Hi all! I am in the market for a new computer, and before my purchase, wanted a little advice. I have to go with Dell, because the company I work for offers interest free loans with Dell. So I have done a bit of research and priced a system.
First - my needs. This computer is used at my home. I use it primarily for internet applications and business applications (websurfing, downloading, email, word, excel). I multi-task like no other. Multiple applications opened at once, internet surfing, downloading, and uploading (always multiple sites at once). I do a little bit of gaming (Microsoft FSX is really all I play as of right now). I don’t really use any graphics or design applications.
On my current computer, I currently have about 150GB of HD space used – and have never gone over this amount.
What I am looking for is SPEED. With the multiple things I am doing at once, I want a computer that will perform (and run Vista with ease). I want to be able to finally play Microsoft FSX with the graphics turned up all the way! (My Pentium 4 1.70GHz with NVIDIA GeForce 2 MX/MX 400 isn’t cutting it!). I want something that will last a good number of years, is reliable, and upgradeable. Well, I think that about sums it up. Here is what I came up with. I have added some “options” of other things I could go with in sections where I particularly want feedback:
Dell XPS 630
• Intel® Core™2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.40GHz,1066FSB)
OPTION:
Intel Core2 Extreme QX6850 (8MB,3.0GHz, 1333FSB) +$950 (For this pricetag I don’t think its worth it).
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• 4GB Corsair Dominator DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz -4 DIMMs
OPTION:
Can downgrade to 2GB Corsair or get generic 4, 3, 2 GB DDR2 at either 800MHz or 667MHz
• 500GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
OPTIONS:
750GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache [add $100]
160GB - 10K RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache [add $100]
500GB Data Security RAID 1 (2 x 500GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HDDs) [add $180]
1TB Data Security RAID 1 (2 x 1TB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HDDs) [add $720]
500GB Performance RAID 0 (2 x 250GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HDDs) [add $20]
1TB Performance RAID 0 (2 x 500GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HDDs) [add $180]
320GB Performance RAID 0 (2 x 160GB 10K RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache [add $300
• Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability. ( I could get blue ray for $230-$300 more – but I just don’t see the need right now).
• 24 inch UltraSharp™ 2408WFP Widescreen Digital Flat Panel
• nVidia® GeForce® 8800 GTX 768MB
OPTION:
Can get Dual nVidia GeForce 8800 GT 512MB for $100 less
• Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic (D) Sound Card
• Dell 19 in 1 Media Reader with Bluetooth
• Microsoft Office Small Business
TOTAL COST: $3,298
I can add a AGEIA physics accelerator for $160. I don’t think I really need this. I may have totally overdone this system build for my needs, left out a few things, or got it just right! Ha – who knows.
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions and advice!
William
First - my needs. This computer is used at my home. I use it primarily for internet applications and business applications (websurfing, downloading, email, word, excel). I multi-task like no other. Multiple applications opened at once, internet surfing, downloading, and uploading (always multiple sites at once). I do a little bit of gaming (Microsoft FSX is really all I play as of right now). I don’t really use any graphics or design applications.
On my current computer, I currently have about 150GB of HD space used – and have never gone over this amount.
What I am looking for is SPEED. With the multiple things I am doing at once, I want a computer that will perform (and run Vista with ease). I want to be able to finally play Microsoft FSX with the graphics turned up all the way! (My Pentium 4 1.70GHz with NVIDIA GeForce 2 MX/MX 400 isn’t cutting it!). I want something that will last a good number of years, is reliable, and upgradeable. Well, I think that about sums it up. Here is what I came up with. I have added some “options” of other things I could go with in sections where I particularly want feedback:
Dell XPS 630
• Intel® Core™2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.40GHz,1066FSB)
OPTION:
Intel Core2 Extreme QX6850 (8MB,3.0GHz, 1333FSB) +$950 (For this pricetag I don’t think its worth it).
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• 4GB Corsair Dominator DDR2 SDRAM 800MHz -4 DIMMs
OPTION:
Can downgrade to 2GB Corsair or get generic 4, 3, 2 GB DDR2 at either 800MHz or 667MHz
• 500GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
OPTIONS:
750GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache [add $100]
160GB - 10K RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache [add $100]
500GB Data Security RAID 1 (2 x 500GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HDDs) [add $180]
1TB Data Security RAID 1 (2 x 1TB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HDDs) [add $720]
500GB Performance RAID 0 (2 x 250GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HDDs) [add $20]
1TB Performance RAID 0 (2 x 500GB SATA 3Gb/s 7200 RPM HDDs) [add $180]
320GB Performance RAID 0 (2 x 160GB 10K RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache [add $300
• Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability. ( I could get blue ray for $230-$300 more – but I just don’t see the need right now).
• 24 inch UltraSharp™ 2408WFP Widescreen Digital Flat Panel
• nVidia® GeForce® 8800 GTX 768MB
OPTION:
Can get Dual nVidia GeForce 8800 GT 512MB for $100 less
• Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic (D) Sound Card
• Dell 19 in 1 Media Reader with Bluetooth
• Microsoft Office Small Business
TOTAL COST: $3,298
I can add a AGEIA physics accelerator for $160. I don’t think I really need this. I may have totally overdone this system build for my needs, left out a few things, or got it just right! Ha – who knows.
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions and advice!
William
And plus, being my own tech support if something goes wrong just sucks even more than calling Dell. lol
But Corsair memory are really good. Just following mep's advice, don't get the "DOMINATOR" series of that brand. The other type of Corsair memory is called "XMS2". That's what you wanna get. I don't know if they sell it at Dell. If not I guess you could stick with the generic until you fell your comp is kinda slow.