Sony VAIO PCV-RS630G Desktop PC (3.2 GHz Pentium 4 (Hyper-Threading), 512 MB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/DVD Drives)

by Sony

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 51.8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00029YNOS
• Item model number: PCV-RS630G
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 23, 2004

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCV-RS630G proves that PCs aren't just for spreadsheets any more. A multimedia powerhouse, the RS620G comes complete with a DVD+/-RW drive and a variety of Sony digital media software that makes it easy to burn your home movies and digital audio collections to disc. It also comes preloaded with Sony's GigaPocket software, which enables you to watch and record TV programs right on your PC. Other features include a massive 250 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and a hyper-threaded 3.20E GHz hyper-threaded Pentium 4 processor.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The included 250 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM) is one of the largest installed drives found on the PC market. It will provide more than enough space to store your favorite TV shows as well as room for recording old VHS tapes.
• Processor: The 3.20E GHz Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system) is one of the fastest processors currently available on the market. It's based on Intel's next generation 90 nm process technology, which delivers faster transistors and increases performance. It also has a 1 MB L2 cache and a fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed.

  A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.

• Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (PC-3200 400MHz DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1 GB).
• CD/DVD Drive: It comes with two optical drives: a DVD+/-RW and CD-RW combo drive and a 16x DVD-ROM for playing music and movie discs. The combo drive offers 8x write, 4x rewrite, and 8x read speeds for both +R/RW and -R/RW discs and a 40x write/read and 24x rewrite speed for CD-R/RW discs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Sony Vaio keyboard and mouse (with PS/2 connector).

Sound and Graphics
With the 128 MB ATI Radeon 9200 graphics card, the RS630G delivers a dazzling visual experience optimized to support the most compelling next-generation 3D gaming environments of today and tomorrow. It outputs a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 at 60 Hz. It also has an AC'97 sound card that's integrated into the main board, and comes with two external stereo speakers.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
You get excellent range of connectivity options befitting the multimedia tasks associated with the PCV-RS630G, such as three PCI expansion slots (two available), one 8x AGP (accelerated graphics port, available) slot, two 5.25" half-height bays (both occupied), one external 3.5" bay (occupied), two internal 3.5" bays (one occupied), and the following external ports:

• 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 in front, 4 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; 1 4-pin in front and 1 6-pin in back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 2 composite video/audio inputs (front and rear)
• Coaxial input (VHF/UHF)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
• 1 S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) digital optical connector
• 1 line input/output

It also has a 3.5" 1.44 MB floppy disk drive, integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
This PCV-RS630G comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it features Microsoft Works 7.0 (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Sony's Giga Pocket built-in software converts TV signals to digital MPEG2 format and lets you watch and record TV programs right on the PCV-620G, watch while you record with the Slip Playback feature, and burn shows directly to DVD It's also loaded with Sony's Vaio Creative suite of multimedia applications, which includes PictureGear Studio (digital photo), SonicStage (digital music), Sony MovieShaker, DVGate Plus (digital video), VAIO Media (network file sharing), and Click to DVD (for burning DVD discs). Other preloaded titles include a 60-day trial of Microsoft Office, Quicken 2004, Norton Internet Security (with 90-day trial subscription), InterVideo WinDVD, and a 90-day trial of AOL.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop PC measures 7.2 x 15.6 x 14.9 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 26.5 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony Vaio PCV-RS630G desktop PC, IR remote control, keyboard, mouse, and set of two speakers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as bad...in fact, it is a pretty good system!, July 9, 2004

By 

Colorful Years "colorful_years" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCV-RS630G Desktop PC (3.2 GHz Pentium 4 (Hyper-Threading), 512 MB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/DVD Drives) (Personal Computers)

RS630G is a new model based on Sony's website. However, in stead of using a 3.4 GHz P4 CPU, it used a 3.2 GHz to bring the price down to compete with other desktops in this category. It supports 2Gb RAM but only has 512 MB installed. The speakers are a pair of cheap ones that might cost $20 if you buy them in a local computer store. Windows XP Home edition also brings down the cost.
Pros:

1. It is a Sony! It comes with good sony software that no other computers can compete -- if you plan to use your desktop computer to do a lot of multimedia project -- this is the machine you can choose. The machine comes with Sony's Giga pocket TV/video recording program; Sony's DV Gateplus video capturing/editing software; Drag'n Drop to DVD and Click to DVD disc authorizing program; Sonicstage music editing and managing program; Picture Gear picture editing and managing program plus Quicken, Microsoft Works suite, and a couple of trial programs such as Internet Security (a terrible program by Symantec) and Microsoft Office Standard version, both are 60 day trial. Compare to former Sony desktops, this one has a lot less application programs, but the ones that come with the computer would be good enough for anyone to complete pretty sophisticated multimedia projects.
2. It comes with a few card reader slots and seven USB-2 slots.
3. Good size hard drive (250 GB) and unlike former Sony desktops, the hard drive was not divided into two partitions.
3. It is fast and quiet.
4. It does not come with a recovery disk, but you can make a set using a simple program that comes with the machine and don't need to buy. You may choose to use CD or DVD for the recovery disk set. I spent about 15 minutes to produce a set using one DVD-R and one CD-R media although the program indicated that the process may take an hour to complete.
5. The ATI Radeon 9200 graphic card has 128 MB video memory, enough for most of the new games.
6. It can be used as a media server, which you can connect to your TV and stereo components.

Cons:

1. There are only two IEEE 1394 ports, one in the front (6-pin) and one (9-pin) in the back. I have yet had a change to test the front one. According to my past experience with Sony VAIO video studios, the front one will not be recognized unless you are hooking up with a Sony DV camcorder and fire up Microsoft Movie maker. This really sucks.
2. The modem port lacks a port to connect the telephone. Usually, the internal modem card should have two ports: line-in and line out to phone, but this one, like Dell machines, only has one port for line in. I don't know how you can connect both your computer and your phone without buying a spliter.
3. This machine is intending to market the Home users, but in fact, it is more suitable for experienced computer users. For example, the machine has a good TV tuner, but unless you use the machine as a media server for your home network, you won't be able to enjoy the TV using its 3x2 inch TV setup window. Sony's RZ series that come with Windows XP media edition might be a better option if you want a better GUI to enjoy TV, VCR, DVD functions.

My machine did not have any problem upon its arrival and I have kept it on for two weeks now and still runs great. Everything has been working.

Some notes for buyers:

1. Delete Microsoft Office Trial Edition before you install one that is not trial, otherwise they may conflict with each other.
2. Delete Internet Security. After 60 days, you have to purchase it anyway. It is cheaper to buy Symantec's Norton Antivirus then get a free personal firewall through www.zonelabs.com. Internet Security is a terrible program if you are using DSL or any home wireless network.
(...)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-built system, August 28, 2004

By 

liebesy (Michigan, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCV-RS630G Desktop PC (3.2 GHz Pentium 4 (Hyper-Threading), 512 MB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/DVD Drives) (Personal Computers)

I bought this system from Circuitcity(because I thought I might need some extended service plan) with Samsung SyncMaster 912N 19" LCD monitor. System looked and worked good so far. (I personally like the blue "VAIO" power indicator.) Portable media slots for memory stick and compact flash came in very handy, since I use Sony F717 and Canon Powershot S50. On the keyboard, there are volume controls, mute, and hibernation function keys; keyboard is very simple and quiet, unlike some keyboards with practically-useless features. System is also very quiet.
I'm very satisfied with the system so far, except that I had to uninstall some of bundled programs; because they were all trial versions. Price was also higher than competitor, but I would recommend this system to anyone looking for new desktop.

Add-on:

Although I haven't used other Sony desktops other than RS630G, I think that same problem may occur at other system.
The sound device of this system is SoundMax, which is integrated into motherboard. However, it suddenly fails and stop playing any sound. It works again upon reboot or re-installing driver, I assume that it's the problem of software, not hardware; yet Sony hasn't provided fixed version of driver so far. Although it may be not a big deal to someone, it sure bugged me; I now use Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX external sound module.

4.0 out of 5 stars very good, April 10, 2006

By 

asikjbdhgfuhu - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony VAIO PCV-RS630G Desktop PC (3.2 GHz Pentium 4 (Hyper-Threading), 512 MB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/DVD Drives) (Personal Computers)

Very good
By joeloveland 4/10/2006

Pros:
P4 3.2G DVD R/RW/+/- vid cap TV tuner front USB and Media card slots

Cons:
included SONY software ATI 9200 vid card Power Supply RAM

Comment:
Nice system, but included extra media software from Sony is very buggy and I have removed all of it. Some include an unreconcilable conflict between Norton Antivirus and part of the Sony suite, that creates a pop-up error every few minutes. Also significant errors and lag when trying to use software for video capture and authoring. Another is an unrepairable error with Gigapocket (the TV viewing software) after running a spyware scan that causes it to not function. The only solution was a complete reformat and recovery. I am still satisfied with the purchase, the included hardware is very good, except for the ATI 9200 video card which has severe compatibility issues with many games. The included Power Supply and RAM are somewhat light for a media centric system. My advice is to buy it, clean it out, and reinstall better software that is out there. Up the RAM to at least a GIG, replace the POWER SUPPLY and VIDEO CARD.

0 of 0 users found this review helpful.