Dell's Gaming XPS Systems

I was wondering how good these Dell Gaming XPS systems really are. I was considering purchasing one this summer for my first year of college this fall. I'm not a huge PC gamer but I do have a handful of games that I play.

I'm really just looking for a rig that will run UT3 (on relatively high settings), StarCraft II (when it comes out), and Guild Wars (which I can already run just fine). Anyways, after a little bit of custimization, this is what I came up with.

Dell XPS 630 (if you're curious)

Intel Core 2 E8400, 6MB 3.0 GHz

2GB RAM (Maybe 3 when I get closer to purchasing it)

500GB HD

Dual 256MB Radeon ATI HD 2600 XT

If you need more info let me know

Personally I would say build a system since it'll save you a lot of money and you can chose the exact components that'll suit your needs/budget. If you must go with a pre-built, that dell xps looks good, although the you should prolly go with at least something like a 9600gt or 8800gt video card for the games you want to play. andyroo08

I've been considering that too. How hard is it to build it yourself?

[QUOTE="andyroo08"]Personally I would say build a system since it'll save you a lot of money and you can chose the exact components that'll suit your needs/budget. If you must go with a pre-built, that dell xps looks good, although the you should prolly go with at least something like a 9600gt or 8800gt video card for the games you want to play. Yoshi25

I've been considering that too. How hard is it to build it yourself?

It's not that difficult, it's just a matter of selecting the right components and it pretty much goes together like lego. There are some great guides out there, this ones is good and fairly up to date.

building it from scratch isnt always alot cheaper i actually found the budles from plaaces like overclockers and novatech to be cheaper than the "custom built" counter part.

but deff keep away from dell they are a bit to pricey lol

If you go for there xps their expensiive, but try ther inspiron 530. and just buy a different g card. then your in business.and not to much!

Q6600, 2600xt 256mb gddr4, 4gb 800mhz ram.

I would consider giving building a try its not really that hard at all because i looked at dell's website with those parts you wanted and they were charging you $1250 for about $800 worth of parts but the $800 parts had a better motherboard, free game, better ram, quite possible better powersupply,ect....

If you must have a pre-built buy from http://www.avadirect.com/ I customized a system identical to the one you wanted for $1000 and the big thing is that you don't have to pay an extra warrenty's. Dell charges an extra $400 for a 3 year warrenty with below average customer support. With avadirect its free not to mention you can actually choose the quality of parts you want in pretty much every catagory

I have one and love it. Like others have said, make sure you get at least an 8800GT.luamhtrad

They only offer an 8600GT. Is that still good enough?

[QUOTE="luamhtrad"]I have one and love it. Like others have said, make sure you get at least an 8800GT.Yoshi25

They only offer an 8600GT. Is that still good enough?

you may as well order from avadirect.com

u can choose every aspect (cant choose the mobo from dell) and they are reasonably priced

[QUOTE="Yoshi25"]

[QUOTE="luamhtrad"]I have one and love it. Like others have said, make sure you get at least an 8800GT.blooddrunk

They only offer an 8600GT. Is that still good enough?

you may as well order from avadirect.com

u can choose every aspect (cant choose the mobo from dell) and they are reasonably priced

Ok, I'll check it out. Is the 8800GT like the graphics card right now?

[QUOTE="blooddrunk"][QUOTE="Yoshi25"]

[QUOTE="luamhtrad"]I have one and love it. Like others have said, make sure you get at least an 8800GT.Yoshi25

They only offer an 8600GT. Is that still good enough?

you may as well order from avadirect.com

u can choose every aspect (cant choose the mobo from dell) and they are reasonably priced

Ok, I'll check it out. Is the 8800GT like the graphics card right now?

Yes. And about the 8600GT, I don't believe you.

[QUOTE="Yoshi25"][QUOTE="blooddrunk"][QUOTE="Yoshi25"]

[QUOTE="luamhtrad"]I have one and love it. Like others have said, make sure you get at least an 8800GT.luamhtrad

They only offer an 8600GT. Is that still good enough?

you may as well order from avadirect.com

u can choose every aspect (cant choose the mobo from dell) and they are reasonably priced

Ok, I'll check it out. Is the 8800GT like the graphics card right now?

Yes. And about the 8600GT, I don't believe you.

haha, I meant there was no 8800GT with the Inspirons. Not the gaming desktops.

haha, I meant there was no 8800GT with the Inspirons. Not the gaming desktops. Yoshi25

:| Your topic is clearly about XPS systems. Your first post included specs from a 630. Now your talking about laptops? :|

I would rather build a computer from somewhere like www.ibuypower.com where you can get an identical XPS computer for half the price of dell.bigwayner

And about 5% of the quality.

The specs are fine except the graphics cards.One 8800 GT beats two ati 2600XT.

[QUOTE="Yoshi25"]haha, I meant there was no 8800GT with the Inspirons. Not the gaming desktops. luamhtrad

:| Your topic is clearly about XPS systems. Your first post included specs from a 630. Now your talking about laptops? :|

Somebody said to get an inspiron 530 instead and just get the 8800 with it. So my original post about the inspirions not having an 8800GT was in reply to him, not you. Sorry.

Somebody said to get an inspiron 530 instead and just get the 8800 with it. So my original post about the inspirions not having an 8800GT was in reply to him, not you. Sorry. Yoshi25

Oh, ok. If you're going to buy a Dell, get an XPS. The Inspirons aren't meant to be gaming machines.

[QUOTE="Yoshi25"]Somebody said to get an inspiron 530 instead and just get the 8800 with it. So my original post about the inspirions not having an 8800GT was in reply to him, not you. Sorry. luamhtrad

Oh, ok. If you're going to buy a Dell, get an XPS. The Inspirons aren't meant to be gaming machines.

If i were you id build my own PC you can build it cheaper or build it for the same price but its faster i dont see why people buy pre made PCs to get screwd over becuase the price is rediculousbeedouk

Buying a Dell XPS system at asking retail price is just plain stupid. It's like buying all of your parts at Best Buy instead of Newegg. You just don't do it. Unless you are stupid. If you do buy an XPS system (like myself), you wait for a special sale and then tack on 15% off coupon and stack an employee purchase program discount on top of that. I paid less for my setup than if I were to build it myself. I know this because originally, I was going to build it myself as I have every other computer (except my lappies) I own. But toss in a 4-year complete care warranty on top of everything else and you got a deal. Just remember, if Newegg and others didn't exist, everyone would be buying pre-builds.

Well, the avadirect.com looks pretty promising so I might try that out.Yoshi25

That's a good choice, if I absolutely had to get a pre-built AVADirect would be my first choice. That being said you will get more for your money if you build it yourself. It might seem intimidating but is very simple, just plug everything into the correct slot.

Look for E8400 or Q6600 for CPU, 8800gt or 9600gt for video card, and at least 2GB quality memory.