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Opinions on Dell Build

  • 24-03-2008 7:00pm
    #1
    Jimbo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    Im in the market for a new desktop and put together the following Dell Inspiron 531 for €1041.23 :
    Components
    PROCESSOR AMD® Live Technology - Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+ edit
    OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate - English edit
    HARDWARE SUPPORT 1 Year Base Warranty - Collect & Return edit
    MONITOR No 19" Monitor edit
    MEMORY 4096MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [4x1024] edit
    HARD DRIVE 500GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive edit
    GRAPHICS CARD 256MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 2600 XT graphics card edit
    OPTICAL DRIVE DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD) edit
    KEYBOARD Logitech™ Cordless Desktop™ MX®3200 (incl Mouse) - UK/Irish (QWERTY) edit
    MOUSE Mouse Included in Wireless Keyboard and Mouse option edit
    Accessories
    SOUND SOFTWARE Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio edit
    SPEAKERS No Speakers edit
    ACCESSORIES Belkin Vista Cable Transfer edit
    FLOPPY/MEDIA DRIVES 19-in-1 Media Card reader with Bluetooth edit
    MODEMS Dell™ v92 Data/Fax Modem without cable edit
    MICROSOFT SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office 2007 Basic - English edit
    Services & Software
    ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE SUPPORT No Accidental Damage Support edit
    SECURITY SOFTWARE No Security/Anti-Virus Protection - English edit
    Also included with your system
    Dell System Media Kit Resource DVD - (Diagnostics & Drivers)
    Shipping Documents English Documentation with UK/Irish Power Cord
    Gedis Bundle Reference D035108
    Order Information Inspiron Desktop Order - Ireland
    Standard Warranty 1 Year Base Warranty - Collect & Return
    Online Promotion Option for GEDIS Configs Dell Internet Order
    I need the PC for general home use i.e. internet, music, photos and some light gaming.
    I know it looks like overkill but I want it last and to be relatively future-proof.
    I'm not much of a tech-head so if you could give your opinions on what I need/don't need as obviously I would like to cut the price a bit.
    BTW, I already have monitor and speakers, hence they're left out.

    Cheers in advance :)


Comments

  • #2
    Jonathan
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 8,260 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jonathan


    Seems quite expensive to me...

    You seem quite set on getting 4gb of ram, so perhaps this vostro 400 might be better.

    E-value Code IEBSDONL-D034014


  • #3
    Sqaull20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    Drop it..

    Its way over priced, cpu isnt the best , graphics is very average..

    You can do much better for a grand, helll you can do better for €500

    Below is perfect imo for general use and a bit of gaming
    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4500 Processor (2.20GHz,800MHz,2MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day Included - No Upgrade Selected
No 19" Wide Monitor
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
500GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 16MB DataBurst™ cache
Integrated Intel® Graphic Media Accelerator X3100
16x DVD +/- RW Drive
Dell™ Entry Quietkey USB Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
Dell 2 Button USB Optical Mouse

    E Value

    305 - D032012

    http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=ie&cs=iebsdt1&kc=D4X20003&l=en&m_30=138820&oc=D032012&rbc=D032012&s=bsd

    Total Price € 349.19

    Add in a good graphics card like a 9600gt seperatly for €150 if you want to play the latest games on it...

    http://www.dabs.ie/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=4ZY5&SearchType=1&SearchTerms=9600gt&PageMode=3&SearchKey=All&SearchMode=All&NavigationKey=0


  • #4
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,125 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    I'd go with squalls suggestion. The 9600 would be a good bit better than the 2600. If you need more ram you can get 2x2GB kit for around €80 or a 2x1GB kit for about €40. That leaves you with plenty of money left over to spend on something else.


  • #5
    Jimbo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭Jimbo


    Great job.
    Modem isn't included in it. Don't I need one for Internet?


  • #6
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,125 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    jimbo78 wrote: »
    Great job.
    Modem isn't included in it. Don't I need one for Internet?
    Only for dial up. If you have broadband your broadband provider will most likely provide you with one. You can get a dial up modem for around €15.


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  • #7
    Sqaull20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    jimbo78 wrote: »
    Great job.
    Modem isn't included in it. Don't I need one for Internet?

    Still on dial up?

    :D


  • #8
    Jimbo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭Jimbo


    AlmightyCushion wrote: »
    Only for dial up. If you have broadband your broadband provider will most likely provide you with one. You can get a dial up modem for around €15.

    Oh right. I already have a Netopia broadband router.
    This is working out far cheaper than I thought.

    Couple of questions:
    1. Is it worth upgrading that processor for those prices?
    2. Is Vista home premium sufficient or does Ultimate have anything extra that I might need?


  • #9
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,125 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    jimbo78 wrote: »
    1. Is it worth upgrading that processor for those prices?

    Probably not, what are the upgrade options and how much are they?
    jimbo78 wrote: »
    2. Is Vista home premium sufficient or does Ultimate have anything extra that I might need?

    Nah, I wouldn't bother if I was you.


  • #10
    Jimbo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭Jimbo


    AlmightyCushion wrote: »
    Probably not, what are the upgrade options and how much are they?
    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4500 Processor (2.20GHz,800MHz,2MB cache) [Included in Price]
    processor chosen

    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4600 Processor (2.40GHz,800MHz,2MB cache) [add € 50.00 or €2/month1]

    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6550 Processor (2.33GHz,1333MHz,4MB cache) [add € 100.00 or €4/month1]

    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6750 processor (2.66GHz, 1333MHz, 4MB cache) [add € 180.00 or €8/month1]

    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6850 processor (3.00GHz, 1333MHz, 4MB cache) [add € 250.00 or €10/month1]
    Seems like alot of money for small increases


  • #11
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,125 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    Yeah I thought it would be quite pricey. Save your money. In a year or two upgrade to a cheap quad core if you like.


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  • #12
    Jimbo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,379 ✭✭✭Jimbo


    Great. Will prob go ahead with that so.

    Thanks for the help people. Much appreciated


  • #13
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,125 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    jimbo78 wrote: »
    Great. Will prob go ahead with that so.

    Thanks for the help people. Much appreciated
    No problemmo.

    Linkey for the memory. 2GBs for €49 or 4GBs for €84.


  • #14
    Sqaull20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    AlmightyCushion wrote: »
    No problemmo.

    Linkey for the memory. 2GBs for €49 or 4GBs for €84.

    Its not really needed though is it?

    I have one self built pc with 2gb and one Dell with 4gb ( windows only sees 3.5gb) and I dont see any difference in performance....


  • #15
    AlmightyCushion
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 35,125 Mod ✭✭✭✭AlmightyCushion


    Sqaull20 wrote: »
    Its not really needed though is it?

    I have one self built pc with 2gb and one Dell with 4gb ( windows only sees 3.5gb) and I dont see any difference in performance....
    Nah not really but the build he links to in his OP has it so I figured I'd throw in the link in case he wants it.


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