[Don_S]

I am shopping for a new mini desktop computer. Can anyone explain the differences between the 300/400/600 series (EliteDesk, ProDesk, ProMini) and Gx designations for HP small computers? These are the 7”x7”x1.75” models. I am not talking about detailed differences, just the general concept. Is the build quality different irrespective of the specs? I contacted HP chat and they were fairly useless. Chat woman kind of guessed the higher series provided more options. My question and concern to her was about build quality or anything else I should know.

For the last 8 years, I have used an HP ProDesk 600-G1dual core 3.1GHz 12GB RAM, 500GB SATA, 3MB cache. It has been a great everyday computer. But now, like Peter "Maverick" Mitchell, I feel the need for speed. But maybe more than that, I am looking for something that can handle two browsers, numerous website pages, and streaming stock quotes at the same time. My current HP handles all those but I feel like it is sluggish at times, especially booting up. I worry it is getting old, and even though I occasionally remember to back it up, I would not want my main computer to fail. Yes, I know, computers can fail at any time.

I am looking at this on WOOT.  HP ProDesk 400-G9 Mini Desktop - Intel Core i5-12500T 2.0GHz (up to 4.40Ghz) 16GB RAM - 512GB PCIe SSD – 18MB cache. Windows 11 Pro

I like the price and the specs seem good. I think the lower CPU speed will be made up for by the extra cores, threads, RAM, and cache. Is my logic flawed? I also wonder about the series designation being lower (400 vs my current 600).

Please stay on topic and don’t send me down a rabbit hole chasing other options/brands. If I am educated I can do my own searching. I am all in with HP. They earned my loyalty.

Prices on the HP website are high even with “sales”. My old computer cost $300 new on WOOT! I really like the fact that the small computer can sit under the shelf that holds my monitor. And besides that, they are so darn cute. 

[FullRangeMan]

Only 8 years. Iam using a Optiplex from 2012

Stay away from mini or mini tower cabinets they heat fast, buy a CPU with a big cabinet. Pick a Mobo without TPM chip, to you dont bother with copyright in your files.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Why don't you buy an Intel Nuc.  You can buy them at varying price points with different CPU's.

Here is one from ASUS-

https://www.asus.com/us/displays-desktops/nucs/nuc-mini-pcs/asus-nuc-14-pro/techspec/

Here are some from Amazon-

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=nuc+computer&crid=11WLMK4TE8OW1&qid=1721610805&rnid=2421879011&sprefix=nuc+%2Caps%2C170&ref=sr_nr_p_36_0_0&low-price=430&high-price=

[WGH]

I think the lower CPU speed will be made up for by the extra cores, threads, RAM, and cache. Is my logic flawed?

Flawed logic, probably. I always opt for faster speed and more cores. I think quality will be equal across all HP models. Parts is parts at this price level.

The programs you have running probably only use one or two cores so processor speed will be the determining factor. Multi-core is useful for music converting, video processing, and some gaming. I use HQPlayer in my music server to upsample 44.1kHz PCM to DSD256, all 8 cores are heavily used, notice the load.

HQPlayer 44.1 kHz PCM upsampled to DSD256



One method to decide if a slower speed with more cores is better than a faster speed is to install the free Core Temp app. If the load on each core is 0%-1% with your current processor then more cores won't help and you need a faster processor to speed things up.
https://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

15 browser windows open, email, MalwareBytes, ESET Antivirus



CPUs: Core Count vs. Clock Speed, Which Is Better?
https://winnervps.com/index.php/knowledgebase/198/CPUs-Core-Count-vs-Clock-Speed-Which-Is-Better.html

[Don_S]

WGH,

Thank you for the useful information. I am still trying to understand everything.

From the second link: "Turbo mode from the new Intel I5 and I7 Core using the socket 1156 can automatically increase the frequency when just one or 2 cores are activated, depending on the applications. For example, Core i5 750 runs at 2.66 GHz when all 4 cores are enabled, but it will automatically shift to 3.2 GHz when only 2 cores are required:therefore there is no reason to have to choose between Dual Core 3.2 GHz or Quad Core 2.66Ghz, Core i5 750 complies to both frequencies."

You said my programs probably only use one or two cores. In that case the the computer in question should benefit. Intel® Core™ i5-12500T (up to 4.4 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology). Beats the i3 3.1GHz CPU I have now. There will be 18MB cache vs 3 on my current computer. Will that increase speed in any meaningful way?

Screen shot is from the core temp program. But it really is not accurate because the measurement is not static and changes a lot.

[WGH]

You will notice a big speed increase with the Intel® Core™ i5-12500T. Go for it!
An i7 or i9 would be like greased lightning and maybe overkill but I like overkill.

[Don_S]

You will notice a big speed increase with the Intel® Core™ i5-12500T. Go for it!
An i7 or i9 would be like greased lightning and maybe overkill but I like overkill.

WGH,

Thanks for your help.