HP Pavilion Media Center m8430f - Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 GHz

Description: The HP Pavilion Media Center m8430f - Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 GHz is a Core 2 quad-based, budget desktop PC.Compared to other budget PCs on the market, it is expensive at around $865.This PC comes with 4 GB RAM, and a 750GB hard disk.

Pros: Has a nVidia GeForce 8500 GT graphics chip, which is considerably better performing than some similarly priced PCs.Also, this PC has a DVD? RW(? R DL) / DVD-RAM disc drive, which is more preferable than some similarly priced PCs.The roomy 750GB hard disk installed on this machine will give you oodles of room for storing thousands of applications and files.Also, this machine's Core 2 quad based processor is powerful enough to handle demanding applications, such as database and development software.

Cons: None noted, given available product data.

Suitability: Suited for homes or businesses where price is a concern.Also comes with advanced word processing software -- fine for most serious business or academic writers.However, you can archive your digital videos using this desktop's DVD recorder.Make sharing photographs through the mail easier: put them on a disc with the CD burner in this computer.You can use the bundled video software to compile and edit movies uploaded from a digital camcorder.This computer also includes photo-editing software, for use with digital camera pictures, scanned images, and more.

Value: Notwithstanding its expensive price, this PC has great features for the money.However, this PC combines burly processing power with plenty of storage.

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: KJ376AA#ABA

• General

• Type Media center
• Recommended Use Home use
• Product Form Factor Tower
• Localization English / United States
• Desktop type Media center system

• Processor

• Type Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 / 2.4 GHz
• Multi-Core processor technology Quad-Core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Installed Qty 1
• Max processors supported 1

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Installed Size 8 MB
• Cache Per Processor 8 MB

• Mainboard

• Chipset type Intel G33 Express
• Data bus speed 1066 MHz

• RAM

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

• Storage Controller

• Type 1 x Serial ATA - Integrated

• Storage

• Floppy drive type None
• Hard Drive 1 x 750 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.

• Multimedia Functionality

• TV tuner type Digital and analog TV

• Graphics Controller

• Type PCI Express x16 - Plug-in card
• Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
• Video Memory 512 MB
• Digital Video Standard Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

• 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, Gigabit 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 Personal Media Drive bay
• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 4 Memory - DIMM 240-pin, 1 ( 0 ) x PCI Express x16, 1 ( 0 ) x PCI, 1 ( 0 ) x Processor - LGA775 Socket, 2 ( 1 ) x PCI Express x1
• Interfaces 1 x Mouse - Generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style), 1 x Keyboard - Generic - 6 pin mini-DIN (PS/2 style), 6 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A ( 2 in front ), 2 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) ( 1 in front ), 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45, 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Display / video - S-video output, 1 x Display / video - DVI-Analog/Digital - 29 pin combined DVI, 1 x Audio - SPDIF output, 1 x Audio - SPDIF input, 8 x Audio - Mini-phone 3.5 mm ( 2 in front )

• Printer

• Type None

• Power

• Power device type Power supply

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Software Adobe Reader 8.0, Muvee autoProducer, Microsoft Works 8.0, Microsoft Windows Mail, HP Photosmart Essential, Microsoft Windows DVD Maker, Roxio Easy CD Creator Basic, Microsoft Windows Movie Maker, Microsoft Windows Media Center, Microsoft Windows Media Player, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0, Microsoft Windows Photo Gallery, Norton Internet Security 2007 (60 days subscription), Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student Edition (Trial)

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year - Pick-up and return

• 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