Dude! Neal's getting a Dell!

[Onkel Neal]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

Another Dell XPS630 review... looking good

[Zachstar]

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.

[AVGWarhawk]

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.

[Bill Nichols]

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.

[Onkel Neal]

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:

[Bill Nichols]

Push the button.

[AVGWarhawk]

Just don't push the RED one! Nice pick you made Neal. You will love it.

[Onkel Neal]

All I needed was an enabler

Thank you
NEAL
For choosing Dell
Your order has been submitted



OMG! A new computer!

[AVGWarhawk]

What I like about your pick is the 9800gt. I have one and love it! You will too!

[Zachstar]

Now all we need is SH5 to go with it.

[CaptainHaplo]

Heck if I had known a bit ago you were thinking this route, I could have put together a box for you for less cost and just let you pay for the parts and shipping. Oh well, in this case - at least you went the right direction - the Dell.