Currently, I'm torn between the Vostro 430 and the Studio XPS 8000. I'll be using it for gaming primarily, but I also do some multimedia stuff, like some minor video editting, flash, web development, graphic editting, etc. I also have a 2 monitor set-up, but that can easily be taken care of by my graphics card. Graphics card doesn't matter because I'll be using my Radeon HD 4850. I also have 2 extra 500gb HD sitting around at home and a 1TB external, so HD isn't a big deal. Optical drives also aren't a big deal, I got an extra DVD RW & Bluray player kicking around. Both also come with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit.
Vostro 430: $829 (or $750 for only 4gb RAM)
8GB RAM (4 DIMMs) 1333Mhz, 500gb HD, i5-750
XPS Studio 8000: $799
4gb RAM 1066Mhz, 500gb HD, i5-750
I could upgrade either to the i7-860, but I don't really think it is worth it based on the reviews I've read.
From the looks of it to me, the vostro is a better deal for my purposes, but it is geared more toward business than gaming, so I'm wondering if anyone knows which would be better for that. I am just wondering if there is anything else that the XPS would have over the Vostro, such as expandability and such.
I am mainly asking, because while the vostro's specs look good, it is being marketed as a small business machine, so I am wondering if anyone knows how it will handle games.
Also, I did double check the graphics cards that come with both, and they both are running the Radeon HD 4350, or I could pay to upgrade them.
I was just told however that opening up a Dell voids any warranty, so I am kind of on the fence on whether or not to get a dell now, because I want to install my own Bluray player, second HD and graphics card. I'll have to confirm with them.
I read a few other differences between the 2 as well.
XPS 8000:
-HDMI out
-7.1 Audio
-6 RAM slots
-8 USB ports
That is what I had thought as well, however when I had an MDG (when they were new, before it was common knowledge they were garbage) it voided the warranty if you opened the case (With good cause, because everything was assembled wrong in there to begin with!).
My roommate however informed me that opening them voided the warranty and they had a seal. This didn't sound right for a dell, so I figured I'd ask here. Even FS & BB let you install your own parts, their warranty just doesn't cover the extra parts you put in, which makes sense.
Alright, awesome. So the Vostro is definitely the better deal for gaming then?
My only other concern is (I doubt it is going to matter) is that the power supply might have issues with my graphics card & extra blu-ray drive, but I doubt it because they have upgrade options and support dual optical drives anyway.
Thanks guys, looks like I'll probably be going with the vostro. I figure 8gb of RAM should be plenty for a while.
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Originally Posted by huskyfan23
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