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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OptimisTech - Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - link
Anyone know how this differs from the Dimension 9200 in the Small Business division? It seems like the 9200 can be a little cheaper, but they seem identical.JarredWalton - Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - link
The XPS 410 and the Dimension 9200 are the same basic system. The XPS simply comes with higher default components as well as some extra options in a few areas, while the 9200 has some lower end options that help to cut costs (i.e., by default it only ships with one DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive and an 80 GB hard drive, and DDR2-667 memory isn't listed as an upgrade). Also note that you do not get a higher level of technical support with the Dell dimension 9200 I think (though that might be wrong, as the 9200 is a business setup).Kougar - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
Definitely looking forward to it! 15" viewable is just not cutting it for me anymore...
If I may ask, what other monitors might be in the article featuring the 2407WFP review or others? I have seen a review of the relatively hard to find 24" BenQ FP241W, which outscored the 2407WFP, but as I know nothing of the site I'd very much like to see one of Anandtech's solid reviews comparing it to the Dell model. Just another suggestion, anyway... ;)
JarredWalton - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
Honestly, a large part of LCD purchase decisions is going to come down to price, especially on 23/24" models. While a display may be twice as accurate, for everything but professional use that probably won't matter much. I've got both the old and new Dell 24" models (I bought the 2405FPW last year), a 23" Philips, as well as a few smaller, less-expensive displays in the 19-22" range. If the price is equal or close, get the better quality display of course, but there is very little to complain about with Dell's 24" LCDs in my experience.Kougar - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
Thank you for your reply!I didn't want to make a huge post, but a few things I probably should of pointed out that confuse the issue is that The BenQ is supposed to be cheaper, although at the moment it's about a little more in US dollars. In pounds it's a good deal cheaper though according to their review, which is partly why they scored it so well. But it's still pretty rare/new, so I figure prices will still be setlling on it.
According to Trusted Reviews it's £549.99 without VAT, much below the Dell which they say is £702.00 without VAT. And also according to them better quality, enough for a perfect score across the board. Naturally TrustedReviews didn't score the 2407WFP half as well, so I'm trying to figure out which is indeed better for gaming purposes in response timings and such. ;)
What you've said pretty much sums up what I've read about the Dell 2407WFP, which is mostly why I find their ratings of that BenQ and it's purported price to be so hard to believe!
JarredWalton - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
I do have one BenQ LCD, but it's only a 19" model. I feel BenQ is a little cheaper on build quality, and I did have a 20" model for a bit that started emiting a high-pitched squeal at times. I haven't done the specific tests on the 19" model yet, but most 23/24" LCDs are very similar, as there aren't that many panel manufacturers. I'd be surprised if the BenQ is substantially better, but if you can find it for less money it's certainly worth considering. I'm trying to get a 24" Acer for review as well, as it's priced about $100 lower than the Dell 2407WFP.Kougar - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
Yipe, those things can squeal? I would not feel comfortable sitting infront of any monitor that squealed!Thank you again, I do aprpeciate your opinion and experiences with both company's line of displays.
And good luck getting that Acer, I'll add that one to my list! I'm planning on getting some kind of 22-24" widescreen display during the prime time sales season, but it really helps to have a good idea of what's out there already. Thanks again!
JarredWalton - Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - link
It's usually a transistor or capacitor or something that causes the noise. A lot of motherboards do it as well in my experience, but the pitch and volume of the noise from this particular LCD was louder than most others that I've encountered.Sunrise089 - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
Top of page 5 reads "One final at them to talk about is the included TV tuner""At them" should = "item"
I couldn't figure out how you would have mistyped that, but then I remembered that speech-recognition software review you did. Looks like that still isn't a perfected system :)
JarredWalton - Monday, September 18, 2006 - link
I do have to be very thorough about proofreading my articles, but after being up all night finishing up this review I missed that one. When I go through and do the final read before posting an article, I often encounter several spots for a look at the words and think, "what on earth did I say to get Dragon NaturallySpeaking to write that!?"Anyway, thanks for the correction. Hopefully that's the last one. :-)