Customer Rating: 
Summary: Good Base to build from
Comment: Bought this computer (cq5320f) with the intent on instantly upgrading it to a gaming rig. This worked out great. Runs well, have had no issues with the software or the drives.
Pros: Price (on sale for 390), Windows 7, Ram and Processing
Cons: stock power supply is underpowered if you want to use a PCIe video card, Practically no expansion bays (my spare hard drive runs on a pedestal)
Customer Rating:
Summary: A real sleeper
Comment: I bought this computer for a paltry $300. On paper, it was adequate but just adequate. Instead, I have found it to be the best PC I have ever had. The CPU on paper is a measly “bargain” AMD chip, my 1st ever. I found it to be quite good and as fast as the dual core chips of the much more highly rated Intel. I think that the engineers have hit a “wall” when it comes to chip design(light travel time? overheating?) and one modern chip is as good as the other. So, if your demands are normal office in the home or just home accounting, writing or games, then this is a bargain buy for you. The chip might not be up to standard if you are a serious gamer(I don’t know; I never put it to that test), but for me and the average consumer, it is absolutely fine and a great value.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Basic Computer
Comment: Im using this computer as my main desktop, and im very happy with it , it handles everything ive use it for,it does come with a fairly small power supply so if you want to upgrade the video card its posibble that you have to upgrade the PSU.Its small compared to a regular size case but not as small, however there ir a smaller form factor from compaq for desktops. Would buy again for sure if i had to.
Its also very very silent i have it next to the monitor on top of my desktop and id almost imposible to hear it.Beware it only comes with one PCI slot.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great deal, lacks some stuff
Comment: This is my second Compaq in two years (other is a laptop), and I’m very pleased with it. I get them from an office supply store when they go on sale.
Yes, the processor is about two years or so behind the latest and greatest, and it lacks a graphics card (a $60 fix, if you feel like adding one), and it doesn’t have a memory card reader (USB memory card readers are literally 5 bucks, or you can use the cable to your camera). It lacks Blu-Ray and wireless and Bluetooth.
However the things it does have are Windows 7, a 500 GB hard drive, it’s quiet, and has 3 GB memory. It’s also much faster than what I was using. The specs aren’t too far off of even the best computers, and at this price if its a dog you give it away in two or three years and don’t feel bad.
I haven’t tried any games yet. If I were still really into gaming I would have bought something a step or two up. I think this only takes 4 GB memory and the processor is probably the other bottleneck. I’m pretty sure it will play some of the older games I like.
Another thing: before buying these Compaqs I was wary of AMD processors. Since then, not at all. AMD gives you more processor per dollar, and I’ve run into zero compatability or reliability issues.
The case design is pretty too. The keyboard and mouse are nice, and feel reasonably solid, but seem to be made for smaller hands than mine.
One last thing: if you want recovery discs you have to make them yourself. I’m not sure if every manufacturer does this, but I was a bit put off by it. You need to have two or three recordable DVDs (I used DVD-R). You don’t absolutely need to make the discs, because the hard drive has some recovery stuff on it that’s pretty robust, but I think it’s safer to make them.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I am totally pleased with this PC!!
Comment: When my old desktop died on me and I found it would cost me more to fix it than to buy a new one, I decided to shop for a new one. Money was an issue and since I was not looking for a fancy gaming computer, which requires more speed and a large capacity hard drive, I figured an internet browsing everyday home computer would do. In my search, I first stumbled on the cq5320f then on this model. Trying to decide which of the two to get, the cq5320f’s price went up considerably… in a matter of days (literally); it went from $318 to $520! Therefore, I had to settle for cq5300f instead and have not regretted it one single day! Do not let the simplicity of this model fool you. It comes with enough speed and hard drive space for everyday usage and then some. Another thing I love about this PC is, it runs very quiet. In the past, I would swear by XP but since I tried the new Windows 7, I am totally hooked. For the exception of one of my programs (Nero 6), I am able to use all of my old XP programs and games. If in doubt, you can always go to the Microsoft website and check for Windows 7 compatibility issues. Bottom line is, if you are looking for a good affordable computer, I would not wait. This model is becoming popular and has already gone up in price in the last week. I’ve had mine for nearly a month now and have no problems and no regrets.
