Home Pc Advice - Dell 8100 Xps

[NISMO]

Even though I'm on one day in day out, I'm a noob when it comes to PC Specs.

Was looking at getting a new PC for home, and want soemthing that won't be obsolete in a year or 2.

I get a bit of a deal through work if i buy Dell. So what do you think of the below?

Yes, you could probably build one cheaper, but given my noobiness, I'm a bit more comfy with buying off the shelf.

Dell 8100 XPS

Intel® Core™ i7-860 Processor (2.80GHz, 1333MHz FSB, 8MB Cache

Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit Edition

Alienware OptX™ AW2210 21.5” Full HD Widescreen Monitor

6GB (2x2GB/2x1GB) DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz Memory

1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive with Native Command Queuing

Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write

1792MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260

Also the usual MS starter software, 7.1 audio etc etc.

The above would be around $1750 delivered

Its mainly used for general PC stuff, little bit of gaming.

Is it overkill? If yes what should i spec down?

Any similar off the shelf packages for a similar price?

thanks guys

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

With Dell, if anything buggers up, it has to go back to Dell to fix (kinda like crApple Crapintosh)

I came across a few Dell laptops and the battery needed fixing so I asked a friend at a computer store he worked at and he told me to see Dell...

Similar to their printers, I get ppl calling up and coming into my shop asking for a replacement ink cartridges and I say, the best I can do is refill it otherwise you have to order online through the Dell website.

Dell might make it a great package deal and sell you the PC, but I'm not buying it.

Your best to get a PC built to your specifications.

So "word processing", "internet browsing" and "Gaming" is what you want it for then the ppl who build your PC will be able to say what's suitable for that set up.

Not much point to spec down as a lot of the entry level / technology these days are at a very high standard.

[pistol-pete]

you could save a fair bit on the processor, memory and gfx card if you dont do much gaming. id recommend getting someone like msy to build you one to your specs or better yet surely youd know someone who could do it for you, hell if you were in SA id build it for ya

[bozodos]

Custom built pc would go a lot better, esp with an SSD or RAID setup for the same money, look at Scorptec or PC Casegear.

[DivHunter]

With Dell, if anything buggers up, it has to go back to Dell to fix (kinda like crApple Crapintosh)

Totally dependent on the support you get with the system at the time of purchase. A lot of Dells come with on-site service and I have used it without any issues.

But I would never buy a dell for a home PC and always build my own.

[R31Nismoid]

1750 IMO will be overpriced massively... And probably using low-end mobo's

Plus the GPU is terrible

[bozodos]

Dell use Foxxcon components LOL (but then so do Apple)

yeah I know the subcontractor tech quite well now as I do all the warranty calls, love someone else having to do fiddly jobs like dissassemble laptops!

their ProSupport is awesome and actually has aussies who know what they are talking about in their call centre!

[Atomnaya]

If you are buying a dell, its better to get the extended onsite warranty. if something stuffs up, you call dell, dell arranges a tech to come by and replace faulty parts.

[TarFarmer]

Looks good. Very good price - certainly better than off their website.

Couple of recommendations (maybe)

1) Windows 64 Ultimate (less problems)

2) Blue Ray drive is fairly cheap, and can play movies extra couple of hundred for the best one (can write DVD's etc) : Blu-ray Disc Drive (BD/DVD/CD burner w/double layer BD write

3) Office pro - cheaper to buy bundled

4) 3yr warranty

If you have the money then it will work fine for you over the next 2 to 3 years.

If you have more budget, then maybe Precision desktops - but they do start at that dollar amount - better build, more robust, bit more serious machine, but does cost. If serious gaming then alienware - fantastic graphics but easy to spend well over double the price.

If you want to spend less, then what number did you have in mind ?

The one you have is good middle road, great for home use, if serious user then might need to spend more

[R31Nismoid]

Good price compared to what though?

The pricing for that system is offensive.

CPU - 330

RAM - 180

HDD - 100

Monitor - no more than 220

GPU - 300

Burner - 20

That's 1150 - without the cheapie mobo, case & PSU

So say case:100/psu:100/mobo:150

Another 350 - $1450 without software & $100 speakers.

It's not "bad" value I guess, but can still be done cheaper either way.

[R31Nismoid]

Oh and to answer you bobby - those specs are not overkill - they are reasonably good.

I have a issue with the GPU to be honest, old gen shit with new gen everything else is a bad match IMO.

But it will be limited by the Power Supply which im guessing is a cheap 450w unit

[DivHunter]

Dell use Foxxcon components LOL (but then so do Apple)

So do Gigabyte, Asus, Acer, IBM, HP, Lenovo.....

[bozodos]

Haven't noticed any Foxxcon stuff in any acer's i've pulled apart, but jus sayin nonetheless

[NISMO]

Thanks guys, really appreciate all the advice.

To summarise, its not bad, but can get better for the price?

Rather than rush into it, I'm gonna go out to a few PC places in my area, and see what they recommend, have and take it from there. The Dell looked good, but now that I'm over the initial, i must have a new PC today! I'm going to take my time

[UNR33L]

www.scorptec.com.au

www.msy.com.au

www.pccasegear.com.au

and check prices on:

www.staticice.com.au

hope this helps a little

[bozodos]

most of the above do reletively decent deals on custom made systems (if you don't care to learn about computer specs, cause you can usually do it a tad cheaper or with better parts if you spec everything yourself)