 7.2 x 16.5 inches (HxWxD) and weighs approximately 30 pounds.

What's in the Box
The Presario SR1630NX desktop PC comes with a power cord, keyboard, and scroller mouse. It is backed by a one-year warranty for parts and labor from date of purchase, and it includes 90 days of toll-free software technical assistance.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful for a mid-priced PC.......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.

nice mid-level pc.......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.

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