HP Desktops with AMD... Your thoughts.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

So I've got the opportunity to buy a whole load of HP 6005 and higher SFF desktops.

 

I'd be interested to hear peoples thoughts on these as we don't really sell AMD machines (with the exception of a few servers).

 

They're likely to be some DC AthlonII through to QC PhenomII CPUs, but otherwise identical spec to the intel equiv.

 

i.e.

 

4GB DDR3

250GB HDD

Win 7 Pro

 

Now if we did them they'd be £20 cheaper than their intel alts, but i'd only go for them if you guys think they're workth taking on?

 

I'd appreciate any feedback

 

Thanks!

[3s-gtech]

As a regular buyer of your PCs, I'd probably choose these in preference over the Intel kit (especially if PhenomII CPUs are fitted, as they'll beat out contemporary Core2 stuff). Discrete or onboard graphics?

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Thanks for the feedback

 

Onboard GFX, but we'd fit you a discrete for a little extra if you wanted.

[3s-gtech]

They have HD4200 on board (I guess they use the 785G chipset) so still better than the Intel equivalent. They'd certainly be my first choice for general purpose machines (with PIIx4 in, wouldn't be too fussed with AthlonII).

[localzuk]

We used to only buy AMD stuff here - bang for buck, at the level we were buying, AMD chips were better than Intel at that time. So, that generation of devices are a good choice I'd say.

 

Newer devices, the i5 range is far superior than AMD equivalents, but back then? AMD all the way.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Good stuff. I'm not sure what quantity of Phenoms we will get, but i'll bear it in mind.

 

How about the PII x2? These are likely to be more plentiful.

[HTCPCP]

I have a PhenomII X4 on my home PC, can't really fault it. When we buy computers and equipment, all our schools ask for new equipment, with the exception for one school when they get free reconditioned printers when they order over a certain amount of own brand toner in a year. However I might suggest to the head to look at the AMD kit if some machines we need to rebuild in the summer aren't feasible to redeploy.

[featured_spectre]

I would ignore the Athlon 2 chips altogether, they are not worth it and will likely need replacing not long after purchase as they have a much shorter shelf life than their intel counterpart. However the Phenom 2 chips (Quad Core) are the better bet to hedge with (if you can make the choice).

 

I had 2 purchased at the same time (from new), the Athlon 2 Dual Core CPU wore out quicker than the Phenom 2 chip, infact the Phenom chip is still going!

 

Athlon II X2 240 - Purchased new in October 2009

Phenom II X4 955 - Purchased new in October 2009

 

Athlon chip wore out in early 2013 (January I think), Phenom chip is still going.

 

*edit*

 

corrected the chip purchase dates.

Edited March 7, 2014 by featured_spectre

[jamesfed]

Kitted out a Primary School in a revamp with these a year or so ago - as far as I know they are still going very well indeed

 

So if the situation called again I'd go for them!

[3s-gtech]

Good stuff. I'm not sure what quantity of Phenoms we will get, but i'll bear it in mind.

 

How about the PII x2? These are likely to be more plentiful.

 

If cheap enough, yeah. I have a couple of self built PIIx2 PCs (similar spec to the 6005) working in the school office, they're absolutely fine. My home PC has an overclocked Athlon 7750 (basically a Phenom I x2) and it still does everything I need, including gaming.