I am shopping new desktop systems and I have found an HP Q6700 computer with the following features:
6GB DDR2 memory
750GB Hard Drive
Windows Vista Home 64-Bit
Intel Dual Core 2 Quad processor
512MB dedicated video memory
They also said it has the capability of two screens if I choose to go that route.
I most process photos using CS2 and elements. I currently have about 400 images on my current desktop. I also use the internet daily. I rarely download music and never play video games. I want something fast that I can grow into and not have to buy another system a few years down the road. Is this one overkill and/or is it missing features I need?
Looks pretty good to me. I was looking for reviews and more detailed specs, and I think that Q6700 refers to the processor and not the HP model number.
You might consider getting another hard drive for PS to use as a scratch disk (see this link for details), and an external hard drive for image backup.
Here are the "official" specs" per the ad. The model # is M9340F. This is how it comes out of the box from Curcuit City or Best Buy. Once again I don't do any gaming. It would primarily be for photo processing and storage as well as internet use.
Specifications
HP Pavilion Media Center m9340f Desktop PC
Processor
Processor brand
Processor brand: Intel®
Refers to the company that manufactures the processor.
View full glossary
Processor brand: Refers to the company that manufactures the processor.
Intel®
Processor type
Processor type: Core 2 Quad
The generation/basic model of the processor.
View full glossary
Processor type: The generation/basic model of the processor.
Core 2 Quad
Processor speed
Processor speed: 2.66GHz
The number of calculations that the processor can handle in one second measured in millions of cycles (MHz).
View full glossary
Processor speed: The number of calculations that the processor can handle in one second measured in millions of cycles (MHz).
2.66GHz
Bus speed
Bus speed: 1066MHz
The maximum rate of communication between the processor and the rest of the system, measured in millions of cycles (MHz).
View full glossary
Bus speed: The maximum rate of communication between the processor and the rest of the system, measured in millions of cycles (MHz).
1066MHz
Level 2 cache 8MB
Level 3 cache N/A
Memory
RAM 6GB
RAM expandable to: 8GB
Memory type (RAM) 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-6400)
Storage/Drives
Hard drive size
Hard drive size: 750GB
Hard drive space is typically measured in Gigabytes (GB) or storage; the larger the number, the more programs, games and data you can use on your computer.
View full glossary
Hard drive size: Hard drive space is typically measured in Gigabytes (GB) or storage; the larger the number, the more programs, games and data you can use on your computer.
750GB
Hard drive speed 7200RPM
Burns DVDs Yes
Lightscribe Yes
Expansion
Available PCI-E x1 slots 0
Available 3.5" bays 2
Available 5.25" bays 1
Available PCI-E x16 slots 0
Available PCI slots 0
Ports
USB 2.0
USB 2.0: 6
USB is a standard connection port on most PCs. This will allow you to quickly and easily connect and sync the device with your computer.
View full glossary
USB 2.0: USB is a standard connection port on most PCs. This will allow you to quickly and easily connect and sync the device with your computer.
6
Firewire
Firewire: 2
FireWire (or IEEE 1394) is a type of data transfer. Devices with FireWire output can transfer footage directly to a PC with a compatible cable.
View full glossary
Firewire: FireWire (or IEEE 1394) is a type of data transfer. Devices with FireWire output can transfer footage directly to a PC with a compatible cable.
2
DVI (Digital Video Interface)
DVI (Digital Video Interface): 1
This is a digital interface for connecting a video source, such as a DVD player, to an HDTV or HD monitor. DVI has the necessary bandwidth for uncompressed, HD digital video.
View full glossary
DVI (Digital Video Interface): This is a digital interface for connecting a video source, such as a DVD player, to an HDTV or HD monitor. DVI has the necessary bandwidth for uncompressed, HD digital video.
1
TV tuner
TV tuner: Yes
A TV tuner lets you watch broadcast TV on the system.
View full glossary
TV tuner: A TV tuner lets you watch broadcast TV on the system.
Yes
Internet/networking
Ethernet Yes
Built-in wireless Yes
Dial-up modem Included
Graphics/video
Video memory 2303MB
Video memory type Partially shared
Software
Operating system Windows® Vista Home Premium
General features
UPC 883585957491
Manufacturer's part number KQ497AA#ABA
Dimensions
Height 15.5 inches
Width 7.0 inches
Depth 16.6 inches
Weight 24.3 lbs.
I'm a total techno-dud, but it looks like a great system to me. I'm currently using an HP Pavillon myself and have been very happy with it. The only thing I might be leery of is the Vista OS. Have they remedied the problem with Vista wiping out the monitor profile?
Posted by Scott Nelson on July 21, 2008 at 11:24 AM
This looks like a good system. My only concern with this one is the Windows Vista 64bit. I am a techy myself, and have heard nothing but bad things from the 64bit OS. Although the 32bit version will only be able to use 4G of RAM, I feel the trade off of the loss of 2G of RAM is worth the instabillity of Vista 64bit.
Posted by David Bostedo on July 21, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Hmm...Scott I know a couple of people with Vista 64, and have heard of a few others, and they've had very few problems. Most of the problems are with older hardware that they can't get drivers for. Any particular problems you've heard about?
All those specs are good, and that is a machine from hell that everything will work on. Except for one thing, I can't see any specifications on the graphics card? I thought you had one from your first post.
Vista is bad. You should get Windows XP 64. You can have both isntalled actually, so this isn't really a problem.. Just keep in mind that Vista is entirely new and that it has many flaws and many programs on it don't work, no matter what Microsoft says to convince you.
Also, stuff from Apple is good.. But it is not really that different from Microsoft machines. It's all in the commercials. All machines have their flaws and can't be trusted 100%, no matter the manufacturer. The stuff you have lined up here is really good and quite modern. So it actually may be a little overkill if what you want is to browse internet and use CS2. You can go down to 4 GB RAM at least. But don't wory, a few years and this won't be an overkill anymore.
Vista is entirely new and that it has many flaws and many programs on it don't work.
Not sure why you think it's so bad Ramunas. Once again, I know quite a few people using Vista, including some photographers, who have no problem with it. Most of the problems are gone with SP1, and many people didn't have problems to begin with. There is no reason not to go with Vista now if you want to.
Well, I have never used Vista myself. However, I have read tons of opinions about it from other forums, as well as my own father who works with computers and most certainly should know what he is talking about hehe.. Vista is simply inferior to Windows XP, that is the background for my statement. People say that it will work properly with SP2, when that comes.. I think maybe issues emerge depending on what you actually do with your computer.
I know some people who think it's not as good as XP mainly because it IS a bit of a memory hog. And it's not really any faster (which it was supposed to be). But as far as compatibility, and overall issues with crashes, etc., I doubt many people have problems (at least not much more than XP). I've used it some, and like it (roommates computer) but not enough to really give it a workout. I know a couple of people who are also pretty knowledgable (I'm a computer engineer myself) and they seem to like it just fine.
I'd be interested to know what particularly your father has a problem with - it may be something I'm not aware of. It could certainly be usage dependent.
Vista is great on 32-bit! I have Vista Ultimate and Home Premium (32-bit)! I've yet to try out the 64-bit yet simply because it means upgrading two printers, therefore I'm not ready. However I'll be doing so shortly! I’ve not checked this machine out as I tend to build my own these days as it’s cheaper but it looks good to me at that price!
Discussion
12 replies6GB DDR2 memory
750GB Hard Drive
Windows Vista Home 64-Bit
Intel Dual Core 2 Quad processor
512MB dedicated video memory
They also said it has the capability of two screens if I choose to go that route.
I most process photos using CS2 and elements. I currently have about 400 images on my current desktop. I also use the internet daily. I rarely download music and never play video games. I want something fast that I can grow into and not have to buy another system a few years down the road. Is this one overkill and/or is it missing features I need?
Thanks
Don
You might consider getting another hard drive for PS to use as a scratch disk (see this link for details), and an external hard drive for image backup.
Here are the "official" specs" per the ad. The model # is M9340F. This is how it comes out of the box from Curcuit City or Best Buy. Once again I don't do any gaming. It would primarily be for photo processing and storage as well as internet use.
Specifications
HP Pavilion Media Center m9340f Desktop PC
Processor
Processor brand
Processor brand: Intel®
Refers to the company that manufactures the processor.
View full glossary
Processor brand: Refers to the company that manufactures the processor.
Intel®
Processor type
Processor type: Core 2 Quad
The generation/basic model of the processor.
View full glossary
Processor type: The generation/basic model of the processor.
Core 2 Quad
Processor speed
Processor speed: 2.66GHz
The number of calculations that the processor can handle in one second measured in millions of cycles (MHz).
View full glossary
Processor speed: The number of calculations that the processor can handle in one second measured in millions of cycles (MHz).
2.66GHz
Bus speed
Bus speed: 1066MHz
The maximum rate of communication between the processor and the rest of the system, measured in millions of cycles (MHz).
View full glossary
Bus speed: The maximum rate of communication between the processor and the rest of the system, measured in millions of cycles (MHz).
1066MHz
Level 2 cache 8MB
Level 3 cache N/A
Memory
RAM 6GB
RAM expandable to: 8GB
Memory type (RAM) 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-6400)
Storage/Drives
Hard drive size
Hard drive size: 750GB
Hard drive space is typically measured in Gigabytes (GB) or storage; the larger the number, the more programs, games and data you can use on your computer.
View full glossary
Hard drive size: Hard drive space is typically measured in Gigabytes (GB) or storage; the larger the number, the more programs, games and data you can use on your computer.
750GB
Hard drive speed 7200RPM
Burns DVDs Yes
Lightscribe Yes
Expansion
Available PCI-E x1 slots 0
Available 3.5" bays 2
Available 5.25" bays 1
Available PCI-E x16 slots 0
Available PCI slots 0
Ports
USB 2.0
USB 2.0: 6
USB is a standard connection port on most PCs. This will allow you to quickly and easily connect and sync the device with your computer.
View full glossary
USB 2.0: USB is a standard connection port on most PCs. This will allow you to quickly and easily connect and sync the device with your computer.
6
Firewire
Firewire: 2
FireWire (or IEEE 1394) is a type of data transfer. Devices with FireWire output can transfer footage directly to a PC with a compatible cable.
View full glossary
Firewire: FireWire (or IEEE 1394) is a type of data transfer. Devices with FireWire output can transfer footage directly to a PC with a compatible cable.
2
DVI (Digital Video Interface)
DVI (Digital Video Interface): 1
This is a digital interface for connecting a video source, such as a DVD player, to an HDTV or HD monitor. DVI has the necessary bandwidth for uncompressed, HD digital video.
View full glossary
DVI (Digital Video Interface): This is a digital interface for connecting a video source, such as a DVD player, to an HDTV or HD monitor. DVI has the necessary bandwidth for uncompressed, HD digital video.
1
TV tuner
TV tuner: Yes
A TV tuner lets you watch broadcast TV on the system.
View full glossary
TV tuner: A TV tuner lets you watch broadcast TV on the system.
Yes
Internet/networking
Ethernet Yes
Built-in wireless Yes
Dial-up modem Included
Graphics/video
Video memory 2303MB
Video memory type Partially shared
Software
Operating system Windows® Vista Home Premium
General features
UPC 883585957491
Manufacturer's part number KQ497AA#ABA
Dimensions
Height 15.5 inches
Width 7.0 inches
Depth 16.6 inches
Weight 24.3 lbs.
Thanks for the advice.
Don
Vista is bad. You should get Windows XP 64. You can have both isntalled actually, so this isn't really a problem.. Just keep in mind that Vista is entirely new and that it has many flaws and many programs on it don't work, no matter what Microsoft says to convince you.
Also, stuff from Apple is good.. But it is not really that different from Microsoft machines. It's all in the commercials. All machines have their flaws and can't be trusted 100%, no matter the manufacturer. The stuff you have lined up here is really good and quite modern. So it actually may be a little overkill if what you want is to browse internet and use CS2. You can go down to 4 GB RAM at least. But don't wory, a few years and this won't be an overkill anymore.
Not sure why you think it's so bad Ramunas. Once again, I know quite a few people using Vista, including some photographers, who have no problem with it. Most of the problems are gone with SP1, and many people didn't have problems to begin with. There is no reason not to go with Vista now if you want to.
I'd be interested to know what particularly your father has a problem with - it may be something I'm not aware of. It could certainly be usage dependent.