Wich used PC sounds like better deal?

Hey there's this internet cafe that makes custom systems and sells used systems too. They said they get them from a company and make some upgrades. One is an HP and one is an IBM. I've listed the details below but my main dilemma is that the guy sais he doesn't know how old they are exactly, he sais 3-4 years. I'm not sure if he's coning me.

I know the IBM is better than HP but the case on the IBM looks massive, it's a big one that lies flat, not a 'tower'. It has a hard floppy disk drive which I think they stopped making a long time ago. So I wonder if the IBM is very old and whether I should avoid it. The technician said that those are the cases they still make IBM's in and I found that really hard to believe. The HP(lies flat also) looks much more compact which makes me think the hard drive is younger and would therefore last longer....but the IBM had 1G of ram while the HP has 512.

IBM pentium 4 2.4 Ghz processor:
$179
40 gb hard drive
1 GB ram
Windows XP pro
DVD writer
8 USB
Integrated AGP video card
10/100 ethernet
Integrated sound card,
keyboard, speakers, mouse

HP Pentium 4 2.8 ghz processor:
$189

40 GB hard drive
512 Ram
windows XP pro
DVD writer
8 USB
Integrated video card
10/100 ethernet
Integrated sound card
keyboard, speakers, mouse


I also asked what the difference between a "integrated video card" and a "integrated AGP video card" and they said there is no difference that they are the same thing.

A friend got a new system from them and said it's fine so i don't think they are total
swindlers but i feel weird not know the ages of the system. The PC is for my mother who
is stubbornly sticking with her win98 system from the 90's and will only by a new PC used.

So which system would you get?

 

seems to me you are comparing apples to apples here....for $100 or so more you can buy a new computer from best buy.

however, I've had one of those IBM computers, a P3, and it worked very well, for a long time, so...If you are sure you want one of these, go for the IBM. Just don't plan on being able to upgrade either of these.

as for a new ones:
emachines with 18.5" LCD
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9999108500050002&type=product&id=pcmprd108400050002

or here's one without a monitor:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9202392&type=product&id=1218057725408

 

FYI on usage....she likes to do photography and I just got her a Kodak easy share for X-mas. It needs to be good with video and photoshop. She does some official work for her church.

 

Both seem about equal, but I would go with the 2.8 for the speed.

 

I'd probably go with the HP, mainly because of the listed processor speed. It may be a Prescott core, and the chances of that motherboard supporting a 1MB L2 cache instead of the earlier 512KB are very good if that is the case. If you were eventually looking for a better (faster) Prescott processor, the larger cache would be nice. I would find out what type of core the CPUs have before I made a decision. If you go with the 2.4, and it is a Northwood core only capable of a maximum of a 512KB L2 cache, you will hem yourself in when it comes to future upgrades "on the cheap". Also, the later motherboards that had the Prescott cores usually had PC3200 memory. That also would be a clue toward identifying either PC's potential, i.e. the memory frequency.

Actual model numbers would be a beautiful thing!!

 

to: "the Mekanic:"

I actually took the time to write down the s/n number on the HP...but didn't bother with the IBM once I thought no one would know what to do with the numbers....but i guess you would,

Do these numbers on the HP mean anything to anyone? Would this answer the matter of the cache?

s/n CACS(or5?) 39027D

p/n PC940A#ABA

Do those count as "product numbers" ? I can go back and get the IBM numbers this afternoon if you know what they mean. (the smokingun said it's a P3)

pro for HP:
the general feeling i'm getting is that IBM is not automatically better than HP ? Cause I thought IBM 's have this amazing reputation and was worried if it would be stupid to pick the HP instead.

pro for IBM:

A few people have mentioned XP needing 1 GB of ram which the IBM all ready has.
Plodr mentioned his first IBM being a nightmare but that was not an account of a current model..while thesmokinggun seems pretty sure he knows the model (a P3?) and said it works great for a long time.

 

XP doesn't need 1GB of RAM. 512MB does fine, but does run better with 1GB.
Am currently using an old IBM with a P3 (733MHz) CPU. Doing fine with XP and 512MB of PC133 RAM.

 

I agree with hrlow, XP runs fine with 512MB, and that's usually the minimum I recommend. XP does like a a full gig, and cruises with 2GB, but it is not absolutely necessary. If you look at the front panel of the HP, there should be a removable, small plastic plate with the model number. Usually, anyway. If it is missing, on the back of the PC the model number is often in the upper right hand corner of the label. It looks like the HP is a 940A, but that's not a PC, it's test equipment. I'll look into it, and please get the model # of both if you can.

The smokingun had a P3 himself, the one you are looking at is a P4.

EDIT: Found the PC940A, and I'd go with this one if I had the choice, if you do not want to go with something newer. It is a Prescott core, and the mobo supports a 1MB cache CPU, 800MHz FSB. The deciding factor on a possibel processor upgrade will be if it is a Socket 478, or 775 Prescott 2.8 GHz CPU. There were two versions. I'll see what else I can dig up...

https://h10057.www1.hp.com/ecomcat/hpcatalog/specs/provisioner/99/PC940A.htm

 

If that motherboard (mobo) will support a 2MB L2 cache, the largest single core CPU that motherboard would be capable of would be a SL8Q9, which runs at 3.8GHz.

Because it is Socket 775, that also means dual core processors would fit into the socket as well. You would have to contact HP about what that particular chipset and BIOS are capable of. You need the serial number to chat with them about it. Maybe I could be a little sneak chatting with them, I'm on file with them owing to the fact that I have built many "Frankencomputers".

P.S. Don't tell the guy selling it any of this just yet.

 

Here is the link for everything you wanted to know about that HP's support and drivers:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...sId=410112&swLang=13&taskId=135&swEnvOID=1093

Apparently, it is Windows Vista approved. That is a 5 in the serial number, by the way, please don't post one of those again. I'd rather see that kind of thing in a private message.

I was a dirty little sneak, and here's what I have found out for you:

This mobo will accept a Socket 775 processor, single core, 3.8GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache maximum.
Unfortunately, not dual core capable.

This is the only place I could find one (P4 670) for sale:

http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=1105

It has a SATA HDD, and is the nicer PC by far.

 

Mekanic

From what your telling me it could be upgraded enough for Vista. Would that also mean it could possibly be upgraded for the upcoming windows 7? I have read it's very similar, or based on a Vista core. Something like that.

In one of your posts you asked me to get the model numbers of both but then made an edit saying you found the PC940A and that you would go with that one. Does that mean you figured out which system I'm looking at from the p/n and you no longer need those product numbers or could you still use those?

I take you think the IBM won't support future upgrades as well.

 

I could use the IBM model number to double check, but the processor that one has would tend to indicate that it is built on the older Northwood core. Let's have a look-see just in case.

Windows 7 won't be out for quite a while, the Beta version expires in August. I would probably stick with XP, but I also don't know what the price on the upgrade is. Also, W7 requires a minimum of 1GB to operate, which would mean a memory upgrade. If you are going to go that far, I would build a more modern PC.

 

Mekanic:

I treked down to the PC shop to get those product codes , to double check the IBM,
you mentioned something about not posting serial numbers so I sent you a pvt message with the numbers. I hope they are helpful.

 

Thanks for making the trek!

The HP is definitely the better deal. The IBM is based on a Northwood core, and does not have the computing power, or the potential the HP has.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-51176.html

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!!!! :cool