Dell Dimension E521 Questions

[Shadow Conception]

Well, I was looking at Dell's AMD based desktops and was simply amazed at the $329 price tag. Now, my questions about this new system.

1) Does it have a PCI-e slot?
2) Will it support "dual slot" card, such as the X1900XTX?
3) What socket is the Sempron 3400+ in the Dell of? A big deal it would make if I got a Dell system only to see that the mobo had an obsolete 754 socket.

Any idea?

 

[GrammatonJP]

Dell - you get what you pay for

You can find all ur answer @ http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dimE521/en/index.htm


1 - Yes, theres 2
2 - No, theres 1
3 - Board supports
Processor type AMD Athlon? 64 X2 dual-core processor
AMD Athlon 64 processor
AMD Sempron? processor
Level 2 (L2) cache Up to 1 MB per core
Up to 256 KB for Sempron processors

 

[bamacre]

DDR2 Memory = Socket AM2

And no, it is VERY unlikely this will physically fit a dual slot video card. The E510 did not, and this should be the same model, only with a different motherboard and cpu of course.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Isn't it possible to just take all of this stuff out of the case and just stick it in a new one, assuming it's not a proprietary mobo?

 

[Tom]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
Isn't it possible to just take all of this stuff out of the case and just stick it in a new one, assuming it's not a proprietary mobo?

The case isn't the issue, it's the motherobard that doesn't support 2 vid cards.


But if I were you, I wouldn't worry about that. You don't need 2 video cards anyway.


edit- or do you mean a one slot card that takes the room of 2 slots ? If that's what you mean, then it ought to work, although be careful of the length of the card unitl you get some actual measurments.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Yeah, I mean a one-slot card that needs two expansion slots, like the X1900XTX and 7900GTX. I just need to know if the E521 supports these huge cards; if it has enough slots in the back to support the bigger cards.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
Yeah, I mean a one-slot card that needs two expansion slots, like the X1900XTX and 7900GTX. I just need to know if the E521 supports these huge cards; if it has enough slots in the back to support the bigger cards.

Nope, like I said, a dual slot video card won't fit in this system. You'll need to look at an XPS 410 model.

And, nope, you can't just get a new case, as the motherboard is not standard size.

However, you may want to look into a 7950 GT card, it's a single slot card, IIRC, and it's out now.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Hmm, what about modding the case itself? Would it be possible to cut out a part of the case where the second expansion slot would go? I'm really desperate this computer; upgradeable (AM2), and has a PCI-e x16 slot. Additionally, only $390 after getting it with 1GB of RAM. I can upgrade the Sempron later on.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
Hmm, what about modding the case itself? Would it be possible to cut out a part of the case where the second expansion slot would go? I'm really desperate this computer; upgradeable (AM2), and has a PCI-e x16 slot. Additionally, only $390 after getting it with 1GB of RAM. I can upgrade the Sempron later on.

I don't think so. You'd be much better off waiting for a Hot Deal on an XPS 410. The E5XX models were just not meant for gaming.

The XPS 410 supports dual slot video cards, has a MUCH better PSU, and supports Intel C2D.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Eh, but it's nearly a thousand dollars, whereas this deal on the E521 is only 300 bucks, and has a PCI-e slot

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
Eh, but it's nearly a thousand dollars, whereas this deal on the E521 is only 300 bucks, and has a PCI-e slot

Just get the E521 and a single-slot video card.

You don't like it, but I'm telling you, the E521 just will not fit a dual slot video card. Trust me, I've sold over 500 dell systems within the past 18 months, I know them like the back of my hand.

You are proving my sig's accuracy.

 

[Accord99]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
Eh, but it's nearly a thousand dollars, whereas this deal on the E521 is only 300 bucks, and has a PCI-e slot

There's a deal on a Dimension 9200, which is essentially the same as the XPS 410. C2D E6300 and 1GB of memory for $529.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?kc=6W300&oc=dim92min&s=bsd

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Accord99

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
Eh, but it's nearly a thousand dollars, whereas this deal on the E521 is only 300 bucks, and has a PCI-e slot

There's a deal on a Dimension 9200, which is essentially the same as the XPS 410. C2D E6300 and 1GB of memory for $529.

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?kc=6W300&oc=dim92min&s=bsd

:thumbsup:

 

[Shadow Conception]

Wow, I'll be looking into that. Thanks, bamacre and Accord

 

[imported_LoKe]

Sorry to bump a somewhat old thread, but I just ordered a Dell E521 and it won't arrive for another 8-10 business days, so I'm going to ask a few questions in the mean time.

Where can I find detailed specs on the hardware included? Dell only tells you a little about it.
Mainly, what socket is the AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+? S939 or AM2?
The motherboard...what are its specs? It's PCI/E/16, yes?
I got the free 1GB upgrade; is that 2xsticks of dual channel?
The nVidia GeForce 7300LE with TurboCache, that's a fair card, yeah? I know it only has one DVI output, but would it be possible to get some sort of adapter so that I could use dual, or even tri monitors?
I got the E197FP LCD Analog Flat Panel monitor; does it tilt forward/backwards? How's the lighting?
The hard drive; I got the 160GB drive, is it SATA or IDE?

Any other information would be nice, if anyone has some.

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: LoKe
Sorry to bump a somewhat old thread, but I just ordered a Dell E521 and it won't arrive for another 8-10 business days, so I'm going to ask a few questions in the mean time.

Where can I find detailed specs on the hardware included? Dell only tells you a little about it.
Mainly, what socket is the AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+? S939 or AM2?
The motherboard...what are its specs? It's PCI/E/16, yes?
I got the free 1GB upgrade; is that 2xsticks of dual channel?
The nVidia GeForce 7300LE with TurboCache, that's a fair card, yeah? I know it only has one DVI output, but would it be possible to get some sort of adapter so that I could use dual, or even tri monitors?
I got the E197FP LCD Analog Flat Panel monitor; does it tilt forward/backwards? How's the lighting?
The hard drive; I got the 160GB drive, is it SATA or IDE?

Any other information would be nice, if anyone has some.

It's AM2 (as evidenced by the fact it uses DDR2 memory.)
Yes, PCI-e16 graphics, PCI-e1 and 2 PCI slots.
Yes, 2 sticks of 512MB DDR2 in dual-channel with two empty slots remaining.
7300LE is about 2 times faster than the free embedded video, but NOT worth the cost of the upgrade! Get embedded and a 3rd party card later.
For tri monitors I don't think you can use the embedded video + card at the same time... you'd need PCI-e16 + PCI vid.
Monitor does tilt. Lighting? Don't know.
Hard drive (and all optical drives) are reported to be SATA - no IDE in this machine AT ALL! (I'll confirm that when mine arrives.) I bought one too. They said it was shipping on monday.... liars.

 

[bluemax]

Anyone else order one?

 

[imported_LoKe]

When did you order yours?

 

[bluemax]

One week ago today.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Stupid BTX design. I looked at the pic of the back of the unit and I saw normal sized expansion slots. OK, so why wouldn't a dual-slot card fit? Then I realized it was BTX which means a dual slot card needs the second slot ABOVE not below the first slot :roll: BTX sucks.

 

[bluemax]

For a power-hungry video card like that you'd want a more powerful power supply anyways. It's only 305W.

I'm fine with that - the most I can see myself even possibly getting is a 7600GT - if that.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: bluemax
For a power-hungry video card like that you'd want a more powerful power supply anyways. It's only 305W.

I'm fine with that - the most I can see myself even possibly getting is a 7600GT - if that.

I'm satisfied with the $50 7300LE. :laugh:

 

[GoingUp]

Mine shipped today!

If people want pics and a review when I get it, I'd be happy to provide one

 

[hans007]

all the dells with 4 slots dont support dual slot cards, since micro btx doesnt support dual slot. the full height ones do suppor them. those are the 9200 series and the xps.

i suppose that really limits you to a 7900gt or x1900gt max or having to find a different after market cooler.

the btx wind tunnerl design would actually work well with a different type of cooler, just you'd need a new abackplate. someone needs to sell single slot backplates for those cards.

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
Mine shipped today!

Lucky !@#%@!#$!! I called Dell last night and they told me that due to parts backordering mine would be delayed another MONTH!!! (In addition to the two weeks it's already late!)

{==:|==} (<- steam out ears!)