Compaq Presario SR5152NX Desktop PC AMD Athlon 64 PRocessor 4000+, 2 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium

Editorial Review
Whether you're e-mailing family and friends, balancing your online checkbook, or listening to your digital music collection, the newly restyled HP Compaq Presario SR5152NX desktop PC offers a versatile, strong base for your home computing needs as well as easy-to-use multimedia features. Focusing on affordability, this desktop provides room to grow with the ability to add up to 4 GB of RAM, available PCI and expansion slots, and access to a wide variety of peripherals via its seven USB 2.0 and two FireWire ports. It's also chock-full of security and productivity software to get you going as soon as the PC's unpacked from its box, including Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 and Microsoft Works 8. You can also easily burn your home video productions to DVD for friends and family with the 16x dual-layer, multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc, and manage your family's photo library with HP Photosmart Essential 2 software.

Other features include a 2.1 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ dual-core processor, 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), Nvidia GeForce 6150 SE video card with up to 128 MB of shared memory, and 6-channels of surround sound audio. It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

Processor: AMD's Athlon 64 X2 3800+ dual-core processor is built for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, which will require a processor with significant power. It outperforms the highest-performing AMD Athlon 64 4000+ single-core processor on multi-tasking benchmarks by up to 30 percent. Dual-core technology is like having two processors working together, each one taking care of different applications, so power-users actually experience greater performance when multiple applications are running. Digital media enthusiasts will appreciate the enhancements while simultaneously working in high-definition video and photo editing and audio mixing programs. It includes such AMD features as HyperTransport Technology (which increases the communication between integrated circuits) and Enhanced Virus Protection.
This 2.1 GHz processor offers a system bus with speeds up to a blazing 2000 MHz and each core offers a 512 KB L2 cache--for a 1 MB total. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
Hard Drive: The extra large 250 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive has a 3Gb/s interface speed that enables up to 300MB/s data transfer rates (double the speed of the current SATA interface of 1.5Gb/s).
Memory: The 2 GB of installed RAM (2 x 1 GB, PC2-5300) is an excellent start for most users. If you'll be planning on using this desktop to be a multimedia workhorse (i.e., editing video, playing immersive 3-D video games), you'll want to take advantage of the 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 1 GB). Also, to receive the benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.
DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 8x DVD-R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R DL Write Once, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 16x DVD-R, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R, 32x CD-RW write speeds and 40x CD-ROM, and 16x DVD-ROM read speeds.
This LightScribe DVD+/-RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs . Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label--anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art.
Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Compaq keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections).

Video & Audio
This desktop features an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 SE graphics/video card with 128 MB of dedicated graphics memory. Windows Vista can also allocate up to 623 MB of total graphics memory from the system memory. It features NVidia's PureVideo technology--which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content--and full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 for stunningly realistic cinematic effects for all DirectX-compatible applications. It also offers an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
For expansion, this desktop has two PCI slots (one available), one PCI Express x16 slot (available), one PCI Express x1 slot (available), two 5.25-inch external bays (one available), three 3.5-inch bays (two available). It comes with the following external connections:

4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 in front, 2 in rear)
2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
1 VGA monitor port
1 headphone (front)
1 microphone/line-in/line-out (rear)
15-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Pro/Duo/Pro Duo, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, XD Picture Card, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Muvee Autoproducer, Roxio Creator 9 Basic, Roxio MyDVD 9 Basic, HP Photosmart Essential 2, HP DVD Play 2.4, and Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
It measures 6.7 x 14.9 x 16.8 inches (WxHxD) and weighs approximately 21 pounds.

What's in the Box
The HP Compaq Presario SR5152NX desktop PC comes with a power cord, keyboard, and scroller mouse. It is backed by a one-year warranty for parts and labor from date of purchase, one-year technical phone service, and 90 days of software application support.
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Customer Reviews

Nice secondary computer

2007-09-03
This computer is serving well as the "second-string" computer at our house. It's not as fast as some, but that is not a concern for us.

computer

2008-04-05
The item came in time. It seems that it is OK. This was a gift for a relative and she thinks that it is doing good for her. I have no problems buying stuff from Amazon.com so far.

Lousy Product

2007-12-22
The hard drive went bad on this beast. I called their customer service to get some action taken to repair, tons of run-around, no solutions. HP/Compaq refuses to fix the problems. We've got family photos and movies trapped on the drive. Word of caution to always remember to back up files to a secondary drive or dvd's. Especially if you buy this computer!!

Watch the CPU speed!

2007-12-20
Notice in that at the top of the page the CPU is listed as an "AMD 64 4000" and below in the CPU description it says it is a dual core and out performs the AMD 64 4000. Dual core CPU's perform better and cost more. Almost all new computers are being produced with dual core CPU's. You don't have to be a gamer to feel the improved performance. The AMD dual core CPU's have "AMD 64 X2" in the name and the single cores have "AMD 64" in the name. They are both 64 bit & 32 bit capable, although most consumers will buy the 32-bit version of Vista. The AMD 64 4000 is still a great CPU. Amazon needs to fix their product description so that the CPU described in the title matches what is described in the details section or some consumer is going to be disappointed.

I bought a Compaq Black Friday special for my wife from Fry's that has the AMD 64 4000 CPU, 160 GB SATA drive, 1 GB RAM, LightScribe DVD recorder, Vista Premium, with a 20" LCD (Everex) and Printer (Epson R60) for $297 (after rebates). But you had to be up at 4:00 AM. And Compaq creates unique part numbers per reseller so you have no easy way to compare prices. You have to look at what is inside to compare. Getting a clear idea of what is inside, especially the main ingredient in any computer, the CPU, is critical to make an informed decision. I'd say Amazon needs to clarify whether you are getting a single or dual core CPU as they are contradicting themselves here. They need to fix it and print an editor's note below my review saying it has been fixed.

very bad desktop.

2007-10-04
frequent troubles after anti-virus software download (trend Micro).removed
norten before downlad. I bought sr5010nx 2 months ago (amazon) it works
good. At that time also,, I have troubles to remove the norten. It has taken many hours. I will never purchase compaq presario in future and not recommend it. I will try with norten anti-virus protection, but result is open.Troubles in details:Error message:A problem has been detected & windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer etc.----
PS:I have contacted many factory-technicians, but troubleshooting different and in vain until now. Please, take my concern into consideration and replace it, if possble.
because amazon has a reputation? Name. customer NC.

Good Computer for Parents, Grandparents (Not a good game computer)

2007-09-08
I purchased this product for my father who does not play computer games. This computer with the addition of 2x1 GB DDR 2 GB of Ram provides a robust platform to run the state of the art windows applications including Vista and Office 2007 without any problems. With rebates this product comes in at around 300 dollars including everything one would need except a monitor and printer. Cost/ Performance I give this product 5 stars; however, I give the product 3 stars for Graphics Performance; yielding an overall score of 4 stars. 2 GB of additional ram will cost about 150 dollars.