Compaq S6500NX Presario Desktop PC (2.1GHz AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 512MB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, DVD+RW/CD-RW combo)

by HP

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 35 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001AVSJ6
• Item model number: S6500NX
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 11, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Compaq Presario S6500NX is powerful and fast enough to cover a wide range of demanding computing tasks--from multimedia creativity to PC gaming--and is a great choice as a family digital hub or home office center. It features a fast CD burner and a separate DVD+RW writer, fast AMD Athlon XP 3000+ processor, extra-large 160 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and loads of connectivity options.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 160 GB Ultra DMA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers more than enough storage for all your documents, digital photos, and MP3 collection.
• Processor: The 2.16 GHz AMD Athlon XP 3000+ processor offers a high level of performance that's equivalent to a 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor--speedy enough for PC gaming, graphic design software, and multimedia creation. It also features a 333 MHz front-side bus (FSB) speed and a 512 KB L2 cache.
• Memory: The S6500NX comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (1 x 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz)--a good start for power users--with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1 GB).
• CD/DVD Drive: This desktop PC comes with two optical drives: a CD-RW and a DVD+RW (for writing data and video files from your camcorder to discs). The speedy CD-RW drive has 48x write, 24x re-write, 48x read speeds, while the DVD+RW drive has 4x write, 2.4x rewrite, and 8x playback speeds (DVD movie discs require 8x). It's compatible with the DVD+RW format, one of two formats for rewriteable DVDs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The S6500NX comes with a Compaq Productivity keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections).

Sound and Graphics
The S6500NX features audio and video cards that are integrated into the computer's main board. The sound card uses the AC'97 (Audio Codec '97) standard (configurable to 6 channels of audio). The video/graphics card--Intel Extreme 3-D Graphics--has up to 64 MB of shared video memory. It is suitable for good range of gaming graphics and multimedia video playback, but might not stack up for ultra-realistic 3-D PC games.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the S6500NX has two 5.25-inch external bays (one available), three 3.5-inch bays (one available), three PCI slots (two available), and one AGP2 slot (available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors:

• 8 USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 6 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 in front, 1 in rear)
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 RGB monitor port
• 1 serial port for older peripherals such as early PDAs
• 1 microphone and 1 headphone jack in the front

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The S6500NX comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Other preloaded software includes Microsoft Money 2004, Quicken New User Edition 2004, Norton Antivirus 2004 and Personal Firewall 2003, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Encarta Encyclopedia 2004 Standard Edition, Adobe Photoshop album (starter edition), RecordNow 6.5 (for burning CDs), WinDVD SE 4.0 (for DVD playback), and MusicMatch Jukebox.

Dimensions and Weight
This mini-tower measures 14.6 x 6.9 x 16.6 inches (H x W x D) and weighs 35 pounds (packaged).

What's in the Box
This package contains the Compaq Presario S6500NX desktop PC, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasure to drive, March 5, 2004

By 

Danny A. "da" (Dallas, TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Compaq S6500NX Presario Desktop PC (2.1GHz AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 512MB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, DVD+RW/CD-RW combo) (Personal Computers)

I went looking for the eMachine ... and came across this computer.... I happened to look at this Compac Presario .... Compared favorably in every aspect. Has better ability to connect all those extras from the front of the computer. Then I looked at the package of 17 in flat screen screen and printer INCLUDED. Details, ... included screen and color printer....I will sell the sealed color printer ...and keep the screen. ...
Very happy with the computer (I better be, it is only one week old).
Great deal. I'm Happy.
Personally, I wish they would just price it without the rebates, but it is a marketing gimmick and that is why they do it. Also, I read somewhere, something like 25% of the people NEVER send in their rebate form...go figure.

5.0 out of 5 stars Compaq Presario S6500NX A Real Workhorse, June 27, 2009

By 

C. Ritner (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Compaq S6500NX Presario Desktop PC (2.1GHz AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 512MB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, DVD+RW/CD-RW combo) (Personal Computers)

I've used this model now for several years and I find the only drawback is the built-in video card does not support wide-screen monitors. Of course an add-on card is inexpensive and readily available.

I upgraded from 512MB to 1GB RAM recently and this seems to make a very small difference with Windows XP, so I don't recommend it, unless you are going to upgrade (?) to Vista.

I've owned PCs since 1988 and this model is the easiest to work with, to upgrade and to maintain.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Some major issues . . ., May 3, 2004

By 

trebe - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Compaq S6500NX Presario Desktop PC (2.1GHz AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 512MB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, DVD+RW/CD-RW combo) (Personal Computers)

This desktop computer does not have one of the faster processors available, but there are other more pressing major problems with the system.

The OS is Windows XP Home Edition, with a 90-day trial version of MS Works 7.0. This means that after the 90 day period, you have go out and buy a copy of Microsoft Office. Compaq's decision to load "trial version" software is pure idiocy! After the trial period is over, you're totally helpless, and can't even save a document. A major inconvenience to say the least. The fact that trial software is loaded should be prominently disclosed to all buyers before they purchase. You'll notice that it this is not mentioned in most descriptions of the system.

The processor is an AMD Athlon XP 3000+, with a listed speed of 2.167 GHz. Not the fastest, but adequate for most routine applications, including a program like Photoshop 7.0. Basic RAM provided is 512MB, upgradeable to 2G. The large capacity 160GB hard drive is a plus, and most users won't have to worry about running out of space for a while. The drive is partitioned, with essential files located on a separate directory with restricted access to help prevent accidental deletion of files.

The unit has a CD/DVD burner, CD ROM drive, and floppy disk drive. The DVD drive functions with Record Now software. The software available to view DVD's are Windows Media Player, and WinDVD. The computer has an abundance or ports, with 8 USB 2.0 (two on the front face), two firewire, one parallel, and one Ethernet. Internal modem is a basic 56K.

Another major drawback to this system concerns game play. The video and audio cards support some games, but not most new high end games. Many games do not install properly and cannot be played on this system. Other games load and can be played initially, but crash at specific points such as level changes. Apparently the stock components must be upgraded in order to accommodate these games. Anyone seeking processor intensive gameplay should not get this system.

Those few consumers who are not at all interested in gaming, word processing or writing documents may find this a suitable purchase. Buyers should be prepared to either buy MS Office 2003 separately, or load in an older version of the software. Those interested in playing games are better off getting something that doesn't need to be upgraded. With this castrated system, Compaq definitely does not deliver a winner.