Topic: Does this look like a good deal? HP Quad Core for $399

[yltfan]

I need a new computer, and can't afford the time or money to build one from scratch. This seems like a decent machine at a good price, but I thought I'd bounce it off my fellow tapers first. I'm not looking to do anything real heavy, but want something that can deal with mixing 8 tracks of 24 bit audio without flinching...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147104

I wish it came with Win 7 pro, I like the idea of XP mode, but other than that it looks beefy enough. I'd probably stick my Delta DIO in there, as well as wifi.

Any advice, pro or con, muchly appreciated...

[live2496]

I'm not an expert on this but I bought an HP dx2400 while you could still get the Windows XP install. I was surprised to find that the machine only has one PCI slot. And I needed it for my soundcard as I wanted to use it with it.

The card you have is PCI, and I see only PCI express slots in that computer. These slots have different pin spacings and sizes. See the picture partway down the page on the right.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express

[yltfan]

Thanks for noticing that!
Looks like some of the other HP refurbs on Newegg have PCI available. But this raises another question about that card and Windows 7. Will it work? I'm not finding any drivers for Win 7, not sure what will happen.

[live2496]

For Delta series cards, M-Audio is showing drivers for Windows 7. Click on Delta series, your model, and then the OS.
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support&tab=driver

As far as wifi, you will have to look into options other than PCI. Maybe a USB 2 with wifi or a PCI express card.

[yltfan]

Well, look at that...thanks again!

[anr]

Good spot about the PCI Express. 

I bypassed Vista because I couldn't get a driver for my Delta Dio 2496.  When eventually released the interface (Control Panel) is completely different, and less intuitive, but I can confirm the latest one works in Windows 7 Home Premium.

I use Soundforge and v6.0a works well in W7.  But I find CD Wave crashes a lot (mouse and keyboard freeze, necessitating a reboot, so make sure everything else is saved and closed down before using CD Wave). 

 

[yltfan]

Now leaning towards this one for $479:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147077

Has PCI, Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, S/PDIF in/out, but is loaded with Vista--hopefully the 7 upgrade is pretty painless.

Or this one at Staples with Win 7 and a monitor for $600:
http://bensbargains.net/redirect/131139/HP-Pavilion-a4316f-b-Desktop-20-LCD-Monitor-600-at-Staples

[Shadow_7]

If it weren't for the software bundle that you need.  Case - $60 / Mobo - $100 / Cpu - $100 and reuse everything from your current machine.  Most package deals like that are going to be a little shy on ports and extras.  My last desktop only has 2 PCI cards.  1x for the soundcard.  And 1x for either a wifi network card, or a TV capture card, but not both.  It gets real old real quick having to reconfigure the hardware everytime that you want to do something slightly different.  Although I guess that it does ensure that you keep an eye on the dust build up and address that before it's too late.  Otherwise plan on at least a case and mother board upgrade in addition to the bundle price.  And probably a beefier PSU for that after market GPU and extra ports.

[yltfan]

The HP in the bundle above actually has 5 PCI slots available, and since I need a monitor, I took the plunge. Hopefully, I won't regret it too much...