A confession

[daveharnett]

I just did something that i never thought i would... I bought a dell.
The outles store on ebay is flogging the last of the air cooled XPS 7xx series to make way for the water cooled/peltier ones. They're also clearing out their stock of qx6700s and 8800gtxs before they get replaced.

XPS 710 BTX(!) case, with integrated heatsink (ala thermaltake infinity).
Nividia nforce 590 for intel mobo.
QX6700 CPU
2 Gb 667Mhx ram (crap)
2*160 GB 7200rmp HDs (Raid 0)
8800GTX 740Mb
Generic 750W PSU

the upside is that it cost €910
still, i'm gonna be cursing in a couple of years time when i have to upgrade and i can't even re-use the case!

So, sugguestions? I'm gonna get some proper ram asap.
I'd particularly like ideas for a sound card (NO onboard sound afaik!)

[nichomach]

Nothing wrong with a prebuilt if it ticks all the boxes that you need ticked and does so at a good price. Hell, you don't see me bolting together separate bits for the desktops that we use here; I buy Dell Optiplexes. Assuming you don't have any outré ambitions for your sound, the magic 8-ball says:
"Auzentech good: Linky "

[staffsMike]

how on god's green earth!!? That's an awesome deal, the CPU and Graphics card alone is almost worth that.

The case is beautiful and you may be able to ghetto mod it to ATX

I'd have bought that and I don't even need it lol

[daveharnett]

That's an awesome deal, the CPU and Graphics card alone is almost worth that.

Wouldn't have touched it otherwise mike

Who knows, by upgrade time, maybe 43 core processors may force a return to btx mobos.

There are still some dual gtx versions (branded as XPS 720), with an extra 500gb hd and an x-fi up there, but they are going for around €1500-1600. maybe the uk store has some bargains left (i bought at ebay.ie). worth taking a look anyway.

[Clockwork_Killa]

Any idea if youd be able to cram an e-atx board in the xps case? Someones selling off one of the cases on ebay and I wouldnt mind having one, but if itll only fit btx then theres not much point.

[staffsMike]

doesn't look like there is much space in there

inside

it's a stunning case though i'd love to have one.

[Clockwork_Killa]

doesn't look like there is much space in there

inside

it's a stunning case though i'd love to have one.

Like I said, theres a few on ebay, brand new as well.
Find DELL XPS 710= Case - 1kw PSU - etc - NEW IN BLACK on eBay within Case Accessories Parts Kits, Desktop PC Cases, Desktop PC Components, Computing (end time 29-Oct-07 21:21:23 GMT)

[Grouch]

I bought one last week as well, hopefully arriving tomorrow. Was too good a deal to pass up

[Grouch]

Forgot to mention, according to Dell the 710's have the following soundcard:-

NR603 Sound Blaster X-Fi SB0467 Card

[amjedm]

I just did something that i never thought i would... I bought a dell.

I used to say that a few years ago (after the experience our company used to have with them)

Have been buying Dell's for around 2-3 years now (3 desktops and a laptop - all for friends/relatives)

[vicar]

Nothing wrong with dell, good customer service too.

[staffsMike]

Depends which country it's in but yes some of their customer service is very good

[nichomach]

Especially the corporate ranges - Optiplex/Precision/Latitude/Poweredge/Powervault.

[amjedm]

Nothing wrong with dell, good customer service too.

Yep, much much much better than what it used to be.

[daveharnett]

Forgot to mention, according to Dell the 710's have the following soundcard:-
NR603 Sound Blaster X-Fi SB0467 Card

Cool. Wasn't mentioned in the ebay description of my one. Still, I can hope

Nothing wrong with dell, good customer service too.

Dunno, still plenty of people complaining. I think business and XPS customers are routed to the 'good' people, and others get sent to the bofh.

\Hopes for the good telephone number!

[Grouch]

The 710 arrived this morning, i'm very happy with it and i must admit the case is gorgeous but it is huge!

It's onboard sound i'm afraid and speakers are useless but that's not really surprising.

The Operating system is Vista Home premium 32 bit, any other questions just ask