How would you change HP's Firebird gaming rigs?

After arguably the biggest hype-fest of late 2008, HP's Firebird with VoodooDNA was revealed as Rahul Sood's ambitious little secret. The miniaturized gaming rigs began shipping out during CES, and we've no doubt that a few of you with space constraints and a lust of high frame rates have already chomped on the bullet. So, does the machine live up to the hype? Is it worth the asking price? What features weren't included that should have been? Has it handled your gaming demands with ease? Feel free to sound off below -- who knows, maybe Mr. Sood will tune in and hear you out.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:03AM]

I wish the graphics card didn't suck as much as the price.

[Macbeth Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:50AM]

Go back to the drawing board, can't fix that

Coolit probably built a better system with the same footprint, just minus the sexy

http://techlime.com/graphics-card-memory-power-supply-cooling-devices/ces-2009-coolit-systems

It's more or less the same size and looks to be more expandable than the firebird, too bad it's only a concept.

http://www.techpowerup.com/index.php?82692

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 4:27PM]

Make it a Mac...

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 26th 2009 8:15AM]

Anything with the Firebird moniker should have the flaming chicken on it. Uh Bandit you've got a Smokey on your tail.

[ridestp Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:11AM]

Customization.....

[onlyshawn Posted Jan 24th 2009 8:05PM]

like a gold chain. what firebird would be complete without a huge gold chain?

[onlyshawn Posted Jan 24th 2009 8:09PM]

much like this...sadly, the image is from a poor angle to see the huge chain, but trust me, it's there.

http://bamapachyderm.com/wp-content/firebird.jpg

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:14AM]

Yea the specs suck for the price, you can build a computer with a nvidia 260 card and a intel 7i processor for less then a firebird with a nvidia 9600 and intel quad 6600

[Ozymandias Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:28AM]

Looks like the days of buying are over, and building has begun.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:30AM]

What are you talking about? It has always been the age of building. Since as long as I can remember someone could build a significantly faster computer for less money than a company can offer. However you get some sort of peace of mind buy having a brand name slapped on your rig that you bought. A lot of people (mass market) might be interested in a cool looking little rig that can handle most of their mass market PC gaming needs.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 9:38AM]

There is no piece of mind from a brand name IF you are a builder, or can build a pc. Everyone knows that almost all pc components have warranties. For instance ram-lifetime, hdd-3 years, mobo-3 years etc. If you buy a Mainstream computer, whats their no charge warranty, like 90 days... If you spend extra money on the slower computer than cost, you can get a 3 year warranty? LOL Yay I can get a warranty for products that already have a warranty. Now, I am sure the big companies would have faster rma's, but realistically, if you stay on the component manufacterer, you can get your replaced part just as fast. I had ram replaced in 6 days.. and that includes the weekend... So I know there is a huge market of "dumb" people that love paying lots of money for a pos machine (parts-vs final cost wise) and they get the piece of mind of having their new desktop slowed down by all the crap ware and bloatware that is very much needed.

side note, every time dell or hp sends out their brochures of products and pricing, I always blog the actual parts cost, and its a travesty... they should hand you their extended warranty for 6 years free, in home!

[holycow Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:16AM]

i wish i could buy the case seperately!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:33AM]

the firebird's case is ugly :P. The blackbird is the beauty. BTW does anyone know if they still sell it separately or was it a one time thing?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 6:53AM]

I'm with GM Michael. Rank me down if you want, but I'm not going to lie to you. This case though loved by some, is utterly a piece of asymmetrical shit in terms of aesthetics. A wider front is generally considered more attractive than a wider end, this is true due to the way in which we perceive our physical bodies. a wider front is like wider shoulders and chest, it suggests strengthen, protectiveness and trustworthiness. On the flip side, a wider end is like a fat tummy. Not that I have any problem with fat tummies, I was fat too. But if I tell whoever with a fat tummy that everyone thinks his/her tummy is attractive, then I'll be lying.

[cinematech Posted Jan 25th 2009 12:10AM]

I know I feel smarter now.

[becomingxinsane Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:16AM]

It wouldn't be an HP.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:18AM]

Add cablecard support for the most awesome Media Center/Gaming PC.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:19AM]

Make it a Mac Pro.

[roach Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:14AM]

Yeah I hear ya... even this hapless gaming rig has better graphic spec than Apple so-called high end rig. But it can be done. Stick one of them Apple sticker to this rig, install Osx theme over Vista and you're good to go. Your Apple friends will be super impressed!

[dalew Posted Jan 24th 2009 4:23AM]

/kicks iKurt in the head

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:30AM]

make it nothing like a Mac Pro so you can actually game on it then drop the price.

[JeremyBenthem Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:30AM]

make it just a case so I can build my own for $$$ less

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:32AM]

Make it nothing like a MacPro so you can actually game on it, then lower the price

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:48AM]

Smaller and more discreet. Make it a tiny, tiny black box with a simple blue light for the power. That would be very, very cool.

[Torpedo Vegas Posted Jan 24th 2009 4:24AM]

Sounds like a LaCie external hard drive

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 11:43AM]

Exactly. Maybe even drop the integrated optical and include a small portable add-on.

That way people like me can use all their ripped ISOs. : )

[DonkeyPuncherello Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:49AM]

customization, customization, customization, customization, customization, customization, customization, customization, customization, customization, customization, customization, customization, customization,

[Dafrety Posted Jan 24th 2009 3:14AM]

Developers, developers, developers, developers, developers, developers, developers, developers!

[alexz Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:52AM]

Would look nice in wood and brass.

[Covarr Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:57AM]

It would be better if I had it for free.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:10AM]

make it white aluminum case and apple logo and call it a macbird, dont change the price though, a real Mac gotta be expensive right?

[theswiss Posted Jan 27th 2009 5:38AM]

i feel pitty for you...

[YpoCaramel Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:12AM]

I like the case, concept and form factor. More value, definately, with video cards that better fit the concept like a GTX 260 - SLI seems counter-intuitive to simplicity and small size.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:16AM]

Ummm... for $550 cheaper, you can pretty much blow that thing right out of the water.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-overclock,2112.html

Plus, if you're willing to spend $1800, why not go all out for $2500? I don't think you'd regret it.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-overclock,2116.html

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:32AM]

The specs on this machine are silly. It is not even i7, overall it is a pretty girl that is ugly on the inside

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:49AM]

Well when you build you next computer/girl I recommend wearing a condom before making sweet love to it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 8:46AM]

That thing has "metro" written all over it. If you want a real gaming PC, build your own.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:34AM]

I think some people are missing the point...

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 2:29AM]

Can you build such a quiet gaming machine which uses only 300 watts with SLI?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 2:50AM]

Ok... well YOU get the point.

Obviously this thing is NOT meant to be "All the highest performing parts tossed in a weird case."

I think it had a very defined goal (to be quiet and power efficient while maintaining high levels of performance) and I think it's the best PC on the market in terms of reaching that goal.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 3:59AM]

Well, you could go this route if you're looking for a "gaming" machine that is still extremely efficient for about $1000 less. Sure it won't have the super-duper-special edition case, but I don't buy a PC for its case.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/overclock-undervolt-efficiency,2134.html

Granted, it's not SLI, but the HD 4850 will outperform the two 9800S's any day of the week. Especially Tuesday's.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:38AM]

you r-tards saying 'zOMG you can build a Corei7 for that much! are missing the point. Can you build a Corei7 in that small and sleek of a package, making little to no noise, with a full warranty, and a legit Windows license? Whats that? You can't? Wierd.

This isn't for the geek, this is for the people that used to buy Voodoo PC's, Alienware, Falcon Northwest machines etc.

[saiku Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:42AM]

which means we won't see anyone who actually owns this thing post, will we?

[Rollins Posted Jan 24th 2009 7:33AM]

So it's for people who care a hell of a lot more about looks than results.

In other words, it's for idiots.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:21PM]

So in those terms its like Apple

[chansthename Posted Jan 24th 2009 1:53AM]

Other than price I think it's pretty darn good. The point was to have a small compact gaming rig. They did it.

It's a better performer than a gaming laptop though the price is questionable.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 2:10AM]

PC/xbox/playstation gaming is out of touch with what people want. Many people are starting to want relaxing games rather than stressful games, and the Wii is the only one providing that at the moment.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 12:26PM]

You, my good sir, need to pull your head from between your butt cheeks, get out from under that rock, etc. etc...

I'm going to go ahead and assume that you don't own a next gen system, or if you do, are completely oblivious to the things it can do.

Ever take a gander at PSN? There are literally HEAPS of relaxing games out, and more to come.

flOw, flOwer, Echochrome, Elefunk, Cuboid, Go! Sudoku, Go! Puzzle, High Velocity Bowling, Pain, Jeopardy!, Linger in Shadows, Loco Roco Cocoreccho, Mahjong Tales, Nucleus, Pixel Junk Eden, Pixel Junk Monsters, Puzzle Quest, Q*bert...

Need I go on?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 24th 2009 7:25PM]

Who would buy a next-gen console for the PSN, XBL... what is the point of all that hardware? The Wii can do all that plus more with the backing of the great Nintendo game developers and the motion controllers.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 26th 2009 4:34PM]

dude wrong thread and stupid argument..... I own a Wii..... why don't I use it as much as my Xbox or Ps3 because relaxing games are all it has..... and the graphics.... SUCK