We secretly tested HP’s support quality alongside its assembly and parts selection competence. This review of the HP Pavilion TG01-1160XT prebuilt shows why it’s so bad.
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The HP TG01-1160XT was purchased as a PC in our $1000-$1500 price range for prebuilts. This follows-up previous benchmarks and reviews of Alienware, Dell, Lenovo, ABS, and Skytech, among others. The HP Pavilion tested was recommended to us by HP’s support — who told us we should get 32GB of RAM for gaming, for some reason, while also recommending an Intel i5 CPU and a 2060 Super. It’s a bizarre combination of things that led to this build. We’re still on our quest to find the best pre-built gaming PCs. So far, we’ve found two pretty good ones and a bunch that aren’t that.
Pre-built gaming PC review playlist:
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RELATED PRE-BUILT REVIEWS
Skytech’s Chronos prebuilt is one of the best we’ve seen yet:
See HP’s competitor, also at the bottom of the list, in the Dell G5 5000 review:
You can see why the ABS Challenger is the other best prebuilt we’ve reviewed so far here:
We also collaborated with Digital Foundry to test the Playstation 5:
RELATED PRODUCTS [Affiliate Links]
HP Omen on Amazon:
Skytech Gaming on Amazon:
Lenovo Legion on Amazon:
ABS Prebuilts on Newegg:
iBUYPOWER gaming PCs on Amazon:
Dell G5 5000 i5 Gaming PC on Amazon:
Some random Pre-Built Gaming PCs on Amazon:
Or DIY it with an Intel i5-10400F on Amazon:
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – HP Pavilion Gaming TG01-1160xt
01:55 – Buying from HP is … Unique
05:32 – HP’s Incomprehensible Support
08:04 – Tearing Down the HP Pavilion
09:00 – Phillips Heads Are So Out of Style
10:00 – Dell All Over Again
11:10 – GPU Is Very Flexible
13:00 – Another Weird Power Supply
16:25 – CPU Cooler
17:04 – Thermal Benchmarks
17:58 – Gaming Benchmarks
18:26 – Rainbow Six: Siege (1080p & 1440p)
19:53 – Cyberpunk 2077
20:40 – Hitman 3
21:12 – Red Dead Redemption 2
21:37 – Noise
22:45 – Power at the Wall
23:14 – Bloatware, BIOS, Setup, & Instructions
27:16 – Conclusion
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Host, Test Lead, Writing: Steve Burke
Testing: Patrick Lathan
Video: Andrew Coleman
Video: Keegan Gallick
More Information:
The title "Embarrassingly Bad: HP Pavilion $1430 Prebuilt Gaming PC (TG01-1160XT Review)" suggests a critical examination of the HP Pavilion TG01-1160XT, a prebuilt gaming desktop that comes at a price point of $1430. This review likely addresses multiple aspects of the system, such as its hardware specifications, performance in gaming and productivity tasks, design and build quality, as well as its overall value compared to other options in the gaming PC market.
Key Points Likely Discussed in the Review:
Specifications:
- The TG01-1160XT is likely equipped with a mid-range CPU and GPU pairing, among other components. Critical specifications such as the processor model (possibly an AMD Ryzen or Intel Core), graphics card (possibly a mid-tier NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon), RAM size, and storage options would be detailed. Given a $1430 price tag, expectations for components would be high.
Performance:
- The review might analyze the gaming performance of the PC across several popular titles. Benchmarks would be provided to show how well it handles modern games, including FPS rates, load times, and thermal performance during extended gaming sessions. If the performance is not up to par with expectations at this price point, it may be described as "embarrassingly bad."
Thermals and Build Quality:
- Thermals are crucial for gaming PCs, as overheating can lead to throttling and decreased performance. The review could discuss the thermal management system and how the case design contributes or detracts from cooling efficiency.
Upgradeability:
- An important consideration for any prebuilt gaming PC is how easily one can upgrade individual components. The review may look at the power supply, motherboard compatibility, and interior layout to assess whether users can replace the GPU, add more RAM, or upgrade storage without too much hassle.
Design and Aesthetics:
- The physical design of the HP Pavilion TG01-1160XT could be critiqued in terms of appeal, size, and functionality. Does it suit a gaming setup, or is it bulky and uninspiring? Features like RGB lighting, airflow design, and cable management could be aspects highlighted.
Value for Money:
- Given the $1430 price tag, the review likely compares the TG01-1160XT against other prebuilt systems or even custom-built alternatives. It might question whether the hardware provided justifies the price or whether similar or better performing systems are available at lower prices.
Customer Experience:
- The review could also touch on the customer support experience with HP, warranty offerings, and the build quality’s reliability over time. Consumer complaints or issues with the product might be referenced.
- Overall Assessment:
- Finally, the review would culminate in a final verdict, likely emphasizing whether the HP Pavilion TG01-1160XT is worth purchasing. If it is dubbed "embarrassingly bad," it might indicate severe shortcomings in any of the areas discussed, or a major mismatch between pricing and performance.
Overall, the review serves as a cautionary tale for potential buyers considering prebuilt gaming PCs, emphasizing the importance of researching components and performance benchmarks and understanding what they are paying for.