Dell Dimension E510 (Pentium 4 630 3GHz, 512MB RAM, 80GB HDD, XP Media Center 2005)
Desktops Buying Guide
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November 24, 2005 09:42
4.5/5
Let me start out my saying that I searched google and found a 30% off coupon. This is how I made this computer a bargain. For $1200 bucks it consists of a 17 inch TFT monitor, which is an active matrix that activates each individual pixel, as opposed to a passive matrix that scans. I also got some 2.1 speakers I am happy with. Thats all in terms of extras, everything else was just the computer.
I have the pentium 4 650 in my system, which is 3.4 ghz and 2mb L2 cache. My system has 2 gigabytes of RAM, however it is only rated at 400 mhz, Dell didnt give me the option of upgrading to 533 or even 667 mhz. Its no big deal, although its part of, even if just slightly, the reason I didnt give it a 10 rating. The hard drive is 250 gigabytes. This works for me, I dont need to spend an extra 270 bucks to upgrade to 500 gigabytes. When I need more space, I will just buy another 500 gigabyte hard drive, install it myself, and have 750 gigabytes of total space. The benefit here is 500 gigabyte hard drive will be a lot cheaper when I need more room in the futre. Hard drives will also be larger, so who knows how big I could actually go. So these are main components, Pentium 4 650, clocked at 3.4 ghz, 2 gigabytes of 400 mhz RAM, and 250 gigabyte SATA hard drive.
Now for I what I consider the extra's in the system. The rating for this system took a beating due to the video card options. ATI Radeon X600 SE Hypermemory is the best you can go with, which is similar to Nvidia's TurboCache technology. Basically, I have 128mb of onboard memory on my video card, and 128 mb taken from my RAM (which is why I upgraded to 2 gb). Where this system gets some bonus points is in the sound card. Although Dell no longer offers the X-Fi with their new configurations of the E510, when I bought my system, this option was available. For $120 bucks I was able to upgrade from no sound card to the Creative X-Fi Xtreme Music. So for $84 (30% off of $120), I got a $130 sound card in my system, which is pretty impressive. Also, I have plenty of USB ports, and 1 firewire port. I know the review says there arent any firewire ports, but my computer has firewire, so maybe Dell updated that. Also, I have a CD/DVD player and double layer CD/DVD burner.
In review, I think I covered all the basics. Everything, including shipping, came to $1211, that includes the monitor that Dell sells for $300 alone. As for shipping, I got my computer the day it was actually supposed to ship, so I was happy with that. My suggestion to you is to go to google, type in Coupon Codes: Company name, and see what comes up. I wouldnt have been able to afford this system without doing so. Even if you are buying something completely different, check it out. Anyway, how does my system run? It runs well, I am very happy with it. I tell you, with the Creative X-Fi sound card, and my Grado headphones, music sounds great. I did have to un-install some programs though, including Yahoo! MusicMatch which is a drain on the system. If you are wanting dual-core, however, wait for the Intel 9xx series, or go with AMD, they make very good processors as well. Either way, I think my system is a little better than a 6.7, and with a little work, you can have a good system that rates better than what the editors think as well. Good luck, I hope I have helped you with your computer shopping decision, and if you need any help, just ask me and I will try my best to help out. -
November 25, 2005 03:43
4.0/5
I just got, through employee discount and lucky spotting of short-lived 20% off 510s deal, an amazing system for just under $1500.
The problem I find with the CNet review of the 510 is there doesn't seem to be any recognition that the number is in someways is just about the box and not about the very real reality, at least with Dell of making it a much better deal.
Here is what I got, for 1500:
Pentium 4 650 (3.4ghz)
250 gig hard drive
The X600 video card (256mb hypermem)
The Sound Blaster Audigy 2S
Basic 2.1 speaker systerm
dual 16x dvd drives: one's a dvd burner can do the two sided thing.
AND, the 2004FPW dell ultrasharp 20" widescreen monitor.
Oh yeah DUAL TV TUNER and Remote and all on the Windows Media Center.
Well, for me, that's an amazing system that will hold me for a number of years I am sure.
It's all about what your needs are. The e510 is a good computer and you can tweak it yourself with the options. To give the test system the "editor's rating" without the recognition that the consumer at Dell can do a lot better for a little more, is misleading, methinks.Updated
The folks giving this thing a 1 on here because of customer service should be expunged by the Cnet people. I bet it's all the same guy. Anyway, a month into use of this, it's changed my life. The media center softwar is great. My desktop is extended to my Sony. I can use the media center on TV and use be online at the same time. I "record" my Seinfeld, Family Guy and Simpsons automatically via the Media Center. And the monitor -- oh the monitor! The Dell 20" widescreen is fantastic. Do not hesitate on this one and don't get suckered in by the extra XPS cost -- unless you're getting the high end gaming ones. I don't game, so that's not an issue. But the 3.4ghz is gonna do for me what I need for years to come.Updated
The folks giving this thing a 1 on here because of customer service should be expunged by the Cnet people. I bet it's all the same guy. Anyway, a month into use of this, it's changed my life. The media center softwar is great. My desktop is extended to my Sony. I can use the media center on TV and use be online at the same time. I "record" my Seinfeld, Family Guy and Simpsons automatically via the Media Center. And the monitor -- oh the monitor! The Dell 20" widescreen is fantastic. Do not hesitate on this one and don't get suckered in by the extra XPS cost -- unless you're getting the high end gaming ones. I don't game, so that's not an issue. But the 3.4ghz is gonna do for me what I need for years to come. -
December 5, 2005 05:01
4.5/5
Originally I was planning to get an XPS 600, however, when I tried my friend's XPS, I found it to be way too loud. So I went ahead and bought the E510. First off, here is what I customized it with: 3.2Ghz P4 processor, 1GB DDR2 RAM, Windows Media Center OS, FREE upgrade to 19 in. flat panel, ATI 256MB graphics card, 160GB hard drive, Sound Blaster Audigy sound card, and the Dell 2.1 speakers...all for the low price of $828.80!(with 30% off coupon I found on Google)The performance is top-notch in both graphics and other multi-media apps. I was amazed at how remarkably quiet the BTX system was and the fact that it ran Half-Life 2 at a solid framerate.
Th processor is very fast, but it leaves me craving a dual-core processor option. The 1Gb of RAM is all I need, however, there is room to expand upto 4GB in the future. It's not not by any chance an XPS, but you cannot beat the price of this incredible Entertainment PC. I would rate it a 10, but the lack of a dual-core option lowers it down to a 9.
Happy Holidays! -
December 7, 2005 06:50
Terrible
0.5/5
Dont ever buy a Dell unless you want the biggest run around in your life. Bad Customer service...if you have a problem you just get pushed away. They wont even give you a manager if you ask for one..was on the phone this morning for 2.5 hours asked for a manager 10 times never spoke to one yet..just pushed from sales to customer support. Why would anyone want that problem got to bestbuy or a store like that you can at least talk with someone face to face -
July 25, 2006 05:35
Good
1.5/5
Every single Dell computer I've setup for a client I've had problems with. This time it Dell supprt took 2 5 hour sessions to diagnose a bad RAM chip that it took me 5 minutes to diagnose. Unfortunately, their technicians must go through the pre-perscribed script before they can send out a replacement component. Thank being said, they always find the problem and quickly remedy it after they decide what the problem is.Updated
My unit also Blue Screened due to adding the media bay. Installer added the media bay but didn't delete the bios reference to a previously installed floppy. It constantly blue screened due to a missing IRQ. If you get a media bay that isn't part of the base con figuartion make sure to delete that reference -
April 9, 2006 10:14
4.0/5
I had built my computer and it came out to just under $1200. But thanks to an earlier post by someone, I checked online for coupons and ended up saving 40% more - which allowed me to add some additional features that I didn't think I could afford. Added the single TV tuner and remote for a little extra to give the wife and kids the ablity to watch TV in the kitchen. I can't wait to open the box. Stay tuned. -
March 19, 2006 08:43
4.5/5
This new machine is less than a week old, having just received it earlier this week (Tuesday). Dell delivered this machine in less than a week. Setup was easy. A few quirks at the start, but this is to be expected.
Sales personnel were courteous and helpful. Paid less than a $1000 for the following:
DIM E510,P4,630 (3.0 GHZ),HT
1GB DDR2 SDRAM,533MHZ- 2X512MB,DIM,M
19IN (19.0 IN) Flat Panel Monitor
128MB ATI HYPER MEM X300SE
160GB SERIAL ATA,7200 RPM,
13 IN 1 MEDIA CARD READER
IEEE 1394 PORT
ENHANCED SOUND
SPEAKERS W/SUBWOOFERUpdated
Last night, I arrived home from work and found the computer shutdown. My wife told me that the machine froze and would not reboot. I tried to start the machine and received a system error.
I called Dell service last evening and talked with someone who I assume was from India based on his accent going by the name of Mac. Well, contrary to some of the horror stories, Mac was extremely helpful. The hard-drive crashed and needed to be replaced.
This afternoon, a service tech showed up with a new hard-drive. The machine is up and running.
Dell responded in less than 24 hours. I would say that is pretty difficult to find fault with.
Though I would have preferred not to have required service, I have to rate them a '10' with regard to their response, their courtesy, the respective knowledge of both the person I spoke with last night and the service tech. Most important, the machine is running. -
March 19, 2006 01:25
4.5/5
Besides not being Gamer Friendly. THe Computer is excellent especially for the price. I paid 866.00 after taxes/ shipping and discounts of about 300. I found the discouint online. MIne has two
3.4Ghz Intel Pentium 4 processors
160 Hard Drive
1 Gig Ram (2 512MB using SLI technology)
2 DVD Disc Drives including a DVD-R/RW
7 USB Ports
and more
I upgraded my generic 305 W supply to a 480W ANtec True 2.0. I then was able to run my PNY Verto Nvidia Geforce 6800 GS Card. Dell atempts to coax first time buyers into bying there xps system which is comes Gamer ready. The Dimension sells more towards those who have no game interest but do watch video and view photos and such. Without the added card and power supply the computer was a 7 at best. Cheap trick dell runs on people. Anybody with suffecient knowledge can purchase upgrades on thier own and continue to make this computer a knockout and affordable. Just don't buy your aupgrades from Dell or trust Dell to offer you the best honest advice on boosting your PC. DO the research urself. Dell Scams people. I feel like I got one over on them. So I plan to buy another hard drive maybe 500gigs and feel my two memory slots with 2 gigs of quality memory from the cheapest offer I can find and load those suckers up. A Victory for the little man. -
March 1, 2006 08:01
Good
1.5/5
On paper this looked like it would be a great buy. Unfortunately, the E510 has proven to be a frustrating machine for me.
I have had to reset the computer back to it's factory settings twice in the three months I've owned it.
It won't allow me to install MS Word -- it installed all the other MS Office applications, but won't take Word?
It won't shut down on it's own. Just hangs until I unplug it. I know that isn't helping but its the only way to restart the PC.
Many of the programs my kids have (Chessmaster for example) just won't load. They were all running on XP previously.
So, my wife tried to call support. An absolute nightmare. On hold for three hours, speaking to Indian support representatives who she couldn't understand. Then she responded to a pitch from Dell to buy onsite support. So she bought that package -- guess what -- she can't get through to anyone to schedule an onsite visit.
I have been a Dell fan for many years. I've bought four desktops at home and many many more for business. But my last PC burned out after only two years of use, and with this last experience, I am selling my Dell stock. They are definitely slipping as a company if my experience is representative. -
February 9, 2006 04:10
4.0/5
I am very happy with this system. The montor made the deal nice. I upgrated to one gig of RAM. Had an 80 gig dual hard drive. 80 gig as not enough so I installed a 250G external hard drive. I am not a big gamer but the big plus was the Media Center Software. I find it easy and fun to use. This system works great. Price was $1,400 before taxes and shipping.
