How to: New Dell I8600 general tests & enhancing performance by Benchmark Tests

[netlaser]

Hey guys,

Just ordered a new Dell I8600 couple of days back, not too high-end specs but just to fit my budget .... I was wondering if a few tips from you experts could help achieve the best performance possible. Hope your answers for these questions would help not only me but future Dell owners too. I'm not sure if all of these have been answered here before .... sorry if they are.

1. What are the first things to check once I/anyone gets a new Laptop?

2. The one I'm getting comes w/ a WinXP Home and I have WinXP Pro. I heard of wiping off (clean install) and installing Win XP Pro with only the necessary S/W and avoid any other extra Dell S/W is the best thing to do. Do you do this once you get the new laptop or after conducting the regular tests & Benchmark Tests with the original configuration & OS?
I know it doesn't sound logical 'cos anyways I will not be using it w/ WinXP Home .... but was wondering what are the general tests for checking the laptop before even thinking of wiping the HD?

3. I'm new to the Benchmark Testing part and would like to know what are the best and useful (free ones because I found all the Futuremark BMT and etc to be expensive) tests to do?

4. I heard of these tests:
a. MonitorsDirect .... is it the best solution for checking the dead pixels and screen problems? What other problems do we need to check for other than dead pixels?

b. FanGUI: http://www.diefer.de/i8kfan/ is this a safe & popular utility?

c. 3DMark2001/3DMark2003: ..... are both necessary? Which one is the best? I'm not into gaming much and don't have games either. Do I need some games to use these tests? I understand they test the 3D settings but is it only useful for
games?

d. PCMark04: What is this for?

e. Aquamark3: ?

f. Super-pi Test: ?

5. What is the use of overclocking, aside from improving benchmark scores by a small margin? Does overclocking really improve a system's performance? If so how to do this?

6. I just bought 256MB RAM .... adding another 512MB soon .... what are the specs to look for before buying compatible memory w/ the one Dell sends?
512MB ? CT325812 DDR PC2700 Non-parity is the compatible one I got while lookin in Crucial.com How would I know the make? What is the best place to look for memory upgrades?


*******************************************************
DELL I8600
PM1.4GHZ
WXGA
256 RAM (will add another 512MB from Crucial)
60GB Ultra ATA HD
32MB Nvidia GeForce FX GO5200 Video Card
24X Combo - DVD/CD-RW, WinXP Home
Intel Pro 2100 MiniPCI Wireless Card
*******************************************************

Forgive any naïveté I've shown here .... I just wanna learn more !
I really like this forum just for the heck of info U guys share !
Thanks in advance,
K.

 

[Abhi]

Hey... running short of time... so just answering a few of ur questions...

I got a dell 8500. First thing i did after getting it was running 3dmark01 and then reformatted. Reformatting makes is MUCH MUCH faster. So do it ... Then go to the dell website, and update the BIOS, drivers, etc.

Check for dead pixels. If u are unlucky enough to get one that troubles you, return the machine. You can return to dell within 30 days, no questions asked. So make use of that. Check for problems etc. If u find any now, return the machine.

For gaming performance test, 3dmark is good.

PCMark .. as far as i know its about benchmarking the machine in everyday office tasks...

DONT overclock your laptop. The extra heat is not something u need.

Also get the FANgui program. Its simply AMAZING. Also download SpeedSwitch XP. These two are excellent softwares...

 

[Abhi]

Forgot to add, PM me if u need any more info

 

[netlaser]

 

[netlaser]

Thanks a bunch Abhi .... good to hear from you soon. Couldn't find the PM button on this forum .... sorry for my naivete .... pls let me know ur mail id. Mine is netlaser9@yahoo.com

I was wondering if you guys know how to tell what the make of the LCD screen is? Where can I find this on any Dell laptop .... like my friend has a Dell600M.
What is this illumination problem on the 8600 screen? How much is it acceptable and what is the best make known so far for the 8600 which doesn't have a lot of problems (My guess is Samsung ? .... am I right?). But can we ask Dell for a specific make ?


Thanks again,
K.

 

[CruisinGT]

I'll answer 3c and 3e.
3c. Basically 3dMarks2001SE was released way back to test DirectX8 features and 3dMarks2003 was released somewhat more recently to test DirectX9 features. Both of them are not essential, they just test 2 different things. Personally, I've found that 3dMarks2001SE not only tests your graphic capability but it gives your score based on overall system capability. It makes a great stability checker also!! 3dMarks2003, on the other hand, concentrates more on graphics. Hence a 2.8Ghz system with same graphics accelerator as a system with a 3.2GHz will have VERY similar scores. For that reason, and the controversial issues that was released when 3dMarks2003 was first introduced, I only take its score with a grain of salt....more like guidance ..... which takes me to 3e.

3e Aquamark3 was released to benchmark your system for the new DX9 based Aquamark game. To test your system with DX9 features, I personally prefer this benchmark.

 

[Abhi]

abhi_rocks@hotmail.com

Go to the dell support site. On the left there is a "original configuration" link. Go to that. There, the make and details of all the parts of your lappy will be mentioned (Screen, Ram, Hdd).

Btw, you dont need to worry. The problems were with the WSVGA screens, now WXGA...

 

[Abhi]

P.s. To PM me... click the Right most button on the top right corner of this post....

It kinda looks like a lock....