(Deal Expired) CALL THE FIRE DEPT! Dell Dim 4600 w/P4 2.8C 800fsb+R9800+Office ~$554! +tax AC/AR

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: KhanAlf
Please educate the layman, what is CSA and why is it bad not to have it? I am at the cusp of ordering one and I will go either way. The deal seems so very tempting but prudence is telling me to wait. Dunno what to do but consider every aspect and then makie a decision.

yah, I have never heard of CSA when it comes to PC specs? what is it? thanks

 

[Kung Lau]

If anyone has another code for 4600 they are not using, please PM me with it. I am purchasing another computer. Thanks!

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: KhanAlf
Please educate the layman, what is CSA and why is it bad not to have it? I am at the cusp of ordering one and I will go either way. The deal seems so very tempting but prudence is telling me to wait. Dunno what to do but consider every aspect and then makie a decision.

Don't hold up your order just for CSA, thats rediculous for the average user. This board doesn't even come with a gigabit NIC unless you get a PCI add on. KhanAlf: CSA is a type of streaming technology that allows higher data thruput (Transfer rates) for your etherenet connection. Normal ethernet has to deal with overhead that slows it down from it's theoretical maximums. This is usually most evident with gigabit ethernet which has a theoretical max of 1 gigabits per second (8 bits = 1 byte). Gigabit ethernet is limited because it hits overhead and bottlenecks while the data is moving around. CSA is supposed to give that data it's own pipeline so to speak to it is not slowed down by other factors like the PCI bus. None of this is that critical for the typical home user who will never even use more then a 100mbit router anyways. Gigabit networks at the moment are very expensive and are typically only used by professionals and people with special networking needs. This doesn't really affect you and if it really means that much to you then you cn just replace the motherboard with a comparable Intel motherboard with CSA (The motherboard in the Dim 4600 is basically the same architecture as the ones used to add CSA to). The difference in day to day use for CSA enabled chipsets and non CSA chipsets on 100mbit networks is negligable. Its nice to free up some of your PCI I/O but most people won't feel it much from what I heard.

Its a fairly new technology and I am no network guru but holding up a computer deal like this for a CSA option seems pretty silly to me. Bottom line, you don't need it and if you did need it, you'd know what CSA is.

 

[nitsuj3580]

Its a fairly new technology and I am no network guru but holding up a computer deal like this for a CSA option seems pretty silly to me. Bottom line, you don't need it and if you did need it, you'd know what CSA is.

hahaha...that's pretty funny.

thanks for the explanation. My order status is now shipped! (ordered it yesterday). I'm gettin psyched.

 

[KhanAlf]

Thanks a lot for that breakdown. It most certainly won't make a difference in my decision making process whatsoever. Great info and nicely put once again Dakels =).

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: nitsuj3580

Its a fairly new technology and I am no network guru but holding up a computer deal like this for a CSA option seems pretty silly to me. Bottom line, you don't need it and if you did need it, you'd know what CSA is.

hahaha...that's pretty funny.

thanks for the explanation. My order status is now shipped! (ordered it yesterday). I'm gettin psyched.

yea I this deal and my order is still not even posted yet and issued an order number! When I emailed Dell i got a "we're sorry for the inconvenience but due to a overwhelming amount of orders you may see a delay in processing, bla bla bla"

grr I should have made sure my order went thru before I encouraged the "Anandtech effect" lol

 

[dakels]

trikster2:
btw I'm not trying to make light of your want or need for CSA enabled gigabit. But what significant difference would it make on a (3) 33mhz PCI slot Intel/dell motherboard with an onboard 10/100 controller? If you really want an awesome MB with CSA and alot more user defined speed controls and tweaking, then look at the ABIT IC7-G. A bit pricey but it incorporates all of the newest technology and one of the VERY few boards currently with CSA. I wouldn't expect any prebuilt rig short of server class or supercrazy $4000 alienware that have CSA so it's going to have to be custom built. No normal person has that much I/O and network demands to justify the cost for such a small % in difference that only shows itself in very specific application. If you were to custom build this computer, then even getting just the Dell Dimension's $300 2.8C and $325-350 Radeon 9800 have already paid for itself with this deal.

You could sell it for parts, you could replace some parts, you could use it as a footrest for all I care.... Any which way you shake this deal, it's unbeatable!!!

 

[Hankysmoo]

ahhhhh, I don't know if I should get in on this deal cuz I just bought a dell in november. =\ I wish I could find someone to buy my old Dell =( Dimension 8250 (2.4G)

 

[gsethi]

Originally posted by: Hankysmoo
ahhhhh, I don't know if I should get in on this deal cuz I just bought a dell in november. =\ I wish I could find someone to buy my old Dell =( Dimension 8250 (2.4G)

I hope you have heard of ebay

 

[BigDave]

Hey guys, I would like to get this system, if anyone has a coupon code available.

Shoot me an email.

Thanks!

Email

 

[chanfo]

Does the motherboard that come with this allow one to overclock the CPU ?

 

[RossMAN]

Although I could use a new machine ... I think I'm still going to hold out for another EVEN HOTTER THAN THIS deal.

Something akin to October 2002's Dell 4550 + FREE 15" LCD for $500 deal.

 

[tigerbait]

What's the verdict on the power supply and motherboard connectors? Standard ATX or Dell proprietary?

 

[loudmouth]

Nice deal. I think this may be the one to get but dell was kind enough to send me a 2350 coupon.

if anyone would like to get rid of their coupon I need one.

 

[kassaam]

Has anyone checked out the Dimension 8300 deal posted at techbargains? You get the same setup except you get a 2.6mHz CPU instead of the 2.8mHz. Total is $859 - $150 rebate = 709 + tax, simililar deal to the 4600 but no coupon required to get a comprable price (about $60 more).

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: kassaam
Has anyone checked out the Dimension 8300 deal posted at techbargains? You get the same setup except you get a 2.6mHz CPU instead of the 2.8mHz. Total is $859 - $150 rebate = 709 + tax, simililar deal to the 4600 but no coupon required to get a comprable price (about $60 more).

i dont understand wtf you would get a not as good cpu for more? Get the 4600 deal, its a better package IMO. But if you feel the 8300 is better, more power to ya. Happy Hunting

PM me

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Although I could use a new machine ... I think I'm still going to hold out for another EVEN HOTTER THAN THIS deal.

Something akin to October 2002's Dell 4550 + FREE 15" LCD for $500 deal.

IMO get this one, then when something hotter rolls around, sell this and get that.

 

[kassaam]

Well, for some the 8300 may have an advantage:

4 PCI slots instead of 3
Intel® 875P chipset which includes Intel's Performance Acceleration Technology (PAT)
see this link for details.
PAT appears to really help in memory latency as seen here.

 

[cliftonite]

Holy sh!t this is soo fuscking tempting I wonder how much I could get for my 9700 Pro AIW. If I could get around 280 for it then I could get this for around $335. Waaaahhh someone make me an offer on my 9700 pro as well as a 2100 Tbred B

 

[tkim]

ok.. i have a lian li case that has been sitting around b/c i haven't had any money to make my dream machine...

is it worth it to swap out everything and put it into my lian li...or would you guys just get the dell and use as is? should i keep the chip and the card and figure out a way to sell the dell case and mobo? is it good to use the dell mobo? is it a dell brand mobo right?

all ideas and opinions welcome.. thanks...

 

[DaCurryman]

Anyone know how good the 5.1 integrated audio is? I know it's a $20 difference between integrated and the SBLive. Just wondering if it's worth saving the $20. I have a TBSC right now that I could give to my brother is I get integrated. The other factor being that I save a PCI slot for a firewire card or TV tuner card later.

Also, anyone have opinions on the design of this case (where only 1 panel comes off) vs. the 4550 design (where the case opens in half). It looks as if though this case doesnt use those green drive rails that Dell uses. I like those...can someone confirm or deny?

 

[mikecel79]

I've got a Dell coupon for sale. I'll let it go for $10.

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: loudmouth
Nice deal. I think this may be the one to get but dell was kind enough to send me a 2350 coupon.

if anyone would like to get rid of their coupon I need one.

Try the 2350 coupon. Someone stated it works. Also try calling Dell sales at this number: 1-877-284-3355 (ASAP cuz they close soon) and tell them you got the 2350 coupon but are interested in purchasing the 4600. They may be able to help you.

Tkim: re: the lian Li case
Yea it would make a better case then what dell gives you, not to say the dell case isn't good but a nice Lian Li is better. You should be able to swap it all but I'd try to ask someone who has done so with dimension parts first. Problem is you dont have time for that really If it were me, I'd order then deal with it later. I don't see why you wouldn't be able to swap. I have a very similar Dim 4550 and from looking at the guts and working with it often, I don't see why I couldn't swap it to another case, which is what I want to do anyways with the new system. Dell's case is a standard ATX case from what I see so I don't foresee a problem but i can't guarantee it. Looking at my dim 4550 motherboard's rear connectors, they all line up like a normal universal MB.

The PSU is standard not proprietary from what I am told and what I can see, but I havent tried swapping. Old Dell PSU's had oddball voltages but reading the voltage label on mine, I see nothing awry.

Look at the manual. It even shows you how to replace the motherboard and the PSU. I see nothing weird there but I'm no expert.

 

[AU Tiger]

Originally posted by: DaCurryman
Anyone know how good the 5.1 integrated audio is? I know it's a $20 difference between integrated and the SBLive. Just wondering if it's worth saving the $20. I have a TBSC right now that I could give to my brother is I get integrated. The other factor being that I save a PCI slot for a firewire card or TV tuner card later.

Also, anyone have opinions on the design of this case (where only 1 panel comes off) vs. the 4550 design (where the case opens in half). It looks as if though this case doesnt use those green drive rails that Dell uses. I like those...can someone confirm or deny?

Don't give away that Santa Cruz until you decide for yourself. The good thing about the Santa Cruz is that it has the connector needed for connecting the front headphone jack to the card. The SB Live also has this connector. My Audigy does not.

 

[gsethi]

Originally posted by: dakels

Originally posted by: loudmouth
Nice deal. I think this may be the one to get but dell was kind enough to send me a 2350 coupon.

if anyone would like to get rid of their coupon I need one.

Try the 2350 coupon. Someone stated it works. Also try calling Dell sales at this number: 1-877-284-3355 (ASAP cuz they close soon) and tell them you got the 2350 coupon but are interested in purchasing the 4600. They may be able to help you.

Tkim: re: the lian Li case
Yea it would make a better case then what dell gives you, not to say the dell case isn't good but a nice Lian Li is better. You should be able to swap it all but I'd try to ask someone who has done so with dimension parts first. Problem is you dont have time for that really If it were me, I'd order then deal with it later. I don't see why you wouldn't be able to swap. I have a very similar Dim 4550 and from looking at the guts and working with it often, I don't see why I couldn't swap it to another case, which is what I want to do anyways with the new system. Dell's case is a standard ATX case from what I see so I don't foresee a problem but i can't guarantee it. Looking at my dim 4550 motherboard's rear connectors, they all line up like a normal universal MB.

The PSU is standard not proprietary from what I am told and what I can see, but I havent tried swapping. Old Dell PSU's had oddball voltages but reading the voltage label on mine, I see nothing awry.

Look at the manual. It even shows you how to replace the motherboard and the PSU. I see nothing weird there but I'm no expert.

The PSU is standard but the wiring is not standard. I know there is a adapter for ~$10 with which you can use a DELL PSU with a normal motherboard.

The motherboard that dell uses are Intel boards that are custom made for Dell.