System Opinions

[Brovane]

The last couple of systems I have bought I just buy from Dell since where I work we get a fairly good discount. Even though I work in IT I work at the Server/Network level so I am kind of out of it for what is best for the Desktop Level. You want to disuss specs for a Server or SAN storage I am there, PC level I am kind of shaky on. So I am not real interested in hearing from a bunch of people that I am a idiot for buying a pre-built system. I just don't feel like spending the time messing around with hardware to build a system. I did it years ago, I remember building a 486 33Mhz system with VESA local bus, a 300MB hard disk was huge and having 16MB of RAM you where the man. I guess that kind of dates me.

I got some specs on a Studio XPS with
Intel i7-920 2.66Ghz
6GB of RAM 1066Mhz
23" LCD
nVidia GeForce GT 220 1024MB of RAM
1TB 7200 Hard Drive
Dual DVD Drives
Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio
2yr Hardware Warranty.

I can get all this delivered to me in CA for around $1,180. Dell is having one of there sales going on.

I mostly do Web Browsing, some games (Strategy games) and I do virtualization using VMware Workstation. I just need something that will be solid and work for me. I hate the phone calls from the wife when I am at work telling me the computer is being difficult again.

A couple of options I was considering was to upgrade the RAM to 12GB for $300 or upgrade the Video Card to a GTS 240 with 1024MB of RAM for $80. The RAM seems kind of expensive to me.

I was considering buying a 80GB Intel SSD from NewEgg, install it in the system and load the OS on it however for around $350 for a 80GB SSD that is just kind of step for me.

I was intending to buy a MS TechNet subscription and as soon as I get the system wipe it clean and load Win7. I want the technet so I can load any MS OS I want for virtualization.

Anything that anybody can recomend that I should change, besides not getting a Dell?

Thanks

 

[Slugbait]

If the system comes with onboard sound, it's probably better than the Xtreme Audio...cuz just about everything is better than the Xtreme Audio. A lot of people complain that's it's not really an X-Fi in the first place.

The RAM seems expensive to me, too. And everybody else on this board, for that matter. As long as you have open memory slots, you can upgrade later for less money. Note that memory prices have been climbing for the Win7 debut, so you either want to pull the trigger now, or wait until February.

Yeah, SSD is still too steep in price. Changes are coming: perf will go up, capacity will increase, and prices will fall, so be patient and wait it out.

I would probably consider the video card upgrade, tho'.

 

[philosofool]

I happened to look at that Dell build recently and one thing that I noticed is that it's fairly small power supply prohibits using a gamer's sort of video card. Sounds like that's not a big issue for you, however, I would recommend that you look into buying your own Radeon HD 4670 rather than going the nVidia route you suggest. It's a better card and powers from the bus rather than a separate power cable. The HD 4670 is just $70 or less at Newegg. I'm not sure what Dell is asking for that card, so it might make more sense given your desires to stick with Dell's nVidia.

Price wise, you might want to check the cost of another monitor manufacturer. Dell makes very good monitors, so that's a reason to stick with them. On the other hand, they tend to cost more than Newegg monitors. This issue is most a matter of whether you think you will get a monitor whose color fidelity and backlight bleeding (or lack there of) are worth the cost from Dell.

SSDs are the sexiest upgrade you can make right now, but like anything that is the sexiest, it's not cheap. You could wait 6 months to a year and save a lot of money on the SSD. Also, if you get an Intel SSD, make sure it's the 34nm generation that will support TRIM! (TRIM is essential to maintaining the life-long performance of your SSD and older Intel drives will not support it.)

 

[ChaiBabbaChai]

I agree with philosofool. Also, check http://outlet.dell.com to see if they have something you want first.

 

[Brovane]

Originally posted by: Slugbait
If the system comes with onboard sound, it's probably better than the Xtreme Audio...cuz just about everything is better than the Xtreme Audio. A lot of people complain that's it's not really an X-Fi in the first place.

The RAM seems expensive to me, too. And everybody else on this board, for that matter. As long as you have open memory slots, you can upgrade later for less money. Note that memory prices have been climbing for the Win7 debut, so you either want to pull the trigger now, or wait until February.

Yeah, SSD is still too steep in price. Changes are coming: perf will go up, capacity will increase, and prices will fall, so be patient and wait it out.

I would probably consider the video card upgrade, tho'.

Thanks for the feedback.

The problem is that Dell has me locked into the Xtreme Audio. I cannot select anything else.

The RAM options have all the slots filled so I have to select 6x1GB or 6x2GB for $300 more. Looking at Crucial it looks like 6x2GB will me around $280. I would like to select 6GB with 2x3GB but I cannot.

Thanks for the headsup on the video card.

I am going to wait to see if Dell has any different deals tomorrow. I have until Thursday morning to pull the trigger on this system.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: philosofool
I happened to look at that Dell build recently and one thing that I noticed is that it's fairly small power supply prohibits using a gamer's sort of video card.

Didn't I already correct you regarding this in another thread?

The 435MT's PSU has dual 12V rails @ 18A and a 6-pin power connector for PCIe x16 video cards.


Brovane,

I would get the system with minimal memory, and upgrade it yourself. This stuff will work fine in the 435MT. Any other brands should work, as long as they run at 1.5V.

I also agree you should check Dell's Outlet.

 

[Brovane]

Well thanks for the heads up on the Dell Outlet. I kind of forget about them.

I found a Studio XPS for $1,049 with 12GB of RAM i7-920 CPU 2.66ghz and a 512MB ATI Radeon. I would just need to but a 23" LCD and the one I want is $240. For monitor's I usually stick with Dell. A have two of there 24" UltraSharps at home that I have been very happy with.

That Studio XPS looks like a great deal with 12GB of RAM.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Brovane
Well thanks for the heads up on the Dell Outlet. I kind of forget about them.

I found a Studio XPS for $1,049 with 12GB of RAM i7-920 CPU 2.66ghz and a 512MB ATI Radeon. I would just need to but a 23" LCD and the one I want is $240. For monitor's I usually stick with Dell. A have two of there 24" UltraSharps at home that I have been very happy with.

That Studio XPS looks like a great deal with 12GB of RAM.

Why not get this one and just upgrade the memory yourself?

 

[Beanie46]

The upgrade price Dell wants, from 6GB to 12GB, is ridiculous, esp. considering 6GB of DDR3 RAM (3 x 2GB) starts at ~$125 ($100 AR) and goes up as far as you'd like to go. Shouldn't have to spend more than $150 or so for a good set, and that'd get you some nice Corsair or Mushkin or Patriot.

 

[Brovane]

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: Brovane
Well thanks for the heads up on the Dell Outlet. I kind of forget about them.

I found a Studio XPS for $1,049 with 12GB of RAM i7-920 CPU 2.66ghz and a 512MB ATI Radeon. I would just need to but a 23" LCD and the one I want is $240. For monitor's I usually stick with Dell. A have two of there 24" UltraSharps at home that I have been very happy with.

That Studio XPS looks like a great deal with 12GB of RAM.

Why not get this one and just upgrade the memory yourself?

That looks like a good deal. It doesn't have the Drive size that I want but I can buy a 1TB WD drive from NewEgg for around $160. It looks like the system will have no issues supporting 2-drives.

 

[philosofool]

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: philosofool
I happened to look at that Dell build recently and one thing that I noticed is that it's fairly small power supply prohibits using a gamer's sort of video card.

Didn't I already correct you regarding this in another thread?

The 435MT's PSU has dual 12V rails @ 18A and a 6-pin power connector for PCIe x16 video cards.

Oops! Thanks.

 

[Brovane]

Thanks everyone for your help. I found a Studio XPS 435 for $620 at the Dell Outlet.

Will this memory have any issue running in this system? - NewEgg Memory

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Brovane
Thanks everyone for your help. I found a Studio XPS 435 for $620 at the Dell Outlet.

Will this memory have any issue running in this system? - NewEgg Memory

It will. I don't know of any DDR3 1066 or 1333mhz memory that runs at 1.5V that will not.

But check what I linked to above, it's cheaper. Just buy 6 for 12GB. I ordered 12 of those last week for two 435MT's, they are actually Aeneon X-tune modules (and with heatsinks), and run at 1.5V. Very good deal right now at $31 a pop.