[DEAD]XPS 420 Desktop Quadcore,3GB Ram,Vista Prem,4 yr. wrnty

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Which is quieter with stock fans?

I have not had my hands on an XPS 420 yet. But it should be a quiet system. If it is louder than the Inspiron, the difference would be minimal if even noticeable. The design is a little different compared to the XPS 400 and 410, but the internals look the same from what I can see.

I have an XPS 410 sitting a foot from me, and I can't hear it. And I put an 8800 GTS in it.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Lanyap

Originally posted by: ActiveX
according to a dell rep, there trying to sell a lot of 420's, so there basically giving the 4-year warranty, Adobe Elements Studio and extra ram for free. you don't get these with the inspiron, nor do you get u.s. support.. with xps, your calls don't go to india.

if you want better, build your own.

Dell outlet 420 stock has been 200+ since they added the 420 to their inventory last week. Half are Certified Refurbished and the other half are Scratch & Dent. I have not seen a good low price yet and I have been checking a few times a day. Lowest price I have seen is $829. Maybe they will drop the outlet price next month when they do their end of quarter.

They don't want them to compete with their new models yet. This is quite common. They don't even offer the Precision T3400 in the Outlet yet.

 

[KenAF]

I can't believe the main benefit of this system wasn't mentioned -- CableCard support.

This is the only Dell system -- and one of the few systems anywhere -- that allows you to add a dual-tuner CableCard device. This allows you to view and record two different encrypted SD and HD cable channels simultaneously. Your amount of HDTV storage is only limited by the hard drive capacity in the XPS 420.

If you have an Xbox360 in your living room, it will act as a Vista Media Center so you view the program guide, live TV, play recordings, and schedule recordings just like the cable company's HDTV DVR, except with a superior interface, superior functionality, unlimited storage, and no DVR fees. Basically, the Dell XPS 420 with CableCard tuners gives you the equivalent of a HDTV Tivo -- with no monthly fee -- in every room where you have an Xbox360 or a $250 Linksys HD extender for Vista MediaCenter. Every room will have access to the same SD and HD recordings on your Vista PC.

You can't do this with the Inspiron because it doesn't support the CableCard device.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Which is quieter with stock fans?

I have not had my hands on an XPS 420 yet. But it should be a quiet system. If it is louder than the Inspiron, the difference would be minimal if even noticeable. The design is a little different compared to the XPS 400 and 410, but the internals look the same from what I can see.

Thanks, it's difficult deciding between the XPS 420 and Inspiron 530 since the applications I'm running are soooooooooo CPU demanding

Opera + Trillian + Skype covers about 90% of my computing needs.

Can this beast handle that?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: bamacre

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Which is quieter with stock fans?

I have not had my hands on an XPS 420 yet. But it should be a quiet system. If it is louder than the Inspiron, the difference would be minimal if even noticeable. The design is a little different compared to the XPS 400 and 410, but the internals look the same from what I can see.

Thanks, it's difficult deciding between the XPS 420 and Inspiron 530 since the applications I'm running are soooooooooo CPU demanding

Opera + Trillian + Skype covers about 90% of my computing needs.

Can this beast handle that?

With a Q6600? Yup.

I have one in my XPS 410, along with 4GB of ST ram, and an eVGA 8800 GTS, running Vista Ultimate x64.

If you plan on adding/replacing memory.

That stuff will work well in Dell's DDR2 based systems.

The XPS 420 should have no problems running 8GB of ram with a 64bit version of Vista, may want to call and see if you can get this instead of 32bit Vista.

 

[dajeepster]

Originally posted by: ImDonly1

Originally posted by: dajeepster
XPS 420
BTX form factor (honestly... I really couldn't tell you why that would make it any more special)
X38 chipset (530 has G33 chipset)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
128MB ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO (not integrated... you mentioned upgrading the video card in your setup... that cost money)
4Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor
320GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs
and a 375 watt powersupply (the 530 has a 250 watt power supply... if you upgrade the video card on the 530, you will definately need to upgrade the power supply... that's more money)
... i would say that the xps 420 is a better deal

So the XPS has a different chipset.
You can choose XP or Vista for the Inspirion.
You can add a video card, but if you do not the Inspiron comes with onboard Intel graphics, if you are upgrading it does not matter just disable the onboard video.
Warranty is better on the XPS, not a big deal to me either way.
Same hard drive.
Ram is cheap is you were to add it in for cheap.
The power supply as people in FW and SD stated is 350~ or so watts.

The Inspiron is a better deal IMO, you are just paying for the XPS name.
If the Inspiron in fact does come with a 350 watt power supply all the XPS has is 3 GB of ram while the Inspiron has 1 GB. But of cuorse ram is cheap and you can add it in yourself.
The deal breaker is the Inspiron comes with a monitor a 20-22 inch $200+ monitor. The XPS has no monitor.

The X38 chipset has PCI-e 2.0 interface... the 530 is a G33 chipset with just the standard pci-e 1.0 interface (if you're going to upgrade the video card to a 8800GT or a 38XX... that would be important.)
you can add a video card to just about any computer with integrated graphics... but then that raises the price.
the specs for the 530 now has a 300watt power supply linky .. (this morning it was a 250watt in the spec... now its listed as a 300watt)... and that's directly from thier site
If you've owned a dell before... trust me on this one... the warranty IS a big deal... dell systems are craptacular, but good bargains for the money... generally

 

[Yo2]

This is an awesome deal - thank you OP

And it does not appear to be dead yet either

 

[wb182]

I just jumped on it, thanks OP...can't wait to get my new computer (upgrading from a socket 939 3800+!)

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: KenAF
I can't believe the main benefit of this system wasn't mentioned -- CableCard support.

This is the only Dell system -- and one of the few systems anywhere -- that allows you to add a dual-tuner CableCard device. This allows you to view and record two different encrypted SD and HD cable channels simultaneously. Your amount of HDTV storage is only limited by the hard drive capacity in the XPS 420.

If you have an Xbox360 in your living room, it will act as a Vista Media Center so you view the program guide, live TV, play recordings, and schedule recordings just like the cable company's HDTV DVR, except with a superior interface, superior functionality, unlimited storage, and no DVR fees. Basically, the Dell XPS 420 with CableCard tuners gives you the equivalent of a HDTV Tivo -- with no monthly fee -- in every room where you have an Xbox360 or a $250 Linksys HD extender for Vista MediaCenter. Every room will have access to the same SD and HD recordings on your Vista PC.

You can't do this with the Inspiron because it doesn't support the CableCard device.

This sounds interesting, can you provide a link to one of these dual-tuner cablecard devices? Thanks.

 

[Yo2]

The ati version is sold right on the dell site

 

[KenAF]

Originally posted by: M0RPH

Originally posted by: KenAF
I can't believe the main benefit of this system wasn't mentioned -- CableCard support.

This is the only Dell system -- and one of the few systems anywhere -- that allows you to add a dual-tuner CableCard device. This allows you to view and record two different encrypted SD and HD cable channels simultaneously. Your amount of HDTV storage is only limited by the hard drive capacity in the XPS 420.

If you have an Xbox360 in your living room, it will act as a Vista Media Center so you view the program guide, live TV, play recordings, and schedule recordings just like the cable company's HDTV DVR, except with a superior interface, superior functionality, unlimited storage, and no DVR fees. Basically, the Dell XPS 420 with CableCard tuners gives you the equivalent of a HDTV Tivo -- with no monthly fee -- in every room where you have an Xbox360 or a $250 Linksys HD extender for Vista MediaCenter. Every room will have access to the same SD and HD recordings on your Vista PC.

You can't do this with the Inspiron because it doesn't support the CableCard device.

This sounds interesting, can you provide a link to one of these dual-tuner cablecard devices? Thanks.

Sure.

http://ati.amd.com/products/tvwonderdigital/index.html

These are not sold separately. It's not possible to build a PC of your own with these tuners. They only work in Cable Labs' certified PCs from OEMs with specialized bios support. The Dell XPS 420 is the only computer from Dell with the specialized bios support for this device.

 

[dajeepster]

Originally posted by: KenAF

Originally posted by: M0RPH

Originally posted by: KenAF
I can't believe the main benefit of this system wasn't mentioned -- CableCard support.

This is the only Dell system -- and one of the few systems anywhere -- that allows you to add a dual-tuner CableCard device. This allows you to view and record two different encrypted SD and HD cable channels simultaneously. Your amount of HDTV storage is only limited by the hard drive capacity in the XPS 420.

If you have an Xbox360 in your living room, it will act as a Vista Media Center so you view the program guide, live TV, play recordings, and schedule recordings just like the cable company's HDTV DVR, except with a superior interface, superior functionality, unlimited storage, and no DVR fees. Basically, the Dell XPS 420 with CableCard tuners gives you the equivalent of a HDTV Tivo -- with no monthly fee -- in every room where you have an Xbox360 or a $250 Linksys HD extender for Vista MediaCenter. Every room will have access to the same SD and HD recordings on your Vista PC.

You can't do this with the Inspiron because it doesn't support the CableCard device.

This sounds interesting, can you provide a link to one of these dual-tuner cablecard devices? Thanks.

Sure.

http://ati.amd.com/products/tvwonderdigital/index.html

These are not sold separately. It's not possible to build a PC of your own with these tuners. They only work in Cable Labs' certified PCs from OEMs with specialized bios support. The Dell XPS 420 is the only computer from Dell with the specialized bios support for this device.

well... that would suck because the card is an additional $180
but i'm sure that eventually you'll be able to find these cards later on the web

 

[KenAF]

Originally posted by: dajeepster

Originally posted by: KenAF

Originally posted by: M0RPHThis sounds interesting, can you provide a link to one of these dual-tuner cablecard devices? Thanks.

Sure.

http://ati.amd.com/products/tvwonderdigital/index.html

These are not sold separately. It's not possible to build a PC of your own with these tuners. They only work in Cable Labs' certified PCs from OEMs with specialized bios support. The Dell XPS 420 is the only computer from Dell with the specialized bios support for this device.

well... that would suck because the card is an additional $180
but i'm sure that eventually you'll be able to find these cards later on the web

Until recently the CableCard device addon cost almost $500. As far as I know, Dell has it for less than anyone else.

The ATI CableCard tuner is the only device on the market that lets you view and record encrypted digital cable channels (both SD and HD) on a computer. It's not like you have other choices now or anytime in the near future.

This product is only sold to OEMs under exclusive distribution agreements so you won't find them at Newegg, etc. There wouldn't be much point for Newegg to sell them since they won't work in 99.9% of PCs on the market.

 

[dajeepster]

Originally posted by: KenAF

Originally posted by: dajeepster

Originally posted by: KenAF

Originally posted by: M0RPHThis sounds interesting, can you provide a link to one of these dual-tuner cablecard devices? Thanks.

Sure.

http://ati.amd.com/products/tvwonderdigital/index.html

These are not sold separately. It's not possible to build a PC of your own with these tuners. They only work in Cable Labs' certified PCs from OEMs with specialized bios support. The Dell XPS 420 is the only computer from Dell with the specialized bios support for this device.

well... that would suck because the card is an additional $180
but i'm sure that eventually you'll be able to find these cards later on the web

Until recently the CableCard device addon cost almost $500. As far as I know, Dell has it for less than anyone else.

The ATI CableCard tuner is the only device on the market that lets you view and record encrypted digital cable channels (both SD and HD) on a computer. It's not like you have other choices now or anytime in the near future.

This product is only sold to OEMs under exclusive distribution agreements so you won't find them at Newegg, etc. There wouldn't be much point for Newegg to sell them since they won't work in 99.9% of PCs on the market.

and they also said that XP/VISTA wouldn't run on an apple... if someone has the will to do it, there will be a way

 

[KenAF]

Originally posted by: dajeepster
and they also said that XP/VISTA wouldn't run on an apple... if someone has the will to do it, there will be a way

That would require some kind of bios hack. Basically, before the CableCard device will work, it must pull a sequence of unique numbers from the bios.

These numbers allow the device to be authorized. It cannot be authorized without these numbers or the right numbers.

These numbers are also used to encrypt recordings from copy-protected channels so they can't be played on another computer.

 

[dajeepster]

Originally posted by: KenAF

Originally posted by: dajeepster
and they also said that XP/VISTA wouldn't run on an apple... if someone has the will to do it, there will be a way

That would require some kind of bios hack. Basically, before the CableCard device will work, it must pull a sequence of unique numbers from the bios.

These numbers allow the device to be authorized. It cannot be authorized without these numbers or the right numbers.

These numbers are also used to encrypt recordings from copy-protected channels so they can't be played on another computer.

I've got the computer (well.. in a week)... I just don't think the pricetag for the tuner is worth it... as for hacking the bios, i've got access to the necessarry equipment to flash a bios and with a little reverse engineering (logic analizer and other test equipment), i'm sure I can figure out the differences between. .. hmm... maybe I will do it... I could do a second thesis on it

 

[filibusterman]

hmmm will have to send this my friends way. Thanks op and others for the info!!

 

[linuxwannabe]

It's a nice looking deal. I've been debating on building a new rig so I can upgrade from a P4/2.66 S478 system running Win2k. Was thinking of going dual core/gob of ram but I would need to upgrade so many components I was getting up into the cash. This may be my ticket to a new PC. I want to keep my wireless KB/mouse and big honkin flat screen so I'll need to look at this close. Thanks OP.

 

[JmsAndrsn]

Has anyone who ordered through this deal received the system yet or have their's get shipped. I ordered Friday afternoon and mine still shows in production.

 

[dajeepster]

Originally posted by: JmsAndrsn
Has anyone who ordered through this deal received the system yet or have their's get shipped. I ordered Friday afternoon and mine still shows in production.

mine says that it will ship on the 9th... so hopefully it doesn't show up til I get back from vacation.

 

[ir0nw0lf]

I've been debating grabbing one of these for a potential HTPC or to house the tuner cards and stream 'em to a Xbox 360 on a big screen TV. My only concern is the power supply. I've been reading around the net that the default PS is like 375'ish W and you can get a 4xxW PS only is you order the system with the big 8xxx card or whatever it is. Many are a bit miffed that Dell is using a low W power supply. I'm not sure about the 12V rail Amps, but it could seriously curtail future upgrades w/o replacing the PS.

EDIT: LOL, just read some previous posts in this thread, answered my concerns over the PS. Might have to jump on it now! I got a X-Fi and a 8800GTS 512MB G92 to slap into it.

 

[Yo2]

This re JmsAndrsn's question above: ordered on 12/29 - prelim ship date was 01/08 - it's in the fedex system now - to be delivered tomorrow 01/04 - I only paid for ground but live on the easy coast (system seems to come from NC)

 

[dajeepster]

Originally posted by: Yo2
This re JmsAndrsn's question above: ordered on 12/29 - prelim ship date was 01/08 - it's in the fedex system now - to be delivered tomorrow 01/04 - I only paid for ground but live on the easy coast (system seems to come from NC)

OoOooh... i just checked... mine is to be delivered on the 5th. picked up at 9:23am on the 3rd (today) from NC and to be delivered on the 5th to MD near DC

 

[cyberia]

Does anyone know about the Xcelerator feature?

It seems you can only get it bundled with a TV tuner. But you can also get a TV tuner without it. So, is it like a separate PCI card or something with a hardware encode/decode chip on it?

 

[linuxwannabe]

Originally posted by: cyberia
Does anyone know about the Xcelerator feature?

It seems you can only get it bundled with a TV tuner. But you can also get a TV tuner without it. So, is it like a separate PCI card or something with a hardware encode/decode chip on it?

I klik the "help me choose" link and read the Video Xcelerator tab and read the footnote at the bottom and I see "Comparing conversion time and CPU utilization for a 10 minute HD MPEG-2 video file to MPEG-4 format on Intel® E4400 processor based XPS 420 systems with and without a Dell Xcelerator? card."

Maybe it's a card?