Opinions on this Dell spec pls

[GamerAT240]

Hi there,

I know alot of people want a good gaming system that is as good as possible for the money. However I maxed at £550 without requiring a monitor. There are some Dell's going around this price for this spec

SYSTEM SPECIFICATION
Dimension 9150 P4 630 3.0GHz, 800FSB

Operating System: Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
Memory: 1024MB DDR2 533 [2*512]
Hard Disk Drive: 250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
Video: 256MB nVidia Ge Force 6800
Modem: V.92 Modem Data/Fax/Voice PCI UK
CD Read-Write Drive: 48-32X CDRW
DVD Drive: 16X IDE DVD ROM

I thought it'd be a decent system for the price, the reason I'm asking incase there is any major problem with it in any area that would be a bottleneck that would kill it or anythin' (Motherboard isn't listed in the spec as you can see). And I'm pretty sure I can't build one cheaper as WinXP OEM is still about ~£80 + case/PSU + keyboard etc all mount up.

Really lookin' it to play all games out there, recent ones (Doom3, Fear, HL2) at 1024x768 preferably (FSAA etc turned off is fine). Presuming its a standard 6800 which to my knowledge is on par with a 6600GT.

Just generally lookin' opinions, which would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[imported_rod]

CPU: P4 630 3.0GHz, 800FSB
Memory: 1024MB DDR2 533 [2*512]
Hard Disk Drive: 250GB 7200rpm SATA
Video: 256MB nVidia Ge Force 6800
Modem: V.92 Modem Data/Fax/Voice PCI UK
CD Read-Write Drive: 48-32X CDRW
DVD Drive: 16X IDE DVD ROM
OS: Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005

Not bad, but if i were you, i would try to drop winXP MCE for WinXP home/pro - and save the extra cash.

But it doesn't seem much better than the PC in your signature.

Also, don't expect any overclocking on a Dell. Upgrading might also be a hassle in the future.

RoD

 

[spike spiegal]

We have serveral Dimension 9100x around and we love them. Great looking/functional case with exellent air-flow, and extremely quiet. Dell builds some underpowered junk, namely the lower end Dimensions and some Optiplexes, but the 91xxs are very nice boxes. Almost as good as the Precision line.

I'm not thrilled about Dell's XPS line because there are too many complaints it, it's over-priced, and Dells screws around with it too much to appease gamers, which leads to goofy incompatibility problems and long calls with tech support. The 91xx's are far more standardized and easier to live with in the long run.

I've said it a million times and I will say it again. Game rigs are 90% video card and 10% everything else. Get at least 512meg of RAM, a 3ghz Intel Processor or basically any AMD 64, and put the rest of the cash into a video card and video/sound system. Nothing else matters.

BTW - my 6600GT look glorious with Doom3 at 1280x1024. My kid sister's 6800 GS looks just a bit better, but the difference isn't as much as moving from my 9800 to my 6600.

I agree with XP pro vs media center.

 

[Boyo]

I think the Dell looks ok. I don't know much about MCE. I will tell you this before you buy your Dell. I have owned 3 Dell's, and I am using one right now. If you ever want to upgrade, you will only be able to go through Dell to get the parts. They make their PC's so that all of the parts are proprietery, meaning they don't work in other systems (like a motherboard). They also don't offer a lot of updates, such as BIOS. I bought this Dell 3 years ago, and the last BIOS update was in 2004-and I will never see another. They tend to move on quickly to their newer models and leave the old in the dust.

Actually, it was because of Dell that I started coming to these forums so I could learn to build my own PC. I only have all the parts on order, so I haven't built it yet. I'm praying it goes easy, and the people here can help get me through any trouble.

Overall, a Dell will last you a long time and I think you will be happy with your buy. And I have never had a problem with their customer service, which has always been helpful to me. Good luck......

 

[Boyo]

Also, so that I do not offend anyone or leave you with a bad impression of Dell, I should qualify my post by saying that I am a novice PC builder. Far from being an expert.

But like I said, I owned 3 Dell's. I owned 3 because they are made well and will last you a long time. But now I am ready to build a rig the exact parts and quality that I want. It's no slam against Dell.

 

[GamerAT240]

Thanks, I 'costed' (grammer ?) building a rig
Athlon 3200+
Antec PSU
GF 6600GT
etc
Including OS etc came to £550, which is the same as this. But if something goes wrong with this I'll fire it back as opposed to weeding out dodgy components. I understand the upgradability thing, but as long as it lasts a good few years it'll do fine. If I want to salvage components down the line, I'm sure the RAM, GraphicsCard, HDD, CD-Drives et al will work on a new mobo.

Also its for a friend, my signiture rig is doin' fine at the minute (though it occassionally locks up during games, shuts the monitor off and you can hear the sound as "locked", so I'm wondering if my GF6800GT is actin' up or this Tagan480 ain't as good as I read they were).

Edit:
Also, is there anything majorly wrong with MCE ?, will it be ok for gaming etc, all normal software work? The PC is "as is", can't pick and choose, it just happens to have MCE on it.

Anyways,
Thanks

 

[KeithTalent]

nvm, just saw your post that it is for a friend.

 

[Boyo]

Originally posted by: GamerAT240

Also its for a friend, my signiture rig is doin' fine at the minute (though it occassionally locks up during games, shuts the monitor off and you can hear the sound as "locked", so I'm wondering if my GF6800GT is actin' up or this Tagan480 ain't as good as I read they were).

It's funny that you bring that up, because I am having major difficulties with my video drivers. I have an old nVIDIA FX 5200 and I must have uninstalled and re-installed these drivers a 100 times. Something is wrong, but I can't pin point it.

You are also right about pricing. Building your own rig (to me) seems to cost a LOT more than picking up the phone and getting a Dell. I do think your friend will be happy with his new Dell. Plug it in, and you are good to go.....

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: rod

CPU: P4 630 3.0GHz, 800FSB
Memory: 1024MB DDR2 533 [2*512]
Hard Disk Drive: 250GB 7200rpm SATA
Video: 256MB nVidia Ge Force 6800
Modem: V.92 Modem Data/Fax/Voice PCI UK
CD Read-Write Drive: 48-32X CDRW
DVD Drive: 16X IDE DVD ROM
OS: Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005

Not bad, but if i were you, i would try to drop winXP MCE for WinXP home/pro - and save the extra cash.

But it doesn't seem much better than the PC in your signature.

Also, don't expect any overclocking on a Dell. Upgrading might also be a hassle in the future.

RoD

dude....if you get that ill be willing to trade my WIN XP PRO for that MCE

 

[techwanabe]

A little over a year ago, I bought a similar system:

Dell Dimension 8400
Pentium 4 3.2 ghz
1 Gb 533 DDR2 memory
160 Gb hard drive
Radeon X800SE 128 video card
19" LCD

$1048 USD

At the time I think the only thing higher was the XPS systems which didn't seem worth it. I'm not sure if mine is underpowered or not, but it has been a quiet and good performing system. The video card probably is "ok" - and supposedly benchmarks a little faster than the Radeon 9800XT. I"m not a big FPS gamer, but this system has been good for me. I've built systems in the past so this was a departure from that. My last home built has had chronic video card falures over the past 2 years - still unresolved. Now replacing the Power Supply and video card at the same time - getting a 6600GT this time.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: Boyo

Originally posted by: GamerAT240
You are also right about pricing. Building your own rig (to me) seems to cost a LOT more than picking up the phone and getting a Dell.

then you're obviously buying parts from the wrong places...

don't get me wrong though, OP, the dell you picked out isn't a bad deal so i guess your friend should be fine with it. it doesn't mention what power supply it uses, does it?

 

[GamerAT240]

Doesn't mention the PSU, but it is Dell making it and sticking a 6800 in it, so if the PSU wasn't up to stratch then they'd have a lot of returns and therefore putting that PSU in it in the first place wouldn't be very smart. So I'm assuming the PSU will cope.

On the prices thing, this is how I costed the custom build to the ~£550

(UK Pounds)

RAM - 1 GB
66.68

MOBO - Gigabyte
48.16

CPU - Athlon 64 3200+
108.42

PSU - Antec True Blue 480W
49.97

HDD - Maxtor DiamondMax 160GB
46.98

CASE
20

SOUND - Integrated
0

GRAPHIC - Gigabyte 6600 GT
110.42

KEYBOARD
10

MOUSE
5

SPEAKERS
15

OS - XP Home
65.34

DVDRW - Phillips DVDRW+ - 16x
26.07

Delivery
15

TOTAL 587.04

Might be able to save some here some there, but this is more expensive, has to be me fixin' all dud components + failures, and no better on performance.

I looked around on the standard 6800, the last bench I seen was a gigabyte and put it on par / slightly ahead of the 6600GT and beat the 9800XT in every area except one.

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/gigabyte6800passive/

Though Dell are quoting this 6800 as having 256MB.

Still not sure on the MCE though. Main thing that put me off was PowerDVD MCE, which though obviously made for a remote, had basically all the features ripped out of it.

As I say, the main objective of the system is to play all the latest games at a reasonable rez 1024x768 with FSAA et al being turned off not really a problem.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: GamerAT240
Doesn't mention the PSU, but it is Dell making it and sticking a 6800 in it, so if the PSU wasn't up to stratch then they'd have a lot of returns and therefore putting that PSU in it in the first place wouldn't be very smart. So I'm assuming the PSU will cope.

On the prices thing, this is how I costed the custom build to the ~£550

(UK Pounds)

RAM - 1 GB
66.68

MOBO - Gigabyte
48.16

CPU - Athlon 64 3200+
108.42

PSU - Antec True Blue 480W
49.97

HDD - Maxtor DiamondMax 160GB
46.98

CASE
20

SOUND - Integrated
0

GRAPHIC - Gigabyte 6600 GT
110.42

KEYBOARD
10

MOUSE
5

SPEAKERS
15

OS - XP Home
65.34

DVDRW - Phillips DVDRW+ - 16x
26.07

Delivery
15

TOTAL 587.04

Might be able to save some here some there, but this is more expensive, has to be me fixin' all dud components + failures, and no better on performance.

I looked around on the standard 6800, the last bench I seen was a gigabyte and put it on par / slightly ahead of the 6600GT and beat the 9800XT in every area except one.

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/gigabyte6800passive/

Though Dell are quoting this 6800 as having 256MB.

Still not sure on the MCE though. Main thing that put me off was PowerDVD MCE, which though obviously made for a remote, had basically all the features ripped out of it.

As I say, the main objective of the system is to play all the latest games at a reasonable rez 1024x768 with FSAA et al being turned off not really a problem.

im looking at switching to windows MCE 2005, so i have a XP Pro SP1 to get rid of. its an OEM copy bought from overclockers.co.uk

pm me

also, the 6600 is a bit of a downgrade from the 6800, and im not so sure how much life is left in that card. its been a great card, a best seller even, but in this game it is getting on a bit and its going to struggle with newer games, unless you turn the details down. not saying the 6800 will be leaps and bounds better, but its definately got the legs on the 6600

 

[0roo0roo]

for 1024x768 sure

 

[Luckyboy1]

It's just way too much of a sideways move! Little improvement will be seen. Try and remember that not everything is GHz and AMD chips get sooooo much more done per clock cycle.

 

[PingSpike]

It sounds alright. But you're probably paying mostly for the processor when you should be paying mostly for the video card.

But its tough to beat dell pricewise versus building your own. You have to want that extra customizability and like doing your own support for it to make sense.

 

[OSX]

Eugh, a dell. If you're going to be gaming, why would you possibly use an Nvidia 6 series card? Why not go for a 7900GT, or one of the 'value' cards from the 7 series. If you're not using this as an HTPC, then wasting money on MCE is stupid.

Custom build FTW!!!

 

[GamerAT240]

Originally posted by: Luckyboy1

It's just way too much of a sideways move! Little improvement will be seen. Try and remember that not everything is GHz and AMD chips get sooooo much more done per clock cycle.

Sorry I'm not sure what you are referring to, a sidewards move from what?

Originally posted by: PingSpike

It sounds alright. But you're probably paying mostly for the processor when you should be paying mostly for the video card.

But its tough to beat dell pricewise versus building your own. You have to want that extra customizability and like doing your own support for it to make sense.

I don't want the support, but I would do it if I could build a better one for the same price. I just don't think it's feasible to get a better machine with a more desirable 7 series nVidia under ~£550

Originally posted by: OSX

If you're going to be gaming, why would you possibly use an Nvidia 6 series card? Why not go for a 7900GT, or one of the 'value' cards from the 7 series. If you're not using this as an HTPC, then wasting money on MCE is stupid.

I would be getting a 6 series because the machine is "as is", I'm not picking and choosing these compoents. Bottom line is I want as good a gaming machine as possible for ~£550. I cannot overstep that line. The cheapest 7 series card I can find is MSI GeForce 7800GT 256MB PCI-E for £200, that leaves £350 for everything else from a high quality PSU to run it, the CPU, RAM, HDD, Case, Keyboards, Mouse, Speakers, Mobo....

I'm not wasting it on MCE, it isn't an option, again its "as is"

 

[Luckyboy1]

Sideways in capability = not an increase or decrease in performance, but a substitute for almost exactly the performance of...

Tagan 480W PSU
Galaxy GeForce 6800 GT
AMD AthlonXP 2800+ @ 2200Mhz [ FSB 200 ]
Abit NF7
1024MB DDR400 Geil RAM
Seagate 200GB HD
Creative Soundblaster Live 5.1

 

[GamerAT240]

Ah ok, gotcha. It's for a friend though, so if you think it's similar performance to my sig rig that'd be great cause it can run nearly everything at 1280x1024, drop it alittle for the filtering, but generally I'm v.happy with it.

 

[GamerAT240]

Also, does anyone know if all the 9150 range have AGP or PCIe ? Or would the cheaper 9150's have standard PCI slots with no AGP ? I'm just thinking another option is to get a cheap one
(general spec would be P4 3Ghz, 1gig RAM, 160GB HDD, Radeon X300) and stick a big card in it.