First time, how did I do

[Mattyb710]

First time I have bought a computer. I ordered an XPS 410 from Dell, how do you think it looks?

1 222-7272 Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6400 (2.13GHz,1066FSB) with 2MB cache
1 311-5121 2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
1 310-7963 Dell USB Keyboard
1 320-4639 19 in (19 in viewable) 1907FPCFlat Panel Display
1 320-4945 ATI Radeon X1300 Pro 256MB DVIVGA, TV-out
1 341-3257 250GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200RPM)
1 341-3865 No Floppy Drive Requested
1 420-6541 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English
1 420-6436 Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 420-6481 Dell Support, Vista, Dim/Insp
1 420-5769 Internet Search and Portal
1 420-5924 Icon Consolidation Application
1 463-2282 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access
1 313-4911 Dell Resource DVD with Application Backup
1 310-7966 Dell Optical USB Mouse
1 313-3607 No modem requested for Dell Dimension
1 412-0914 Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0
1 313-4422 16X DVD+R/RW CD-RW Combination Drive
1 420-6464 Roxio Creator Basic
1 313-2758 Integrated Audio
1 313-4062 AS501 10W Flat Panel Stereo Speakers for 1704, 1905,2001FPFlat Panels
1 420-6591 Network Associates McAfee 8.0 English, 15-Month Subscription
1 461-3063 No ISP Requested
1 412-1397 No Productivity Software requested
1 950-3337 1 Year Limited Warranty
1 950-9797 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
1 985-3668 Dell Hardware Warranty PlusOnsite Service, Initial Year
1 980-7990 Type 3- Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
1 960-8700 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 464-9572 No Preinstalled Software
1 310-8626 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System

 

[bamacre]

How much? If you do any gaming, I'd replace the video card.

The xps 410 is a very nice system, upgradeable and very quiet.

 

[Mattyb710]

I knew I should replace the Vid card! I just couldnt see paying what dell wanted me to pay for the other ones they offered. What vid card would you recommend around the $200-300 price range?

That system, along with a printer and some wireless networking devices totalled $1500. The system itself was $1200 i believe. I know I could have done much better with the price, and I am by no means rich, but I just couldnt be bothered and I wanted to get it over with quickly.

 

[bamacre]

Ouch. Pretty pricey considering the video card.

In that price range, you could go with an X1950 XT card, or wait for the 320MB 8800 GTS card, or even the 8600 Ultra card. Actually you can call and change the order, go back to the cheaper 7300 LE and ditch that, rather than paying extra for the X1300 Pro which you'd ditch anyway.

With Dell it is always best to choose the cheapest video card, then add your own. So don't worry about not getting the 7900 GS, or whatever the highest one they offer.

Also, you could change the 2GB of ram down to 512MB, ditch them, and snag two of these...
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=2003479&enterthread=y

Probably quite a bit cheaper. That memory will work fine in your system. Also, the power supply is plenty to run a new video card, all the way up to an 8800 GTS.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Mattyb710
Please rate this for me?
First time I have bought a computer. I ordered an XPS 410 from Dell

I've ordered from Dell before. I'll rate you a 3.75 out of 10.
Sorry, but you posted no pics.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: Mattyb710
Please rate this for me?
First time I have bought a computer. I ordered an XPS 410 from Dell

I've ordered from Dell before. I'll rate you a 3.75 out of 10.
Sorry, but you posted no pics.

http://www.majortoker.com/images/xps410a_01.jpg
http://www.majortoker.com/images/xps410a_02.jpg
http://www.majortoker.com/images/xps410a_03.jpg
http://www.majortoker.com/images/xps410a_04.jpg

 

[Mattyb710]

I havent received the system yet! how can I post pics?

I think I will take your advice and go with the cheapest card and then buy an upgrade.
I'll do some research on your suggestions and make a decision. Thanks for the input!