XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?

Tom,

Could you tell us a little more about your 410?
I am thinking about getting the 420.
When you say "...some of the most reliable, upgradeable and expandable
machines I have ever owned." Tell me more <s>


"Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
news87F1AA769B548268F2438663125E367@M2010...
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: theconductor9@aol.com [mailto:theconductor9@aol.com]
>> Posted At: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:50 PM
>> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> Conversation: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
>> Subject: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I am wondering about which desktop system would be the best system for
>> me to get. Currently, the price difference in these two systems is
>> very small. Here are the specifications I am considering:
>>
>> Inspiron 530: Quad Core Processor Q6600, 2GB Ram, 320 GB Hard drive,
>> 16X DVDRW, 19 in 1 media card reader, 22" Samsung LCD, Integrated
>> Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 Video card
>>
>> XPS 420: Quad Core Processor Q6600, 3 GB Ram, 320 GB Hard Drive, 16X
>> DVDRW, Bluetooth 19 in 1 media card reader, 128 MB Ati Radeon HD 2400
>> Pro Video Card, Adobe Elements Studio
>>
>> My use for the computer would be for office, Internet, and Web Design
>> purposes. I probably would not be doing any gaming. The XPS system
>> above does not include a monitor, but after purchasing a monitor for
>> it the price difference is still pretty small ($75). Here are my
>> questions:
>>
>> How reliable are the XPS systems as I know they are relatively new for
>> Dell? Are they just mainly for gamers? Would the XPS system be
>> overkill for me considering what I use the computer for?
>>
>> Thanks in advance for any help/advice.
>
> I have four XPS410 computers. The 420 is a fairly minor update. They are
> some of the most reliable, upgradeable and expandable machines I have
> ever owned.
>
> My perception of the Inspiron desktop line is entry-level, lowest cost
> components, not greatly expandable.
>
> I'd go with the XPS420.
>

This should apply to the 420 too.

I run the 410/9200 machines 24/7. They are used primarily to record (or
serve) TV content. This means that the tuners are recording content to
the hard drives virtually 24/7 at an enormous rate. If I have really go
HD going strong, it can be as much as 50+GB. Per hour. In addition,
that 50GB is then compressed to AVI, reducing it to about 12GB per hour.
Up to four concurrent compression jobs (on the quad cores).

I've run as many as 6 INTERNAL hard drives on the 410. I've upgraded
memory. I've swapped numerous video cards. I've used Raid 0. I've
used Raid 1 (both are available through the motherboard).

On my Windows Home Server machine, I have two internal 1TB drives and
one internal 750GB drive. I've added an eSATA card and I have 5 external
750Gb drives.

All run in a large pool and serve content throughout the house, both
through BTV and Windows Media player (for music). The machine is also
the backup server for the whole house plus the Remote Desktop server.
Runs absolutely flawlessly.

I particularly like the ability to have four internal 3 1/2 drives and
two internal 5 1/4 drives. Mix and match. 6 SATA Ports on the
motherboard. 3 PCI slots plus on PCIe X16 and one PCIe X1 -- all
accessible.

That's just a start. GREAT machines.



> -----Original Message-----
> From: DotCom [mailto:nospam4me@nospam.com]
> Posted At: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 11:27 AM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
> Subject: Re: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
>
> Tom,
>
> Could you tell us a little more about your 410?
> I am thinking about getting the 420.
> When you say "...some of the most reliable, upgradeable and expandable
> machines I have ever owned." Tell me more <s>
>
>
> "Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news87F1AA769B548268F2438663125E367@M2010...
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: theconductor9@aol.com [mailto:theconductor9@aol.com]
> >> Posted At: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:50 PM
> >> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> >> Conversation: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
> >> Subject: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
> >>
> >> Hello,
> >>
> >> I am wondering about which desktop system would be the best system
> for
> >> me to get. Currently, the price difference in these two systems is
> >> very small. Here are the specifications I am considering:
> >>
> >> Inspiron 530: Quad Core Processor Q6600, 2GB Ram, 320 GB Hard
drive,
> >> 16X DVDRW, 19 in 1 media card reader, 22" Samsung LCD, Integrated
> >> Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 Video card
> >>
> >> XPS 420: Quad Core Processor Q6600, 3 GB Ram, 320 GB Hard Drive,
16X
> >> DVDRW, Bluetooth 19 in 1 media card reader, 128 MB Ati Radeon HD
> 2400
> >> Pro Video Card, Adobe Elements Studio
> >>
> >> My use for the computer would be for office, Internet, and Web
> Design
> >> purposes. I probably would not be doing any gaming. The XPS system
> >> above does not include a monitor, but after purchasing a monitor
for
> >> it the price difference is still pretty small ($75). Here are my
> >> questions:
> >>
> >> How reliable are the XPS systems as I know they are relatively new
> for
> >> Dell? Are they just mainly for gamers? Would the XPS system be
> >> overkill for me considering what I use the computer for?
> >>
> >> Thanks in advance for any help/advice.
> >
> > I have four XPS410 computers. The 420 is a fairly minor update. They
> are
> > some of the most reliable, upgradeable and expandable machines I
have
> > ever owned.
> >
> > My perception of the Inspiron desktop line is entry-level, lowest
> cost
> > components, not greatly expandable.
> >
> > I'd go with the XPS420.
> >

On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:11:54 GMT, "Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com>
wrote:

>I run the 410/9200 machines 24/7. They are used primarily to record (or
>serve) TV content. This means that the tuners are recording content to
>the hard drives virtually 24/7 at an enormous rate. If I have really go
>HD going strong, it can be as much as 50+GB. Per hour. In addition,
>that 50GB is then compressed to AVI, reducing it to about 12GB per hour.
>Up to four concurrent compression jobs (on the quad cores).

I've gotta ask.

What do you do with all that tv content?

What do you watch, besides your 410's

"Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:27664E85C63642A0BAA5DE25FE361EC3@M2010...
> This should apply to the 420 too.
>
> I run the 410/9200 machines 24/7. They are used primarily to record (or
> serve) TV content. This means that the tuners are recording content to
> the hard drives virtually 24/7 at an enormous rate. If I have really go
> HD going strong, it can be as much as 50+GB. Per hour. In addition,
> that 50GB is then compressed to AVI, reducing it to about 12GB per hour.
> Up to four concurrent compression jobs (on the quad cores).
>
> I've run as many as 6 INTERNAL hard drives on the 410. I've upgraded
> memory. I've swapped numerous video cards. I've used Raid 0. I've
> used Raid 1 (both are available through the motherboard).
>
> On my Windows Home Server machine, I have two internal 1TB drives and
> one internal 750GB drive. I've added an eSATA card and I have 5 external
> 750Gb drives.
>
> All run in a large pool and serve content throughout the house, both
> through BTV and Windows Media player (for music). The machine is also
> the backup server for the whole house plus the Remote Desktop server.
> Runs absolutely flawlessly.
>
> I particularly like the ability to have four internal 3 1/2 drives and
> two internal 5 1/4 drives. Mix and match. 6 SATA Ports on the
> motherboard. 3 PCI slots plus on PCIe X16 and one PCIe X1 -- all
> accessible.
>
> That's just a start. GREAT machines.


I'm just curious, when you say you've upgraded memory. Do you mean
just memory size ? AND memory speed ?

Since on the XPS 420, I notice they have DDR2 at 667 MHZ, and
another option of DDR2 at 800 MHZ. I was pinching pennies and
ordered the 667 MHZ ones. Now, I'm wondering how easy would it
be to "upgrade" to the 800 MHZ set (or if it would even make
any noticeable difference).

Do you know how hard it might be to upgrade the processor chip ?
I had ordered the E6850 Core 2 Duo, running at 3 GHZ with the
4MB L2 cache - my reason behind this was the thinking that not
many apps are written yet to take advantage of all 4 cores. In
hindsight, if i'm going to keep the machine for a few years -
the apps 'should' be out there in the future. Would a new quad
core chip be a matter of just physically pop in the new one ?
(remove air flow baffles, heat sink, flip the socket up, etc)..

OR - due to the Dell motherboard BIOS , am i forever stuck with
the current processor choice ? (ie. cannot upgrade CPU at all).

thanks in advance for any info.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: WaIIy [mailto:WaIIy@(nft).invalid]
> Posted At: Thursday, January 17, 2008 1:15 AM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
> Subject: Re: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
>
> On Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:11:54 GMT, "Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >I run the 410/9200 machines 24/7. They are used primarily to record
> (or
> >serve) TV content. This means that the tuners are recording content
> to
> >the hard drives virtually 24/7 at an enormous rate. If I have really
> go
> >HD going strong, it can be as much as 50+GB. Per hour. In addition,
> >that 50GB is then compressed to AVI, reducing it to about 12GB per
> hour.
> >Up to four concurrent compression jobs (on the quad cores).
>
> I've gotta ask.
>
> What do you do with all that tv content?
>
> What do you watch, besides your 410's

Well, up until last week I was retired and bored and had plenty of time
to watch. Now that I'm a working man again, it is collecting and will
get watched mostly on airplanes on my iPhone.

Of course with the writers strike, there is less and less to record.

WOW!
Thanks for the reply.
Looking forward to your answer to Homer as well.
Paula

"Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:27664E85C63642A0BAA5DE25FE361EC3@M2010...
> This should apply to the 420 too.
>
> I run the 410/9200 machines 24/7. They are used primarily to record (or
> serve) TV content. This means that the tuners are recording content to
> the hard drives virtually 24/7 at an enormous rate. If I have really go
> HD going strong, it can be as much as 50+GB. Per hour. In addition,
> that 50GB is then compressed to AVI, reducing it to about 12GB per hour.
> Up to four concurrent compression jobs (on the quad cores).
>
> I've run as many as 6 INTERNAL hard drives on the 410. I've upgraded
> memory. I've swapped numerous video cards. I've used Raid 0. I've
> used Raid 1 (both are available through the motherboard).
>
> On my Windows Home Server machine, I have two internal 1TB drives and
> one internal 750GB drive. I've added an eSATA card and I have 5 external
> 750Gb drives.
>
> All run in a large pool and serve content throughout the house, both
> through BTV and Windows Media player (for music). The machine is also
> the backup server for the whole house plus the Remote Desktop server.
> Runs absolutely flawlessly.
>
> I particularly like the ability to have four internal 3 1/2 drives and
> two internal 5 1/4 drives. Mix and match. 6 SATA Ports on the
> motherboard. 3 PCI slots plus on PCIe X16 and one PCIe X1 -- all
> accessible.
>
> That's just a start. GREAT machines.
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: DotCom [mailto:nospam4me@nospam.com]
>> Posted At: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 11:27 AM
>> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> Conversation: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
>> Subject: Re: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
>>
>> Tom,
>>
>> Could you tell us a little more about your 410?
>> I am thinking about getting the 420.
>> When you say "...some of the most reliable, upgradeable and expandable
>> machines I have ever owned." Tell me more <s>
>>
>>
>> "Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news87F1AA769B548268F2438663125E367@M2010...
>> >
>> >
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: theconductor9@aol.com [mailto:theconductor9@aol.com]
>> >> Posted At: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:50 PM
>> >> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> >> Conversation: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
>> >> Subject: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
>> >>
>> >> Hello,
>> >>
>> >> I am wondering about which desktop system would be the best system
>> for
>> >> me to get. Currently, the price difference in these two systems is
>> >> very small. Here are the specifications I am considering:
>> >>
>> >> Inspiron 530: Quad Core Processor Q6600, 2GB Ram, 320 GB Hard
> drive,
>> >> 16X DVDRW, 19 in 1 media card reader, 22" Samsung LCD, Integrated
>> >> Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 Video card
>> >>
>> >> XPS 420: Quad Core Processor Q6600, 3 GB Ram, 320 GB Hard Drive,
> 16X
>> >> DVDRW, Bluetooth 19 in 1 media card reader, 128 MB Ati Radeon HD
>> 2400
>> >> Pro Video Card, Adobe Elements Studio
>> >>
>> >> My use for the computer would be for office, Internet, and Web
>> Design
>> >> purposes. I probably would not be doing any gaming. The XPS system
>> >> above does not include a monitor, but after purchasing a monitor
> for
>> >> it the price difference is still pretty small ($75). Here are my
>> >> questions:
>> >>
>> >> How reliable are the XPS systems as I know they are relatively new
>> for
>> >> Dell? Are they just mainly for gamers? Would the XPS system be
>> >> overkill for me considering what I use the computer for?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks in advance for any help/advice.
>> >
>> > I have four XPS410 computers. The 420 is a fairly minor update. They
>> are
>> > some of the most reliable, upgradeable and expandable machines I
> have
>> > ever owned.
>> >
>> > My perception of the Inspiron desktop line is entry-level, lowest
>> cost
>> > components, not greatly expandable.
>> >
>> > I'd go with the XPS420.
>> >
>

"Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote:

>This should apply to the 420 too.
>
>I run the 410/9200 machines 24/7.

Question...would the 420 be a good choice for CAD work
and solids modeling as well?

<me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:dl0vo3t4nqch7n9tiij2404gk496lpe82a@4ax.com...
> "Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>This should apply to the 420 too.
>>
>>I run the 410/9200 machines 24/7.
>
> Question...would the 420 be a good choice for CAD work
> and solids modeling as well?



Properly configured, without question.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: me@privacy.net [mailto:me@privacy.net]
> Posted At: Thursday, January 17, 2008 10:31 AM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
> Subject: Re: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
>
> "Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >This should apply to the 420 too.
> >
> >I run the 410/9200 machines 24/7.
>
> Question...would the 420 be a good choice for CAD work
> and solids modeling as well?

Seems like it would be a great choice with the right high-end video
card.

Uh oh, what was Homer's question?

> -----Original Message-----
> From: DotCom [mailto:nospam4me@nospam.com]
> Posted At: Thursday, January 17, 2008 9:35 AM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
> Subject: Re: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
>
> WOW!
> Thanks for the reply.
> Looking forward to your answer to Homer as well.
> Paula
>
> "Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:27664E85C63642A0BAA5DE25FE361EC3@M2010...
> > This should apply to the 420 too.
> >
> > I run the 410/9200 machines 24/7. They are used primarily to record
> (or
> > serve) TV content. This means that the tuners are recording content
> to
> > the hard drives virtually 24/7 at an enormous rate. If I have
really
> go
> > HD going strong, it can be as much as 50+GB. Per hour. In
addition,
> > that 50GB is then compressed to AVI, reducing it to about 12GB per
> hour.
> > Up to four concurrent compression jobs (on the quad cores).
> >
> > I've run as many as 6 INTERNAL hard drives on the 410. I've
upgraded
> > memory. I've swapped numerous video cards. I've used Raid 0. I've
> > used Raid 1 (both are available through the motherboard).
> >
> > On my Windows Home Server machine, I have two internal 1TB drives
and
> > one internal 750GB drive. I've added an eSATA card and I have 5
> external
> > 750Gb drives.
> >
> > All run in a large pool and serve content throughout the house, both
> > through BTV and Windows Media player (for music). The machine is
> also
> > the backup server for the whole house plus the Remote Desktop
server.
> > Runs absolutely flawlessly.
> >
> > I particularly like the ability to have four internal 3 1/2 drives
> and
> > two internal 5 1/4 drives. Mix and match. 6 SATA Ports on the
> > motherboard. 3 PCI slots plus on PCIe X16 and one PCIe X1 -- all
> > accessible.
> >
> > That's just a start. GREAT machines.
> >
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: DotCom [mailto:nospam4me@nospam.com]
> >> Posted At: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 11:27 AM
> >> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> >> Conversation: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
> >> Subject: Re: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
> >>
> >> Tom,
> >>
> >> Could you tell us a little more about your 410?
> >> I am thinking about getting the 420.
> >> When you say "...some of the most reliable, upgradeable and
> expandable
> >> machines I have ever owned." Tell me more <s>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Tom Scales" <tjscales@gmail.com> wrote in message
> >> news87F1AA769B548268F2438663125E367@M2010...
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> >> From: theconductor9@aol.com [mailto:theconductor9@aol.com]
> >> >> Posted At: Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:50 PM
> >> >> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> >> >> Conversation: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
> >> >> Subject: XPS 420 or Inspiron 530?
> >> >>
> >> >> Hello,
> >> >>
> >> >> I am wondering about which desktop system would be the best
> system
> >> for
> >> >> me to get. Currently, the price difference in these two systems
> is
> >> >> very small. Here are the specifications I am considering:
> >> >>
> >> >> Inspiron 530: Quad Core Processor Q6600, 2GB Ram, 320 GB Hard
> > drive,
> >> >> 16X DVDRW, 19 in 1 media card reader, 22" Samsung LCD,
Integrated
> >> >> Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 Video card
> >> >>
> >> >> XPS 420: Quad Core Processor Q6600, 3 GB Ram, 320 GB Hard Drive,
> > 16X
> >> >> DVDRW, Bluetooth 19 in 1 media card reader, 128 MB Ati Radeon HD
> >> 2400
> >> >> Pro Video Card, Adobe Elements Studio
> >> >>
> >> >> My use for the computer would be for office, Internet, and Web
> >> Design
> >> >> purposes. I probably would not be doing any gaming. The XPS
> system
> >> >> above does not include a monitor, but after purchasing a monitor
> > for
> >> >> it the price difference is still pretty small ($75). Here are my
> >> >> questions:
> >> >>
> >> >> How reliable are the XPS systems as I know they are relatively
> new
> >> for
> >> >> Dell? Are they just mainly for gamers? Would the XPS system be
> >> >> overkill for me considering what I use the computer for?
> >> >>
> >> >> Thanks in advance for any help/advice.
> >> >
> >> > I have four XPS410 computers. The 420 is a fairly minor update.
> They
> >> are
> >> > some of the most reliable, upgradeable and expandable machines I
> > have
> >> > ever owned.
> >> >
> >> > My perception of the Inspiron desktop line is entry-level, lowest
> >> cost
> >> > components, not greatly expandable.
> >> >
> >> > I'd go with the XPS420.
> >> >
> >