Dell XPS 410: Core 2 Duo for the Masses
by Jarred Walton on September 18, 2006 12:20 PM EST- Posted in
- Systems
Benchmark Setup
Unlike our motherboard and other component reviews, our system reviews are evaluations of a complete setup, and as such they are not apples-to-apples comparisons. We evaluate computer systems as a package and talk about the entire experience rather than focusing on specific benchmark scores. We have already covered the support and warranty information, and for many people that will be far more important than any other performance metric.
That said, we have had several recent system reviews and we will compare the Dell XPS 410 with the recently reviewed PC Club Sabre Extreme and ABS Ultimate X9. Here is a rundown of the test configurations for the three systems. Note that the ABS system arrived with a factory overclock, but it is also available without the overclock, so we will include both results. (End user overclocking performance with the PC Club can be found in the PC Club review.)
As we continue to review additional Core 2 Duo systems (and AMD systems), we will include the results from the previously tested systems as long as those results remain relevant. Again, we are looking at the entire package, and it should come as no surprise that higher costs bring higher performance. Design, features, reliability, support, component selection, and price are all factors, and we will do our best to evaluate all of these areas in our system vendor reviews.
Unlike our motherboard and other component reviews, our system reviews are evaluations of a complete setup, and as such they are not apples-to-apples comparisons. We evaluate computer systems as a package and talk about the entire experience rather than focusing on specific benchmark scores. We have already covered the support and warranty information, and for many people that will be far more important than any other performance metric.
That said, we have had several recent system reviews and we will compare the Dell XPS 410 with the recently reviewed PC Club Sabre Extreme and ABS Ultimate X9. Here is a rundown of the test configurations for the three systems. Note that the ABS system arrived with a factory overclock, but it is also available without the overclock, so we will include both results. (End user overclocking performance with the PC Club can be found in the PC Club review.)
| Dell XPS 410 Test Configuration | |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.40GHz 4MB Cache |
| RAM | 2x1024MB Nanyo PC2-5300 DDR2-667 1.8V 5-5-5-15 Timings |
| Hard Drive(s) | 2 x Western Digital 320GB WD3200KS SE16 Dives configured in RAID 1 |
| System Platform Drivers | Intel - 8.1.1.1001 |
| Video Card: | 1 x Dell 7900 GTX |
| Sound Card: | Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic |
| Video Drivers: | NVIDIA 91.47 |
| CPU Cooling: | Dell BTX HSF |
| Power Supply: | Dell 375W |
| Motherboard: | Dell P965 - 1.03 BIOS |
| Operating System(s): | Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2 |
| PC Club EN-SE6 Test Configuration | |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.40GHz 4MB Cache |
| RAM | 2x512MB Transcend PC2-5300 JM367Q643A-6 DDR2-667 1.9V 5-5-5-13 Timings |
| Hard Drive(s) | Western Digital 250GB WD2500KS SE16 |
| System Platform Drivers | Intel - 8.1.1.1001 |
| Video Card: | 1 x MSI 7900GT |
| Video Drivers: | NVIDIA 91.31 |
| CPU Cooling: | Retail Intel HSF |
| Power Supply: | Allied 350W |
| Motherboard: | Gigibyte GA-965P-DS3 - F4 BIOS (Newer builds use MSI P965 board) |
| Operating System(s): | Windows XP Home SP2 |
| ABS Test Configuration | |
| Processor | Core 2 Extreme X6800 (2.93GHz 4MB Cache) 20% Overclock (3.52GHz - ABS Warranty) |
| RAM | 2 x 1GB Corsair CM2X1024-6400C4 DDR2-960 5-5-5-15 2.2V for Overclock DDR2-800 4-4-4-12 2.0V Stock |
| Hard Drive(s) | 2 x 150GB WD Raptor RAID 0 |
| System Platform Drivers | Intel - 8.1.1.1001 |
| Video Cards: | 2 x ATI X1900XT (Master+Standard) CrossFire on Intel 975X |
| Video Drivers: | ATI Catalyst 6.8 |
| CPU Cooling: | Gigabyte GH-WIU01 Liquid Cooling |
| Power Supply: | Enermax Liberty 620W |
| Motherboard: | Intel 975XBX (Intel 975X) |
| Operating System(s): | Windows XP Professional SP2 |
As we continue to review additional Core 2 Duo systems (and AMD systems), we will include the results from the previously tested systems as long as those results remain relevant. Again, we are looking at the entire package, and it should come as no surprise that higher costs bring higher performance. Design, features, reliability, support, component selection, and price are all factors, and we will do our best to evaluate all of these areas in our system vendor reviews.
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mino - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
Otherwise this machine is pretty solid, no question about it, ideal for making your average clueless kid an game addict.One thing not reasonable is the lack of RS232, LPT, PS/2 and FW, that makes it unusable as far as I'm concerned.
Just wonder, will the ATX channel case builders ever actually LEARN how to make a proper AND cheapo case???
It is possible and pretty easy to do at the same time, yet they are like afraid to make a killer product...
Bluestealth - Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - link
Really...
Most mouses nowadays are usb
Keyboards also come in usb(although there are still a lot of PS/2 keyboards),
RS232... USB Serial Port?(I realize the network guys use these, but they are obsolete for the general person),
FW... I haven't run into something that "required" this for a while,
LPT... soon there won't be many LPT printers left surviving, and again there are USB adapters.
I wish my new motherboard didn't have RS232/LPT/PS/2, they just waste space.
It did however come with lots of USB and 2 FW ports, which is nice.
mino - Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - link
PS/2 usually just works, USB works, OS loads up and USB mouse turns off.I had amny times such a situation.That was just a single example..
I am OK with an no-legacy approach as along as it is meaningfull.
However to make legacy-free boards by removing all legacy stuff and not use the place for any other usage (i.e another 4-6 USB ports) is stupid.
Also 6 USB ports as a complete I/O ? that's a joke!
keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, monitor, RS232 adapter and you have not a single port left!
6 USB is nice if you have all that legacy - the big reason we use PS/2 KB and mouses is it frees up 2 USB ports.
As for RS232, there is s huge amount of various equipment _produced_ for RS232! Why? because it makes no sense to go (pretty complicated vs. RS232) USB for simple data-reporting tasks.
Bluestealth - Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - link
Some companies use a USB to serial chip (or emulation) to allow them to easily upgrade their products, and for something that was designed with USB in mind, which is ever increasing, it will cease to be a problem.I currently have 1 USB Joystick, 1 Keyboard/Mouse Transceiver, 1 RF Remote. That is only 3 ports for me, I have 4 Rear USB ports, can add 4 more, a 4 port hub (plug stuff in on my desk easier), and have 2 front USB ports. For a majority of people 6 is NO PROBLEM, there are USB hubs for a reason though.
These computers are not designed for everyone, they are designed for most people, most people nowadays will not use the LPT/serial ports, while a lot still may still use PS/2 ports dell "provided" a USB keyboard and mouse. Most people have a mouse, keyboard, printer, and "maybe" something else such as a scanner.
It would be great if there were 8 USB ports on the back but I am assuming the last 2 went to that card reader. Intel decided on 10 USB ports, dell would have to add in card to support more, or add an additional chip to the board.
Monitor... did you not see the 2 DVI ports? (I don't know how you even justify listing this), RS232 is not required for most people.
Ok I did go on a rant, but this just screams of stupidly, USB is an expandable bus; it doesn’t have a fixed number of ports, only devices which is 127(?) per controller.
Sure they are saving quite a bit of money on an I/O chip from winbond, but in the end it doesn’t affect many people, so why not?
JarredWalton - Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - link
Two USB on the front, six on back, two more to the flash reader I think. Keyboard+mouse takes one port (the keyboard has two extra ports on it). You've got printer, scanner, headphones, network, and maybe one or two other things that can go USB, but that still leaves one extra port for most people. An LPT/Serial card is an option if you want that (it will use a PCI slot). Most people don't need it, though. If they had put firewire in the extra rear space, that would have allowed the use of a PCI LPT/COM and still have the sound card and TV Tuner. Not sure about PhysX, though... need a PCI-E version I guess.mino - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
"even on customs" => "even in the case of a custom setup"kmmatney - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
Dells Suck!Just kidding. When my Mom needed a new computer I had her buy a Dell. Its been trouble-free for several years.
Jetster - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
i'm really impressed with the case design,especially the internal layout, excellent airflow. easily better than the most standared atx case you can buy on the market now. and AT's statement is so true: "It's almost a shame that most people that purchase an XPS 410 are unlikely to appreciate the ease with which the system can be upgraded."BTW did Dell use the new video card design with the chipset on the other side? casue the hsf is facing upward, which is better imo
Homerboy - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
yeap. They are designed well, implemented even better and can't be beat bang for the buck. Sure higher-end and performance PCs will never be an pre-builts bread and butter, but they do it perfectly fine for the masses who don't know how to do it themsleves.And as far as their run-of-the-mill "workstations" and home PC are concerned. You simply can_not_beat a big-name manufacture on price and support.
(*please note I build all my own PCs, but family, friends, and workplace all get pre-builts... Dell's actually).
JarredWalton - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
BTX motherboards have the slots flipped, so the case opens on the right instead of the left. That makes the GPU HSF face upward, as you can see. I didn't go into extreme detail on the BTX format, as I figure the images illustrate it well enough. :)