New Dell XPS 5 Owner, Instead Of Building My Own

Pride · 07-06-2005, 08:59 PM

Ok, after time & time again, of configuring computers online, in my head and adding prices from newegg together, I finally decided to purchase a Dell XPS 5 system. Since I'm not an elite gamer, I wanted a killer gaming system, to go along with the many mutitask issues I do with my children.

I wanted to go with an AMD system, to give it a try out and see the difference between Intel & AMD, especially for games. However, Intel has never displeased me in the past, so I went ahead and got an Intel. Also, I stayed with nVidia this time, due to the awesome performance they have always gave me. I know many people will disagree with my choices, but to each his/her own, I always say.

When purchasing the Dell, I thought about the pros & cons of building my own system, and other manufacturers. And everytime I configured systems like HP, Gateway, Dell, Alienware, Monarch, Falcon Northwest, VooDoo, Shuttle, Sony, ABS & IBuyPower.com; Dell always came up cheaper with the upgrades I wanted.

As far as specs go, let me know what ya think:

OS - Windows XP Pro SP2
Processor - Intel P4 3.6 Ghz HT
Keyboard/Mouse - Wireless Keyboard & Wireless Mouse
Monitor - 19" LCD Digital Flat screen
Video Card - nVidia GeForce 6800 GT PCI-E x 16 (256 mb)
Hard Drive - 2 X 250 GB (7200 rpm)
Memory - 2GB DDR2 SDRAM @ 533Mhz
Floppy Drive - 3.5"
Standard Drive - 16X DVD-ROM
Secondary Drive - 16X DVD+/-RW
Sound Card - Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS
Speakers - Sourround Sound 5.1
Cooling System - 5 Fans Total (2 Dedicated to the PSU)

Got a printer with the purchase, so I went ahead and purchased the ink cartridges & cable to go along with it.

All in all, it was actually cheaper for Dell to build the system I ordered, than to buy the parts online, and build it myself. That saved me some time, since I work nights, and have 2 children that I get every other day & every other weekend (yes, I'm divorced). I believe I made a good choice, and I will keep all of you updated in the future, especially when the computer arrives.

Thanks Praetor for all of your support. You lead me in the right direction, however I seemed to have went with my instincts on this one and took a chance with Dell. (Currently I'm using an HP Celeron 2.1 Ghz, 40 GB, nVidia Ge2 (16mb), 512 mb). I'm sure a couple of my friends will be ticked at me, when I tell them I bought a system from Dell, instead of letting them build it, or me building it myself. However, since I'm not a huge serious gamer on PC's, I feel like this system will more than suit my needs.

Thanks again for everyone's support.

P.S. Any comments, suggestions and questions will be considered/appreciated.

lilm3boi · 07-06-2005, 09:30 PM

Nice System. What'd you pay for it? I was highly considering a new computer because my mom agreeed to give me 2 grand if I moved to Florida (from California). I bought a 26 inch Sharp LCD TV instead of a new computer and a few other things and now im kind of regretting it. Hope you are happy with it!

kof2000 · 07-06-2005, 10:15 PM

that is not a 64bit intel is it?

Pride · 07-06-2005, 11:25 PM

lilm, it wasn't cheap. I poured about $3,200 in the system, overall. Of course I configured the system myself, instead of taking what was offered. I hope I'm happy with it too, considering I probably won't be buying another computer anytime within the next 2 or 3 years, or more.

kof2000, it's the Intel® 955X Express chipset, in which supports 64 bit. However, I would assume that would only be with the Pentium D Extreme processor?

I2EN3GADE · 07-06-2005, 11:55 PM

i put together a system with the exact same specs as the dell xps and it was alot cheaper... but anyway i have 2 friends with the XPS and they love it, so i hope ur happy with it.

Pride · 07-07-2005, 03:28 AM

I put together a system with the exact same specs as the Dell XPS 5, and it wasn't much cheaper at all.

The Dell XPS 5 price I paid after configuring: $3,400. Now that was with a 19" digital LCD, All-in-one printer w/ cartridges, Intel 3.6 Ghz P4 w HT, Dual Drives (DVD-ROM & DVD-R+/-RW), 2 GB SDRAM, CL Sound Audigy 2 Z, 500 GB HD, 256 MB nVidia GeForce 6800 PCIEx16, 5 Fans, 650w PSU & Wireless keyboard & Mouse.

The computer I configured at Newegg.com was roughly $600 cheaper, at most. And by the time shipping & handling is added, the price comes close to the same thing; and that doesn't include building the system. Also, I figured I might need the support from the company, if anything does go wrong.

About the only thing I know about piecing a computer together, would be adding RAM, video & sound cards, and possibly some fans.

Hopefully I will enjoy this machine, and when I finally do recieve it I sure hope I enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed my HP. (My son & daughter are getting my HP)

ilovefishsticks · 07-07-2005, 03:59 AM

it sounds good but to tell u the truth i think u got ripped off. before i bought my compuer, i customized a dell to the same specs and it ended up being around 1600 bucks when it cost me only (its still alot but comparing to the dell...) around 920 bucks. If i were one of ur friends i would probably b ticked that u did that too. but like u say "to each his/her own".

specs are ok tho

ilovefishsticks · 07-07-2005, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kof2000

that is not a 64bit intel is it?

no dell dosent support 64 bit intels (or at least im pretty shure as i know, if im wrong som1 correct me). I think its mainly because people that usualy buy dells arent as knowlagable about computers as those who customize them so if u asked most people who have bought dells wut 64 bit support is they prob wouldnt know.

mgoldb2 · 07-07-2005, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pride

which supports 64 bit. However, I would assume that would only be with the Pentium D Extreme processor?

All 5x1 and 6xx pentium 4 are also 64bit

Pride · 07-07-2005, 04:45 AM

Thanks for clearing that up mgoldb2. I checked out the specs at Dell & Intel's web-sites. However, I didn't do enough research to actually know whether or not they were 64 bit, or not.

ilovefishsticks, I seriously didn't feel like building it. I'm no teen anymore, and my son probably would have been better off trying a crack at it, than me, considering he's 11. So, the assembly part was a huge consideration, when deciding on which one to do: build or buy.

On another note, I feel like I came out alright, considering Alienware, ABS, VooDoo, Monarch, Ibuypower, Sony, Falcon Northwest & Shuttle, just to name a few, were more expensive. I'm aware that some of those systems are better quality, somewhat. But, I have no serious game addition.

HP & Gateway were very similar and the prices were roughly the same, even with the specials.

07-06-2005, 08:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pride Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Age: 36 Posts: 68	New Dell XPS 5 Owner, Instead Of Building My Own Ok, after time & time again, of configuring computers online, in my head and adding prices from newegg together, I finally decided to purchase a Dell XPS 5 system. Since I'm not an elite gamer, I wanted a killer gaming system, to go along with the many mutitask issues I do with my children. I wanted to go with an AMD system, to give it a try out and see the difference between Intel & AMD, especially for games. However, Intel has never displeased me in the past, so I went ahead and got an Intel. Also, I stayed with nVidia this time, due to the awesome performance they have always gave me. I know many people will disagree with my choices, but to each his/her own, I always say. When purchasing the Dell, I thought about the pros & cons of building my own system, and other manufacturers. And everytime I configured systems like HP, Gateway, Dell, Alienware, Monarch, Falcon Northwest, VooDoo, Shuttle, Sony, ABS & IBuyPower.com; Dell always came up cheaper with the upgrades I wanted. As far as specs go, let me know what ya think: OS - Windows XP Pro SP2 Processor - Intel P4 3.6 Ghz HT Keyboard/Mouse - Wireless Keyboard & Wireless Mouse Monitor - 19" LCD Digital Flat screen Video Card - nVidia GeForce 6800 GT PCI-E x 16 (256 mb) Hard Drive - 2 X 250 GB (7200 rpm) Memory - 2GB DDR2 SDRAM @ 533Mhz Floppy Drive - 3.5" Standard Drive - 16X DVD-ROM Secondary Drive - 16X DVD+/-RW Sound Card - Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS Speakers - Sourround Sound 5.1 Cooling System - 5 Fans Total (2 Dedicated to the PSU) Got a printer with the purchase, so I went ahead and purchased the ink cartridges & cable to go along with it. All in all, it was actually cheaper for Dell to build the system I ordered, than to buy the parts online, and build it myself. That saved me some time, since I work nights, and have 2 children that I get every other day & every other weekend (yes, I'm divorced). I believe I made a good choice, and I will keep all of you updated in the future, especially when the computer arrives. Thanks Praetor for all of your support. You lead me in the right direction, however I seemed to have went with my instincts on this one and took a chance with Dell. (Currently I'm using an HP Celeron 2.1 Ghz, 40 GB, nVidia Ge2 (16mb), 512 mb). I'm sure a couple of my friends will be ticked at me, when I tell them I bought a system from Dell, instead of letting them build it, or me building it myself. However, since I'm not a huge serious gamer on PC's, I feel like this system will more than suit my needs. Thanks again for everyone's support. P.S. Any comments, suggestions and questions will be considered/appreciated. __________________ Dell XPS Gen 5 Intel P4 3.6 Ghz HT w/ 955X Chipset nVidia GeForce 6800 GT PCI-E x 16 (256) 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM @ 533 Mhz Western Digital 250 X 2 GB S-ATA Hard Drive (7200 rpm) 460W PSU Dell 19" Digital LCD Flat Screen Windows XP Pro w/ SP2 Creative SB Audigy 2 Z2 & 5.1 Surround Sound LG DVD-Rom & DVD+/-RW

07-06-2005, 09:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
lilm3boi Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 72	Nice System. What'd you pay for it? I was highly considering a new computer because my mom agreeed to give me 2 grand if I moved to Florida (from California). I bought a 26 inch Sharp LCD TV instead of a new computer and a few other things and now im kind of regretting it. Hope you are happy with it! __________________ 2.6 Intel Pentium 4 HT 512mb ram Audigy 2 ES BFG 6800 OC Logitech 5300E 5.1 speakers 80 gb hd 19 " crt screen

07-06-2005, 10:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
kof2000 Diamond Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oahu Age: 26 Posts: 6,273	that is not a 64bit intel is it? __________________ QX9650@4.2 swiftech \|9600@3.0 9700 nt 780i \| 790fx 8gb ddr1200 \| 8gb ddr1200 2x150gb 3x1tb \|2x250gb 3x8800gtx \|3x2900xt 1gb 2x20xdvdrw \|2x20xdvdrw 15in1 card reader \|15in1 card reader ng15/g9 \|ng15/g9 1200w psu \|1200w psu 2x28" LCD \|2x28" LCD

07-06-2005, 11:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Pride Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Age: 36 Posts: 68	lilm, it wasn't cheap. I poured about $3,200 in the system, overall. Of course I configured the system myself, instead of taking what was offered. I hope I'm happy with it too, considering I probably won't be buying another computer anytime within the next 2 or 3 years, or more. kof2000, it's the Intel® 955X Express chipset, in which supports 64 bit. However, I would assume that would only be with the Pentium D Extreme processor? __________________ Dell XPS Gen 5 Intel P4 3.6 Ghz HT w/ 955X Chipset nVidia GeForce 6800 GT PCI-E x 16 (256) 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM @ 533 Mhz Western Digital 250 X 2 GB S-ATA Hard Drive (7200 rpm) 460W PSU Dell 19" Digital LCD Flat Screen Windows XP Pro w/ SP2 Creative SB Audigy 2 Z2 & 5.1 Surround Sound LG DVD-Rom & DVD+/-RW

07-07-2005, 03:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Pride Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Age: 36 Posts: 68	I put together a system with the exact same specs as the Dell XPS 5, and it wasn't much cheaper at all. The Dell XPS 5 price I paid after configuring: $3,400. Now that was with a 19" digital LCD, All-in-one printer w/ cartridges, Intel 3.6 Ghz P4 w HT, Dual Drives (DVD-ROM & DVD-R+/-RW), 2 GB SDRAM, CL Sound Audigy 2 Z, 500 GB HD, 256 MB nVidia GeForce 6800 PCIEx16, 5 Fans, 650w PSU & Wireless keyboard & Mouse. The computer I configured at Newegg.com was roughly $600 cheaper, at most. And by the time shipping & handling is added, the price comes close to the same thing; and that doesn't include building the system. Also, I figured I might need the support from the company, if anything does go wrong. About the only thing I know about piecing a computer together, would be adding RAM, video & sound cards, and possibly some fans. Hopefully I will enjoy this machine, and when I finally do recieve it I sure hope I enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed my HP. (My son & daughter are getting my HP) __________________ Dell XPS Gen 5 Intel P4 3.6 Ghz HT w/ 955X Chipset nVidia GeForce 6800 GT PCI-E x 16 (256) 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM @ 533 Mhz Western Digital 250 X 2 GB S-ATA Hard Drive (7200 rpm) 460W PSU Dell 19" Digital LCD Flat Screen Windows XP Pro w/ SP2 Creative SB Audigy 2 Z2 & 5.1 Surround Sound LG DVD-Rom & DVD+/-RW

07-06-2005, 11:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
I2EN3GADE Silver Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Illinois Age: 19 Posts: 155	i put together a system with the exact same specs as the dell xps and it was alot cheaper... but anyway i have 2 friends with the XPS and they love it, so i hope ur happy with it.

07-07-2005, 03:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
ilovefishsticks Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Chicago, IL USA Age: 18 Posts: 396	it sounds good but to tell u the truth i think u got ripped off. before i bought my compuer, i customized a dell to the same specs and it ended up being around 1600 bucks when it cost me only (its still alot but comparing to the dell...) around 920 bucks. If i were one of ur friends i would probably b ticked that u did that too. but like u say "to each his/her own". specs are ok tho __________________ My Computer Specs NVidia GeForce 6600 256mb Intel D195PCY motherboard Intel Pentium 4 3.2 Ghtz HT 300 GB Seagate SATA HDD 2048mb 533mhtz ddr2 corsair (1x1024)(2x512) Aspire X-Dreamer II case Ultra X-Connect PSU BenQ Dvd-R and DVD-RW 5.1 logitech x530 speaker system 19 inch Fuji Plus LCD monitor

07-07-2005, 04:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
Pride Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Age: 36 Posts: 68	Thanks for clearing that up mgoldb2. I checked out the specs at Dell & Intel's web-sites. However, I didn't do enough research to actually know whether or not they were 64 bit, or not. ilovefishsticks, I seriously didn't feel like building it. I'm no teen anymore, and my son probably would have been better off trying a crack at it, than me, considering he's 11. So, the assembly part was a huge consideration, when deciding on which one to do: build or buy. On another note, I feel like I came out alright, considering Alienware, ABS, VooDoo, Monarch, Ibuypower, Sony, Falcon Northwest & Shuttle, just to name a few, were more expensive. I'm aware that some of those systems are better quality, somewhat. But, I have no serious game addition. HP & Gateway were very similar and the prices were roughly the same, even with the specials. __________________ Dell XPS Gen 5 Intel P4 3.6 Ghz HT w/ 955X Chipset nVidia GeForce 6800 GT PCI-E x 16 (256) 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM @ 533 Mhz Western Digital 250 X 2 GB S-ATA Hard Drive (7200 rpm) 460W PSU Dell 19" Digital LCD Flat Screen Windows XP Pro w/ SP2 Creative SB Audigy 2 Z2 & 5.1 Surround Sound LG DVD-Rom & DVD+/-RW

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