Re: Comments on PC Hardware Invited - Sempron Processor Etc

TheScullster wrote:
Hi all

Can anyone comment on the following spec please?
I am not familiar with the AMD processors and would appreciate feedback from anyone who uses them alongside Intel for general use.
The application is for 32 desktops intended for primary schools use.
These look like a seriously "budget-end" spec to me, but may serve the purpose
Any constructive comments gratefully received.....

32 x GR024ET - dx2250 Sempron 3600 1GB 80GB SATA DVD ROM No floppy Win XP Pro, MS Office Ready 1-1-1 Warranty

a.. Product Description - HP Compaq Business Desktop dx2250 - Sempron 3600+ 2 GHz
b.. Type - Personal computer
c.. Form Factor - Micro tower
d.. Dimensions (WxDxH) - 17.5 cm x 41.6 cm x 35.3 cm
e.. Weight - 9.6 kg
f.. Processor - 1 x AMD Sempron 3600+ / 2 GHz
g.. Cache Memory - 256 KB L2 Cache
h.. Cache Per Processor - 256 KB
i.. RAM - 1 GB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - non-ECC - 667 MHz - PC2-5300
j.. Storage Controller - Serial ATA ( Serial ATA-300 ) ; IDE ( ATA-100 )
k.. Hard Drive - 1 x 80 GB - standard - Serial ATA-300
l.. Monitor - None.
m.. Audio Output - Sound card - stereo
n.. Networking - Network adapter - PCI - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
o.. Power - AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
p.. OS Provided - Microsoft Windows XP Professional
q.. Microsoft Office Ready - Includes a preinstalled image of select 2007 Microsoft Office suites. Purchase a Medialess License Kit (MLK) to activate the software.
r.. Environmental Standards - EPA Energy Star
32 x ViewSonic VA1703wb 17-inch LCD Monitor Widescreen

Thanks in anticipation

Phil


http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06a/12454-12454-64287-321860-3328893-3310266.html

The AMD P.R. rating system, compares their processors, to Intel offerings.
The system was started in the Pentium 4 era and Celeron era. The Athlon64
or the like, is compared to a Pentium 4, while the Sempron is compared to
a Celeron. That means a Sempron 3600+ is supposed to perform like a
Celeron at 3.6GHz, and if you compensate for the missing cache on a
Celeron, by "docking it a few MHz", you get the performance of a 3-3.2GHz
Pentium 4 or so. In short, this means even with the Sempron 3600+,
the box has adequate computing power for normal desktop usage. (I'm
typing on a box like that right now, and I really don't mind.)

That Sempron 3600+ is a $30 processor. Perhaps this price is because it is
being discontinued, so may not reflect real pricing. I didn't see one still
on Newegg. It is single core.

http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=1035

The 3800+ dual core (X2), would be the equivalent of two of those processors
in a single package. The advantage of dual core, is the desktop is a bit
smoother in everyday usage (you may not notice a speed difference for a
lot of work, but there will be less "stuttering"). Again, I don't see one
on the AMD price list, but $58 might be a representative price. Now, HP
probably charges more than $28 extra per computer, for that upgrade.

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_609,00.html

HP shows a couple options for memory, and if you're going for 1GB total,
then split it as two sticks (2x512MB). That gives the advantage of dual
channel memory operation. And that also helps the ATI Xpress 1150
integrated graphics. The graphics share system memory, so if the
system memory is a bit faster, the desktop redraw is slightly
snappier. Note that a 2x512MB configuration is not a boon to memory
upgrading - then if you want to upgrade the memory, you'd pull both
sticks and install new memory. If you go with 1x1GB, leaving a slot
blank, that leaves room for another 1x1GB, say when you have to install
Vista some day. If, on the other hand, you know the machine is fixed
at 1GB for the rest of its operating life, I'd want 2x512MB.

DDR2 memory is amazingly cheap, and even at $25 per GB, it would
cost $50 later to put 2x1GB of DDR2 memory in there. So throwing
away the 512MB sticks isn't the end of the world. As an example...

512MB DDR2-800 memory $10 - throwing away two of them is $20 worth.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134703

Other than that, I don't see a lot of room for other tradeoffs.

The power supply is pretty small, at 250W, but that is consistent
with the hardware in the box.

So, if I was purchasing it, I'd go for dual core, and dual channel
memory (if the budget allows). If the boxes are a fixed config, then
leave it alone. But if you have a choice, those small changes might
be a bit better.

The ATI Xpress 1150 graphics are not that powerful for 3D applications.
So "Oblivion" or "Crysis" computer games are out of the question.
But I bet the box will play Quake3 at 60FPS+ :-) It is too bad the
computer enthusiast web sites don't care to benchmark more of those
integrated solutions, because it would help to know how they
compare to separate add-in video cards. The 1150 is supposed to be
a bit faster than a 6150 (Nvidia, integrated), if you can find a
benchmark article for the 6150 somewhere.

For 2D work, Microsoft Office, email, web surfing, the graphics
will be fine.

In terms of monitors, if you look at some at your local big box
computer places, the cheapest monitors only have DVI connectors on
them. A monitor with both DVI and VGA, may cost a few bucks more.
Your DX2250 has a VGA connector on the back, which is consistent
with yesterday's monitor choices. (And I happen to like VGA, so
I'm not against the thing - it works.) The VA1703WB has VGA on it,
so that is OK. This might only be a consideration, if there
was a monitor change at some point in the future. (VA1703WB dies,
and you have to find something to replace it.) LCD monitors are
never known for being long lived, so you may have to replace a
monitor or two after the warranty expires.

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/lcddisplays/valueseries/va1703wb/#specs

I'm not a fan of wide monitors, and would rather have my current
1280x1024 17" monitor, than a 1440x900 17" one. But the wide
format is all the rage now, so there may not be a lot of choices
there. Viewing monitors at a big box store, will give you a better
feel for how much difference that format makes.

I don't think the kids will get too mad at you. At least until
they install Crysis :-)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e3/Crysis_Engine.png

HTH,
Paul
.

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