PC hardware forum: Which i3 processor?

I'm choosing the specs online through the HP store.

Option #1
HP Pavilion P7xt Series starts at $479.99

Windows 7 64-bit OS

comes with i3-2120 CPU, can upgrade to i3-2125 for $20 (supposedly HD 3000 vs. 2000 better integrated graphics and higher clock speed, i3-2130 is $50 upgrade)

6GB RAM included, upgrade to 8GB RAM is $60 extra

1TB HD included (I think that's more than enough)

integrated sound and graphics

add wireless card ($20-$40)

*hopefully OP can disable useless bundles after purchase and improve system performance


Option #2
HP Omni 120xt Series all-in-one, starts at $599.99

Windows 7 64-bit OS

again comes with i3-2120 standard, upgrade to i3-2125 (HD 3000 vs. 2000, higher graphics) add $50, upgrade to i3-2130 add $80

6GB RAM standard, if you want 8GB add $80

1TB hard drive

integrated sound and graphics

wireless card included

*hopefully OP can disable useless bundled products after purchase and improve system performance

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Those are my options at this point. I was also just informed that Windows 7 takes up 3-3.5 GB RAM so 6-8 GB's is necessary unless you want your computer to bog down, I'm not sure if upgrading to 8GB's is worth the $80 price increase.

The difference between the i3-2120 and 2125 re: integrated graphics improvement is the other thing I'm interested in knowing, are the HD 3000 integrated graphics that much better than HD 2000 to spend the extra $20?

I'm running Windows 7 (32 bit) here in a machine with 4 GB (running Firefox to type this). Of that 4 GB Windows recognises 3 GB, and currently uses 1.57 GB leaving 1.43 GB empty and available for other programs I'd like to run, such as Thunderbird (mail), which adds 0.06 GB to the RAM used (making it 1.63 GB).

So I sincerely doubt statements about Windows using 3 GB, so you need 6 GB unless you want it to bog down. I'm quite happy as it is.

Kees

Since this is all about the price and we know that all integrated video is a non-starter for anyone that wants to play a 3D video game, go cheap and when the time comes, get a 3D video card.

In fact, the ATI 5450 with 1GB RAM is less than 50 bucks and will scream compared to the onboard solutions.

Example? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102882

39.99 bucks and handily wipes out those integrated solutions.
Bob

Thanks Bob, another question ...

How easy is it to install a graphics card?

The reason I ask is because I bought my old PC in 2002, then in 2006 I installed a wireless Netgear card myself. If installing a graphics card is as easy as that, I know I can do it. Otherwise, I'm not one to get out the screwdriver and start tearing my computer apart, if you know what I mean!

That HP spec store does give the option for adding graphics cards.

512 MB AMD Radeon 7350 +$50.00
1GB Radeon HD 7450 +$70.00
1GB NVIDEA GeForce GT 530 DVI +70.00

I don't know how those compare to the one you listed or other prices for those found on the web.

I understand, and I'm willing to buy a $30 card that works just as good as a more expensive one.

But can I install it?

You got me to thinking and I just looked up whether or not I could get a 4GB RAM and buy and install a second 4GB RAM stick myself -- for cheaper -- than HP wants me to upgrade from 6GB to 8GB RAM. That's when I discovered that installing a stick of RAM gets me a little too close for comfort to messing around with sensitive stuff in the computer (or that's what my quick google search led me to believe).

The Netgear card, if I remember right, was very easy to install. If install a graphics card is comparable, then I would have no problem with it.

But I'm not sure how easy it is to install the graphics card yourself?

And you upgrade when it's needed.

Bob

Here's a tutorial about video cards. That 1GB is for the video card to hold textures and more.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/graphics-card.htm

Bob

Sorry but slots and names are in the specifications and then we're off to google to learn about those slots.
Bob

as compared to the i5 processors the i3 processor as the well functioning .