I completely agree with you. Initially, I had actually ordered this: Dell XPS 8300 Desktop: Core i7-2600 (3.4GHz), 1TB 7200 RPM HDD, 8GB DDR3, Nvidia Geforce GT530, Windows 7 Prem 64-Bit $679 + Free Shipping Specs: Intel Core i7-2600 (3.4GHz) Processor 8GB DDR3 Memory 1TB 7200 RPM, SATA Hard Drive 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) Nvidia Geforce GT530 Dell 1501 Wireless-N PCIe Card Microsoft Office Starter Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit However, I had to return it since I could not add additional GPUs and thought I may try out a BIY, spending the same amount. For next time I may choose otherwise. On a positive note, I have met some really good people here, I just received ASUS RMA forms (the supervisor said they would get it to me in 5 days - it pays to be nice) and I don't have to return the "faulty" item. I'm thinking that I can sell the new mobo they send me, if I can manage with 4 monitors. Let's see.
While this is logical, my early experience with a Dell dual-Xeon workstation was a nightmare. - the 'tech specialist' (who the sales guy consulted), spec'd out two different video cards with two different drivers - this caused weeks/months of angst for me and the tech support guys. After getting the video card tech support rep on the phone, he said they never recommend having multiple cards with different drivers because you cannot allocate drivers to a specific card. Even after finding the source of the issues, the tech support guys couldn't authorize changes to the original configuration - only the sales guy can do that ..... yada, yada, yada - things were eventually made right - but not without much time on the phone - items not shipped with the original build are not covered under Dell warranty. The sales guy & I actually discussed this during the purchase negotiations as I told him I only wanted to deal with one company if anything goes south. Two video cards died under warranty but neither was covered since the actual card 'manufacturer' went out of business a month or two before they crashed (this scenario happened twice). Similar issues w/ monitors... - raid 1 (mirror) was never configured from the factory - discs were present but the array was not set up (more phone time w/ techs) While the above issues (& more) were frustrating, I still respect Dell & would purchase from them again. - their USA-based support people are top notch (magnitudes above overseas support imho) - the design of my workstation is great - something I've come to appreciate more as I research my own build. Both cpu's are shrouded with their own exhaust fan. Supply air ducts are located in front of hard drives to provide cooling air. The psu is in it's own compartment so the heat doesn't get near the other components (like Tiki's unique build) - many of my issues could have been reduced or eliminated if I had more knowledge & the sales / tech-specialist weren't nimrods. All the best, R
Too bad you didn't try the Precision T3500 initially. Dell's XPS line is generally for consumer and gamer use while the Precision line is workstation/business. I've bought only 1 Dell "budget line" computer.. a Vostro. I got it cheap and had a specific use for it.... still it had a few quirks (due to BIOS limitations, I believe).. and I wouldn't buy another one especially for trading. The Vostro is OK for the kids and general computing for the folks, however. If you've got 2 working PCIE x16 slots (or even 1, x16 + 1, x1.. on an X58 mobo), you should be able to run 4-8 monitors if you choose.
Say it isn't so! I hope it doesn't change your impression of building youself. I am fortunate. I bought 3 motherboards and assembled all 3 boxes without a hitch. I take it that one of the 3 PCIe X16 slots maybe dysfunctional. But was it the cause of the symptoms you described a week ago? That you didn't even have BIOS/CMOS displayed on the monitor. Just double check: Was is a case of bad motherboard (the PCIe X16 slot), or bad video card? Have you swapped around the video cards and tested? RE: building versus buying I would buy existing boxes without a second thought, as I did a few years back. That is provided if the box has everything I needed. With economy of scale, putting a box together by ourselves has a higher price tag (if you count the hours spent doing it and learning things). That's for sure. But when a box doesn't have exactly what you need, what do you do? Some choose to give in and settle with what the vendors give. If that is only a matter of doing it myself, I choose to do it myself than settling.
Buying pre-built has its problems also. LEAPup ran into a negative experience with his purchase, although by now he may be very happy with a serious machine. It can happen in a DIY or purchasing a completed computer. Sam you may want to consider building a backup with the extra board and skip the high end parts, as they are already installed in the main machine. EDIT : I have mentioned this already, but I have received some of the best tech support advice from forums. Search different ones out and you will find gold and plenty of nice folks willing to help.
Helpful sites http://www.pcmech.com/forum/build-your-own-pc/ http://www.pcmech.com/forum/ http://www.pcguide.com/vb/index.php http://www.pctools.com/forum/ http://www.overclockers.com/forums/ http://www.overclock.net/ http://www.overclockerstech.com/
With all the great posts sometimes you need a place to save important ones, and maybe even important pages from threads that can be easily accessed from anywhere when needed. Someone shared a great addition for Firefox/ Windows add on that can be extremely useful for saving important posts, or pages of info that can be accessed from anywhere. Big thank you to that contributor. Cool thing is it saves what you clip so you can see exactly what you were looking at. The extension is called EVERNOTE Windows ( excellent one ) http://www.evernote.com/ Evernote Firefox Extension 5.0.0.170767 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/evernote-web-clipper/ Great stuff for keeping notes all this important info !