Intel i5 or AMD A10?

Jim Cockfield wrote:

I don't have any experience with HP PCs (I usually by Dell models, and get them in refurbished condition from http://www.dell.com.outet since they have the same warranties as new machines). I've bought multiple desktops and laptops that way (refurbished from Dell Outlet), and I wait for coupon codes so that I get more off the already discounted refurbished pricing (since they have them on a regular basis).

But, that's a pretty good deal for the way that HP model is equipped.

I am partial to HP. I have purchased multiple computers from them and have had very good success.

That CPU (Core i7 3770) will "run circles" around the AMD CPUs.you'll find for desktops.

If it were me, I might upgrade the PSU to the 460 Watt model ($30 option in that configurator), just in case I wanted to use a faster video card that required more power later (since the default 300 watt PSU in the HP is too weak to handle anything other than a bus powered video card).

In a similar setup, you may also want to look at the Dell XPS 8500 config for $849 here:

http://www.dell.com/us/soho/p/xps-8500/pd?~ck=mn

It's got a 460 Watt PSU by default, and uses faster 1600Mhz DDR3 for system memory, with faster GDDR5 on it's HD 7570 video card (same card that the HP system defaults with, only the HP card uses slower GDDR3). So, by the time you upgraded the PSU in the HP to the better 460 Watt model, you'd be spending about the same as the Dell would cost, and the Dell would still have faster memory for both the system memory and the video card.

But, in most real world conditions, you're not going to notice the difference anyway by using faster memory. So, I wouldn't worry about that part if you prefer HP over Dell; and the HP does appear to come with Adobe Elements and Premier Elements if you care about having those apps.

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JimC
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