Dual-Core Athlon 64 X2 CPU Has Good Performance
This PC features the dual-core Athlon 64 processor, which AMD has replaced with its current Phenom line of CPUs. The Athlon 64 is a very good performer--faster than Intel's Pentium 4 chips, which are of the same vintage--though it doesn't come close to the performance of the latest processors available today. In the end, this computer won't provide blistering speed, but with this CPU and a fresh, clean install of your favorite operating system, its overall performance should more than satisfy you.
Athlon CPU Is Decent for a Cheap System
The CPU that this PC uses is a single-core version of the dual-core Athlon 64 X2 (which AMD replaced with its current Phenom range). The Athlon 64 was a good performer in its time, but it isn't as fast as the newer multiple-core processors. Don’t go for a new computer that includes this CPU; in a cheap used system, on the other hand, it will do a nice job on everyday tasks and even support 64-bit Windows.
Good Amount of RAM for Running Multiple Apps at Once
This computer includes between 1GB and 3GB of RAM, our recommended level for a new PC. This much memory lets you run any modern operating system and comfortably work with quite a few applications open. The more installed memory your PC has, the more programs you can run smoothly at once, and the better the system will perform. Upgrading memory in a desktop after you purchase the PC is a breeze, but usually it's worthwhile to buy the amount of memory you want preinstalled with the system.
To use more than 4GB of memory on your PC, you need the 64-bit version of Windows XP or Windows Vista. The PCs that you see equipped with 3GB of memory (instead of 4GB) tend to use the 32-bit versions of Windows that are limited to 4GB of addressable memory, the top portion of which is addressed by the various hardware devices on the system.
Adequate Hard-Disk Capacity for Business or Light Home Use
With respect to hard-drive space, this system is in the low-to-midrange tier. Whether that's important depends on your needs. Though video gobbles up drive space at a prodigious rate, most other data types take up far less than 500GB.
For basic business purposes or light home use, even 80GB or 120GB might be enough. A better minimum is 300GB, especially if you download movies or music. Compact desktops that use smaller, 2.5-inch laptop drives offer less capacity. In that kind of setup, 120GB is a more realistic minimum, though 80GB will be enough for most users.
Included Disc Writer Burns CDs and DVDs
The DVD burner on this system will allow you to burn CDs and DVDs (including movies, with the right software), play DVD movies, install software from CDs and DVDs, and play audio CDs and other types of discs. Most DVD burners have a slide-out media tray, though you'll find some slot-loading models on smaller or more-stylish PCs. Half-height drives exist, too; you'll find them mostly in laptops or external boxes. Since DVD burners are now a commodity item, even entry-level models are fast.
6xxx-Series nVidia Graphics Are Decent for Everyday Work
This system has an older nVidia GPU. First released around 2004-2005, the 6xxx series of graphics chips are DirectX 9 and OpenGL 2.0 processors, meaning that they accelerate functions for those standards. Most of the lower-numbered 6xxx chips are integrated onto the computer's motherboard and use system memory instead of their own dedicated video RAM. You wouldn't want to build a gaming system around a 6xxx graphics chip, but for regular computing, one of these will do just fine. Some versions (notably the integrated chips) don't support all of the resolutions that today's newer, larger monitors offer.
Single Graphics Card Slot Permits Upgrades
With only one video card slot (typically a 16x PCIe slot), this system is a mainstream PC likely intended for general home or business use. You can fill this slot with a premium graphics board--an important consideration if you're a gamer, video editor, or CAD specialist. If you're not a demanding user, however, the most high-end cards don't offer enough of a boost to justify their steep pricing. Instead, look for a PC configured with a decent CPU and a good GPU, such as nVidia's GeForce 9800 GTX or ATI's Radeon HD 4850.
Note: If this PC's graphics card slot is empty (and it therefore has only integrated graphics), incentives for you to upgrade to a dedicated graphics card include better game play at higher resolutions, guaranteeing more than one output to drive multiple displays, and running regular applications at higher resolutions (some integrated graphics top out below the maximum resolution of the largest monitors).
Windows Vista: Good Multimedia and Security, but a Resource Hog
This computer ships with Microsoft's latest operating system. Windows Vista offers improved multimedia and networking savvy, looks better than Windows XP, and has greater security than its predecessor, but it can be a slower-feeling operating system due to heavier resource requirements. You can run it with only 512MB of main memory in your PC, but having at least 1GB will provide a much better experience.
Common 32-bit versions of Windows Vista can address no more than 4GB of RAM, even if your machine has more available. So unless you're using the 64-bit version of Vista (or 64-bit XP, if you can still find a copy), a computer with 2GB to 4GB of memory is the right target.
FireWire Port Allows Rapid Data Transfer
The FireWire connection (also called an IEEE1394 or i.Link port) in this computer can rapidly transfer data to and from a range of devices, most commonly video cameras, external hard drives, and advanced sound cards.
Generally desktop PCs have a full-size six-pin FireWire port on the rear, often on a front panel. Some also include the smaller, unpowered four-pin connection that you can find on laptops and certain consumer electronics devices. (Camcorder makers often bundle a six-pin-to-four-pin FireWire cable because of this.)
The newer FireWire 800 (IEEE1394c) implementation is not backward-compatible and uses a nine-pin connector. If your peripheral (such as a video camera or external hard drive) uses FireWire 800, you should double-check to confirm that every desktop PC you're considering supports it, too.
USB Connections Let You Connect Various Peripherals
USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports allow this system to use any number of USB peripherals such as printers, keyboards, and mice. You can also use an external USB hard disk or a USB thumb drive to expand this desktop's storage or back up your data.
Note that the older, much slower (11 megabits per second) 1.x implementation of USB was fine for peripherals, but is frustratingly slow for storage. New desktop computers all support the speedier USB 2.0 (480 mbps)--but double-check on that if you're buying a used or older system. And when it comes to USB ports, the more the merrier.
Card Reader Takes MultiMediaCard
This system's MMC slot allows it to read the older MultiMediaCard format--the predecessor of SD Card media. SD and SDHC slots will read MMC, too, but not vice versa. For the most part, MMC is simply an additional spec for an SD or SDHC slot, which will read the two (or three) types.
Card Reader Accepts Sony Memory Stick
This computer can read and write to Sony's proprietary Memory Stick flash memory devices, and with an adapter it could also support variants such as Memory Stick Pro, Duo, Pro Duo, and Micro. Few non-Sony devices use Memory Stick; however, the company is so large that chances are you might need to read data from one someday. Most times, Memory Stick is just one among several media card types that a desktop PC can accept.
Media Reader Takes SD Card
Equipped with an SD Card (Secure Digital) reader, this PC can transfer photos from a digital camera when you have no cable. With the proper adapter, SD slots will also read data from the miniSD media used in cell phones.
The newer SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) standard is not backward-compatible, so the slot may not read such cards; check the PC's specs further to determine whether it offers SDHC support. The latest SD variant, the microSDHC, is the tiniest flash memory card to date, measuring only 11mm across. It's also the fastest and roomiest, capable of holding up to 16GB of data.
Media Reader Takes CompactFlash Cards
This PC has a multiformat card reader capable of reading CompactFlash (also known as CF) cards. Despite having been supplanted by SD Card and SDHC, CompactFlash cards are still used in older digital cameras.
Media Reader Accepts XD Picture Card Media
An XD Picture Card slot lets this system read the XD flash memory cards used in digital cameras, mostly those of Fujifilm and Olympus. On occasion XD cards are also present in voice recorders and MP3 players.
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