Dude! Neal's getting a Dell!

Onkel Neal · 03-02-09, 09:20 AM

Intel Core i7-920 Processor, what's this? Does it supercede the Dual core/Quad core? Would this PC be a good choice?

Pros? Cons?

.

AVGWarhawk · 03-02-09, 09:49 AM

I7 is the newest core and is very fast. You should have no issues with this core. The issues I see with FX series is poor cooling and cheap cases. The innards of this computer are the usual stuff you find in all computers so no problem there. You will probably find cooling sucks with this case. If you can, go to Best Buy. They carry these. Look it over. I was not impressed with case and cooling. Also, check the PSU. Probably too weak and no name brand. Can you post the specs of this machine?

LukeFF just got the I7. No complaints.

AVGWarhawk · 03-02-09, 10:37 AM

I found the specs on this machine. All good stuff. Nice reviews. My only grips, crappy case. Cooling is not great and feels cheap. PSU is not powerful enough IMO. If I were making this purchase I would look into a better PSU and case combo. Usually the case combos come with larger fans.

I also priced this same set up at Cyberpower. Obviously the case is top notch for cooling and I picked out a 650 watt PSU. The hard drive was 500 MB where the one you are looking at is 750MB. For a few bucks more you could get the 750MB at Cyberpower. I also chose the 64 bit Vista OS. Cost before shipping when I was done was $1125.00.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/I..._Configurator/

Toy around with it and weigh your desires and options. I studied all of this for weeks before I dropped the money on my current computer.

Onkel Neal · 03-02-09, 12:21 PM

Thanks for the feedback.

It has come down to the Gateway or the Dell XPS 630 with the Intel Core2 E8400 (6MB,3.0 GHz, 1333FSB).

Man, I've been putting this new buy off for 2 years... I'm so close to just saying the heck with it and getting something. Anything will be better than my 2001 P4 2.4 with 1GB RAM

Onkel Neal · 03-02-09, 12:34 PM

Finger....over....BUY....button.....must....resist .....

Another Dell XPS630 review... looking good

Zachstar · 03-02-09, 12:37 PM

Neal if you are going to be spending a thousand dollars would you please consider doing a home build and letting us talk you though it?

For a thousand dollars you can put together a nice little (And by little I mean the low end of monster) Core i7 PC

You want Core i7 What makes it powerful is not the speed but how it is built and the sheer number of stuff it can do per cycle. Games that take advantage of it will easily be able to play games for the next 4-5 years atleast. Assuming gradual update of video card every 2 years or so.

Bill Nichols · 03-02-09, 12:58 PM

Go with the Dell. I've had four and was happy with every one. Their XPS service & support can't be beat.
Also, up the RAM as AVGWarhawk suggests, RAM is cheap and is the best bang-for-the-buck to improve performance.

AVGWarhawk · 03-02-09, 12:44 PM

That old P4 does not owe you anything. She is ready for menial tasks like web browsing only.

Anyway, both computers are nice. Both will lighting fast compared to what you have currently. A couple of things. 64 bit can us up to 8 gigs of RAM. I see the Dell is offering only 2 gigs of RAM. I would go no less than 3 but recommend 4 gigs RAM. If you take a look at the Dell's case note the open cooling vent. Heat kills computers. Dell apparently understands this judging by the case were Gateway was more interested in putting bright orange color strips on the case and not a cooling vent. Also, the Dell looks much cooler

BTW, the link above for Cyberpower. The price I got by customizing the i7 included the EVGA 9800 GT 512mb vid card and 4 gigs of RAM with all the other goodies at the cost noted above. Here with the Dell, 2 gig of RAM and a 8800GT vid card. Price, $1200.00+. So you see, bang for the buck.

I think if you swing by Best Buy and really look over the Gateway you will see that it is just not that great. At least to me it was not great. Just felt like it would not last. If that is the case, then you have eliminated a contender.

Onkel Neal · 03-02-09, 12:58 PM

Ok, that's good food for thought, thanks. I have had two Gateways, but I bought them back when to company made them to order, like Dell. Sadly, I learned a few months ago that Gateway no longer offers this service. They all must be bought in stores, pre-configged...

The Dell I set up on their webpage has 4GB RAM, and comes with WinXP and a free upgrade to Vista.

XPS 630 Qty 1 Intel® Core™2 E8400 (6MB,3.0 GHz, 1333FSB),
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate BonusUnit Price $1,344.00
Estimated Delivery Date 3/16/2009

Save $145 on this Dell XPS 630 Desktop!
Expires Thursday, April 30, 2009 - $145.00

No interest for 12 months on XPS and Studio XPS systems!
Limited Time Offer!

XPS 630Intel® Core™2 E8400 (6MB,3.0 GHz, 1333FSB)
Operating SystemGenuine Windows Vista® Ultimate BonusSystem
ColorBlack Bezel Chassis
Memory4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs
Video CardSLi, Dual nVidia GeForce 9800GT
512MBHard Drive500GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
MultiDrive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability

This machine has a lot of good reviews, and a few Editor's Choice awards.

Zach, thanks for the i7 core info, I don't think this PC has that option, I'm checking now. I wish I could build one, thanks for the offer of help, just don't have time.

I've completed the order info, and am sitting here looking at the Submit Order button....:rotfl:

nikimcbee · 03-03-09, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Intel Core i7-920 Processor, what's this? Does it supercede the Dual core/Quad core? Would this PC be a good choice?

Pros? Cons?

.

Pros: Bigger bonus for me= more spending money at subsim shin-dig

Cons: Neal will spend all day playing SH[x] and NOT working on his birthday present.

SUBMAN1 · 03-03-09, 09:23 PM

TELL ME YOU DIDN'T BUY A DELL!!!!! Ugghhh!

I also have a POS Dell arriving tomorrow for work that I am so not looking forward too, regardless that its decked out with Nvidia GPU, etc.

They skimp on everything. Looks nice on paper BS....

-S

AVGWarhawk · 03-04-09, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

TELL ME YOU DIDN'T BUY A DELL!!!!! Ugghhh!

I also have a POS Dell arriving tomorrow for work that I am so not looking forward too, regardless that its decked out with Nvidia GPU, etc.

They skimp on everything. Looks nice on paper BS....

-S

Just what are you trying to say

I use a Dell at work. It runs well and does the job. Neal is getting a Dell dude!

A lot of folks told me not to get Emachine (now Gateway). Many said it was a POS. I have had two of them over the years and both have been great. My daughters are still using the second one! It just keeps cranking along and as many times as I have grounded out the MB on the chassis, it is a wonder it still does.

I think the Dell Neal purchased will be cool groovy.

longam · 03-04-09, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

TELL ME YOU DIDN'T BUY A DELL!!!!! Ugghhh!

I also have a POS Dell arriving tomorrow for work that I am so not looking forward too, regardless that its decked out with Nvidia GPU, etc.

They skimp on everything. Looks nice on paper BS....

-S

Just what are you trying to say

I use a Dell at work. It runs well and does the job. Neal is getting a Dell dude!

A lot of folks told me not to get Emachine (now Gateway). Many said it was a POS. I have had two of them over the years and both have been great. My daughters are still using the second one! It just keeps cranking along and as many times as I have grounded out the MB on the chassis, it is a wonder it still does.

I think the Dell Neal purchased will be cool groovy.

They don't put much crap on them anymore, the last couple of ones I setup at work were good to go out of the box. Yes they still have the Dell service thing, but that's easy to dump.

Onkel Neal · 03-04-09, 12:03 PM

Yeah, I have to go with Dell, being from Texas and all

I think they give a fair value for the dollar, and since I'm only spending $950, this should be a good value.

The computer is supposed to come with WinXP, and free Vista upgrade. With Windows 7 coming, I may skip Vista. Hopefully Win7 will not be such a system and resource hog.

goldorak · 03-03-09, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Intel Core i7-920 Processor, what's this? Does it supercede the Dual core/Quad core? Would this PC be a good choice?

Pros? Cons?

.

Don't buy into the hype for the i7 processors.
These are workstation oriented processors, very fast in multithreaded applications BUT for gaming they are a marginal increase at best and in some cases they even go slower over the fastest Core 2 Quads. If all you do is rendering all day long then yes an i7 is your choice, but for gaming no. You'll just throw $$$$ for no benefit at all.
Take a Core 2 Quad at 3 GHz with 12 MB L2 cache + 4/8 GB of ddr2 ram and you'll have a computer that smokes pretty much everything out there.

03-02-09, 09:20 AM	#1
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,383 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	Dude! Neal's getting a Dell! Intel Core i7-920 Processor, what's this? Does it supercede the Dual core/Quad core? Would this PC be a good choice? Pros? Cons? . __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

03-02-09, 09:49 AM	#2
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I7 is the newest core and is very fast. You should have no issues with this core. The issues I see with FX series is poor cooling and cheap cases. The innards of this computer are the usual stuff you find in all computers so no problem there. You will probably find cooling sucks with this case. If you can, go to Best Buy. They carry these. Look it over. I was not impressed with case and cooling. Also, check the PSU. Probably too weak and no name brand. Can you post the specs of this machine? LukeFF just got the I7. No complaints. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

03-02-09, 10:37 AM	#3
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I found the specs on this machine. All good stuff. Nice reviews. My only grips, crappy case. Cooling is not great and feels cheap. PSU is not powerful enough IMO. If I were making this purchase I would look into a better PSU and case combo. Usually the case combos come with larger fans. I also priced this same set up at Cyberpower. Obviously the case is top notch for cooling and I picked out a 650 watt PSU. The hard drive was 500 MB where the one you are looking at is 750MB. For a few bucks more you could get the 750MB at Cyberpower. I also chose the 64 bit Vista OS. Cost before shipping when I was done was $1125.00. http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/I..._Configurator/ Toy around with it and weigh your desires and options. I studied all of this for weeks before I dropped the money on my current computer. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

03-02-09, 12:21 PM	#4
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,383 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	Thanks for the feedback. *It has come down to* the Gateway or the Dell XPS 630 with the Intel Core2 E8400 (6MB,3.0 GHz, 1333FSB). Man, I've been putting this new buy off for 2 years... I'm so close to just saying the heck with it and getting something. Anything will be better than my 2001 P4 2.4 with 1GB RAM __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

03-02-09, 12:34 PM	#5
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,383 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	Finger....over....BUY....button.....must....resist ..... Another Dell XPS630 review... looking good __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

03-02-09, 12:37 PM	#6
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Neal if you are going to be spending a thousand dollars would you please consider doing a home build and letting us talk you though it? For a thousand dollars you can put together a nice little (And by little I mean the low end of monster) Core i7 PC You want Core i7 What makes it powerful is not the speed but how it is built and the sheer number of stuff it can do per cycle. Games that take advantage of it will easily be able to play games for the next 4-5 years atleast. Assuming gradual update of video card every 2 years or so. __________________

03-02-09, 12:58 PM	#7
Bill Nichols Master of Defense Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,502 Downloads: 125 Uploads: 0	Go with the Dell. I've had four and was happy with every one. Their XPS service & support can't be beat. Also, up the RAM as AVGWarhawk suggests, RAM is cheap and is the best bang-for-the-buck to improve performance. __________________ My Dangerous Waters website:

03-02-09, 12:44 PM	#8
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	That old P4 does not owe you anything. She is ready for menial tasks like web browsing only. Anyway, both computers are nice. Both will lighting fast compared to what you have currently. A couple of things. 64 bit can us up to 8 gigs of RAM. I see the Dell is offering only 2 gigs of RAM. I would go no less than 3 but recommend 4 gigs RAM. If you take a look at the Dell's case note the open cooling vent. Heat kills computers. Dell apparently understands this judging by the case were Gateway was more interested in putting bright orange color strips on the case and not a cooling vent. Also, the Dell looks much cooler BTW, the link above for Cyberpower. The price I got by customizing the i7 included the EVGA 9800 GT 512mb vid card and 4 gigs of RAM with all the other goodies at the cost noted above. Here with the Dell, 2 gig of RAM and a 8800GT vid card. Price, $1200.00+. So you see, bang for the buck. I think if you swing by Best Buy and really look over the Gateway you will see that it is just not that great. At least to me it was not great. Just felt like it would not last. If that is the case, then you have eliminated a contender. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

03-03-09, 09:23 PM	#11
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	TELL ME YOU DIDN'T BUY A DELL!!!!! Ugghhh! I also have a POS Dell arriving tomorrow for work that I am so not looking forward too, regardless that its decked out with Nvidia GPU, etc. They skimp on everything. Looks nice on paper BS.... -S __________________

03-04-09, 12:03 PM	#14
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,383 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	Yeah, I have to go with Dell, being from Texas and all I think they give a fair value for the dollar, and since I'm only spending $950, this should be a good value. The computer is supposed to come with WinXP, and free Vista upgrade. With Windows 7 coming, I may skip Vista. Hopefully Win7 will not be such a system and resource hog. __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web