HP ENVY Phoenix 800/810

Decent PC to suit one's needs and is upgradeable – Went into my local Radio Rentals store, January 2nd, on a very hot day, looking for a new PC (haven't had a new one since February 2010). Saw a display model of this PC in operation, so I said yes. Got this HP ENVY Phoenix PC on January 6, 2015 - delivered (brand new in box). I am not thrilled about the start screen in Windows 8.1 - I prefer the old-fashioned start menu and desktop, but I am told this is fully customizable to suit the end user ... all packaged in a stylish black case with red LEDs on the lower front.

Some key features of the HP ENVY Phoenix 810 include:

• Intel Core i5-4590 3.3/3.7 GHz

• 8GB DDR3-1600 RAM

• 2TB SATA HDD

• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 745

• Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64-bit) (Pre-installed)

Specifications:

• Processor speed: up to 3.3 GHz (max turbo boost - 3.7 GHz)

• CPU cores: 4

• CPU Cache: 6 MB

• TDP: 84 W

• Socket: LGA 1150

• Memory: 8 GB PC3-12800 MB/s DDR3-1600

• Graphics/GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 745

• DisplayPort resolution: 4096 x 2160

• DVI (dual-link) resolution: 2560 x 1600 x 32bpp at 60Hz

• HDMI resolution: 1920 x 1080

• Total power consumption: ~ 50 W max

• Sound/audio: Integrated IDT 92HD68E2 Audio

• 7.1 channel audio with jack sensing

• Networking LAN: 1000BASE-T

• Technology: Realtek RTL8151GH-CG

• Data transfer speeds: up to 10/100/1000 Mb/s

• HDD capacity: 2 TB SATA 7200 RPM

• Multi-media SD/Memory Card Reader

• PSU: 500 W (100V-240V)

• Front/Rear USB 2.0/3.0 ports

I am not sure about the number of CPU cores this PC has because I have an older HP Pavilion with an i5 processor (and that's a dual core) yet this one seems to have 4 cores. Nonetheless, it was the installed 8GB RAM and the 2TB HDD which enticed me as well as the nVidia GTX 745 dedicated video card. I doubt any of this matters much since I didn't get it for gaming, and it gives me a chance to finally get acquainted with Windows 8.1.

The slightly bad news is there was no monitor offered with it, so that will have to be purchased separately if required; but that's the least of my worries. Reliability is the main objective here; and a windowed side panel lets you see inside the case (without removing the covers) so I know there are spare RAM slots (the board has 4, and 2 are in use but it can take up to 32GB RAM - or 4 x 8GB non-ECC/unbufferered DIMMs) so upgrade/customization is completely possible. There is no HDTV tuner card but there is provision to install one and watch TV via Windows Media Center or similar application.

After considerable thought, and agreeing to the sale of this model, I took advantage of the optional extended warranty which means I am covered until January 2019 on all hardware components and labour (including motherboard, PSU, HDD, etc.). Software is my responsibility and I have all the necessary programs and drivers and almost everything is compatible with it.

*** The PC I have is HP 'ENVY Phoenix 810-215a' (HPJ1E87AA) - (rated based on positive past experience with HP) even though it is a later model, the case style is similar to the one noted in this review. ***

Mother board dead – my manager bought it in Jan14 for our office, it was pretty good all the time, very fast speed coz of the RAM. it is unbelievable great but all of the sudden, it's dead when I restarted it in early Aug14. we guessed video went wrong but the HP technical man came and said it is the mother board and needs to be replaced. I hope they can fix it soon. speedy desktop! mother board is dead about 6 mth

Great computer – This computer is good for the price. The graphics card it the gt 645 so it's quite old. It has an ssd so it works very fast. It also has a 3tb hdd and liquid cooling. It has 1 fan and has 4 ram slots. It already has 16gb 2x8gb ram sticks so you don't really need more Works great. Expensive, alright graphics card.