Am I getting ripped off?

[ArenaNinja]

Hey everyone. So it seems my trusty XPS 420 is frying after 3 years. It turns off by itself and me and my gf detect electrical burning smell. I contacted Dell XPS, and they are on the case. They will be sending me a refurb XPS 435T. Not too bad, though the rep had said it would be either an XPS 9000/9100, but there are some upgrades included. However, I worry because there ARE some things I paid premium for, such as Video Card (8800GT). The replacement card I'm being given is a GTS 240. I don't know much about video cards but while AnandTech praised 8800GT performance, the GTS 240 review was HORRIBLE. However, I'm not sure how they compared to each other directly. So my questions.

Is the GTS 240 as good as/better than 8800GT?
Should I stay with the 435T or should I try to make a case for the 9100 that was originally promised? (I have the chat log from the agent)
Also, I see no mention of a card reader, while I paid for a 19 in 1 card reader. I can't find any images of the chassis for the 435T, does anyone know if it came by default?
I'm also not sure that a double DVD-R/W is included, whether my XPS 420 does.

If any of you are REALLY interested in helping me out, I do have the order specs for both systems. You could help me out a lot by comparing them and letting me know where I'm being underserved.

Thanks a lot.

EDIT: On the upside, I'll be going from a Q6600 to an i7 920 (refurb, i believe) and from 4GB 800MHz DDR2 to 8GB 1066MHz DDR3

 

[Atara]

It is a worse video card but the upgrade in ram/processor more than makes up for that IMO.

 

[Bl0cks]

It depends on how you use your computer really. Processor wise, the i7 920 will be a lot better than the Q6600. Graphic wise, you will take a few hits on your fps.

What is stopping you from getting a better card for the refurbished? You can get a 8800gt these days for $60 or less.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I would take an i7 920, 8GB DDR3, and GT 240 over a Q6600, 4GB DDR2, and 8800GT any day. The GT 240 is a less powerful card, but the i7 920 and 8GB DDR3 far out-weigh the performance loss.

If all you do is game, I'd gladly take the setup they're offering you and buy a GTX 460 and throw that in there. Providing they have a decent power supply (400w+), you should have no problems.

 

[JWade]

the 435T (atleast the one I have) only has 1 PCI-E power connector, no molex, all sata connectors. Dont all the 460's require 2?

I have seen 9800GT's for as low as $64, what you are getting in an upgrade of processor and ram, i agree with most everyone so far, is a WAY better upgrade and more than worth it, especially since an 8800GT is a $50-ish card now.

 

[ArenaNinja]

ok so everyone seems to think that it's a good deal... However I'm still concerned, since I think my current PSU was fried because I loaded two Caviar Blacks onto it. Since I'll be doing the same to the new system, I'm not sure whether it could handle that plus the vid card update.

And yeah I'm concerned about the vid card because I use my system for gaming about 70% of the time. Though I don't play newer games (mostly Oblivion, TF2)

 

[Zap]

They will be sending me a refurb XPS 435T. Not too bad, though the rep had said it would be either an XPS 9000/9100

Don't know about the 9100, but the 435T and the 9000 are probably the same machine because if you look up drivers or manuals at Dell's support site for the 435T, it gives both model numbers.

The PSU is 475W. You should be fine as long as you don't need to use any adapters. Go ahead and toss your drives in there. For video card, assuming it has only a single 6-pin PCIe power plug, you can easily upgrade to a GeForce GTS 450 or Radeon 5770.

 

[bamacre]

the 435T (atleast the one I have) only has 1 PCI-E power connector, no molex, all sata connectors. Dont all the 460's require 2?

Are you sure you have the 435T, and not the MT?

This is the 435T (or Studio XPS 9000). This was the 435MT.

 

[bamacre]

Don't know about the 9100, but the 435T and the 9000 are probably the same machine because if you look up drivers or manuals at Dell's support site for the 435T, it gives both model numbers.

The PSU is 475W. You should be fine as long as you don't need to use any adapters. Go ahead and toss your drives in there. For video card, assuming it has only a single 6-pin PCIe power plug, you can easily upgrade to a GeForce GTS 450 or Radeon 5770.

Actually, that 475w has a 6pin and an 8/6pin, and sold with HD 5870's.

 

[JWade]

i have the 435MT, i get them mixed up. still though, he is definately getting an upgrade. and with the 435T it's power supply can definately handle his drives.

 

[ArenaNinja]

Ok everyone thanks. I won't make beef with them over the vid card (I won't be using this PC anymore anyways). However I won't have them ship it without Bluetooth or a Media card reader.

Thanks for all your feedback!