HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer review

HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer review

HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer is configured to tackle all the most commonly needed tasks right out of the box – Connect to your business software or a client’s files, upload data, track inventory, browse the internet or even stream movies & music, complete homework, store photos, and much more. The combination of key integrated components power this PC to maximum performance: Arrives with a 8 GB Memory and 500 GB Hard Disk Drive for efficient multi-tasking and robust hard drive space for files, apps, music and movies set this computer apart to excel at work, home or school. Discover details in HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer review.

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HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core  desktop computer review
HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer review

Pros & Cons – HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer

Pros

  • Affordable: plug-and-play system at a low price point
  • Windows 10 Professional already installed
  • 500GB of storage space
  • Processor supports dual monitors
  • Mouse & Keyboard included
  • 90 day warranty

Cons

  • No wireless adapter included
  • Refurbished build, so there’s no certainty on the exact hardware (e.g. brands/model/age) you’ll get
  • Not directly from the manufacturer so there is potential for quality control issues

Compare HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer vs Dell Optiplex 7010 Business Desktop Computer

HP 8300 Elite Small Form Factor Business Desktop, Intel Core i5 3470Dell Optiplex 7010 Business Desktop Computer Intel Quad Core i5-3470HP Flagship Pro Desktop 2018 Computer, Core I5 Up to 3.6GHz
Computer Memory Size8 GB16 GB8 GB
CPU ModelIntel Core i5Intel Core i5Intel Core i5
CPU Model ManufacturerIntelIntelIntel
CPU Speed3.40 GHz3.20 GHz3.20 GHz
Graphics CoprocessorIntel HD Graphics 2500NVIDIA GeForce 210
Graphics DescriptionintegratedIntegrated
Hard Disk Size500 GB480 GB512 GB
Hardware PlatformPCPCPC
Item Dimensions14.90 x 4.00 x 13.30 inches
Item Weight16.70 lbs
Operating SystemWindows 7 Professional; Windows 10 ProfessionalWindows 10Windows 10
Processor Count414

HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer review

Design

The 8300 Elite is a small form factor (SFF) PC that is small enough (4 by 14.9 by 13.3 inches, HWD) to fit under a desk or a small workstation, but it still retains some full-size components, like its Intel Core i5-2500S processor and an integrated Intel HD 2500 graphics card. Though the system being compact, it still has some room for a few upgrades.

Processor

HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer comes with Intel Core i5-3470, which was first released in mid 2012 as a mid-high level processor. Being an i5 Quad Core, it is suited to multitasking and medium-heavy workloads quite well. It is an older model now but still offers decent performance for general purpose use and even entry level gaming. If you aren’t doing anything too demanding, it should stay relevant for some years to come.

Memory & storage

This computer comes with 8GB of memory, which is more than enough for the rest of the computer’s hardware. You won’t have to worry about lacking in this department. A 500GB hard drive is provided. The 500GB refers to the amount of storage space and is a generous amount which will suit most people.

Graphics Card

The Intel HD Graphics 2500 of the processor is suitable for general purpose tasks such as watching videos, webcam chatting and playing low-end/entry level computer games, though you’ll probably have to keep your gamplay settings low, and it wouldn’t be able to handle any demanding games without a dedicated graphics card.

HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer performance review

The integrated HD Graphics 2500 doesn’t offer much when it comes to playing modern titles but it can handle basic tasks that don’t need a discrete graphics card. If you need something for your games and media creation tasks, the CyberPower Gamer GXiVR8060A5 – our Editors Choice for entry-level gaming desktops, is an excellent pick, with a discrete Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8400 processor. It combines everything we’ve come to expect of CyberPowerPC’s devices including, including out-of-the-box VR capability, powerful components and a likable design.

A 3.2GHz Intel Core i5-3470 processor, with built-in Intel HD Graphics 2500, 8GB of DDR3 memory and 500GB hard drive, making the 8300 Elite a quick, affordable, productivity PC. As configured, the HP 8300 Elite SFF is certainly a capable compact desktop for your medium-to-enterprise-sized business. It has the power to fulfill your day-to-day needs, particularly if you’re a Web-based business or your activities are based on traditional databases and Excel spreadsheets, and it can easily handle light-to-medium graphics tasks.

HP Elite 8300 small form factor i5-3470 quad core desktop computer customer review


 The perfect ultra-cheap gaming PC


There are a lot of reviews and answered questions saying this PC can’t be used for gaming, but that’s simply not true. This HP Elite 8300 arrived in like-new condition with a brand new hard drive, new RAM, and an unused Windows 10 key, and I was able to slot in a low profile GeForce 1050 video card that’s so far been able to run every game I’ve thrown at it in 1080p with max settings, including Skyrim, GTAV, The Witness, Counter-Strike Global Offensive, and others.

It’s a perfectly zippy computer on its own, but dropping in a decent graphics card (it appears the 1050 Ti is the most this system can handle, particularly with regard to its proprietary 240-watt power supply) has given me a system that well exceeds my expectations and runs video games better than any other device I’ve owned, including my past computers and home consoles.

I did have one minor issue with the system when it arrived: the fan on the power supply made a curious grinding noise that sounded like it was going out. To fix it, I slid a screwdriver into the back of the power supply to stop the fan from spinning, then started the computer. After a few moments, I pulled the screwdriver out, and the fan sped up to its max speed, likely in an attempt to rapidly cool the system. After spinning at such high speed, the fan stopped making the noise at lower speeds, and I haven’t heard the grinding noise nor heard the fan spin up to its highest speed since. It’s been over five months since then, and I haven’t had a single issue to report otherwise.

It’s also worth noting that the computer shipped in a box indicating that it was a Microsoft Certified Refurbished system. This isn’t (or wasn’t) listed in the product description, but for some users, this certification is added peace of mind.

Edit: ten months have passed since I first started using this PC, and nearly everything is still working perfectly. I say “nearly” because after months of ignoring the system’s front-facing headset port, I finally plugged one in only to find that the port doesn’t carry microphone audio as indicated. For me, this is no big deal. Otherwise, the system has been a treat. I installed a PCI wireless network adapter and an LG-branded Blu-ray burner, both of which have been working flawlessly. My 1050 has been also running smoothly with absolutely no problems. To be honest, I’ve had fewer problems with this system than any other PC I’ve ever owned; granted, most of my others were built from the ground up. My experience has been such a success that I even convinced a buddy of mine to buy his own 8300 several months back, and from what I’ve heard, his system has been functioning perfectly as well.
By Amazon Reviewer

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