Compaq Presario 5423US Desktop (1.6-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB hard drive)

by Compaq

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 17 x 8.9 x 17 inches ; 25.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 36.5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005UT2T
• Item model number: Presario 5423US
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 7, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Like its slightly more powerful cousin, the 5430US, Compaq's 5423US easily handles most any application thrown its way and provides plenty of room for expansion and future upgrades. This unit is a great choice for users who place high demands on their system, but are willing to sacrifice a bit of power in the interest of budgetary restraint.

Topping the unit's impressive list of features is one of today's most potent processors, Intel's 1.6 GHz Pentium 4. Although pricier than most alternative processors, including Intel's own Celeron and Pentium III and AMD's Athlon and Duron, Pentium 4 chips are generally faster where it counts most--clock speed. And of the numerous Pentium 4 processors Intel currently markets, the 1.6 GHz model is just a few rungs from the very top.

For the 5423US, Compaq matches this capable Intel processor with more than enough high-end memory to operate any program currently available and most any conceivable level of multitasking. With 512 MB of RAM at your disposal, it may be years until you even need to even contemplate upgrading to the one full gigabyte the system supports.

The 5423US offers something else most prebuilt computers do not--a decent video card. Packed with a generous 64 MB of video memory, the system's nVidia GeForce2 MX graphics board will comfortably operate all 2-D and 3-D tasks and pump out smooth frame rates and detailed textures at all but the absolute highest 3-D game screen resolutions. Truly serious gamers may want the additional performance perks of a GeForce3 or GeForce4 card, yet had best be prepared to drop quite a few more dollars in the process.

With the 5423US, data storage, movement, and backup should never be a problem. Its monstrous 80 GB UltraDMA hard drive offers oodles of space for even the most software-intensive workplace or gaming environment. Its 16x CD-RW drive permits fast burning of audio and data backup or data transferal CDs. Its 3.5-inch floppy disk drive supports any programs or files you might still store on a floppy disk, and its 16x DVD drive smoothly and accurately plays your favorite movies. And if you ever do want to add another drive, the unit's two spare expansion bays are ready to accommodate.

The 5423US is packed with a variety of tools to enhance day-to-day computing. A built-in 56K modem supplies basic Internet connection speed, and a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet card offers multiple computer networking and high-speed Internet potential. The system's Compaq USB Internet keyboard sports an assortment of convenient one-touch multimedia and Internet controls, and its IEEE 1394 FireWire port supports fast data transfer between computers and peripheral devices such as camcorders.

Other important amenities include four USB ports (two of which are handily positioned at the front of the case), a serial port for older mice and external modems, a parallel "printer" port, and an integrated AC97 Soundmax II Audio chip with support for Dolby Digital surround sound. Compaq has not included a monitor or speakers in the package, allowing users to choose and configure their own display and audio setup. The list of pre-installed software includes the Home Edition of the Windows XP operating system, Microsoft Money 2001, Microsoft Works 6.0, Quicken Financial Center/Quicken New User Edition, and InterVideo WinDVD.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent value., February 7, 2002

By 

Rheumor (New Orelans) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Compaq Presario 5423US Desktop (1.6-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB hard drive) (Personal Computers)

Similar to the 5420 but substituting an Intel, P4 chip for the Athalon chip, both models double the RAM and hard drive size of the 5410 and like that model, include a NIC (network interface card) to make networking and fast access connections to the Internet more simple. It also features a CD burner that's twice as fast (16x) as the 5410. The decision in the end between the 5420 and 5423 will be one of personal preference btwn Athalon and Intel chips, but either one should find few users dissatisfied with the all around performance of their machine.
(personally, I prefer the Athalon chip)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit dissatisfied..., February 5, 2002

By 

cHuBz "chubz9" (Placentia, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Compaq Presario 5423US Desktop (1.6-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB hard drive) (Personal Computers)

I have had the Compaq Presario 5310US, with a Celeron 1.2GHz, and I was very happy with it because it is fast. with 256MB of SDRAM memory, 40GB Hard Drive... This new model was released, 5423US, and since I have had my computer for less than 30 days, I decided to return it and exchange it with the 5423US, which comes with the 1.6GHz Pentium 4, 512MB DDR SDRAM memory, 80GB Hard Drive, 16x writer, 16x DVD, Firewire ports, etc. I plugged it in, and it seems to be slower than the one I returned. I need to do more testing on it, to see how fast it is. My speakers, utilizing the built-in sound card, is making annoying noise when the computer is booting up, which i didn't experience on the Celeron system. The video card, advertised as having a TV-Out feature, doesn't come with the needed cable for you to hook it up on your TV, thus, leaving you no choice but to buy one to make use of it. The memory installed (512MB DDR-SDRAM) makes use of 2 banks on the motherboard, and is actually two 256MB DDR SDRAM modules.

I recommend testing it, or at least visiting a nearest computer store (Best Buy, Fry's, CompUSA, Circuit City, etc.) and check out the performance... If you'll like it, then go for it. Now I am thinking of returning this again and get the 5410US instead, which comes with the Celeron 1.3GHz.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Installation problems..., February 7, 2002

By 

cHuBz "chubz9" (Placentia, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Compaq Presario 5423US Desktop (1.6-GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB hard drive) (Personal Computers)

Im writing here again, to tell you that this computer is actually fast. Despite the missing TV-Out cable and the 2 memory banks being occupied, its fine.

I installed a clean install of Windows XP Professional, and it is now working flawlessly. The factory default installer is not good for me though, as it takes like a minute or 2 to shutdown, and like 2 to 3 minutes to boot up, still unlike my previous celeron system, which is considerably faster than this one. Right now, I have no plans on returning this system anymore, and the power of the pentium 4 can be actually seen on multimedia and office applications.