Help me choose: DELL XPS GEN 5 or HP D400y

lokodezine · 09-06-2005, 03:36 PM

I need a computer soon and already ordered the DELL XPS GEN 5, but now I have heard so mnay people say when it comes time to upgrade the psu or mobo you cant do it and would have to buy a new case and transfer everything... so I started to think about HP because people say theirs is easy to upgrade.

Heres a few questions I had first:

1) If I got the HP, I would need to upgrade the video... would that void any warranty I got for the whole system?

DELL SYSTEM - XPS GEN 5

Pentium D 830, 3.0 GHZ
2GB DDR2 SDRAM AT 533MHZ-4X512
DELL USB KEYBOARD
17 IN (17.0 IN VIS.) 1704FPT
256MB NVIDIA GEFORCE 6800
160GB NCQ SATA,7200 RPM
9 IN 1 MEDIA CARD READER
3.5IN,1.44MB,FD
WIN XP MCE05,ENG
DELL USB 2-BUTTON MOUSE,DIM
48X CD-RW/ 16X DVD+/-RW
SB AUDIGY 2 ZS SC W/IEEE1394,7.1
4YR EXTENDED/ AT HOME LIMITED WARRANTY
DUAL TV TUNER W/ REMOTE,TVT3,

- TOTAL w/ rebates and discounts - $2,081.03

HP SYSYTEM - DP D 400y
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D 830 (3.0GHz, 800MHz FSB)
1GB DDR2-533MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x512)
160GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
LightScribe 16X DVD+/-R/RW drive
16X max. DVD-ROM
9-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire
3.5 in. 1.44MB Floppy Drive
Dual NTSC TV Tuner with PVR, FM Tuner, Remote
NVIDIA GeForce 6200 w/TurboCache 256MB support
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS for Media Center OS
HP Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse
HP vs17c 17" LCD Flat-Panel Monitor
3 Year TOTAL HP SOLUTION WARRANTY

TOTAL w/ rebates and discounts: 1843

---
1) If I go with HP I would have to buy a better card- say 6800 GT - so add 350 to the total = 2193. About 200 more than the DELL.

2) Is it worth it to go with HP and pay more and recieve less support from your warranty just so you could possibly upgrade the mobo and psu in the future?

3) With the Dell I get 2 GB of memory and a 4 yr warranty with on site service... plus online support (so much better and less frustrating than talking on the phone lol)

4) any other opions or statemenets....

diduknowthat · 09-06-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lokodezine

1) If I got the HP, I would need to upgrade the video... would that void any warranty I got for the whole system?

most computers have a little sticker attatched to the side panel and back panel. So if you open your computer up it would break the sticker and, yes that would usually void your warranty

lokodezine · 09-06-2005, 07:12 PM

So if that would void the warranty then maybe I shouldnt go with HP b/c I would be voiding the warranty immedietly with upgrading the video card and take my chances with dell and hopefully the mobo will last for good time after the warranty aand be to outdated (same with the psu)...

Or would HP do an upgrade of the video card or if I got a licesned technician??

**Lax** · 09-06-2005, 07:17 PM

You would void the dell warrenty also if you ever tried to upgrade it without them knowing (meaning buying the part from them and then installing it when they tell you to). If anything go with the dell, better experiences in general than from HP. You ever thought about building your own computer? They generally turn out cheaper and have more of a customized feel (and parts) than if you bought a pre-built one.

lokodezine · 09-06-2005, 07:31 PM

The Dell I would have them update if needed something since they do that... not sure if hp does. But if I got the dell I would not update anything, maybe a year or two the video card

XHotxEx791 · 09-07-2005, 08:32 AM

The HP doesn't have the sticker. I have the older version of the d4000s. it used to be the compaq sa4000t. The psu is pretty good with dual +12V rails. However, my dvd-rom just died for no reason, but hp is sending another one and i think the motherboard is bad, but it works. But i get beeps at every once in a while. I don't care anymore. I highly suggest you build your own over the two choices.

ROger

**Praetor** · 09-10-2005, 08:49 AM

Quote:

1) If I go with HP I would have to buy a better card- say 6800 GT - so add 350 to the total = 2193. About 200 more than the DELL.

Yes but
1. 6800GT not that expensive
2. 6800GT performs better than the 6800 coming with the dell

Quote:

2) Is it worth it to go with HP and pay more and recieve less support from your warranty just so you could possibly upgrade the mobo and psu in the future?

Depends on how much you value tech support and warranty

Quote:

3) With the Dell I get 2 GB of memory and a 4 yr warranty with on site service... plus online support (so much better and less frustrating than talking on the phone lol)

I dont know about you but I would prefer to avoid having to deal with tech support in the first place: i.e., the machine doesnt malfunction

09-06-2005, 03:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
lokodezine Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 195	Help me choose: DELL XPS GEN 5 or HP D400y I need a computer soon and already ordered the DELL XPS GEN 5, but now I have heard so mnay people say when it comes time to upgrade the psu or mobo you cant do it and would have to buy a new case and transfer everything... so I started to think about HP because people say theirs is easy to upgrade. Heres a few questions I had first: 1) If I got the HP, I would need to upgrade the video... would that void any warranty I got for the whole system? DELL SYSTEM - XPS GEN 5 Pentium D 830, 3.0 GHZ 2GB DDR2 SDRAM AT 533MHZ-4X512 DELL USB KEYBOARD 17 IN (17.0 IN VIS.) 1704FPT 256MB NVIDIA GEFORCE 6800 160GB NCQ SATA,7200 RPM 9 IN 1 MEDIA CARD READER 3.5IN,1.44MB,FD WIN XP MCE05,ENG DELL USB 2-BUTTON MOUSE,DIM 48X CD-RW/ 16X DVD+/-RW SB AUDIGY 2 ZS SC W/IEEE1394,7.1 4YR EXTENDED/ AT HOME LIMITED WARRANTY DUAL TV TUNER W/ REMOTE,TVT3, - TOTAL w/ rebates and discounts - $2,081.03 HP SYSYTEM - DP D 400y Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition Intel(R) Pentium(R) D 830 (3.0GHz, 800MHz FSB) 1GB DDR2-533MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x512) 160GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive LightScribe 16X DVD+/-R/RW drive 16X max. DVD-ROM 9-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire 3.5 in. 1.44MB Floppy Drive Dual NTSC TV Tuner with PVR, FM Tuner, Remote NVIDIA GeForce 6200 w/TurboCache 256MB support Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS for Media Center OS HP Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse HP vs17c 17" LCD Flat-Panel Monitor 3 Year TOTAL HP SOLUTION WARRANTY TOTAL w/ rebates and discounts: 1843 --- 1) If I go with HP I would have to buy a better card- say 6800 GT - so add 350 to the total = 2193. About 200 more than the DELL. 2) Is it worth it to go with HP and pay more and recieve less support from your warranty just so you could possibly upgrade the mobo and psu in the future? 3) With the Dell I get 2 GB of memory and a 4 yr warranty with on site service... plus online support (so much better and less frustrating than talking on the phone lol) 4) any other opions or statemenets....

09-06-2005, 07:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
lokodezine Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 195	ok` So if that would void the warranty then maybe I shouldnt go with HP b/c I would be voiding the warranty immedietly with upgrading the video card and take my chances with dell and hopefully the mobo will last for good time after the warranty aand be to outdated (same with the psu)... Or would HP do an upgrade of the video card or if I got a licesned technician??

09-06-2005, 07:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lax Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snow country Age: 22 Posts: 2,302	You would void the dell warrenty also if you ever tried to upgrade it without them knowing (meaning buying the part from them and then installing it when they tell you to). If anything go with the dell, better experiences in general than from HP. You ever thought about building your own computer? They generally turn out cheaper and have more of a customized feel (and parts) than if you bought a pre-built one. __________________ He who controls the present controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future.

09-07-2005, 08:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
XHotxEx791 Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hawaii Age: 18 Posts: 318	The HP doesn't have the sticker. I have the older version of the d4000s. it used to be the compaq sa4000t. The psu is pretty good with dual +12V rails. However, my dvd-rom just died for no reason, but hp is sending another one and i think the motherboard is bad, but it works. But i get beeps at every once in a while. I don't care anymore. I highly suggest you build your own over the two choices. ROger __________________ damasta55r-computing.net tech-forums.net cnet gamespot computerforum.com (banned account)

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09-06-2005, 07:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
lokodezine Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 195	The Dell I would have them update if needed something since they do that... not sure if hp does. But if I got the dell I would not update anything, maybe a year or two the video card