Looking at two different dells

[[evo]]

Its time to give up ad buy a prebuilt for me, and I've configured two different Dell systems. Looking for some input on the price difference for the specs given.

I need something that will keep my current PC's MCE abilitys but at the same time provide me with a good gaming experience.

System 1:

Core 2 Duo E8400 6MB L2, 3.0GHz, 1333FSB
4GB DDR2, 667MHz - 4 DIMMS
24" E248WFP
512MB 8800GT
500GB 7200rpm SATA 3.0GB/s 16MB Cache
19 in 1 media reader w/Bluetooth
DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM
Integrated 7.1 Audio (will be adding in a Azuntech HDA X-Plosion DTS COnnect)
ATI Theater 650 Pro
Vista Home Premium

$1829

Pro's:Blutooth, Blue-ray, 180GB extra HDD, Media Reader, Double RAM, Faster FSB, price
Con's:No dual video card option, Dual instead of Quad CPU, slower RAM

System 2

Core 2 Quad Q6600 8MB L2, 2.40GHz, 1066MHz FSB
2GB DDR2 800MHz - 2 DIMMS
24" E248WFP
2 X 8800GT 512MB
320GB 7200RPM, 3.0GB/s, 16MB Cache
16X CD/DVD Burner
Integrated 7.1 Audio
ATI Theater 650 Pro
Vista Home Premium

$ 2059

Pro's: Quad CPU, Dual Video cards, Faster RAM
Con's: Half RAM, Smaller HDD, No Bluetooth or Blueray, $230 more expensive


Opinions? I think I'm leaning towards the first however I'm wont be able to add a second 8800GT in later should I wish to go a little faster. It would however prove a better home PC as I wouldnt need to buy a BD player later on.

What do you think the gaming performance difference would be? Major? Minor?

Thanks

 

[AndonSage]

Most people here will suggest that you look at AVA Direct, Maingear, Puget, or Velocity Micro.

 

[Kaolinchemist]

Avadirect.com

I second that emotion!

 

[SR45]

You did not list the model number to either system. I can only guess one is the XPS 720 and the other could be the XPS 410 or 630 system.

I would dump the idea for the E248WFP and get the 2408WFP instead. Better reviews over the lessor model. Forget two video cards as of now and put that money towards the better monitor since that is what you will be looking at all the time.

4 Gb of memory on the first system is going to waste with the 32 bit OS installed. You will need the 64 Bit OS to address the full amount which you can get later.

I don't know what this ATI 650 pro thingy is, but appears to be a waste. Good sound is really all you want not all the other fluff.

Quad core is a very good cpu to have.

Some games work well with the SLI set up and others are having driver issues. For me, one good video card is enough for now until the driver issues and games are more available for SLI configurations.

 

[[evo]]

first one was the 420 second the 630.

Was concerned about the monitor as the price jump was quite a bit more substantial with the 2408WFP. However, can upgrade to it on the 420 and bring the total to 2079 (with first system only)

The ATI 650 is required, its the TV card. My current one is an AIW so it would need replacing.

If I were to upgrade to premium through Dell, would the 64 bit version still be included? Or, better still, with the OEM versions can i still request 64-bit media through MS?

I won't be going the AVA or puget route because I simply can't afford it. I'll be buying a house this year and want to limit my expenditures.

 

[michael.pa2]

first one was the 420 second the 630.

Was concerned about the monitor as the price jump was quite a bit more substantial with the 2408WFP. However, can upgrade to it on the 420 and bring the total to 2079 (with first system only)

The ATI 650 is required, its the TV card. My current one is an AIW so it would need replacing.

If I were to upgrade to premium through Dell, would the 64 bit version still be included? Or, better still, with the OEM versions can i still request 64-bit media through MS?

I won't be going the AVA or puget route because I simply can't afford it. I'll be buying a house this year and want to limit my expenditures.

You'd be surprised at AVA's prices,I've found them less expensive than Dell.And a lot better in quality and support.

 

[teamlockdown]

I would suggest the first one of the two.

 

[AndonSage]

I won't be going the AVA or puget route because I simply can't afford it. I'll be buying a house this year and want to limit my expenditures.

You might want to re-think that position Here's a configuration matching your second one with 4GB instead of 2GB, from AVA Direct. The price doesn't include a monitor or a TV card, but I'm sure you can buy those with the $620.50 you'll save on this system vs. the Dell. You can speak with Misha or Steve at AVA Direct for pricing on a TV card, since this particular configuration didn't have the option. They will work with you to add whatever you want. Dell monitors can always be purchased separately.

CUSTOM COMPUTER, Core™2 SLI™ DDR2 Performance Series System $1438.50

* ROSEWILL, R5604-TBK Black Mid-Tower Case, ATX, 500W PSU, Steel
* ASUS, P5N-E SLI, LGA775, nForce 650i SLI, 1066MHz FSB, DDR2-800 8GB /4, PCIe x16 SLI /2, SATA RAID 5 /5, HDA, GbLAN, FW /2, ATX, Retail
* INTEL, Core™ 2 Quad Q6600 Quad-Core (SLACR G0 stepping), 2.4GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 8MB (2 x 4MB) L2 Cache, 65nm, 95W, EM64T EIST VT XD, Retail
* G.SKILL, 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz CL5 (5-5-5-15) SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
* eVGA, e-GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 650MHz, 512MB GDDR3 1900MHz, PCIe x16 SLI, DVI /2, HDTV/S-Video Out, Retail
* eVGA, e-GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 650MHz, 512MB GDDR3 1900MHz, PCIe x16 SLI, DVI /2, HDTV/S-Video Out, Retail
* WESTERN DIGITAL, 320GB WD Caviar® SE (WD3200AAJS), SATA 300MB/s, 7200 RPM, 8MB cache
* RAID, No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
* LITE-ON, LH-20A1L Black/Beige 20x DVD±RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ LightScribe, SATA, Retail
* MICROSOFT, Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 32-bit, OEM (64-bit version is the same price, which I would recommend)
* WARRANTY, Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)

I configured this at http://www.avadirect.com/product_details_configurator.asp?PRID=7044.

Also, AVA Direct tech support is in America, not India AVA also provides a 3-year warranty as their standard, and I think that Dell you looked at is probably 1 year.

 

[aethelwulf]

Here's another option for $1328.32, similar to your first build and the above, but also includes the soundcard you specific and a wireless keyboard/mouse combo. Leaves plenty of room for a nice monitor too (configure: http://www.avadirect.com/product_details_configurator.asp?PRID=2183):


CUSTOM COMPUTER, Core™2 DDR2 Mainstream Series System $1328.32

COMPUCASE (HEC), 6C28 Black/Silver Mid-Tower Case, 585W PSU, ATX
ECS, P965T-A (V1.0B), LGA775, Intel P965, DDR2-800 8GB /4, PCIe x16, SATA 3Gb/s RAID /5, Audio, GbLAN, ATX, Retail
INTEL, Core™ 2 Duo E8400 Dual-Core, 3.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 6MB L2 Cache, 45nm, 65W, EM64T EIST VT XD, Retail
G.SKILL, 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz CL5 (5-5-5-15) SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
eVGA, e-GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 650MHz, 512MB GDDR3 1900MHz, PCIe x16 SLI, DVI /2, HDTV/S-Video Out, Retail
SEAGATE, 500GB Barracuda 7200.11, SATA NCQ 3 GB/s, 7200 RPM, 32MB cache
RAID, No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
SONY, CRX320EE Black 52x32x52-16A DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive, OEM
LINKSKEY, LKA-CR15B Black 19-in-1 Card Reader/Writer Drive, 3.5" Bay, Internal USB
AUZENTECH, Auzen X-Plosion 7.1, 7.1 channels, 24-bit 96KHz, S/PDIF In/Out, PCI
LOGITECH, Cordless Desktop® MX™ 5000 Laser Keyboard & Mouse, Black, USB PS/2, Retail
MICROSOFT, Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64-bit, OEM
WARRANTY, Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)

 

[Kaolinchemist]

I can't agree with the above ^^^ posters more!

Avadirect is DEFINITELY worth a strong look. Just call them and ask a few questions, those will be the people you will be dealing with. See for yourself HOW QUICKLY you get someone on the line or how fast they return your call. If you are not impressed with AVAdirect after you give them a good look and phone call I will eat my old Voodoo 12MB Video card.

Bill

 

[billy269]

Do you guys think the COMPUCASE (HEC), 6C28 Black/Silver Mid-Tower Case, 585W PSU, ATX is a good enough case and power supply for a gaming system? It is very cheap (about $43 for both the case and the PSU). Do you think that would be fine with a quad core Intel and a 8800 GTS or would you recommend getting another case and PSU? Thanks!!!

 

[burnin8r]

wow, nice threadjack... I would recommend reading the power supply forum, thats the last thing you want to skimp on. If you were building a low power file server, the PSU wouldn t be that important. But for a quad core + G92, you want to spend more than $40 on a power supply in addition to a case with decent airflow. you can try to cut corners but the end result will almost always be magic smoke.

 

[AndonSage]

Do you guys think the COMPUCASE (HEC), 6C28 Black/Silver Mid-Tower Case, 585W PSU, ATX is a good enough case and power supply for a gaming system? It is very cheap (about $43 for both the case and the PSU). Do you think that would be fine with a quad core Intel and a 8800 GTS or would you recommend getting another case and PSU? Thanks!!!

Since that is the case and PSU that the configuration starts with on an SLI system, I would imagine that AVA Direct wouldn't suggest it if it didn't do the job. If you have concerns about it, your best bet is calling Misha at AVA Direct and talk to him about it. Misha's direct number is 888-363-1051.

 

[AndonSage]

But for a quad core + G92, you want to spend more than $40 on a power supply in addition to a case with decent airflow.

I couldn't help but think of your statement when I read a message over in the General Hardware section that someone was using the following case & PSU with a Quad Core, Abit IP35 Pro Motherboard and an 8800GTX:

10-Bay ATX Computer Case w/550W PSU & 9.84" Blue LED Fan for $44.99

I guess my point is that you shouldn't dismiss something as no good just because it's inexpensive. After all, one of the reasons that people buy from AVA Direct is that they are inexpensive.

 

[burnin8r]

I guess my point is that you shouldn't dismiss something as no good just because it's inexpensive. After all, one of the reasons that people buy from AVA Direct is that they are inexpensive.

all apologies! I didn t mean to come across as a snob or anything, I am actually into mATX / SFF systems so I never even looked at what AVA offered for full size ATX platforms. I take back what I said... but personally I would be skepitcal by default unless there was a ton of feedback supporting that particular case / psu.

 

[Usquabach]

well if you are willing to try a smaller company like AVA, I have configured what I would buy myself if i had ~ 1750 as a budget (without monitor, keyboard, mouse, productivity software)

INTEL, Core™ 2 Quad Q6600 Quad-Core (SLACR G0 stepping)
ARCTIC COOLING, Freezer 7 Pro Quiet CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
ARCTIC SILVER, Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
eVGA, nForce 780i SLI 775 A1, LGA775, nForce 780i SLI
G.SKILL, 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz CL5 (5-5-5-15)
eVGA, e-GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 650MHz, 512MB GDDR3
WESTERN DIGITAL, 500GB WD Caviar® SE16
LINKSKEY, LKA-CR15B Black 19-in-1 Card Reader/Writer
SAMSUNG, Super-WriteMaster™ SH-S203B Black 20x DVD±R/RW Dual-Layer Burner, SATA
COOLERMASTER, CM 690 Black Mid-Tower Case, ATX, No PSU, SECC, SLI Certified
CUSTOM WIRING, Standard Wiring with Round Cables
PC POWER & COOLING, Silencer® 750W Quad (Black) Power Supply
MICROSOFT, Windows Vista Ultimate Edition 64-bit, OEM
SERVICE, OEM System Recovery (bootable CD/DVD only)
SERVICE, System Binder
GAMING PC, Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)
SERVICE, Standard Shipping (UPS, DHL, or Fedex)

Total price = $1767.03

now that may be a little high without the monitor and other things, but there are certainly things that can be scaled down a bit to fit the budget.

but you'll notice you have some nice features:

1) Q6600 cooled with a fairly decent low cost HSF including some AS5
2) a 780i board (for only $30 more than a 680i board)
3) 4GB RAM with a 64-bit OS
4) A very good power supply more than capable of SLI in the future
5) 500GB WD hard drive
6) card reader

you may also want to buy some fans for the case as well, but it would probably be cheaper to install those yourself. GL though with whatever you decide!

 

[[evo]]

wow thanks for the heads up. Will be speccing a few different AVA systems and maybeposting another thread. Will probably go with just one 8800GT for now and add one later if I feel I need it. Have to get a nice 24" though.

 

[AndonSage]

Have to get a nice 24" though.

I love my 24" Soyo DYLM24D6. Check out the thread for the monitor in the Displays section. You should be able to find it on sale for $299 every month or so.

 

[MrWizard6600]

Ima throw in a pitch for Velocity micro, for the simple reason that the founder is a member of htis forum and whenever anyone starts a thread with "last time i buy from velocity micro!!" he's usually post #2.

Plus dell sucks.