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General discussion

Dell XPS Gen4

Apr 3, 2005 7:09AM PDT

First, thanks to nerdyboy, John Robie, and especially Axinar, for giving me some advice on potential new computers.

Second, I still have the Dell XPS Gen4 as one of my options. However, I would like to know more about its motherboard. I have searched and searched, but I can't find the detailed specs which would answer this "simple" question:

How many IDE interfaces (slots/controllers -- not sure of the exact word) does the motherboard have?

If someone can provide me a link to this information OR if someone has their own XPS Gen4 and could look inside, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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RE
Apr 3, 2005 7:20AM PDT
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RE i wouldnt get a dell
Apr 3, 2005 7:21AM PDT

unless hardcore intel fan cuz amd is better

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Dell Dimension XPS Gen 4 Internals
Apr 3, 2005 8:15AM PDT

The Dell Dimension XPS dissapeared shortly before Christmas from the kiosk at the Tri-County Mall here in the Cincinnati area, which of course leaves the Axinar with some questions as to whether or not it might be open season on systems from large-name OEM's that are appropriate for obsessive modders like the Axinar.

Dell have a pic up of the innards of the XPS Gen 4:

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dimen_xps4?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&~page=3&~tab=viewstab#tabtop

It's kind of hard to make out the details, but it looks like they have gone to some sort of "clam shell" design and, without having one to actually handle, it is hard to tell if this make it easier to work on the box or not.

It also looks like they have gone to some sort of "pseudo-BTX" design with the CPU having an independent cooling air supply. This would be somewhat similar to the Dell GX280, which I HAVE handled, and it does seem to be almost as quiet as a BTX box.

Can't quite make out from the tech specs page whether this thing has any SATA ports:

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dimen_xps4?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&~tab=specstab#tabtop

My guess is not. Looks like it has physical room for three hard drives though though.

I almost bought one of these boxes, BTW, but the 825GM, even after being heavily modded usually came up less than similar configs for the XPS Gen 4.

Ax

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I Think I have the layout
May 14, 2005 4:31AM PDT

I own a dell 8800 that I just bought last summer (2004). The motherboard is your typical one with 4 ram slots,1 pcie, 5 pci, etc. It can hold 2 hard drives, 2 5 1/2 drives and 2 disk/zip drive. It has the same air duct feature as the xps, I think all dells come with that design because i have one of their computers back from 1998 and it still has an air duct.

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RE:
May 14, 2005 5:07AM PDT

Why not a Dell XPS Gen 5, it's avilable you know for around the same price...
ROger

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XPS Gen 5
May 14, 2005 1:33PM PDT

"its available you know for around the same price..."

wheres it available?
I think author of this thread was looking at Gen 4
Dell doesnt offer dual core processor yet as far as I can tell.

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It does
May 14, 2005 1:55PM PDT
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XPS Motherboard
May 14, 2005 5:31AM PDT

Hi a50,

Gee, if you are getting the XPS Gen4 with the new Intel Dual Core Processors the motherboard is more than likely the Intel D955X BKLKR, 955X chipset with DDR2.

Dell doesn't tell much about their motherboards in their specs. Dell may have special motherboards made for them to put in the XPS Gen4. What I have done in the past is dial up the 800 Dell number, getting the order/purchase department, and ask for a Dell engineer at the Round Rock, Texas factory. They sometimes refer you to just another clerk who can't answer your questions, so ask for a engineer, which I have talked to in the past.

Or, send an email to Intel/and/or Dell.

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Opps....as Damasta indicates it's Gen 5
May 14, 2005 5:46AM PDT

that I am referring to on Dual Core Processors, and is the future. Some even predict by the end of the year, 64-bit and dual core processor games.

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Gen 4 tech specs
May 14, 2005 1:36PM PDT
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I suggest
May 14, 2005 2:03PM PDT

you to build your own computer. A decent computer only system with above standard parts, all retail, that could be upgraded in the future to dual-core amd 64X2 would only cost you about $1400. If you're interested reply, and i'll send you the list of parts and costs. If you don't know how, you could find a friend who knows how and have them build it for you at your place. If you want a built computer, suggest you don't get an intel. Suggest perhaps monarch, like john robie, which would not lock the bios so you can upgrade the processor in the future and the costs would be slightly above building your own. Don't suggest getting a non-64 bit capable machine, nor one that can't be upgraded...
Roger

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I suggest
May 14, 2005 2:13PM PDT

Even if you do want intel, much cheaper to build on your own!!
On second note many prefer not only to have everything put together and ready to go for them but also to have it done by a major company such as dell.
One last comment be very careful when buying dell to watch there sales, can be the difference in upwards of 1000 dollars depending when you buy.

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Intel's current dual core...
May 16, 2005 12:14PM PDT

um
i'd not get the Intel dual core
in gaming it's nothing amazing (the 570J can tackle it)
it's just like having 2 Xeon's
it's not amazingly good at anything...not anything that couldn't be done for cheaper with 2 Xeon's

i'd wait for the AMD 64x2
which will probably cost less (AMD usually costs less)
and won't need as much power/make as much heat
and it's AMD, so you know it'll be fast