Dell Dimension 8400, should I BUY or NOT?

[khicon]

===================================================================
Pentium® 4 Processor 640 with HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB)
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz (2x512M)
E173FP Flat Panel Display
256MB PCI Express? x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon? X850 XT PE
40GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
IEEE 1394 Adapter
Dell Quietkey® Keyboard
Dell 2-button scroll mouse
TOTAL = $1,585.80
===================================================================

with that kind of money (aprox. $1600) can I build a better system? or should I go with the Dimension 8400 from dell?

Also, can someone give me more details about the motherboard specs on the 8400? Aslo, who have purchase this Dim8400, can you tell me your experience on it (good or bad). Thank you.

Is this box good for multitasking? I do a lot of burning, encoding,listening mp3s, watching movies (files & DVDs) and light gaming (HL:2 & SC) as well.

 

[ts3433]

40 gig hard drive. :thumbsdown:
That LCD also might not be good enough for ghost-free gaming, but I don't have a lot of experience with LCDs.

It looks like an okay deal, but I'd probably build my own. An X850 XT PE is insane anyway.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Get a custom rig, it's usually cheaper, you can choose what you want and you know what kind of quality you're getting. I'd assume it's an Intel Desktop board as that's one of Dell's favorite board choice. I think they're charging way too much for that!!

 

[khicon]

base on both of you guys respond... I guess it a no go? Have anyone purchase dell dimension b4? If you do.. what are your experience on it? Especially those who own the Dim8400, what are your tail and todd on it? Thanks.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Dell makes alright computers, but if you can build a system on your own for cheaper with similar performance, why not?

That system for that price seems pretty reasonable though. It wouldn't be a bad buy.

Maybe add another harddrive from a deal you find on hot deals forum here.

 

[khicon]

If I can build better and with that kind of money ($1500). What would it be? Can someone make a list and a linked to the product? Much appreciated if you do. Also this is my first buil. So go easy on me.

You can opt out the following below since I don't need an upgrade for it.
=====================================================
I have Logitech MX DUO
I have M-Audio Revolution 7.1
I have Plextor DVD-r/+r writer and CDR-W
I have Klipse promedia GMX-D 5.1 (Don't need upgrade yet..but will with ULTRA version)
I have 2 Dell 2005FPW wide screen LCD
I have a 17in Samsung 710n
I have 2 Extra HD
=====================================================

So basicly you can skip those. With ($1500) can someone list a killer rig for me? I want to be able to keep this for about 3 years, but still able to update if I have extra cash on me.

Thank you.

 

[Melchior]

Well, lets consider the Dell:

The X850XT PE = 500 bucks
LCD monitor = 200 bucks
Gig of Ram = No idea around 150?

So thats 850 on those things.

Now is the rest worth the 650?

Mobo + CPU + HD. I'd say NO. Your getting an Intel, your getting a non-ocable feature-poor INtel Mobo, and your getting a tiny HD. So... Scrap the rest of the system (Keybaord & stuff you got those) and then just checking out what you already have (tons of monitors, HDs, DVD burner)

So yes Im gonna have to say OMG WTF bUILD YOUR oWN!!!!

 

[KoolDrew]

Build your own. There is a sticky that should help you out choosing parts. Do your research, read reviews to determine what products you want to purshase then post a topic asking for our opinion on the parts you have chosen.

 

[khicon]

sound like Build from scratch is da way to go. I'll be waiting for my tax to return.. now on my way with research for parts. Thanks guy.

 

[NightCrawler]

The answer is Socket 939 and the ability to upgrade to dual core.

 

[Bozo Galora]

anybody that asks me, that doesnt want to or cant build their own, I recommend the 8400 - whatever they can afford

But $1500 without having to buy a monitor or a DVD or Soundcard or speakers or HDD, you could build a hellacious sytem

But nothing is good for 3 years, things are moving way too fast.
taking a real quick stab at it because i'm in a good mood

AMD 64 4000 $540 (since you are prob not an overclocker)
Crucial ballistix PC3200 1GB $200
OCZ Modstream 520 PSU $113
DFI NF4 LanParty $216
$90 case
EVGA 6800GT Video $374

 

[ribbon13]

$80 XClio 480BL
$35 Evercase E4252BB-53
$56 NEC ND-3520A

$10 Ever Cool FAN-AL12025M12CA

$147 DFI LANPARTY UT NF4 ULTRA-D
$293 AMD ADA3500BIBOX
$108 Corsair VS1GBKIT400
$149 Seagate ST3250823AS
$30 Mitsumi 7-in-1
$180 MSI NX6600GT-TD128E

$357 ImageQuest L90D+

$1445

Just to give you an example. And before anyone compares the 6600 GT to an X850 XT PE, read his first post "light gaming"

 

[NightCrawler]

$152 CPU Athlon 64 3000+ retail

$385 CPU Athlon 64 3800+ retail
3000, 3200, 3500, 3800 = all good



$175 Asus motherboard

$98 1 gig memory

$86 Coolmaster Case

$60 NEC 16X 3520A

$184 Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM

 

[kini62]

NO complaints with my XPS. I paid $2300 without monitor and with 1GB of ram. Got the 2nd gig for $100 also from Dell. The system is very quiet and so far reliable. With the XPS if you need tech support you get access to a "level 2" tech- who presumably speaks English as a first language.

And now to start the flames- I previously had a custom built 3500+ on an Asus A8N SLI Deluxe MB with an eVGA6800GT. I was disappointed in the performance. So much so I sent it back. Even overclocked to nearly 2.5Ghz it was slower using the apps I use most and in the games I am currently playing. Even with the 6800GT overclocked to Ultra levels and the CPU at nearly 2.5Ghz it was slower in Far Cry and HL2. Plus when doing CPU intensive tasks, ie video encoding/rendering the system was essentially non responsive to user input. In other words the GUI was non responsive, mouse would lag or not move. Programs would not open or take forever. Couldn't even browse the internet.

I think that system price might be a litte high given the tiny HDD, but no complaints about Dell from me.

Bring on the flames!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ribbon13]

^^
PEBKAC kini

It's got a catch to it. (It's called task manager, you set the encoders priority level to BelowNormal)

 

[compusaguy]

Originally posted by: khicon
===================================================================
Pentium® 4 Processor 640 with HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB)
1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz (2x512M)
E173FP Flat Panel Display
256MB PCI Express? x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon? X850 XT PE
40GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet
IEEE 1394 Adapter
Dell Quietkey® Keyboard
Dell 2-button scroll mouse
TOTAL = $1,585.80
===================================================================

Dell has better deals than this if you catch them at the right time. You should wait for a sale, because you can get a way better system for the same price. Other than that, the 8400 is great.

 

[kini62]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
^^
PEBKAC kini

It's got a catch to it. (It's called task manager, you set the encoders priority level to BelowNormal)

I'm sorry, what is PEBKAC?

That's the thing, with the P4 I don't have to set/change the priority, plus it would just slow the encoding down, which is still not fast enough even with the P4. If I had a lot of video to do or did it for a living then I would have a Dual Opteron or Xeon for sure, but I guess I have the time, it's just some family video.

 

[homercles337]

Originally posted by: Melchior

The X850XT PE = 500 bucks
LCD monitor = 200 bucks
Gig of Ram = No idea around 150?

Hardly, Dell builds thier own "dell branded" hardware. I would guess the "dell branded" x850xt is worth $300 and probably performs like a x800 XL. LCD, meh, cant really gauge. Gig of "dell branded" ram < $100 and probably has timings that Corsair value ram would pummel. Dude, if you can build your own--stay away from Dell. Dell products are for grannies and noobs. :thumbsdown: This comes from a guy who has actually owned TWO dells!

 

[leedog2007]

Originally posted by: NightCrawler
The answer is Socket 939 and the ability to upgrade to dual core.

not so fast

Dual core 939 may not be an option

 

[NightCrawler]

Originally posted by: leedog2007

Originally posted by: NightCrawler
The answer is Socket 939 and the ability to upgrade to dual core.

not so fast

Dual core 939 may not be an option

1. It's the inquiry

2. It's an Asus Motherboard, they usually come out with a bios fix. I understand a bios upgrade will be neccessary to get them to use the dual core versions anyway.

 

[NightCrawler]

Originally posted by: kini62
NO complaints with my XPS. I paid $2300 without monitor and with 1GB of ram. Got the 2nd gig for $100 also from Dell. The system is very quiet and so far reliable. With the XPS if you need tech support you get access to a "level 2" tech- who presumably speaks English as a first language.

And now to start the flames- I previously had a custom built 3500+ on an Asus A8N SLI Deluxe MB with an eVGA6800GT. I was disappointed in the performance. So much so I sent it back. Even overclocked to nearly 2.5Ghz it was slower using the apps I use most and in the games I am currently playing. Even with the 6800GT overclocked to Ultra levels and the CPU at nearly 2.5Ghz it was slower in Far Cry and HL2. Plus when doing CPU intensive tasks, ie video encoding/rendering the system was essentially non responsive to user input. In other words the GUI was non responsive, mouse would lag or not move. Programs would not open or take forever. Couldn't even browse the internet.

More BS about multitasking is better with the P4 even though Intel says Hyperthreading only adds 15% to 30%.

 

[rikadik]

I have a Dimension 8400! Yahoo!

My specs are:


P4 (w/HT) - 3.6GHz - 800FSB - 1Mb
2Gb Dual Channel DDR2 RAM @ 533Mhz
250Gb SATA HDD - 7200RPM
PCi-Express 256Mb GeForce 6800 GTo
Audigy 2 ZS
E173FP Flat Panel Display


That lot cost me £1139 (just under $2200).

So far, I am very happy with my system. As for multi-tasking, I haven't really put it fully to the test. The best I've done is copying a DVD while playing the HL:2 demo... and then also watching a DivX movie while installing some software. I'm getting into video editing soon so I'll be able to let you know more about that, but I'm expecting good results.

Building your own system would indeed be cheaper, and yes you would know exactly what is going in to your system. However don't listen to the BS about the "Dell-branded" X850 XT PE not performing as well as any other X850 XT PE. There may be minor differences but anything more is a load of crap IMO.

The fact is Dell use crappy parts in some of their systems because theyre cheap, but the 8400 is the top dimension and is decent. It is good quality! It is quiet, reliable, and you've got to remember in the price you quoted you have a lot of service also. If my rig breaks, a man comes the next day and fixes it on site! A man who knows what he's doing!

My advice - if you are confident about building a computer yourself, go for it. If you are not confident about it (like I was), the 8400 is excellent value and will give you some piece of mind.

 

[smithdj]

I dont know why everyone says you can build cheaper? If you build identical computers, I mean no overclocking and exact specs, you will NEVER beat Dell in price. Their economies of scale is 100 times better than even newegg, ZZF, and monarch combined. You guys always give examples of what you would pick and the price, while it is very informative you never show the copy of windows needed, the software dell provides and tech support (even though it is not great). I am not praising dell, I know that they are basically non upgradeable and you cannot really overclock them, but you cannot beat them on price, especially if you try to build your own Intel system.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: homercles337

Originally posted by: Melchior

The X850XT PE = 500 bucks
LCD monitor = 200 bucks
Gig of Ram = No idea around 150?

Hardly, Dell builds thier own "dell branded" hardware. I would guess the "dell branded" x850xt is worth $300 and probably performs like a x800 XL. LCD, meh, cant really gauge. Gig of "dell branded" ram < $100 and probably has timings that Corsair value ram would pummel. Dude, if you can build your own--stay away from Dell. Dell products are for grannies and noobs. :thumbsdown: This comes from a guy who has actually owned TWO dells!

What a dumbazz comment.

Dell can be for people wanting to get the "best bang for their buck", I bought a Dell 3.4ghz, 512mb, 9800pro etc system for under $800 a year ago and my video card, ram and HD were all made by major manufacturers. When I bought my rig the cpu alone was over $400 on pricewatch.

BTW I have a feeling my "granny" system is much better than what you have.


Tom

 

[Ike0069]

Here's my take on a pre-built Dell:
Biggest Pros:
You get a full system including an OS for a good price.
You get a warranty on the entire system with 24/7 tech support.
System comes setup and tested so you can basically just plug it in and go.
Biggest Cons:
You won't be able to OC.
You don't get to pick the exact parts you want.
Upgrading in the future is severly hindered by Dell's use of proprietary parts.

The last one is the biggest IMO. If you decide later on to upgrade to a new MB/CPU, then you will need to buy it from Dell which will be way more expensive. If you decide to buy a non Dell MB, then you will need to get a new case and PSU also. This is the exact probelm I ran into with my first Dell. My MB/RAM/CPU fried due to a lighting strike. So I bought new parts on-line to save money and I switched to AMD. When I got my MB, I realized it didn't hook up to my case or PSU.

Anyways, I think the Dell is the way to go for those who just want a working computer and don't have the time or desire to build one. If you want to be able to tweak and play with it, you should definitely build.