Desktop Reviews

• Affordable family multimedia desktop PC with 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium four 631 hyper threading processor
• 160 GB hard drive, one GB installed RAM 2 GB max, multi format/dual layer LightScribe DVD drive
• Connectivity: four USB, one VGA, one headset, one microphone, two PS/2
• 10/100 Ethernet, Intel GMA 950 video card with up to 224 MB shared memory
• Pre installed with Windows Vista Home Basic

A powerful performer for family computing needs from multimedia to finance tracking or your small office/home business, the Compaq Presario SR5030NX desktop PC offers a versatile, strong base that can grow with your changing needs. Focusing on affordability, this desktop gives a roomy 160 GB hard drive and one GB of RAM, with a maximum capacity of two GB which lets you to add power for multimedia tasks like editing video and creating immersive presentations. You will be able to create DVDs from your home movies with the 16x dual layer DVD /+RW drive, which also will include LightScribe technology for personalized silkscreen quality, laser etched labels produced right in the drive. Access to all your peripherals is made easy with two USB ports and microphone/headphone jacks in the front.

Other features are a 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium four 631 hyper threading processor, Intel GMA 950 video/graphics card with 32 GB of dedicated video RAM and up to 224 MB of total shared graphics memory, and an included keyboard and scroller mouse. It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, which delivers a safer, more dependable, and more productive computing environment. Vista integrates new search tools during the operating system, will include new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of imminent hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: While it is not as sexy as its newer many core siblings, this hyper threading Intel Pentium four 641 processor 3.2 GHz still gives more than enough power and speed for home multimedia use and helps make this desktop an in general cheap package. It includes a fast MHz front side bus FSB speed and a big two MB L2 cache. An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data, and a bigger L2 cache may help speed up your system’s performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front side bus will deliver better in general performance. This processor sits in the center of its class as of April 2007.

  A hyper threading processor helps a PC run some number of calling for applications simultaneously. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads parts of a program in parallel, boosting performance throughout key high drain procedures. This results in more economical software performance, like faster reaction times in gaming applications, and improved multitasking.

• Hard Drive: The 160 GB hard drive 7200 RPM offers enough to room to hold a audio library of over 26,000 songs and still have room left over for movies, games, and a big group of software. This Serial ATA SATA hard drive also quickens the rate with a higher speed move of data akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
• Memory: The one GB of installed RAM PC4200, two x 512 MB, 533 MHz is a good start, but you will want to add more RAM to manage today’s calling for multimedia and productivity suites. This desktop has a good two GB maximum RAM capacity 2 x one GB. As well, to get the benefits of the dual channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.
• DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is matched with writing both DVD+ and DVD disc formats also as dual layer DL DVD+/ R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 4x DVD R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R DL Write Once, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 16x DVD R, 6x DVD RW, 5x DVD RAM, 40x CD R, 32x CD RW write speeds and 40x CD ROM, and 16x DVD ROM read speeds.

  This LightScribe DVD+/ RW drive allows you to laser etch silkscreen quality text and pictures 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 &amp, Mouse: It comes with a Compaq keyboard and scroller mouse both with PS/2 connections.

Video &amp, Audio
Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology DVMT and gives 32 MB of dedicated graphics memory. Windows Vista may also allocate up to 224 MB of total graphics memory from the system memory. It also has an integrated audio card that can create high meaning surround sound configurable to eight speakers.

Networking, Connectivity &amp, Expansion
For expansion, this desktop has two PCI slots one available, one PCI Express x16 slot available, one PCI Express x1 slot available, two 5.25 inch external bays one available, one external 3.5 inch bay available, and one interior 3.5 inch bay occupied. It comes with the following external connections:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a large range of peripherals from digital cameras to MP3 players 2 in front, two in rear
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• Headphone/microphone/line in jacks on both the front and rear

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.

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Basic is the operating system for users with basic computing needs, like surfing the Internet, corresponding with friends and family using e mail, or performing basic document creation and editing tasks. Also, Windows Vista Home Basic integrates new search tools during the operating system to assist you quickly find the exact file or program you need.

Every edition of Windows Vista gives the essential tools and technologies to help protect you if you’re browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of imminent hardware failures long before you have lost any vital personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that let you to manage and monitor your family’s use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other actions.

Preloaded Software
Will include Microsoft Works, Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 with 60 days of Live Update, Roxio Creator/MyDVD, DVD Play, and HP Total Care consultant.

Dimensions &amp, Weight
This desktop measures 16.8 x 6.7 x 14.85 inches LxWxD and weighs roughly 21.25 pounds.

Power
This desktop is Energy Star rated, which means that it uses 15 watts or less of power when on low power mode. An Energy Star qualified computer uses 70% less electricity than computers without enabled power management features.

What’s in the Box
The HP Compaq Presario SR5030NX desktop PC comes with a power cord, keyboard, and scroller mouse. It’s supported by a one year warranty for parts and labor from date of buy, one year technical phone service, and 90 days of software application support.

Main Features