Dell 9200 Core 2 Duo Desktop 19in LCD $799

[Callaway]

Also comes with a valid licensed operating system.

 

[Lurker1]

Originally posted by: Callaway
Also comes with a valid licensed operating system.

You say that like Linux isn't valid or licensed nor the Windows license that's running on my current soon to be retired box won't be valid on this new box, nor any of the other OSes I have sitting on my shelf wouldn't be valid on this box.

Most people building PCs already have OS options to load on a prebuilt system, as usually first time PC owners won't be building their own.

edit: to Bamacre: About the PSU, it's not enough to drive even a base X1900XT or 7900GT configuration @ only 375W. Minimum recommended is 480W for those cards, with a min 30A on the 12V rail. There's even discussion that the Antec 500W Smartpower isn't strong enough to drive such a system reliably since it may not provide enough RMS (average) power.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: Lurker1
To Supafly specifically, if I cared to copy the Dell exactly, your numbers are correct. However, to get the OC capability that the 6300 is already legendary for, you're looking at a $170 or more motherboard. Memory is the same issue, you'll need better than bottom end RAM. And then, why buy a $50 80GB drive, when you can get a $70 300GB drive AR (mine's sitting on the shelf waiting for my new system. Also, power supplies that can handle the Core 2 with a decent graphics card is going to run you a minimum of $60, unless you can get a killer deal ($22 AR and taxes).

I also like my peripherals to actually work reliably, which is why I use Plextor DVD burners almost exclusively. I just haven't had good luck with other brands, although I never got around to getting one of the NEC's. That will set you back about $50-80, depending upon rebates, for a decent burner. But still, with everything said, you can buy just a notch above the Dell in price and get $1K or more additional performance out of the machine.

That's what I call a hot deal. I'm not interested in beating Dell's price in an apples to apples comparison, unless it's a delicious perfectly ripened apple to Dell's worm-infested mealy apple.

Absolutley... I was just trying to show that the Dell isn't exactly a huge ripoff or anything like that. It's a solid price for what you're getting. Would I buy that Dell? Hell no, but I also would NOT buy the items I listed above either as I'd rather go for a E6600, a much better (and probably more expensive) mobo, hold onto my 7800gt until the the nvidia 8xxx or ATI X2xxx series comes along, get 2GB of DDR2, and keep my current hdds and opitcal drives.

 

[Hulk]

This is definitely a decent deal if not quite hot.

But in a month or so I bet we'll be able to get this system for less than $500, probably with a faster CPU, maybe even more RAM and a larger hard drive.

Then it will be HOT!

 

[Underclocked]

A friend has this one on the way, should be here Tuesday.

Dimension 9200
Intel ® Core?2 Duo Processor E6400 (2.13GHz, 1066 FSB)
Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition $2,174.00
Memory 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs
Keyboard Dell USB Enhanced Multimedia Keyboard
Monitor 20 inch Ultrasharp? 2007FP Digital Flat Panel
Video Cards 256MB ATI Radeon X1300 Pro
Hard Drive DataSafe 320GB (Includes main hard drive plus a hidden reserve hard drive)
Floppy Drive and Media Reader 3.5 in Floppy Drive
Mouse Dell Optical USB Mouse
Modem No Modem Requested
CD or DVD Drive Dual Drives: 48x Combo + 16x DVD+/-RW w/ dbl layer write capable
Sound Sound Blaster® X-Fi? XtremeMusic (D), w/Dolby® Digital 5.1
Speakers No speakersOffice Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No Productivity Suite -
Dell Service & Support Plans 1 Year On-site Economy Plan
Optional Ports Serial & PS-2 PCI Adapter
Operating System Backup & Recovery Microsoft® Win® XP Home Edition backup CD

You saved 25% on select Dell Systems - $543.50

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS
Save an extra 2% on your order with Dell Business Credit - $32.61
Subtotal: $1,597.89
Shipping and Handling: $29.99
Shipping Discount: -$29.99
Tax Total: $95.99
Total: $1,693.88

I'll get to set it up for her office. Should be interesting at least.

 

[cyberia]

Originally posted by: Hulk
This is definitely a decent deal if not quite hot.

But in a month or so I bet we'll be able to get this system for less than $500, probably with a faster CPU, maybe even more RAM and a larger hard drive.

Then it will be HOT!

Sure. And perhaps with a 24" LCD insted of a 19" one.

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: supafly
E6300 $190.50 shipped.
512MB $50 shipped
Mobo $86.12 shipped after rebate
power supply $50 shipped
80GB hdd $50 shipped
DVD-rom $15
7300le $42 shipped after rebate
XP home $90 shipped
Case $30+ depending on what you want

Total comes to $603.62 before monitor depending on the case.

Cheapest 19" LCD on new egg is $190 shipped.

Total with monitor comes to $793.61

Assuming you know what you're doing and you have the free time and nothing needs to be RMA'd and you can wait for rebates, you'll save $5.39 by building your own. Yippie.

Of course, there are other benefits to building yourself, but if you just look at it for the price and convience factors, might as well get the Dell.

you forgot to mention:
Dell installation and labor: PRICELESS

 

[middlehead]

Very tempting.

 

[JmsAndrsn]

Originally posted by: Lurker1
edit: to Bamacre: About the PSU, it's not enough to drive even a base X1900XT or 7900GT configuration @ only 375W. Minimum recommended is 480W for those cards, with a min 30A on the 12V rail. There's even discussion that the Antec 500W Smartpower isn't strong enough to drive such a system reliably since it may not provide enough RMS (average) power.

Bamacre is right. This power supply will run any single GPU video cad you install. The previous generation of this system (XPS 400 & Dimension 9150) at one point could be be configured with a PeniumD 940 and an X1900XTX with the same 375W power supply. The Core 2 Duo will not draw nearly as much power as PentiumD chips. Most people familiar with Dell systems would consider their power supplies under rated. The one in this system is probably more like 450W.

 

[Acts837]

Finally a familiar face (Jms), been looking at getting the 9200 with a Duo E6400. Can I build a better machine myself, sure could, but time is a factor these days so catching a Dell deal isn't a bad way to go.

 

[tjaisv]

UPDATE: now $729 LINK

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Lurker1
edit: to Bamacre: About the PSU, it's not enough to drive even a base X1900XT or 7900GT configuration @ only 375W. Minimum recommended is 480W for those cards, with a min 30A on the 12V rail. There's even discussion that the Antec 500W Smartpower isn't strong enough to drive such a system reliably since it may not provide enough RMS (average) power.

Wattage isn't everything. That 375w PSU has 18a on dual 12v rails. Dell even offers those powerful cards with the system.

I actually put an X1900 XTX in a Prec 390 with a 375W PSU, ran fine, scored well in 3DMark06.

 

[HoosierDadE]

Want to pull the trigger but not until I find a deal on a SATA DVD burner, since the 9200 has NO PATA on board. I could keep using my existing PATA burners if I can figure out a clean/reliable/cheap solution.

The problem with SATA DVD burners is: WTH are they? Only ones I can find in the US are Plextors at $100 and I'm not gonna spend $200+ for a pair of burners for a $520 PC. You can also get HP but about the same price plus they really only want to sell them for HP systems (i.e. good luck with support IF you need it). Some others apparently in the pipeline but someone reported a Samsung model seemed to be an PATA drive with a PATA-to-SATA adapter built in. Dell sells a SATA DVD burner for $48 but I can't find any info about who makes it so it could be a total piece of junk.

I could grab a PATA IDE adapter from my parts bin and use it with my PATA burners, but I've read a lot of those cards only work with HDs. Plus I hate to stick PATA cables in the case.

Or I could use an in-line adapter to plug a PATA drive into a SATA cable from the MB. But there is virtually no reliable info on how well these work. I don't want to start burning coasters.

So what's the solution? The big plus of a Dell system is not having to do any engineering or deal with issues between various components. A lack of cost effective, published reviewed SATA DVD burners really hurts this deal.

 

[Underclocked]

SATA burner, look on the Dell site in accessories. There are two or three. The one that came in the 9200 I worked on is TSST (Toshiba/Samsung) and the additional combo drive was a Sony. SATA drives

Or just buy a PCI host card.

 

[HoosierDadE]

Originally posted by: Underclocked
SATA burner, look on the Dell site in accessories. There are two or three. The one that came in the 9200 I worked on is TSST (Toshiba/Samsung) and the additional combo drive was a Sony. SATA drives

Or just buy a PCI host card.

Hey thanks! I've been going in circles trying to find out who made the Dell DVD burner.

Combined with the concensus that ALL currently available SATA DVD burners are PATA models with a bridge built in, my best choice seems to be add an external bridge to one of my BENQs that has been flawless. In other words, why pay for a Toshiba drive when I can keep using my BENQ that I am perfectly happy with (since both are PATA drives with a bridge). Would feel better if the Dell branded DVD burner was one I'd choose just in case it turns out a generic external bridge doesn't work as well as an internal one a manufacturer engineers to work perfectly with the drives they are adding it to.

I have some host cards laying around but I understand many of them don't work well with optical drives AND stringing 40/80 wire ribbon cables through the case kills one of the benefits of a pure SATA PC. My luck, it'll overheat from air blockage from the cables that weren't supposed to be there. LOL

Wonder how long until someone makes a true SATA burner? There is NO way adding a bridge and translating the commands/data back and forth doesn't make a bridged drive slower/less reliable than the PATA drive it was based on.

 

[mike2fix]

My XPS 410 which is the same basic machine as the 9200 came with an LG-Hitachi DVD burner.

 

[Greg04]

Originally posted by: niji1875
Dell 92001.86Ghz 512MB/80GB Serial ATA, DVD, 7.1 Audio, Geforce 7300LE Video, Dell LCD, 1yr warranty, XP Home. Free shipping.

Are there any long time dell people that were converted to Dell who used to be home builders who figured out that that the time and energy going into home builds wasn't worth it but now feel that the core 2 duo is the first chip since the early 300A to 450 overclockable celerons that is worth actually abandoning Dell because running a core 2 duo at clock speed would be like driving a ferrari F50 at the speed limit and are actually excited about CPUs for the first time in years because the Core 2 can actually save significant time in video editing among other things?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Greg04

Originally posted by: niji1875
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbar...s=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=3d92h5&s=bsd</a>">Dell 9200</a>1.86Ghz 512MB/80GB Serial ATA, DVD, 7.1 Audio, Geforce 7300LE Video, Dell LCD, 1yr warranty, XP Home. Free shipping.

Are there any long time dell people that were converted to Dell who used to be home builders who figured out that that the time and energy going into home builds wasn't worth it but now feel that the core 2 duo is the first chip since the early 300A to 450 overclockable celerons that is worth actually abandoning Dell because running a core 2 duo at clock speed would be like driving a ferrari F50 at the speed limit and are actually excited about CPUs for the first time in years because the Core 2 can actually save significant time in video editing among other things?

I will go with whatever I can get cheaper. My current system is one I built. The previous was a Dell 9100 refurb (that I upgraded the heck out of) that I used for about a year, and the one before that was one I built. The inability to OC the cpu does not bother me, especially since gaming performance relies much more heavily on the video card. Heck, I ran a 7800 GTX with the Pent 630 in the Dell 9100.

 

[Stratmanx]

Originally posted by: Underclocked
SATA burner, look on the Dell site in accessories. There are two or three. The one that came in the 9200 I worked on is TSST (Toshiba/Samsung) and the additional combo drive was a Sony. SATA drives

Or just buy a PCI host card.

A friend ordered a Dimension 9200 and I was going to install his (old) LiteOn DVD burner in the new machine until I read that the 9200 is all SATA, no IDE! I just chatted online with Dell and there is SATA drive they will sell specifically for the 9200:

Dimension 9200 DVD Burner.

I asked about the other two SATA DVD drives you linked to and the support person said the 313-4683 is for small factor PC such as the xps 200 and the 313-4662 is for the e521, e520 and c521. Why either of these SATA drives wouldn't work I don't know.

I looked around for other solutions to using the IDE LiteOn DVD burner and ther is a lot of hits and misses. What I found, but have not verified, is:

1) PCI Controller Card using the Silicon Image 680 chipset seems to work with DVD burners. Example would be SIIG SC-PE4B12, an ATA 133 card. More problems getting a Promise chipset to run a DVD optical drive.

2) An external enclosure with a Prolific 3507, Cyprus AT2+ or Oxford 911 chipset works. The Prolific and Oxford seem to get the most postings. The Prolific may perform best?

3) A SATA to IDE converter adapter which is a small circuit board that connects to the back of the IDE drive data plug and has a SATA plug on the opposite side for a data cable to attach to the motherboard. Seen these on eBay and a handfull of online stores like NewEgg. Not sure if it will fit OK in the case/drive bay or even if they work for DVD burners.

Any suggestion, comments, ideas, tips?

 

[bamacre]

I don't see how the "313-4662" wouldn't work in a Dim 9200 if it fits fine in the E520 and E521 systems.

 

[JmsAndrsn]

Originally posted by: bamacre
I don't see how the "313-4662" wouldn't work in a Dim 9200 if it fits fine in the E520 and E521 systems.

I agree. It should fit fine.

Also, here is a pretty good deal if you don't mind buying three of the SATA DVD Burners. The part# 313-4662 is normally $50 but is currently 10% off at $45. If you put 3 of them in your cart the total is $150 less $15. If you have a $25 off $150 coupon then you can get this down to $110 plus tax for three of the burners. This should be less than $40 per drive for most people (depending on your sales tax rate).

You may be wondering how to get this coupon. There are several possibilities. I was lucky enough to have received a post card type mailing last week that had this coupon printed on it and it is good for Dell Home. Also, with my Dell 9200 that arrived last Friday there was a min-catalog included that had a $25 off $150 coupon good through Dell Small Business. So you need to check the box when you get your system to see if you've got the coupon. If you don't have one or don't get one with your system then you can always try to buy one on e b a y.

Before anyone asks....you can use the $25 off $150 even though the total is only $135. The Dell checkout system looks at your total before any product level discounts.

Also, make sure that you go to the appropriate Dell site that matches your coupon. The DVD Burners are the same price at either Home or Small Business. Also, if you have Dell Home Coupon and have Dell Preferred charge account then you can get an additional 2% off.

Dell Small Business Link
Dell Home Link

Hopefully this will help someone.

 

[bamacre]

Good thinking, Jms.

Too bad Dell won't sell me so much as a screw. They've had me blacklisted for several months now.

 

[Stratmanx]

My friend decided to go with the recommended DVD burner, # 313-4309, costing $57 and change shipped. Comes with all cables and screws needed. Didn't ask about software since he already has burner software.

While they did not say who the manufacturer is, I'll bet it's a Samsung.

 

[HoosierDadE]

I ordered the 9200 and will just use the PC I'm using now for DVD work until there are cheap, verifiably good SATA DVD burners. I can live with the Dell price but if it turns out its not a good burner it changes a good deal into a bad one 'cause I'd be out $57 PLUS the cost of whatever drive I replace it with. The Dell drive is probably good, but since I can wait on the drive, why take even a small risk?

 

[EKKC]

do these come with SATA optical drives? I bought my XPS700 and i thought it was pretty cool they used a SATA TSST (Toshiba Samsung) DVD+-RW instead of a PATA.