Standout Features:
* Intel Core i7 processor.
* NVIDIA GeForce GT 220 video card.
* 1.5TB hard drive.
Video/Audio:
The HPE-180t does come with integrated 7.1 channel sound and you can upgrade to the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio or Titanium. The odd part is that it doesn’t come with speakers and doesn’t have a 7.1 surround sound system available to buy so you’ll have to go outside of HP to enjoy the full effect of the sound card. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 220 that this system comes with can play some games but will probably have trouble with the latest and greatest. You can get the system with a few better cards like the ATI Radeon HD 4650 and 4850, as well as the GeForce GTX 260. One of those more advanced video cards might be necessary for certain games.
Processor:
When it comes to Intel’s i7 series, the 950 2.66GHz is around the mid to high range processor. With this i7 you won’t have to worry about not having enough processing power.
Memory:
The RAM that comes with the HPE-180t is 8GB of DDR3. That’s enough RAM to run windows seven and any game out there without any problems but if you want a little more, you can get as much as 24GB. The only problem with more than 16GB of RAM is Windows 7 Home Premium, which is what comes on this computer, doesn’t use more than 16GB. In order to potential use more than 16GB you’ll have to upgrade to Professional or Ultimate.
Additional Features:
As previously mention, this computer comes with Windows 7 Home Premium. Windows 7, from our own studies, is the best Windows OS ever. It’s a smooth operating and stable system that insures the highest quality gaming experience with the least amount of errors that prevent you from enjoying your games. The optical drive is a LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive. There is the option for an additional optical drive but doesn’t come with one. It also comes with a basic keyboard and mouse to help you get started if you’re new to owning your own computer. They are basic, so as you game more and more you may want to upgrade to a gaming specific mouse and keyboard. One of the draw backs to this computer is it only comes with a 460 Watt power supply which you may have to upgrade if you upgrade anything from the base package.
Support/Warranty:
There is all the typical support available like live chat, email and phone support. There is a large community to check out user reviews. HP also has any Driver downloads you may need. Top it off with a 1 year warranty and you’re pretty much set.
Summary:
All in all the HP Pavilion Elite HPE-180t is a pretty good computer. It should handle most, if not all games but perhaps not on the highest graphic settings. In the near future there is a good chance you may have to upgrade a few things like the video card and power supply but for the price of this computer you can’t go too wrong.
