Configuring a 9300....

[dxkj]

My main considerations are:


5400 rpm vs 7200 rpm

1.6 vs 1.73 vs 1.86 (wont spend the extra $$ to go to 2.0)

Ram (going with 256, i will get my own /rude dell)

Definitely getting 6800 Go

Warranty...2 yr vs 3yr... hrm.....


tough choices, any input?

 

[fbrdphreak]

In-Depth 9300 Review

RPM Guide
If you want to get a 7200RPM, might as well get it from them. The 60GB is only $135 more and it runs about $150 or so online; might as well not hassle trying to sell a 40GB 4200RPM. Also Dell is one of the only places you can get an 80GB 7200RPM; if you want high performance & high capacity, get that. But without a doubt, 5400RPM is the best bang for the buck.

IMO, the 1.73 is the best bang for the buck CPU. If you've got the dough left over to get a 1.86; get it.

Definitely go w/your own RAM.

Warranty is up to you. To me, a 17" widescreen won't be going too many places. I'd get a 1-2 year personally. By 3 years the video card will be WAY obsolete and you won't want to take it anywhere in the first place for it to get rouged up. But that's me

 

[deathwalker]

I have the 9300...this is my build. I fully understand the notion about Dell charging too much for memory..but..this does run dual channel..so you would have to scrap the 256 memory in order to get 2 sticks of DDR2..and this 533 mhz DDR2 is not cheap. So the value of the 256 mb of memory in the purchase price is wasted when you take it out and throw it on the shelf. I did not pickup the extended warrenty.

1.86 proc
1 gig ram (dell)
80 gig hd (5200)
go 6800 graphics 256 mb
1900x1200 display (uxga)
DVD r+/-rw Dual layer

 

[roguerower]

not trying to hijack ur thread but...

fbrdphreak...when are seagates drives going to be available for sale on places like newegg and zipzoomfly.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: deathwalker
I have the 9300...this is my build. I fully understand the notion about Dell charging too much for memory..but..this does run dual channel..so you would have to scrap the 256 memory in order to get 2 sticks of DDR2..and this 533 mhz DDR2 is not cheap. So the value of the 256 mb of memory in the purchase price is wasted when you take it out and throw it on the shelf. I did not pickup the extended warrenty.

1.86 proc
1 gig ram (dell)
80 gig hd (5200)
go 6800 graphics 256 mb
1900x1200 display (uxga)
DVD r+/-rw Dual layer

so you went with 90 day warranty, or 1 yr warranty?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: roguerower
not trying to hijack ur thread but...

fbrdphreak...when are seagates drives going to be available for sale on places like newegg and zipzoomfly.

I will address the 7200RPM drive availability in a new thread.

 

[dxkj]

I cant decide on whether or not to get that screen... I might be doing some web /code development on it, so it is tempting

 

[fbrdphreak]

You mean the high-res screen or the glossy one?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
You mean the high-res screen or the glossy one?

the 1900x1200 one, which i think is also glossy

 

[dxkj]

Ive put together the system... and I have money... but Im just trying to think if it is justifiable.


Only 2 hang ups

I can go with a 1.6 a 1.73 or a 1.86....

is .13 speed worth 100... I guess I would have to see a benchmark test with the two different processors to see exactly.

 

[deathwalker]

Go ahead and save the money on the display..get the standard 1440x900 and not the 1900x1200 and put the saved money in more powerful Proc and memory. You may actually like the 1440x900 better..the reflective surface on the 1920x1200 can be a bit annoying at times and it causes some text funnies when web browsing at that resolution.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: dxkj
Ive put together the system... and I have money... but Im just trying to think if it is justifiable.


Only 2 hang ups

I can go with a 1.6 a 1.73 or a 1.86....

is .13 speed worth 100... I guess I would have to see a benchmark test with the two different processors to see exactly.

Well, you can take a look at our review of the 9300 which had a 1.6, the Acer 8103 had a 1.86, and the Fujitsu N3510 was 1.73. Obviously not apples to apples, but the benchie numbers should give you a reasonable idea.

 

[ShellGuy]

Death did you get the 90 day or the 1 YR?? and why did you not get the extended??

Will G

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: deathwalker
Go ahead and save the money on the display..get the standard 1440x900 and not the 1900x1200 and put the saved money in more powerful Proc and memory. You may actually like the 1440x900 better..the reflective surface on the 1920x1200 can be a bit annoying at times and it causes some text funnies when web browsing at that resolution.

This is not a bad suggestion. I might get the WSXGA+ just to get the mid-line, but I like high res displays. I don't remember if you said you're gaming or not, but having the high res screen also means that when the GPU can't play modern games @ 1920x1200, you'll have to lower the res and LCD's generally don't look very good when @ their non-native res.

 

[deathwalker]

I cheaped out and took the standard 90 day warrenty...although Im still within the 90 days and am considering purchasing an added 1 or 2 yrs on the warrenty.

 

[deathwalker]

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: deathwalker
I cheaped out and took the standard 90 day warrenty...although Im still within the 90 days and am considering purchasing an added 1 or 2 yrs on the warrenty.

Personally I would go with a 1-2 year. I wouldn't bother with the Complete Care; unless you plan on taking it out and about.

 

[ShellGuy]

I would never buy a lappy with no warranty. It is just askin for problems. I would get it if nothing else to cover the Mobo and Vid card..


Will G.

 

[dxkj]

Ok I just shot my plans to hell and picked up an XPS instead...


3 year warranty


$1987 before taxes

 

[deathwalker]

Hmm...XPS...I cant see where that would be so bad..I'm sure it will bring smiles to your face when the UPS guys is a knock'n at your door. You will be like a kid in a candy shop.

 

[dxkj]

Yeah, I figured I havnt upgraded my computer forever, and have never had the top of the line computer, why not.... it should be a good performer for at least a year, and be useable for 3 years...


ah well.... eventually I will pick up some more ram for it, and a faster HDD

 

[Deep Stuff]

Originally posted by: deathwalker
I have the 9300...this is my build. I fully understand the notion about Dell charging too much for memory..but..this does run dual channel..so you would have to scrap the 256 memory in order to get 2 sticks of DDR2..and this 533 mhz DDR2 is not cheap. So the value of the 256 mb of memory in the purchase price is wasted when you take it out and throw it on the shelf.

I just ordered a 9300 myself with the understanding that it was okay to mix a 256 with a 512 or gig stick.

So it will take a performance hit if I do that as oppossed to getting two 512's and pulling out the 256?