Dell XPS 410 Question

[Shadow Conception]

Posed as a quick question, does the XPS 410 provide two expansion slots in the back of the case for cards like the X1950XTX, 8800GTX, etc?

Also, what type is the power supply? As in mini-ATX, ATX, BTX, etc. That is to say, could I get an XPS 410 and then stick a DX10 card in it along with a Seasonic 600W PSU?

 

[olmer]

ATX 375W (underrated) Dell PSU can power up to 8800gts. Yes you have more than enough space for long double slot cards. There is only one six-pin PCIE power plug. Upgrade to 600W Seasonic should work with no problems ? but only if you need 8800gtx.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Just to clarify, provided that I upgrade my PSU, cards that require two six-pin PCI-e power plugs will work?

I'm looking at some nice deals on the XPS 410 atm, this looks like a pretty nice system.

Any other downsides I should watch out for? I did a bit of research, and it appears that the XPS 410 has only 2 internal drive bays, but I don't think I'll be needing more than 2 hard drives in the same system anytime soon (my current Dimension 3000 has 2 80GB drives, and I'm fine with it).

 

[olmer]

Yes. But as i said dell?s PSU is pretty decent so unless you need 8800gtx to power 1920x1200 or more you would not need to replace it.

Installing graphics is pretty much straightforward ? just throw away that plastic piece of crap ?lock? and any card should fit. It has only 2 dedicated HDD bays, but you can install two more into 3.5? (providing you do not need floppy/card reader) and using brackets ? one more into a spare 5.25? (if you have one optical).

Buy basic configuration for you chosen value code (everything is cheaper to get elsewhere) and 1 year CAR warranty ? you?ll get discounts later when they?ll call/write and try to sell you an extension. 4 memory slots ? so make sure at least two are free ? they WILL fit 4x512MB for you unless you specifically ask for 2x1GB for example. Figure yourself on v4m ? some more advanced offers offer better discounts. Or just call India and haggle. 20% discount is not unrealistic. 10% should be your target. You can always get more once it is delivered and you ?did not like? something.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Ah, I see. Big thanks to you, olmer. I'd rep you if this forum had a reputation feature similar to other forums around nowadays.

Thanks! =)

 

[jkresh]

One thing to check, dell used to use proprietary psu's, if htey still do the seasonic might not be able to power on the system (Pc power and cooling definitely makes higher wattage dell replacement psu's though so you can replace it just not necessarily with the seasonic).

 

[mrissmann]

Sounds like you are thinking of purchasing a dell xps?

One thing I WOULD make sure is that the model that you purchase does not use the iastore storage driver (but it looks like it does). Do a search on Dell and iastore.sys. It isn't just an xp issue. It is also a vista issue

I just bought a Dimension 9200 (same as the XPS 400). Nothing but problems.

Please, please, please read up on the issue before purchasing.

Here is just one article:

Dell Resource Conflict / iastore.sys

Good luck

-Markus

 

[Shadow Conception]

Argh, that looks like a big headache.

Under what circumstances did you experience this error? Were you installing a new video card at the time, new USB card, etc?

 

[mrissmann]

I wanted a dual boot machine with XP because it will be awhile before everything is vista compatible. Dual boot failed. So I wiped the Vista totally and just went for XP, 3 days later I have it running. But I am very nervous about future upgrades and issues. It is like a ticking time bomb.

I have purchased many dells in my day and still recommend them, I just won't recommend anything with that chip/driver.

-Markus

 

[Shadow Conception]

Hmm. Any other computers at a similar or lower price that supports C2D and PCI-e cards that require more than one expansion slots? I was looking on DellOutlet at an XPS 410 for around $600.

 

[olmer]

That problem no longer exists ? driver was fixed in Nov 06 or sometime around winter i think.

Anyway to be 100% sure that cannot happen to you ? there was a clear choice in BIOS to use ATA instead of RAID controller. As i remember that setting avoided intel?s driver error. I am pretty certain it is not a problem with 410. Just in case ? ask on Dell?s forums.

Alternative is HP - they can be pushed to match Dell?s b4b and use no-proprietary mobos, which is a big plus.