HP Pavilion a6457c - Phenom X3 8400 2.1 GHz

Description: The HP Pavilion a6457c - Phenom X3 8400 2.1 GHz is a phenom X3-based, budget desktop PC.Compared to other value-oriented PCs on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $510.This PC comes with 4 GB RAM, and a 500GB hard disk.

Pros: Has a nVidia GeForce 6150 SE graphics chip, which is somewhat better performing than some similarly priced PCs.Also, this PC has a shared video memory (UMA) Video Memory/ Memory Allocation Technology, which is considerably more favorable than some similarly priced PCs.In fact, the typical cost of a product with this favorable a Video Memory/ Memory Allocation Technology is $725.Also, the 500GB drive installed on this machine is rather large when compared to most of today's PCs.However, the phenom X3 based processor installed on this machine is fast enough to handle demanding applications, such as digital video.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: A basic PC, suited for basic computing tasks, such as word processing, e-mail, and web browsing.Comes with a DVD writer, allowing you to convert home movies from your digital camcorder onto DVD's.You can archive videos, images, music clips, and all the email from your Uncle Bob onto CDs for easy storage with the included CD writer.The nVidia GeForce 6150 SE based graphics on this computer should suffice for basic needs outside of professional design and advanced graphics tasks.

Value: Given its relatively inexpensive price, this PC has great features for the money.However, this PC manages to combine class-leading processing power with ample storage.If you were to judge strictly by CPU speed, however, the price of a basic computers with comparable speed is about 40% higher.

Suggestions: (1) Using this PC's Firewire (1394) port, you can connect to many digital camcorders and other equipment and rapidly upload data to the computer's hard drive.(2) If you plan to be playing the latest 3-D games, you may want to invest in a more powerful video card from NVidia or ATI, which are popular with the gaming community (requires an open AGP or PCIe slot).

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: HP
• Part Number: KN228AA

• General

• Platform Technology AMD LIVE!
• Type Media center
• Recommended Use Home use
• Product Form Factor Tower

• Processor

• Type AMD Phenom X3 8400 / 2.1 GHz
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Installed Qty 1
• Max processors supported 1

• Mainboard

• Chipset type NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE / nForce 430
• Data bus speed 1000 MHz

• RAM

• Installed Size 4 GB / 8 GB (max)
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM
• Memory Speed 800 MHz
• Memory Specification Compliance PC2-6400
• Form Factor DIMM 240-pin

• Storage Controller

• Type 1 x Serial ATA - Integrated

• Storage Controller (2nd)

• Type None

• Storage

• Floppy drive type None
• Hard Drive 1 x 500 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-300 - 7200 rpm
• Hard Drive (2nd) None

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - Serial ATA
• CD / DVD read speed 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD)
• CD / DVD write speed 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL)
• CD / DVD rewrite speed 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 12x (DVD-RAM)
• Disc Labeling Technology LightScribe Technology

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• Type None

• Storage Removable

• Type None

• Monitor

• Monitor Type None.

• Graphics Controller

• Type Integrated
• Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Shared video memory (UMA)

• Audio Output

• Type Sound card - Integrated
• Sound output mode 7.1 channel surround
• Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio
• Speaker(s) None

• Input Device

• Type Mouse, Keyboard

• Mouse

• Mouse technology Optical
• Mouse interface PS/2

• Telecom

• Modem Fax / modem
• Max transfer rate 56 Kbps

• Audio Input

• Type None

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter - Integrated
• Data Link Protocol Ethernet, Fast Ethernet

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Bays Total (Free) 2 ( 1 ) x Front accessible - 5.25" x 1/2H, 2 ( 1 ) x Internal - 3.5" x 1/3H, 1 ( 1 ) x Pocket Media Drive bay
• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1 ( 0 ) x PCI, 1 ( 0 ) x Processor, 4 Memory - DIMM 240-pin, 2 ( 2 ) x PCI Express x1, 1 ( 1 ) x PCI Express x16
• Interfaces 6 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A ( 2 in front ), 2 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) ( 1 in front ), 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Display / video - S-video output, 1 x Keyboard - Generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style), 1 x Mouse - Generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style), 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45, 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ( 1 in front ), 2 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm ( 1 in front ), 2 x Audio - Line-in - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ( 1 in front ), 1 x Audio - Line-out - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio - SPDIF output - RCA, 1 x Display / video - S-video input, 1 x Display / video - Composite video input - RCA

• Printer

• Type None

• Power

• Power device type Power supply

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Software Microsoft Works, Adobe Reader 8.0, Microsoft Windows Mail, HP Photosmart Essential, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 2 years warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 2 years

• Card Reader

• Card reader 15 in 1 card reader
• Supported flash memory cards RS-MMC, miniSD, Microdrive, Memory Stick, MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, SmartMedia Card, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro, MultiMediaCardplus, Memory Stick PRO Duo, MultiMediaCardmobile, CompactFlash Card type I, CompactFlash Card type II

• Sustainability

• Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 4.5

HP

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.hp.com