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Christian InTech Articles - Computers
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Dell Dimension XPS 600 Desktop Computer Review
Are you hunting for a top-notch desktop computer system? Well,
you'll be hard pressed to find a better one than the Dell
Dimension XPS 600. This powerful PC has all the power you need
to run the most complex business applications and run the most
graphic intensive 3D games.
One very nice feature of ther XPS 600 is the inclusion of two
high-end graphics cards in an SLI (Scalable Link Interface)
configuration, giving extremely high graphics horsepower. Add to
that the large 24 inch display and its stability - and we have
one great system.
There aren't many flaws about this PC - except that some
hardcore enthusiasts would complain that you can build a more
powerful (and cheaper system) using a dual core Athlon 64
processor.
Anyway, let's now jump into the details and see what the Dell
Dimension XPS 600 is all about.
CPU and Memory
The Dell XPS 600 is clearly set on being on a mean, high-end
gaming PC. The Intel Pentium 4 670 processor (running at 3.8
GHz) and installed 1 GB of RAM simply blows you away. Throw
anything you want at it - the latest 3D games, video editing or
number-crunching applications - it processes them with aplomb.
If you want to further drive up the power, the Dell Dimension
XPS 600 can be configured with practically any high-end Pentium
processor, including the dual-core Pentium Extreme Edition 840.
Case
The XPS 600 comes with a armor-like black and silver case. There
is a wealth of PCI Express and PCI slots in the box, but they're
filled, with graphics cards, TV tuners, and the Audigy 2 ZS
sound board. Overall, the case is easy to work with, but made of
plastic so it can feel a bit unsturdy. However, that is no big
issue considering the processing might of the machine.
Graphics
The dual GeForce 7800 GTX graphics cards in the XPS 600 are the
main draw of this system. 3D games these
days call for an
obscene amount of graphics horsepower - so Dell has responded
with a power packed solution. The cards are mounted on a new
nVidia-based motherboard chipset which is very apt since the
nVidia chipset that can use two full x16 PCI Express lanes for
the graphics, as opposed to previous configurations.
Data Storage
The Dell Dimension XPS 600 comes with - get this - 1 TB of hard
drive space! I can just imagine storing tons and tons of games,
music, videos and what have you in that drive - and not having
to worry about disk space for a long time.
Other Components
Another key component in this machine is the lovely 24 inch LCD
screen, which is great for playing games. The included primary
dual-Layer DVD+/-RW drive and a secondary DVD-ROM drive will
ensure you have enough optical storage capabilities.
The system also comes with the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center
Edition operating system and two standard TV tuners for home
entertainment.
Shortcomings
There isn't really any shortcoming for the Dell Dimension XPS
600. Perhaps the only problem is the price. At a price tag of
$5,000, its one of the most expensive offerings on the market.
But then again, if you're willing to pay for features that'll
only become mainstream two years down the road - it is a good
buy.
Conclusion
The Dell Dimension XPS 600 is a monster of a machine and truly
takes advantage of true x16 SLI dual graphics card processing.
Buy this machine and you won't have to upgrade your computer or
worry about slow gaming frame rates. Not for a very, very long
time .
About the author:
Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on building computers. Visit
his website at Build-Your-Own-Com
puters.com for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well
as buying good computer components.
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