In this review, we will take an in depth look into the Compaq Presario SR1617CL-B. This article will help you understand the value proposition of new computer systems as of December 8, 2005. The knowledge you gain in this article is not only relevant for buying a computer from HP Compaq but it will relevant for buying a computer from any computer manufacturer because they use similar internal components.

This article will be broken down into the following sections: Processor and Memory, Hard Drive and Multimedia Drives, Audio, Video, and Graphics, Data Fax and Modem, and Ports.

Processor and Memory: The AMD Sempron 3200+ is the king of affordable computing. When buying a computer on the budget-side of the buying spectrum, you can't beat it. In this article we will focus on the AMD Sempron 2800+ and the Intel Celeron D 335.

Before we go into further detail, I want you to recognize something important. It is not as easy to compare apples to apples anymore when it comes to CPUs. Megahertz (Mhz) or GigaHertz (Ghz) are not enough.

Just because one brand of CPU has a faster clock that another does not mean that it is the fastest processor. For instance, AMD's 2800+ may have a 2.0Ghz processor and Intel may have a 2.8Ghz Celeron D 335 processor. Just because AMD's processor has a lower clock cycle than Intel's processor, it does not mean that AMD's processor is slower.

According to PC Perspective www.pcper.com, the AMD Sempron 2800+ beat the Intel Celeron D 335 in overall performance. So for our measurement standards, at least for the moment, you must have an Intel Celeron D 335 processor with at least 900 Mhz more clock speed to beat an AMD Sempron.

So when buying a computer comparing an Intel Celeron D 335 2.8 Ghz to an AMD Sempron 2800+ 2.0Ghz, the AMD Sempron is the winner. In the memory category, PC3200 is the same as DDR 400Mhz.

As you can see, CPU comparisons have definitely changed. It takes a more educated approach to determine the performance of a CPU. We see that memory has made its share of changes to make its comparison more difficult also. In my next Computing Success Secrets article we will talk about hard drives and multimedia drives.

(c) Copyright 2005 Olan Butler All Rights Reserved

Olan Butler

Olan Butler is the Chief Architect of BHO Technologists, a computer productivity & organization software and computer service provider with headquarters in Kansas City.