Time to upgrade , looking for some advice on PreBuilts (Dell?)

[VINMAN]

Have been building computers for long time but after my last one i think im done building.
To many issues with compatibility or troubleshooting if stuff doesnt run right away.

My current computer is AMD opteron 185, 2 gig of ram, 8800GT 512mb.
Im looking to setup little lan/game room for my kids so ill be using my current box for one of them, I also have old laptop (dell 9200 Pent 3Ghz 128mb ATI vid) that ill use for another. I want one more desktop system for the game room. Something that can play WOW, and some FPS , not looking for top performance but good.

And i will want to replace my current system with fairly powerful box. for playing WOW, and some FPS ( i have a 42' SCEPTRE LCD i use for a monitor).

So basically need 2 new systems, one higher end , one roughly equiv to my current box as that runs most things well. also prob need 1 more LCD for that game room(nothing special maybe 20 in)

Was looking at Dell as have a few computers from them over the years for work and they seem to have good warranties etc. So any recommendations on what im looking for let me know

Any questions let me know, Thx for the help

-Vinman

 

[DaveSimmons]

Dell prices are pretty bad this week, +$250 for an 8800GT card, and if you don't order one pre-installed you might get a gimped power supply.

You might check shopping.hp.com and iBuyPower.com, or wait for Dell to offer better discounts.

 

[bamacre]

What is your budget for the two systems? I work with Dell systems quite a bit, and I'd be happy to recommend something.

 

[VINMAN]

for mine i might spend couple grand , for the extra one for the kids id like to keep that under 1k. Im planning on doing this in next few months probably

ya putting in better vid card is fine, but like was mentioned need to have decent PS. I just want to have boxes that all work, and are warrantied

thx for any info

-Vinman

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: VINMAN
for mine i might spend couple grand , for the extra one for the kids id like to keep that under 1k. Im planning on doing this in next few months probably

ya putting in better vid card is fine, but like was mentioned need to have decent PS. I just want to have boxes that all work, and are warrantied

thx for any info

-Vinman

Those are some fairly high budgets.

For your system (budget $2K) I would suggest one of the three (in order of personal preference)...

1. Precision T3400 (with 525W PSU)
I wrote a little review of it here...
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=51&threadid=2197160

2. XPS 420
A little cheaper than the Prec T3400. Weaker PSU, 375W. Still capable of running any video card requiring a single 6pin power connection. Standard warranty is 1yr instead of the 3yr with the T3400. Internal case design is almost exactly like the T3400. Only one PCIe x16 slot, so no Xfire support. And certainly no SLI.

3. XPS 720
Expensive, and I would ONLY go this route if you really want to utilize SLI. It is physically a very large system.

For the $1K budget system, I would certainly recommend buying an XPS 420. You can pick up a refurb for about $650 and toss in an HD 4850 (~$200) and have a really nice gaming system.

As for the refurb's (Dell Outlet Home and Dell Outlet Small Biz), if you are not familiar with Dell's Outlet, don't fear it. Best place to buy a computer, IMO. Same warranty as a new system, shipped just like a new system. The only difference you'll never notice is a sticker on the bottom of the case that says Refurbished. Oh, and the low price.

 

[VINMAN]

ya im not sold on the SLI stuff,ive been running this 8800GT in my current one for awhile and really it seems fine. so for the new one maybe whatever is the latest single card. Ya i was looking at those 420 ones, are u able to replace their vid card easily? can you put in a full size "decent" card like an 8800gt ?

Will take a look at that 3400, have you any thoughts on the 630 XPS ones? i was looking at those as i thing the 700s are probably overkill since i agree the SLI prob not for me.
Storage really only need what i use to load game etc, i store everything else on NAS/Raid system, so for primary storage on any box not looking for much.

I have looked at the outlet and i might get from there. Thx for any other info

-Vinman

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: VINMAN
ya im not sold on the SLI stuff,ive been running this 8800GT in my current one for awhile and really it seems fine. so for the new one maybe whatever is the latest single card. Ya i was looking at those 420 ones, are u able to replace their vid card easily? can you put in a full size "decent" card like an 8800gt ?

Certainly. There is just as much room in the xps 420 as the T3400, and if you look at that review I did, you'll see there is a 9800 GTX in it. Very easy to replace the video card in both models, the internal design is identical.

Just remember that the xps 420 has one 6pin power connector and a 375W psu, so you are limited to a video card that only needs one 6pin power connector. The T3400 however can be purchased with a 525W psu with two 6pin power connectors, so you could go with an HD 4870 card or a 9800 GTX. Or, and I have not tried this but it should work, go with two HD 4850 cards (xfire) as there are two PCIe x16 slots in the T3400.

Will take a look at that 3400, have you any thoughts on the 630 XPS ones? i was looking at those as i thing the 700s are probably overkill since i agree the SLI prob not for me.
Storage really only need what i use to load game etc, i store everything else on NAS/Raid system, so for primary storage on any box not looking for much.

I have not had my hands on the XPS 630. Personally, I'd stick with an xps 420 or the t3400, as they both have an Intel X38 chipset, and the xps 630 has an Nvidia.

 

[VINMAN]

ill have to review that. I had thought the 420 were like a Mini ATX format so might be hard to work with. I havent built system in like year and half so not up on all the new parts etc. What is the issue with the Nvidia as opposed to the Intel chipset? for that 3400 or /420 what type of config would you recommend for they type of stuff im talking about using them for ( games like WOW, FPS stuff, some video/audio stuff for Mine, just the games stuff for the extra box )

Thx for the info just to busy anymore to stay up on all the latest stuff. As you can see from my join date ive been doing for a LONG time just have other things that take my time now

-Vinman

 

[bamacre]

This is what I am running in my XPS 410...

Intel Q6600
4x1GB DDR2-667 (Super Talent)
512MB 8800 GTS
Integ Audio
Dual DVDRW

I play mainly FPS's, at 1600x1200. And I use the system for work as well, but nothing too demanding.

For you, with that budget, I would be looking at a Q6600, Q9300, or E8400. For memory, might as well go 4GB, its cheap, and easy to add. As for a video card, if you go XPS 420, then an HD 4850 would be good. If you go T3400 (with a 525W), then an HD4870 or a GeForce GTX 260.

 

[VINMAN]

so you think should go the Quad route on the 420 route (that would be my extra box, for the kids game/lan room) they will just have like 19 in mon probably. For My box i use a 42 inch LCD at 1900/1200 for everything. I like the Nvidia ones have been using those since my last ATI card long time ago. so want to be able to run everything at 1900/1200. So which might be best for that.

Also what was your point about the Nvidia MB vs the Intel one ?

thx and if anyone else has any thoughts please chime in

thx
Vinman

 

[bamacre]

That's a pretty high resolution. The GTX 260 would be best, IMO, with the T3400 and the 525W PSU.

Some would say the E8400 would be better than the Q6600 for gaming. Not much of a difference, IMO. If it's something you're picking up separately and replacing, perhaps the E8400 would be a little better. I'm pretty happy with the Q6600 though.

As for Nvidia and Intel chipsets, I just think that Intel's chipsets are better. They make for a more stable system, in my experience.

 

[VINMAN]

ya ive been running on that 8800 GT now for awhile and it seems pretty good, so im thinking i need at least that level and prob should move up a little. Just need to be sure that the box can handle it.

So you think maybe just get couple of XPS 420s? just one for the kids wont get the "higher" end video card.

Ya im not sure on the CPU to go quad or not but im not really looking for bleeding edge. Just want to be able to play the games ( WOW, FPS ones ) and do some Video/music ripping. If thats the case those 420s seem to run about a grand or less on the outlet. Only ? i guess is what video card will the box support ? i might get out of this cheaper then i thought just need the 2 boxes and a new LCD (any recommendations on good cheap one of those ? )



thx
Vinman

 

[bamacre]

The problem with getting a 420 for yourself is the limitation of the PSU. It's enough for most cards, but you are playing games at a high resolution, and need some power. The high-end cards are needing two 6pin power connectors. If you don't want to get a T3400, maybe you'll want to look into the xps 630. I just haven't had my hands on that system yet.

Or if you want to spend even more, I bet the T7400 would offer some bang!

 

[VINMAN]

ya im looking around, might go the 630 route for mine, but even there the Outlet seems like better deal. My Question i guess is do you go the minimal route there i.e. etc say the 420 with the CPU you want but look for the miniimal ram (2 gig) and whatever video card they throw in (looks like ati 2400 card) and then go pick up another 2 gig of ram and better video card (8800 GT ? ) not sure what the going rates are nowadays. If ya look at the outlet you can get a 420 with Intel Core2duo 3 ghz with 2 gig , dvd, 128mb hd 2400 for around 659. if ya throw in the 3yr for 200 bux your at 859, same build NEW is about 1200 so seems approx 300 cheaper at the outlet. im guessing other builds are similar savings. is that what you have seen from the Outlet?
On the outlet same 420 but with 4 gig of ram and 8800gt is 1039 so about 400 more, but just quick skim seems to show the 8800 gt going for about 150 ? does that sound right? not sure what Ram you need to use but seems like little premium to get from them. Let me know your thoughts on that one, if its not to problematic it looks like the minimal way thru outlet might be way to go and just add more mem and better video card. Just get sys for the MB.CPU, OS

thx for all your feedback

-Vinman

Happy 4th to everyone

 

[bamacre]

Yeah, personally, I go with the best deal I can find at the Outlet, and upgrade as desired. And as for pricing, yeah, that's about what I see too. Inventory and prices do vary. And, yes, sometimes you can find two systems with the same config, and one is cheaper. I'm sure their pricing is automated, and their retail sale prices vary.

As for adding memory, say from 2GB to 4GB, may want to check ebay or send me a PM. I have plenty lying around.