Best Vista desktop under $1,200; HP Pavilion Elite M9250F
By Jonathan Schlaffer
If it’s time to replace that aging desktop of yours and if you must do it now, today, then this computer is probably one of your best bets. If you can hold out I would suggest waiting for Windows 7 but this system will do very nicely in a pinch. The HP Pavilion Elite M9250F brings a lot to the table for $1,150.
One of the most important things this system offers is a dedicated graphics card right out of the box in the form of a 512MB Geforce 8600GT which will get you going but can certainly be upgraded later. Be careful though, the case isn’t exactly spacious and you may have trouble fitting larger cards such as a Radeon HD3850, it will fit but just barely.
That wasn’t the most important thing you get. The most important things you get are an Intel Core 2 Quad processor at 2.66GHz and 4GB of memory. This system is no slouch and packs plenty of punch to get both gaming and work done. Usually the 4GB of memory would be a problem but not in this case since it comes with the 64-bit version of Vista with SP1 to combat the 3GB memory limitation (which is present on 32-bit versions).
Other features include a TV tuner card, DVDRW drive, 1TB of hard drive space (2x 500GB drives), 15-in-1 memory card reader and more ports than you can shake a stick at. It even has an integrated wireless card and comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse which are essentially the quality of throwaways; I’m still using my Logitech Dinovo Keyboard and wireless laser mouse.
The system is fast and runs relatively quiet, you’d be hard pressed to hear it during normal music listening or gameplay. I’ve found it difficult to build systems myself and have them be quiet.
If you want to save a few bucks you can get the HP M8430F, a similarly equipped system without the wireless keyboard and mouse but with 8400GT graphics card and a Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz processor for $949.
Either will serve you well. But my recommendation stands for the M9250F, it has so much to offer but in spite of all the nice things there are a few cons. One I already mentioned, there isn’t much room in the case so large graphics will barely fit (or won’t at all) and then there’s the power supply.
Most off-the-shelf systems don’t have the best power supplies and that’s the case here; it’s only capable of 350W maximum output and only provides 18A on the 12V rails, hopefully it’ll last just long enough but power supplies can be replaced provided it doesn’t torch the whole system when it goes; I’ve had that happen.
Upgrading the graphics in this system will be a problem so you’ll have to stick solutions that don’t need to draw power from the power supply so that rules out things like the 9800 series of graphics cards; even a 9600 series would be pushing it.
However, I am using a Radeon HD3850 that claims to require a 400W power supply and it seems stable but I’m left wondering how long it will take it to blow the whole thing out; we’ll see, won’t we? Well, that’ll be on me. For now, it’s a nice system.
On a side note, I suppose it’s only a really good value if you don’t need a monitor, speakers and everything else to go with it. Having built/owned several computers already, I had the necessary stuff lying around but then, doesn’t everyone? (I jest.)
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May 29th, 2008
John, that was an informative and concise review. I’m not a power user but hate buying something that right out of the box has expansion capability limits.
Have you looked at the d5000t series with the ATX case? 450 watt power supply and plenty of room for add-ons/ins.
Jim
October 3rd, 2008
I just recently bought one of these and am planning on upgrading the Graphics Card as well as the power supply since its not up to par. I’m just concerned whether a 500+ power supply will fit along with an nVidia GTX 280 Graphics card.
Cheers,
Michael