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Ordered this system - opinions?

M

MrCrispy

2[H]4U
Joined
May 14, 2007
Messages
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I was checking Dell Outlet and came across this:

- i7 2600, 12GB Ram, 2TB HDD, Usb3, Nvidia GTX560 for $779

Do the video card and memory make this a decent deal? I looked for outlet coupons but didn't find any. I know it's not the best system as far as mobo/psu etc go, and I've built my last 3 pc's so I can do that if needed.

Just looking for opinions, I can still cancel the order as its not due to ship for a few days at least
 
While $779 sounds like a good price for the above setup, I have some issues about not knowing the specific hard drive, video card (who makes that GTX 560? Is it a "plain" GTX 560 or is it a Ti model?), and power supply (which may limit your future video card options) that you're getting. But if you're not going to use the system for heavy gaming (at a 1920x1080 or greater resolution), then you should be fine.

The RAM is likely set up as one 2x4GB kit along with a second 2x2GB kit.
 
You're right about the Ram. From what I've been able to find, the video card is a 560 Ti, but made for Dell. Don't know any details. The XPS also lists a 460W psu, I'm not sure if they upgrade it for this since the 560 lists a minimum of 650W, or if it runs with the stock psu (and would thus have little headroom).

Are the XPS systems silent?
 
Dell typically have custom drivers and firmware for their graphics cards. It'll still be a 560 Ti, but it'll be running Dell's drivers, and you'd only be able to update them through Dell website, not Nvidia. I had this problem before too, with a Dell laptop running a Radeon X1400, the Dell drivers themselves had a ton of compatibility issues and I couldn't use ATI management software.

Nvidia lists 650W minimum to be safe. They don't want customers coming to them complaining about "how their supposed 500W psu burned running the 560 card" cause the user had some shitty 500W psu with only 20A on the 12V rail. They also factor in overclocking, case peripherals, and possible expansion.

In reality, a decent 460W power supply would run the dell with the 560 fine. However, that said, the power supply would probably be under constant max load doing so, and you'd have no overhead for other parts. That's simple enough though, you can easily buy a better power supply down the line, since pretty much all PSUs are interchangeable anyway.

The machine shouldn't be overly loud unless it's placed under heavy load. Keep in mind though that if you game for long periods, the 560 will draw enough power to force the power supply to max load, and chances are whatever fan the power supply has isn't silent. If you want a "silent" rig then a prebuilt system isn't for you.
 
I'd never buy a pre built machine again. I have built 2 for myself now, and wouldn't have it any other way. I find most of the pre built machines tend to run some lower quality parts. Which although warrentied, down time sucks.

I'm sure someone can put together a better system in that price range that will perform on par, most likely better.
 
tiraides said:
The RAM is likely set up as one 2x4GB kit along with a second 2x2GB kit.
Click to expand...

Actually, to attain 12GB of RAM most OEMs put 3x4GB sticks into those H67 motherboards, leaving one DIMM slot open. This will not result in true dual-channel.
 
I checked my order page and it shows - Memory Module,12GB,2X4/2X2GB,1333M so it is as he said, which is good.

I'm still on the fence about this, may cancel it tomorrow if Dell lets me.
 
MrCrispy said:
I checked my order page and it shows - Memory Module,12GB,2X4/2X2GB,1333M so it is as he said, which is good.

I'm still on the fence about this, may cancel it tomorrow if Dell lets me.
Click to expand...

Yes, Dell is one of the exceptions. HP, on the other hand, fills up three of the four DIMM slots leaving one of them empty. Dell took the correct approach because the 2GB sticks are actually half of a 4GB stick, in Dell's case (that is, they use the same ICs as their 4GB siblings, only the 2GB modules are single-ranked instead of the 4GB modules' double-ranked).
 
Cancel if you still can and build your own. As others have said, its a decent deal on the surface, but it will likely be subpar in many aspects, as opposed to DIY.
 
A 2500k is superior to 2600. Because with an increase of only 2 multipliers it's beyond the stock 2600. And yes windows is 100. If he doesn't have a licence from other builds or upgrades.
 
that harddrive alone is probably worth 200$, lol! Dang mother nature.

From the custom stuff someone above posted you still need a drive, too.
 
I do have a current Windows license but I could use another one, and give mine to a family member. Adding case/psu/drive it becomes a good deal, if the system doesn't need to be upgraded/reused.

For reference, my current build has all high quality parts (Corsair psu and H50 cooler, Lian Li, Abit mobo) and even though it overclocks, I've never really felt the need to tinker much. And now all the parts are so old that they all pretty much need to be upgraded. e.g. I would like a new case which has front panel USB 3 ports, an ssd slot etc. But honestly, if I had something that lets me play a few games, is quiet and powerful, I'm all set since I'll keep it for a few years at least.
 
Sounds like a decent enough setup, like others have said though for that price you could have put together a real nice desktop by yourself. An even better on if you didnt mind hunting down bargains on the FS forums.
 
Its a good deal if you don't mind having a pre-built computer and you need a copy of windows.

you could do slightly better and far worse.
 
Adding $100 for Windows and $150 for a 2TB hard drive, plus $50 for a case, $60 for a psu, $20 for a DVD, then $584 turns into $964.

Don't feel bad or remorseful OP, it's actually a reasonably good price.

Sure, I'd build it myself for the higher quality parts, but the truth is, you can't beat Dell's price on that system.
 
Regardless of the disdain that most technophiles would have towards pre-built systems, they're actually a huge bargain compared to getting parts yourself. Manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Compaq, etc all get the hardware for wholesale lot prices, unlike what we would get from retailers. In addition, Dell provides a comprehensive Warranty, making it your one stop solution to any errors with your system. Dell also tests systems before shipping them, guaranteeing there are no defective parts.

If you were to get the exact same parts as Dell used, and then add an OS, you'd be breaking $1000 probably.

That's not to say that building your own comp is bad; it's all a matter of degree. If you just want something that runs decently and games well for a few years, to be replaced, then definitely pre-built. However, if you're like me, and demand nothing but the best, have an opinion about every piece of hardware, and want a rig that will be a gaming god for years and can easily be upgraded, then nothing pre-built comes even close. All the "stock" gaming brands such as Sager, Alienware, etc. charge 3k+ for a POS rig that has 3-4 ridiculously high end parts, all bottlenecked by some shitty power supply or motherboard or sth.

For your needs, the Dell will be just fine. No need to cancel the order.
 
Sort of a related question - my Dell Precision workstation at work is a very nice piece of engineering. Easy access to everything in their custom case, the cpu and video card and both shrouded, and its completely silent. I looked at reviews with internals of the XPS, and its just a messy internal wiring with exposed parts, the hard drives don't even look like they have drive rails.

Why doesn't Dell use the same quality in their top consumer line?
 
It's an issue of cooling. With Precision/Inspiron systems, the hardware is typically low/mid end, and don't generate that much heat, so they can be enclosed in their own shrouds. However, once you get to the high end graphics cards, HDDs, and processors, heat becomes a huge issue. Enclosing everything would result in temps reaching over 80 degrees, which is not acceptable.
 
Tsuyoi said:
Regardless of the disdain that most technophiles would have towards pre-built systems, they're actually a huge bargain compared to getting parts yourself. Manufacturers such as Dell, HP, Compaq, etc all get the hardware for wholesale lot prices, unlike what we would get from retailers. In addition, Dell provides a comprehensive Warranty, making it your one stop solution to any errors with your system. Dell also tests systems before shipping them, guaranteeing there are no defective parts.

If you were to get the exact same parts as Dell used, and then add an OS, you'd be breaking $1000 probably.
Click to expand...

I find this to be slightly inaccurate. If I am going to get a generic system for a family member or friend, sure Dell or HP would be the way to go. But if I am going to get a gaming system for myself or a friend, its not cheaper to go pre-built. It all depends on what you are getting. Everytime you buy a Dell or HP you are also paying for the labor and software. I can get components cheap and rebuild my systems with the same OS and apps I currently have without having to buy them again, and I don't charge myself labor to put things together. I also tend to buy parts with longer warranties than the parts Dell or HP use in their systems. For instance my last 3 computers all had lifetime warranties on RAM, MB, and GPU.
 
NoOther said:
I find this to be slightly inaccurate. If I am going to get a generic system for a family member or friend, sure Dell or HP would be the way to go. But if I am going to get a gaming system for myself or a friend, its not cheaper to go pre-built. It all depends on what you are getting. Everytime you buy a Dell or HP you are also paying for the labor and software. I can get components cheap and rebuild my systems with the same OS and apps I currently have without having to buy them again, and I don't charge myself labor to put things together. I also tend to buy parts with longer warranties than the parts Dell or HP use in their systems. For instance my last 3 computers all had lifetime warranties on RAM, MB, and GPU.
Click to expand...

I also would like to add to that that Dell's systems are attractively priced for their base configurations (usually a slow CPU, a sluggish GPU and the bare-bones minimum amount of RAM). But getting an upgrade would cost a lot more money than the price difference between a base part and an upgraded part sold at full retail. For example, a certain XPS 8300 has a GT 530 as its included card. But upgrading to a GTX 560 Ti costs a whopping $230. Given that the estimated retail price of a GT 430 (the GT 530 is basically a rebadged GT 430) is about $80, that makes the effective cost of that GTX 560 Ti a whopping $310. That same card would have cost only $230 when purchased at Newegg.

And don't get me started on Dell's pricing for a Radeon HD 6870: Dell charges an even more ridiculous $360 (after compensating for the cost of the base card) compared to the $170 to $180 cost of that same card at Newegg.
 
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Update - I had a chat with Dell CSR, I wanted to ask if it was possible to get my system (or equivalent) without the graphics card, since I realized I can upgrade it myself and get a real 560Ti (I read in another forum that Dell's version is actually underclocked), and I'd also heard that Dell can do this since many outlet pc's are not listed.

The chat guy said they couldn't do that but offered to take $25 off which I agreed to. A couple hours later my order had changed instead to a 6770 at a lower price! I called again and since I had the chat log, a manager offered to restore the original pc, but said it would take a few more days.

The whole thing left a bad taste in my mouth (and almost an hour wasted at work) and I decided to cancel it. I've decided to build after all, maybe even wait for BF deals on components.
 
Ok so it looks like BF has nothing. The best current deal seems to be Microcenter's 2500K + Z68 combo, right?
 
MrCrispy said:
Ok so it looks like BF has nothing. The best current deal seems to be Microcenter's 2500K + Z68 combo, right?
Click to expand...

Pretty much. But if you don't live near a MC, kinda out of luck on that one.
 
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