bought refurb dimension 8400

smaky

Member
Jan 1, 2005
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the system came with Intel P4 570 (3.8Ghz) , 512 DDR, 40Gb hdd. Since it doesn't have DDR2 memory I assumed it would be AGP, but just now I read on this forum that the 8400 come only with PCIe. Can sombody verify this? I payed $690 (only because of the 3.8Ghz processor) in the outlet and was hoping to use my AGP 6800 GT. I am kind of bummed out if I can't use my card. Also I read that it doesn't come with on board video, and its shipping withou any card at all. Help me....
Going back to Dell.com I can't even pick the 3.8Ghz for any pc? I wonder what I will receive.
 

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
9,116
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not to sound like an ass or anything, but how is this the right place to post this? you don't have the computer and you don't know what you ordered. can't you check an invoice or call dell or something? maybe dell forums would be able to help.
gl
 

smaky

Member
Jan 1, 2005
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thanks helpmeout,
rise4310: the reason I came here because I bought it from the outlet and I know I would get a faster responce here, my invoice didn't specify an agp or PCIe, sorry
 

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
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Also, it does in fact come with DDR2 memory. The system should come with a 128MB x300 se PCIe card. If it does not, you're in luck, because that is the worst card possible to ship with an 8400. Anything else will be much better.
 

smaky

Member
Jan 1, 2005
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Thanks everyone, its on its way as of saturday, even if it is PCIe. Could not pass that processor up. Getting a PCIe graphics card is gona hurt the bottom line. This was supposed to be a cheap gamer :).
 

Paperlantern

Platinum Member
Apr 26, 2003
2,239
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yeah but it could be a really GREAT excuse to get a flippin SWEET graphics card.... "gee hunnie, i didnt realize my existing card wasnt compatible, gonna have to go buy a new video card now"

heh
 

smaky

Member
Jan 1, 2005
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More like "gee hunnie, the only card that can possibly go into this super duper pc is the x850 PE, but don't worry this pc is normaly worth about 400000$ so another 800$ for graphics card is nothing" :)
 
Feb 2, 2005
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That was a nice purchase, assuming you got a great deal because its refurbed. Because it seems you have bought the PC on impulse and didnt research it, I want to remind you:

The 350w PSU is actually around 400-420 watts, because Dell rates PSUs differently, so dont waste money upgrading that if you get a high end video card.

Many refrubs were refurbished in the first place due to heat problems. If you throw in a high end hot PCIe card, and you start getting random shut downs, you might want to consider a stock HSF for the intel cpu.

I know this is jumping the gun, but I have recently purchased two dell refurbs, and I had to take out the ducting and run a stock HSF and let the case fan run freely. (Because of hot running AGP cards and poor ciculation.


GOOD LUCK!
 

FlyingPenguin

Golden Member
Nov 1, 2000
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That 8400 has more than adequate cooling for the CPU (that heat pipe is very efficient) but because the exhaust fan is ducted to the CPU the rest of the case gets poor airflow, and as Monkey mentioned that can be a problem with a high-end video card that runs hot. There is usually an extra air vent underneath the CPU exhaust fan that you can kludge a fan over it to exhaust air out the back and that should help.

The 8400 makes a nice gaming rig. There's not a whole lot of difference between the 8400 and the Dell XPS Gaming System except the XPS has a fancy case and a slightly bigger PSU. The PSU in the 8400 is more than adequate though.

Hopefully you can sell off your old video card or the parts from your old rig to pay for a decent PCI-E card, and just get buy with what comes with it for now.