Cheapskate Considers An AMD Dell

D

DuckFOO

n00b
Joined
Feb 23, 2006
Messages
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I am considering buying a new AMD based Dell Dimension E521. I have no idea on if they are good systems or not, as I have never owned an AMD based computer, so I would like some opinions.

Here is the system I am considering:

Chipset: nForce 430
Processor: AMD Athlon™ 64 3200+ on a AM2 socket
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition w backup CD
RAM: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 2DIMMs
Hard Drive: 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
CD ROM/DVD ROM: 48X CD-RW/ DVD Combo Drive
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Integrated Graphics GPU
Sound Cards: Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Network Interface: Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Floppy Drive and Media Reader: No Floppy Drive Included
Keyboard: Dell USB Keyboard
Mouse: Dell 2-button USB mouse
Slots: 1 PCIe x16, 1 PCIe x1, and 2 PCI
SATA Sockets: 4
IDE Slots: 1 (floppy only, no EIDE)

Dell is offering this for $429.00.


So main concerns are:

Is the nForce 430 a good chipset?
Should this computer have any problems with Linux?


By the way, I have uploaded a graphic of the E521 motherboard here.
 
I know the nForce chipsets in general are good. I didn't know Dell now built AMD machines. If you can build your own, I'd suggest you see what kind of pricing you can get. I wouldn't plan on doing much gaming, I don't know how the GeForce 61xx video chipsets are but I know that onboard video in general is pretty crappy.

Linux compatibility is usually pretty good with any systems be it old or new. However, I'd wait for someone who has better experiance with Linux on a newer machine before taking my word for it. It SHOULD work, but you never know.
 
Looks good to me if you dont game. I have had no problems with linux on my Skt 939 3200+ and NForce 4 so I think you be fine on that front. In fact the only real problems I have with Linux are with ATi cards.
 
The chipset is actually GeForce6150 with nForce430 MCP. This deal seems a bit better (dual core cpu):
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/topic.aspx/us/segments/bsd/evalue?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
Quoted from Bensbargains:
Dell Small Biz: Enter E-Value code AFFT-bdcw5bz to find the new Dimension E521 with AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 3800+ CPU for $569 - $170 "No Monitor" option = $399 with free shipping. Specs include:

# AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 3800+ CPU, 512MB DDR2, 160GB SATA Drive
# 16X DVD ROM Drive, GeForce 6150 LE IGP, Ethernet, XP Home, 1-Yr Warranty
Click to expand...
Add 1GB Ram for $50. Buy a DVD burner online, like the NEC ND-3550A for only $30. This would definately be a better deal.

Here's more info on the chipset: http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2537&p=2
Basically, all the GF6150+nF430 boards receive pretty good reviews. I have the foxconn model, and it overclocks nicely. The 6100 series performs up to par with nForce4 series chipsets (and those are really good, too, in case you were wondering).
 
Yes, hell did freeze over about a month ago.

The nVidia 6150 chipset is very good for onboard graphics. Although light gaming would be the best you could do with it the 2D is pretty good. I use an MSI board with the 6150 chipset in my HTPC and use the onboard video which is better picture quality than the Geforce 6600 (non-GT) setup I previously had.

I second a dual-core system if you can swing it with that couplon code.

And the first rule of buying a Dell is to boot it up and then uninstall ALL the crappy 30, 60, 90 day trial software and other garabage from the system. Should run halfway decent then.
 
Thanks all. The most intensive thing I do is rip CDs, so I am thinking the single CPU would be fine, but I will look at the X2 model. Also, I know the video card might be lacking but at least if I don't like it, I can put a different card in.

Thanks again to everyone.
 
DuckFOO said:
Thanks all. The most intensive thing I do is rip CDs, so I am thinking the single CPU would be fine, but I will look at the X2 model. Also, I know the video card might be lacking but at least if I don't like it, I can put a different card in.
Thanks again to everyone.
Click to expand...
$429 for your single core
$449 for the dual core i posted

you're telling me that you'll pass up a dual core system because it costs ~$20 more? wow! still, the choice is yours.
 
From Dell's Small Business website:

E521 w Athlon 64 X2 3800+/1GB RAM/No monitor = $449.00
E521 w Athlon 64 3200+/1GB RAM/No monitor = $369.00
 
DuckFOO said:
From Dell's Small Business website:

E521 w Athlon 64 X2 3800+/1GB RAM/No monitor = $449.00
E521 w Athlon 64 3200+/1GB RAM/No monitor = $369.00
Click to expand...
I was goin off your OP, hehe.
 
Yes you were; my apologies. I must have based that price on a unit with a monitor. :eek:
 
hmmm 430 bucks with legal windows, and a warrenty.... im not sure you can beat that with a custom build.

I know for 650 you can build a really good mid range conroe rig, read here on that, but for 430... it dont get much better... Remember people often forget to include cost of windows in there final build price. unless you plan a tux distro.

the only thing I question is the 3200+ wit hthe 3500+ on newegg for what 80 bucks? I think dell could spring for a better cpu.
 
... putting the system at $399? no, not worth it when the dual core will only cost $449.
 
Just get the damned dual core. :)

It's the one thing in the package that's worth the extra cash. You'll be happy with the improved multitasking you get with the dualie.
 
I found an eValue note on Dealnews.com that let me order an e521 X2 for 399.00. Hightlights include:

Athlon 64 X2 3800
1GB of DDR2-RAM (2 Dimms)
160GB HDD
DVD-ROM Drive
GeForce 6150 LE Graphics

Not bad for 399.00, I think. It also came with free shipping. The only bad part is an expected shipping date of 24 October.
 
DuckFOO said:
I found an eValue note on Dealnews.com that let me order an e521 X2 for 399.00. Hightlights include:

Athlon 64 X2 3800
1GB of DDR2-RAM (2 Dimms)
160GB HDD
DVD-ROM Drive
GeForce 6150 LE Graphics

Not bad for 399.00, I think. It also came with free shipping. The only bad part is an expected shipping date of 24 October.
Click to expand...
Most of the time Dell's expected ship date is double the amount of time it actually takes. They do this to cover their asses when something goes wrong with stock.
 
Enginurd,

I have been looking through Dell's documentation on the Dimension e521 and overall, it is interesting to read. I was particularly surprised to see that the motherboard that Dell is using has no PATA connectors, only four SATA connectors and one connector for a floppy drive. I also think it is interesting that the unit has no serial, parallel, or PS2 ports.

I do have a couple of questions:

1. The e521 manual says that the BIOS defaults to off for "Cool n' Quiet". I assume that this is like Intel's Speedstep. Is there is harm in having this on, or is it best left off?

2. Also according to the manual, this system supports 800mhz DDR2-RAM. Dell doesn't offer this for sale but it is available from third parties. Is there a user noticable difference between 533mhz and 800mhz DDR2 RAM on AMD systems?
 
DuckFOO said:
Enginurd,

I have been looking through Dell's documentation on the Dimension e521 and overall, it is interesting to read. I was particularly surprised to see that the motherboard that Dell is using has no PATA connectors, only four SATA connectors and one connector for a floppy drive. I also think it is interesting that the unit has no serial, parallel, or PS2 ports.

I do have a couple of questions:

1. The e521 manual says that the BIOS defaults to off for "Cool n' Quiet". I assume that this is like Intel's Speedstep. Is there is harm in having this on, or is it best left off?

2. Also according to the manual, this system supports 800mhz DDR2-RAM. Dell doesn't offer this for sale but it is available from third parties. Is there a user noticable difference between 533mhz and 800mhz DDR2 RAM on AMD systems?
Click to expand...
Yes, the oem companies have been phasing out legacy ports alot faster than the motherboard makers. Abit is one company who's moving the same pace as the OEMs. If you really need legacy ports, you can get usb adapters for them (serial, parallel, ps2). If you need a parallel ata port, there are EIDE->SATA adapters as well.

Yes, AMD's Cool n Quiet is like Intel's SpeedStep. No there is no harm in having it on. The choice is yours. Most people here have it off because they overclock. I'm surprised dell leaves it off as default.

While there is a big jump in benchmarks when going from ddr2 533 to ddr2 800 on am2 systems, I'm not sure how much of that performance difference is noticeable to the user, especially when it really depends on the user. IMO, I think you would definately notice the difference. However, due to high RAM prices, I dont suggest upgrading the memory until later, when prices settle down. Dell probably only offers DDR2 533 because this is their "value" line. Here's an article comparing the ddr2 performance on am2 systems:
http://www.anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2800&p=6
 
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