Dell P4 with DDR vs RDRAM (often cheaper than DDR)

[dullard]

I was wondering if anyone has benchmarks of the new Dell P4 with DDR (Dimension 4400)? I'd especially see how the speed compares to the Dell with RDRAM (Dimension 8200). I realize the speed will probably be within 3%.

I was pricing the computers with typical components:
1.8 GHz P4
256 MB RAM
40 GB HD
GeForce3 Ti 200
16x CDRW
SB Live! Digital w/ basic speakers
Win XP Home.
56K modem
keyboard/mouse/monitor

The really funny thing is that the RDRAM version is cheaper with any CRT monitor (except the el-cheapo E771 model)!

The price difference is $64 if you ignore monitors - basically unimportant. If the 4400 is 3% slower, I'll start recommending the 8200 model. If the 8200 is 3% slower, I'll recommend the 4400 model.

 

[oldfart]

PC800 RDRAM will be faster than a DDR setup.

 

[Budman]

If it's the same price or cheaper definately go with Rdram.

 

[dullard]

That is what I was thinking. Dell has some odd pricing schemes. Since Dell is the largest seller of computers, pricing the PC800 RDRAM lower than the PC2100 DDR will certainly give Rambus a boost.

 

[Athlon4all]

This is why I see no reason to not go RDRAM unless the DDR solution outperforms the RDRAM one (i.e. SiS 645 with PC2700). The cost really is much less than people think. I really, despite 845-D, I still will say go for 8200 Dell's because, that insures high performance in future upgrades that use 533fsb Northwood. 8200 will be faster by about 5-10% on current 400fsb P4's. I'd keep on recommending 8200

 

[Maximumwarp]

Definately I would go with the RDRAM configuration. Much more bandwith with the RDRAM. The test reviews have shown that especially in gaming situations, the RDRAM is the way to go.

 

[ST4RCUTTER]

Yeah, the P4 really needs a dual channel DDR platform. Then it would have the cost, speed and bandwidth advantages...

 

[new2pc]

ANY ONE KNOW WHEN dell would offer 533fsb Northwood P4?

 

[Athlon4all]

Not for a few months. Northwood 533fsb isn't even out yet.