For Whom The DELL Tolls

[Lotussy]

Hi everybody,below is what I plan to purchase online. I would have hoped to get the Dimension 9190 series but it's too expensive for my taste. To me this price is acceptable. My present PC is a Pentium3 (7 years old) and I thought, why not invest on a new one now. So gentlemen, please feel free to comment on the configurations. Should you guys think it's not too bad a PC choice, then I shall go ahead and buy it before I spend all my money on clothes and shoes Thank you very much!

N210749 - Dell Dimension(TM) 5150 Pentium(R)D 820 w/Dual Core Desktop

Total Price: SG$1,796.55 ( US$1,130.47 ) (All prices are inclusive of GST and delivery)

Date : 20/07/2006 11:41:57 am
catalog number: 139752
Dell Services: Hardware Maintenance *
[WXTX111-DXPS] 1-Year Limited Warranty (Next Business Day On-site Service - parts & labour) 1
[WXPH911-DXPS(SG)] 1 Year Standard Phone Support: Mon-Fri 0900-1800
[TC] DELL's Terms And Conditions applies
[STDNO(SG1)] Please Call 1-800-394-7430 For DELL Technical Phone Support

Base System
[MJ930] Dimension(TM) 5150 Intel(R) Pentium(R) D 820 with Dual Core Processing 1
[BPR-074] (2.8GHz, 2X1MB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB)
[BCH-106] Intel(R) 945G Chipset

Items included in the System:
[BNC-012] Integrated Fast Ethernet 10/100 1
[UC686] System Drive CD Kit 1
[CF565] Dimension(TM) 5150 Badge 1

Dell Services: Others Services Options:
[IXBS0501-DA] Basic PC Setup For Dimension - By Forwarder 1
[201XE] SERV,SW,TRAN, LOB, APCC
[U6487] Hard Drive Partition, Primary Size 60GB in C Drive, Remainder in D Drive 1
[CFIA-OR-STDHDP] CFI OrderReady Standard HDD Partition

Freight Charges
[FRT320-DIM/MT] Dimension(TM) MT Handling & Insurance Charges (Singapore) 1

Delivery Charges
[FRT02/320-DIM] Dimension(TM) Delivery Charges (Singapore) 1

Memory
[F9011] 1GB (2X512) NECC Dual Channel DDR2 533MHz SDRAM Memory 1

Video Card
[FH875] 256MB PCIe(TM) x16 ATI Radeon(TM) X600 HyperMemory(TM) w/TV-Out, VGA and DVI 1

Floppy Drive & Card Reader
[XD194] 13-in-1 USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Media Card Reader 1

Keyboards
[DJ332] Dell(TM) USB Quietkey(R) Keyboard(English) 1

Mouse
[CJ033] Dell(TM) USB 2-Button Scroll Mouse 1
[54562] Dell(TM) Mouse Mat

Display
[C9759] 19" UltraSharp(TM) Flat Panel LCD Monitor (Analog & DVI) 1
[FMN-D032] For Dimension(TM) Monitor Only

Hard Drive (EIDE/SATA)
[UD296] 160GB SATA 3.0Gb/s with Native Command Queuing 1
[F6405] Info Mod

Operating System
[N7989] Genuine Windows(R) XP Home Edition(English) 1
[K7997] Genuine Windows(R) XP Home SP2 Edition(English) CD Media
[DMN-004] Network Domain Authentication Not Supported In Windows(R) XP Home Edition
[F-INFO-OS] If you are networking to a server Genuine XP Pro is highly recommended

IEEE 1394 Firewire
[DC091] Dell(TM) IEEE Firewire 1394 PCI Card 1

Software
[U3298] Microsoft(R) Works 7.0 - OEM version 1
[BSW-D040] Word Processor/ Spreadsheet/ Database/ Calendar/ Address Book/ E-mail tools

Security Software
[RG270] McAfee(R) Security Center(TM) 7.0 - 15 Months OEM 1

Dell Media Experience
[KH744] Dell(TM) Media Experience Software 1

Optical Drives
[BDV-213] Dual Drives 16X Max DVD-ROM + 16X DVD+/-RW with Dual Layer Write Capabilities 1
[FC662] 16X Max DVD-ROM Drive
[RG893] Sonic(TM) CinePlayer
[TC246] 16X DVD+/-RW with Dual Layer Write Capabilities
[CH991] Roxio Creator LE and Roxio MyDVD LE
[4U425] 4.7GB DVD+R Blank Media (1 pc)

Sound Card
[DC229] Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio 1

Speakers
[WH455] Dell(TM) A525 Stereo Speakers with Subwoofer (Singapore) 1

Network Assistant
[UT260] Dell(TM) Network Assistant - 90 days Trial 1

Limited Time Offer 1
[DT-L-MEM-057] Free Upgrade from 512MB to 1GB Memory

For Online Orders Only
[DT-O-DIS-043] Online Bonus - Cash Off S$200

For Online Orders Only 1
[DT-O-HDD-014] Online Bonus: Free Upgrade from 80GB to 160GB Hard
Drive

Remarks
[RMK-001] Discount is only valid if the corresponding upgraded item is selected above. 1
[0P235] Mod Specs Info (Singapore)
[RMK-002] Limited time promotional offer only. No further discounts apply. 1

Others
[CF065] Shipping Documentations 1

Easy as Dell.

Dell Inc.

http://www.dell.com/ap

[Edited a bit to make it easier to read - Spock]

[Spock]

...

Dell Dimension(TM) 5150 Pentium(R)D 820 w/Dual Core Desktop

Total Price: SG$1,796.55 ( US$1,130.47 ) (All prices are inclusive of GST and delivery)

Dimension(TM) 5150 Intel(R) Pentium(R) D 820 with Dual Core Processing
(2.8GHz, 2X1MB L2 cache, 800MHz FSB)
Intel(R) 945G Chipset

Items included in the System:
Integrated Fast Ethernet 10/100
System Drive CD Kit

Memory
1GB (2X512) NECC Dual Channel DDR2 533MHz SDRAM Memory
Free Upgrade from 512MB to 1GB Memory

Video Card
256MB PCIe(TM) x16 ATI Radeon(TM) X600 HyperMemory(TM) w/TV-Out, VGA and DVI

Floppy Drive & Card Reader
13-in-1 USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Media Card Reader

Keyboards
Dell(TM) USB Quietkey(R) Keyboard(English)

Mouse
Dell(TM) USB 2-Button Scroll Mouse w/Dell(TM) Mouse Mat

Display
19" UltraSharp(TM) Flat Panel LCD Monitor (Analog & DVI)

Hard Drive (EIDE/SATA)
160GB SATA 3.0Gb/s with Native Command Queuing
Hard Drive Partition, Primary Size 60GB in C Drive, Remainder in D Drive
Online Bonus: Free Upgrade from 80GB to 160GB Hard Drive

Operating System
Genuine Windows(R) XP Home Edition(English)
Genuine Windows(R) XP Home SP2 Edition(English) CD Media
Network Domain Authentication Not Supported In Windows(R) XP Home Edition
If you are networking to a server Genuine XP Pro is highly recommended

IEEE 1394 Firewire
Dell(TM) IEEE Firewire 1394 PCI Card

Software
Microsoft(R) Works 7.0 - OEM version
Word Processor/ Spreadsheet/ Database/ Calendar/ Address Book/ E-mail tools

Security Software
McAfee(R) Security Center(TM) 7.0 - 15 Months OEM

Dell Media Experience
Dell(TM) Media Experience Software

Optical Drives
Dual Drives 16X Max DVD-ROM + 16X DVD+/-RW with Dual Layer Write Capabilities
16X Max DVD-ROM Drive
Sonic(TM) CinePlayer
16X DVD+/-RW with Dual Layer Write Capabilities
Roxio Creator LE and Roxio MyDVD LE
4.7GB DVD+R Blank Media (1 pc)

Sound Card
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio

Speakers
Dell(TM) A525 Stereo Speakers with Subwoofer (Singapore)

Network Assistant
Dell(TM) Network Assistant - 90 days Trial

I have regrouped the information and removed some that was not necessary to our discussion. Nice looking system. It's about time you joined the 21st century!

Just a few comments from me and then we can see what others have to say.

1. Good memory, hard drive, and video specs. The memory should allow you to run multiple apps fairly easy and the HD will take at least a few months to fill up.

2. I like the monitor and it won't take too much room since it's a flat panel.

3. If you have a digital camera or other device that uses memory cards, the front panel card reader will prove very useful. If you don't ...

4. The latest OEM version of Microsoft Works is version 8. Why are they giving you an outdated version?

5. I just got an external DL DVD writer and haven't used its full capabilities yet. I also got a Light Scribe capable DVD-writer in the newest computer I got. I have heard there have been problems with the technology. I haven't had any problems yet but have only used it to write one label that I wasn't impressed with at all. I prefer my Epson R220 printer that prints directly to the CD/DVD in full color.

6. I have Roxio Easy Media Creator 8 and find it does most of the jobs I need it to do but falls short in other areas. Perhaps we can discuss that elsewhere once you start using it. I like it as far as it goes, it just doesn't do everything.

7. I have a LAN that includes computers using Win98SE and WinXP and usually don't have many problems. I don't yet run a server centric network though, so cannot address their statement that WinXP Pro would be required for Server networking. I don't imagine you will have that problem yet.

[Krank]

Im with-holdig any comments for now, not because im not intresested but i have been invited to a website run by a friend who is an expert in overcloked systems.

Since I built all my systems myself and maintain <---error there(but: Sorry! The host [www.spellingcow.com] could not be reached. Please try again later. I tried spock) them I thought its at least a great place to learn, hence I might come to know a better system configuration but for now I dont yet:)

[cmptch]

Intel just forced a major price drop in pentium D processors today. Those prices may not affect Dell, but I'd double check the price.

[Lotussy]

Hmmm yes i like the card reader,flat monitor, Hd and Ram too.As the other functions,i am not sure i will be using them now perhaps in the near future.With this package,DELL also provides 1 yr on site warranty and phone assistance.And most of my colleagues tell me this price and configuration is not bad for a mid range priced pc,i think to myself ....well why not just get it?And finally if u gentlemen think likewise too,then i dont have really have a problem anymore....
Microsoft works is now version 8,ok i shall call them up abt this.
I shall wait for a few more days since this promotion is still on till next week and if there are no further comments,i shall confirm my purchase.
Thanks for your help,gentlemen

[Spock]

... Thanks for your help, gentlemen

Actually, Krank is a lady ...

[Krank]

Yeap, but that k:)

The reason if im correct that intel janked the prices down is that they are going to release a new proccesor, if they didnt already

[Lotussy]

So sorry abt it Miss Krank

[Repr]

since im mainly a gamer ill look at the system from gamers perspective

the dual core cpu is lovely. it allows you to install/play without having to shut down everything just to keep the processes stable. also the are lots of rumours that there is a new physics engine written that uses the 2nd cpu core that lots of ppl have solely for physic calculations, wich make the 2nd core very very nice.

although im not a fan of integrated sound cards, after looking over the specs, i must admit its not bad at all. although its not as powerfull as a regular sound card it will be more then good enough for listening to music, watching movies and playing games on your computer. if you want to use it as a media center its a bit moderate, but otherwise youre good to go

at last my only complaint, the videocard. since im a game this is the 2nd most important thing in a computer for me, and not to be rude, but ATI x600 just isnt all that great. it will mostly do for most games at this moment at medium settings but if you plan on gaming for real id try to get a card thats a bit better (and a bit more expensive) so you wont have to buy a new card in the near future. you might want to check if there is an option for a Nvidia 7600GT, wich is a mid-range card but has excellent performance

for the rest, i really like it

[Krank]

So sorry abt it Miss Krank

Lol dont be sweety, im not^^

[Luke]

Hi Lotussy, just wondered how if it says how many free PCI and PCI-E slots there are. I can never find where it says that on the Dell website, and I think its rather important as I always seem to need to add new cards. Also, will you need the firewire card? You might save money by deselecting it if you can as it seems to be becoming obsolete, and you can pick them up for about £10 here, so thats about $18 US, or $24 SG I think, probably less.

[Lotussy]

Luke it doesnt say anything abt pci slots....and i dont even know what motherboard it has You see i have not been a pc techie for 30 yrs now What i know is what i hear when those pilots/flight engineers chat abt pc......That is why i ask you all for advice and this is also why i rather buy a ready made pc.....(and i was born 1976 hehe no kidding)The firewire card....ok maybe i wont need that..
Miss Krank and are u referring to AMD processor?(i heard that from a engineer recently)
And Repr,i guess u r so right,i know abt that Nvidia card,hmmm i shall call to check the price and if its not so expensive perhaps i shall get it.My question is if Nvidia is mid range,then what video card is high range now?

[cmptch]

My question is if Nvidia is mid range,then what video card is high range now?

Nvidia makes both low-end, mid-range, and high-end Video Cards. The 7600gt has become mid range since they came out with the 7800gt. ATI and Nvidia are the top competetors.

[Krank]

Miss Krank and are u referring to AMD processor?(i heard that from a engineer recently)

I was reffering to the conroe or also know as intel core 2 proccesors:

The Intel Core Microarchitecture is a multi-core processor architecture unveiled by Intel in Q1 2006. It is based around an updated version of the Yonah core and could be considered the latest iteration of the Intel P6 microarchitecture, which traces its history back to the 1995 Pentium Pro. The extreme heat output of NetBurst-based products and the resulting inability to effectively increase clock speed was the primary reason Intel abandoned the NetBurst architecture. The Intel Core Microarchitecture was designed by the team in Haifa, Israel that previously designed the highly successful Pentium M mobile processor.

The architecture features lower power usage than before and is finally competitive with AMD in heat production. It has multiple cores and hardware virtualisation support (marketed as Virtualization Technology), as well as EM64T and SSE4.

The first processors that use this architecture were code-named Merom, Conroe, and Woodcrest; Merom is for mobile computing, Conroe is for desktop systems, and Woodcrest is for servers and workstations. While architectually identical, the three product lines differ in the socket used, bus speed, and power consumption. Core-based products are not branded Pentium; Woodcrest-based products form the Xeon 5100 series, while Conroe and Merom-based processors are labeled as Core 2.

here is a link that tells you more:) but mind you it is rather techie:

http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i=2713

[Lotussy]

Miss Krank,ahhh i think i understand abit abt it.I am told abt processor giving out too much heat.....
Cmptch, i see.... now they have 7800GT.Hmmm i think i better try to get the Nvidia 7600 like Repr recommended.
Thanks again everybody

[Repr]

Miss Krank,ahhh i think i understand abit abt it.I am told abt processor giving out too much heat.....
Cmptch, i see.... now they have 7800GT.Hmmm i think i better try to get the Nvidia 7600 like Repr recommended.
Thanks again everybody

at this moment 6000 series are all kinda low-end series, as is anything below 7600. the 7800 was the former high-end card of nvidia but with the release of the 7900 its kinda obsolete. as far as i know the 7800 hasnt dropped much in price since its release and the 7900 (standard version is also midrange) is hardly costs more money, but does give better performance. if you get any nvidia card from 7000 series, check what brand and version, there are lots of them and some have a really better performance output then others

[cmptch]

check what brand and version, there are lots of them and some have a really better performance output then others.

This is true. As a general rule, the cheaper the card costs, the cheaper the card will function. This isn't always the case though, so watch out. MSI have been producing some good equipment lately.

[Lotussy]

Finally made my purchase online.Thanks again so much for all of your expert opinions. which helped make my decision to purchase so much easier and faster.

[Repr]

check what brand and version, there are lots of them and some have a really better performance output then others.

This is true. As a general rule, the cheaper the card costs, the cheaper the card will function. This isn't always the case though, so watch out. MSI have been producing some good equipment lately.

im more of a XFX an myself for nvidia. the factory overclocked cards cost about $10 more but give that little bit extra juice i love