dell 400sc now at 324 after MIR

[Granamere]

Well they said I caould refuse the order and then reorder it but that is kind of crazy to do. I was just hopeing they could swap out the drives.

Granamere

 

[BATCH71]

I too bought one and now I have 3 sc400's. This is an outstanding deal for this machine. The one I just bought was $325 after rebate. The specs are as follows.
P4 2.8, 80Gig HD, 256M Ram. Ton of hardware for the money. If you are sitting on the fence, now is the time to jump. By the way, for those complaining of having to many PC, stop right now because I just tallied up my collection at 13PC's in my house. Time to sell some off. lol

 

[RossMAN]

gpgofast - Why are you using the USB version of the Hauppauge WinTV instead of the internal PCI?

BATCH71 - I wanna jump on this but need a little pushing off the proverbial fence

How would you say this compares to the Dell Dimension 4600 (for $100 more you get Windows XP Home, GeForce 5200 video card and 2 year warranty)?

Would this suffice as a ghetto basic PVR machine?

 

[IgoByte]

There are currently no available coupons for this system.

I got one. Came out to $460.xx - $100 MIR. Got confirmations. I'm looking forward to finally having a desktop system again. Does anyone know what the heck is going on with buy.com and the GeForce deal? I'm still waiting for mine to be in stock and shipped... geez...

 

[bastula]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
How would you say this compares to the Dell Dimension 4600 (for $100 more you get Windows XP Home, GeForce 5200 video card and 2 year warranty)?

Yes, I would also like to know this as well. What do you guys think about purchasing the extended warranty? I would kind of lean towards it because my Dell Inspiron 8200 died a few days ago and its going to cost me about $300+ to get it fixed since it is out of the 1 year warranty period.

Is it worth it to get an extended warranty on a desktop/server? I mean it makes sense on a laptop since the parts are proprietary, but I am scratching my head on this one. I know the motherboard on this system is proprietary, but the power supply and other parts are not.

Any ideas?

 

[FunkierThanU]

Originally posted by: bamacre
Yeah, I see the pics and all from the link above, but reading HERE I don't see anything about an agp slot. It says it has a PCI 8MB video card.

Also didn't see 80GB hard drive for the same price.

It's a shame to have to wade through the exact same questions every time great deals on the 400sc come up. Anandtech needs to have some sort of scoring system that demotes you to total noob rating if you can't figure out the link to the FAQ and insist on asking a question that's been asked and answered more than ... oh say... 200 times before.

This is a great deal and I just ordered one. This will be my 2nd.

 

[Granamere]

The 4600 is a very good deal the 400SC has a 800 Mhz front side bus and hyperthreading. That iswhat makes this so attractive. I already have a NVIDIA 5950 video card to put in this and I picked up a Gig of ram for it. The OS for me is no big deal. I will be running a liscense from my Action Pack subscription.

Granamere

Edit: I also run a USB version of the Hauppauge card. I do so if I want to change which computer it is on I can do so easily. So when I upgrade my computer it is easy to switch over. also it keeps it off the pci bus.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: bastula

Originally posted by: RossMAN
How would you say this compares to the Dell Dimension 4600 (for $100 more you get Windows XP Home, GeForce 5200 video card and 2 year warranty)?

Yes, I would also like to know this as well. What do you guys think about purchasing the extended warranty? I would kind of lean towards it because my Dell Inspiron 8200 died a few days ago and its going to cost me about $300+ to get it fixed since it is out of the 1 year warranty period.

Is it worth it to get an extended warranty on a desktop/server? I mean it makes sense on a laptop since the parts are proprietary, but I am scratching my head on this one. I know the motherboard on this system is proprietary, but the power supply and other parts are not.

Any ideas?

No because they're all pretty much PC standard parts you buy chaep from NewEgg.com Besides if you order the Dell 4600 with a cc you'll basically receive a 3 YEAR WARRANTY. Most premium cc's offer 1 year extended warranty, this includes VISA, MasterCard and Amex cc's.

A laptop on the other hand is a different story. If the motherboard, keyboard, HD or worse LCD breaks it's not as easy to repair or replace.

 

[gpgofast]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
gpgofast - Why are you using the USB version of the Hauppauge WinTV instead of the internal PCI?

Got it at Compusa last week for roughly the same price as the PCI version. Main benifit for me over the PCI version is you can get EITHER the remote OR the FM tuner with the internal card. You get BOTH FM and Remote with the USB2 version AND there is no performance difference between the two versions. The USB2 performs as well as the PCI AND you can move it easily from 1 machine to another if you wish.

 

[Lanyap]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I wonder what the differences are between the 400SC and it's successor, the 420SC?

http://dcse.dell.com/ifr/PowerEdge/PESC420/product_overview.asp

The 400SC might be a better deal than the 4600 if you already have the upgrade parts and Windows that you can load and you are a DIY'er. The 4600 is better if it already has everthing you need and because of the warranty. Some features of the 400SC (USB & AGP) are not supported (tech support that is) by Dell. I have both and like them for different reasons.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: gpgofast

Originally posted by: RossMAN
gpgofast - Why are you using the USB version of the Hauppauge WinTV instead of the internal PCI?

Got it at Compusa last week for roughly the same price as the PCI version. Main benifit for me over the PCI version is you can get EITHER the remote OR the FM tuner with the internal card. You get BOTH FM and Remote with the USB2 version AND there is no performance difference between the two versions. The USB2 performs as well as the PCI AND you can move it easily from 1 machine to another if you wish.

Thanks, you just sold me on the USB version. Now to wait for another Hot Deal to come along.

 

[paopao]

I have two Kingston PC2700 sticks (256MB and 512MB); could I just put in the remaining 2 slots and hope they are working with the 2X128MB ram shipped with?

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: Lanyap
The 400SC might be a better deal than the 4600 if you already have the upgrade parts and Windows that you can load and you are a DIY'er. The 4600 is better if it already has everthing you need and because of the warranty. Some features of the 400SC (USB & AGP) are not supported (tech support that is) by Dell. I have both and like them for different reasons.

Many thanks for the link, Lanyap. Appears the SC420 will offer two distinct differences: integrated SATA support only (and appears, no EIDE/ATA support?) and the integration of two PCI Express slots (one x8, and one x1). Definitely a bit more along the lines of a server grade machine.

Will echo some of the above statements regarding 400SC v 4600, especially with regard to the non-DIY type. In such a case, the 4600 should really be the only choice, as the 400SC is fairly barebones (unless, of course, you pay the premium upgrade costs from Dell). If you are not comfortable opening a case and dealing "hands-on" with components, drives, and such, or feel uncomfortable installing an operating system (surprising as it may seem, there are a number of Anandtech users described by these two statements), the 4600 is the clear choice. However, that said, personally find the build quality MUCH higher on the 400SC than the 4600 - in many regards. Higher quality case (the 4600 always feels flimsy to me, so much plastic and such), well made power supply, very high quality motherboard (made by Intel), etc. Also, as others have mentioned a number of times in other thread, the 400SC runs quite silent. Each time I have the pleasure of a new 400SC arriving for a project or client, am amazed at how extremely quiet they run. The 400SC offers a bit more in the way of upgradability v the 4600, as well as gigabit ethernet being integrated.

As Lanyap stated, both machines are ideal in different settings. For those a bit more familiar with hardware and software (or even possessing the desire to learn such), would highly recommend the 400SC. Very high end machine, and very well built - which cannot always be attributed to Dells. So many times would rather build or design an entry level server/machine myself, but for the price it is simply impossible to build a comparitive machine to the 400SC.

For Ross, would think this would make an excellent PVR choice, most especially due to the noise factor. That is merely a personal opinion, however.

Good luck, all of you.

 

[Granamere]

Originally posted by: paopao
I have two Kingston PC2700 sticks (256MB and 512MB); could I just put in the remaining 2 slots and hope they are working with the 2X128MB ram shipped with?

It depends. If you get the celron and can disable ecc in the bios then yes this will work. If you get the 2.8 P4 then the slowest memoy you would want to put in is PC 3200.

Granamere

EDIT: Also if you have the 2.8 P4 you want to put memory in in matched pairs so you get the benifit of the dual channel.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm
Many thanks for the link, Lanyap. Appears the SC420 will offer two distinct differences: integrated SATA support (and appears, no EIDA/ATA support?) and the integration of two PCI Express slots (one x8, and one x1). Definitely a bit more along the lines of a server grade machine.

Actually, the 400SC has two SATA connectors on the mobo already.

 

[paopao]

would a pair of identical PC2700 256MB RAM (pulled from a HP desktop) serve me better?

 

[gpgofast]

Originally posted by: paopao
would a pair of identical PC2700 256MB RAM (pulled from a HP desktop) serve me better?

Yes, but your bus speed will default to the slowest memory speed-533mHz w/PC2700.

 

[biffbacon]

i just bit on the 400sc. too good to pass up

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
Actually, the 400SC has two SATA connectors on the mobo already.

My mistake. You're absolutely correct - typically, either of the general configurations I've dealt with in the past were of the EIDE/ATA variant, or towards the SCSI end. That should have read "integrated SATA support only", as in the discontinuation of EIDE/ATA support; hence the statement afterward. It certainly isn't a significant departure, but definitely one of the few things changing. Appears SATA will replace the EIDE channels on the board completely.

In looking back now at the specifications, appears I failed to mentioned that the SC420 will require registered ECC memory, it appears (a bit of a guess, would have to see the specifications on the newer board. Presently, the 400SC does not require registered ECC, or ECC at all). Also gain one additional PCI slot total, though a total of two (as mentioned above) are of the PCI Express variety.

Thank you for pointing out that mistake. Now corrected.

 

[RVN]

I bought a 3.2 for $598 before rebate Sept 2003 during an eight or so hour window where they upgraded you from the 2.8 to the 3.2. It's currently $724. Hasn't been that low since then for over a year. It's been a really great box with the much added RAM, DVD Rom, CDR burner, hard drives and video card.

The 2.8 is priced lower than back then. Smokin' price!

What do you think the chances of the 3.2 price dropping in the near future? I'm really tempted to add the 2.8 (at this price) to my arsenal since it's 18 days short of year since I bought a new box ...I've got the itch. I've been waiting and watching for the 3.2 price to fall. Whaddaya think?

 

[nitsuj3580]

well, I finally jumped in on of these server deals. Now I can finally try out my free copy of Windows Server 2003. ~$343 after taxes for me.

 

[bamacre]

What exactly do you all do with an "arsenal" of computers?

 

[Lanyap]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
Actually, the 400SC has two SATA connectors on the mobo already.

My mistake. You're absolutely correct - typically, either of the general configurations I've dealt with in the past were of the EIDE/ATA variant, or towards the SCSI end. That should have read "integrated SATA support only", as in the discontinuation of EIDE/ATA support; hence the statement afterward. It certainly isn't a significant departure, but definitely one of the few things changing. Appears SATA will replace the EIDE channels on the board completely.

In looking back now at the specifications, appears I failed to mentioned that the SC420 will require registered ECC memory, it appears (a bit of a guess, would have to see the specifications on the newer board. Presently, the 400SC does not require registered ECC, or ECC at all). Also gain one additional PCI slot total, though a total of two (as mentioned above) are of the PCI Express variety.

Thank you for pointing out that mistake. Now corrected.

The SC420 document I linked to is somewhat conflicting, but it appears that the MB only has one IDE connector for opticals. I assume that is correct since you still need/want optical drives for servers and they don't have any that are SATA. Also looks like there is no onboard sound.

Based on what we are seeing so far I don't think the SC420 will be as popular with the "enthusiasts" here as the 400SC. Maybe Dell is having all of these recent sales on 400SC to get ready for the 420SC? Might have to get me one last 400SC before they go away...

 

[Yo2]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I wonder what the differences are between the 400SC and it's successor, the 420SC?

My guess would be that the 420sc is the equivalent to the Dim8400 just as the 400sc is the equivalent to the Dim8300, in terms of mobo. Dim8400 is faster and more advanced than 8300, but this means though, that you may need a source for inexpensive DDR2 and PCI-X, unless you want to pay Dell's prices for upgrades.

 

[KenSr]

I have two of the 400SC's, and IMO they are great machines.
The main fault that they have is the ugly front on the other wise great case. I think the case is the same as the 8300 except a different front.

Ken