Need some expertise-ish help here! (Buying a DELL)

[Jimbo]

Well a usual thread here, and i hope you can help me out some!

Well its quite a long story, but i know you all love 'em anyway!

Here we go;

As you can see my system specs (SIG) they are not good really at all, so i thought about saving and getting a big upgrade, CPU, graphics, Memory etc.

So i planned it out etc, but the other day i took a trip onto the dell website to have a quick look as you do...

Well i stumbled accross some very decent systems, as spec follows.

.System 1
(Ive customized it)

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DELL Dimension 9100

P4 Processor/HT tech 640 (3.20 Ghz, 800FSB, 2MB cache)

1024MB Dual channel DDR 2 533Mhz (2x512) Memory

160 GB (7200rpm) SATA with 8MB databurst Cache

Single 256MB PCI-Express Geforce 7800 Graphics

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Now lets analyse System 1, This systems seems ok, general, how would it be for Advanced gaming, and future games (?/10). What about motherboard and integeral parts in a DELL, are they good, and do they compatible with Graphics, e.g SLI NFORCE 5

[MWISimmer]

Now ive always owned a custom built pc so buying a dell will be the first.

When you say that James, do you mean custom built FOR you or BY you? because if it's the latter then why don't you build one yourself? Yes, the DELL (XPS600)will be fast but i'd bet you could build something just as quick for less. Also, AMD is the way to go for gaming. DELL only use Intel as far as i'm aware.
Good luck,
Rob.

[Jimbo]

When you say that James, do you mean custom built FOR you or BY you? because if it's the latter then why don't you build one yourself? Yes, the DELL (XPS600)will be fast but i'd bet you could build something just as quick for less. Also, AMD is the way to go for gaming. DELL only use Intel as far as i'm aware.
Good luck,
Rob.

Thanks Rob!

Ive calculated the costs for building my own etc and it only came out 200 Cheaper than the XPS.
I havent build my own pc before at all, we had it built for us, so im not risking with all the parts and configurations etc, because accidents will happen, and everyone says it jus a couple of parts etc. BUT i dont know how and im not risking HIGHLY expensive parts, and plus i dont have enough time with college and work really to sit down and build. You understand me?

And with the XPS ( and all systems) you get it

[MWISimmer]

I'm a bit green as well when it comes to building PCs though i did strip & rebuild an old compaq presario which was given to me! My finest hour lol.
Surely a local independent computer shop could build you one for the same spec with an AMD? You'd probably get a similar warranty, and support is a drive/bus ride away  ;) .
Rob.
P.S. i'm not anti Intel... see sig!

[Jimbo]

[quote]I'm a bit green as well when it comes to building PCs though i did strip & rebuild an old compaq presario which was given to me! My finest hour lol.
Surely a local independent computer shop could build you one for the same spec with an AMD? You'd probably get a similar warranty, and support is a drive/bus ride away

[bertieC]

Please think long and hard. Dell machines usualy only take dell parts and upgrades. You could have trouble using joystick & rudder if you are short an arm and a leg.

[eno]

System1.
There's nothing wrong with Dell systems apart from their rather annoying habit of mounting and using parts that are exclusive to them. As for the important things such as graphics cards they're standard and easily upgraded. My system is an upgraded Dell ........ it started out as a Dimension 4700 ...... and is now almost the 9100 that you've been looking at. 8/10

System2.
Remember when it comes to your system ...... the case is only there to hold the parts .... Who really cares what it looks like face it, you're going to be looking at the monitor. As for SLI I don't know enough about it but if it's mainly for use with FS then it seems, from what I've read, it's more of a problem than a solution. For future proofing it's probably fantastic but can you afford the extra

[congo]

Dells suck, build your own PC, don't be a sucker.

For crying out loud, go back thru about a thousand negative posts about how many problems are associated with Dell systems. They are nasty, (with the exception of their mobile PC's........ only because all mobile PC's are nasty  :P and Dell are average in that field ).

[the_autopilot]

Dells suck, build your own PC, don't be a sucker.

For crying out loud, go back thru about a thousand negative posts about how many problems are associated with Dell systems. They are nasty, (with the exception of their mobile PC's........ only because all mobile PC's are nasty  :P and Dell are average in that field ).

Dell's don't suck. There very good machines. They are just a pain in the behind to upgrade, thats all. Their quality and support is top-notch. With that being said, I seriously recommend you build your own computer. Its cheaper and you know what goes in it. Plus, the BIOS on the mobo won't be stripped, allowing to tweak for performence which in some cases can make a decent increase in performence. I also recommend using a AMD processor for gaming. Its proven time and time again to be the best for gaming. Intel chips are good in other fields, but fall short in the gaming category.

[congo]

If you smell that,     it's the garlic I just hung around my neck to repel another Dell  

[Jimbo]

[quote]If you smell that,

[congo]

What is there to like?

Do you like paying too much?

Do you like cheap and nasty components?

Do you like crippled BIOS options?

Do you like expensive parts and service?

Do you like limited upgrade options?

Do you like "special" hardware manufacturing runs that make support almost impossible outside of the dell system.

Do you like an outdated chipset before you even purchase the PC, and if it is a decent chipset, Dell manage to cripple it?

congo      (get's holy water ready, garlic not working!)

[bm]

Do you like a system bogged down with trial software & all sorts of other gumf?

[RollerBall]

I wouldn't touch a Dell with a bargepole. They are expensive for what they are if you pay the full consumer price and as has been pointed out, they use Dell parts which are always to the minimum spec. For example, I have a Dell Dimension 4550 right beside me which I use as a junk machine. It claims to be a PIV but is as slow as hell and when I came to fit an accelerated graphics card I found (1) the power supply was too feeble and (2) there was no spare power connection for the card anyway.

Dell are big in the business market where they sell PCs that don't have to do too much, for very little money. In fact as someone who used to sell PC upgrades to business customers I don't believe that Dell can build and sell PCs at the prices they do and have the organisation and overheads they have, if they have to pay proper prices for everything including the OS (is it just a coincidence that MS, a US company has the monopoly for OSs and Dell, a US company, is working with that supplier to achieve dominance in the business PC market or am I just being too suspicious). Anyway, Jimbo, look around and see how many UK computer companies are biting the dust as a result before you decide.

[Jimbo]

Thanks for ALL your info, cant describe how appreciative i am of it all.

Im customizing my own system at the moment and i will post my draft specs for you all to have a look at, and make any relative changes.

"I wouldn't touch him with a bargepole, who the heck' has a bargepole"!

LOL

Cheers for all your support and help on this.

James