Lately I am having more trouble with pages loading - I did really great for the last 6 years with my Dell Dimension 4100 (P4 CPU 2.8GHz, 1.5Gb Ram) but I fear it just can't keep up with the traffic stream on the WWW.

I am looking at the Studio XPS 7100 Featuring ultra-fast AMD 6 Core processor with dedicated graphics for $899 right now, $318 off. (Supposedly the ATI Radeon HD 5450 1gb is a video card so I am confused about the dedicated graphics.)

AMD Phenom™ II X6 1035T + ATI Radeon HD 5450 1GB

8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM3 at 1333MHz - 4 DIMMs

1TB4 - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache

This comes with a 20" Monitor and 2 year basic service plan.

The most gaming I do is Adventure/Mystery and lately a lot of casual games.

I like my Dell's and if I get 6 years out of this one I would be thrilled!

So, since I know nothing about these new processors - how am I doing please?

Dell Desktop Deals

or

Studio XPS 8100
No Monitor (I believe mine will still work? Flat Panel KDS 20")
Intel® Core™ i7-860 processor(8MB Cache, 2.80GHz)
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM2 at 1333MHz - 4 DIMMs
1TB3 - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
nVidia GeForce GTS240 1024MB GDDR3
$1079

My budget allows for $1000 so this isn't too much stretch.

Problems with webpages loading slowly are most likely due to slow internet connectivity. They could also be due to a failing network card or antivirus suites or software firewalls that scan everything before allowing it to display. If the problem is antivirus software, a faster computer would help. But if your problem is a slow connection, you'll still have problems.


Dedicated graphics is not the same as onboard graphics. Dedicated graphics means the graphics card has RAM (memory) that is dedicated for the card's use and not shared with the rest of the computer.

The two video cards are compared here
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=625&card2=620

Hey Jenny! Thanks for the info and link to the article.

According to Dell this is a separate video card already installed to the motherboard - hmmmm. Then why say integrated?

The 8100 will cost me more without coming with a monitor but at least I can see it has an nVidia 1gb video card so I am thinking that would be worth the extra $200?

This is a lot of money for me but I am just not comfortable with the Inspiron and do not want a laptop/notebook. I just prefer sitting at my desktop.

Linda

**edit: I went to the link you gave but sadly do not understand what I am seeing at all. Please just tell me what you are showing me if you can?

**edit again: I just reread your answer twice more and realize that this will not be shared memory. Thank you very much Jenny.

You basically want to compare the Memory Bandwidth, Texture and Pixel fill rates - the GT 240 wins hands down. Although it's not the fasted card on the block, it will do well for most adventure games.

Thank you AZ!

Are you saying then that the more expensive 8100 is the better deal for the better graphics card?

But also saying that the 7100 would most likely do everything I need?

Just trying to figure it all out before I buy.

Linda

It looks like you can get the ATI Radeon HD 5670 for the 7100. Check the ***Dell site*** under the "Processor and Graphics Card" selection. That would be a better choice than the 5450. You can see how much better it is ***here***

Thank you Jenny! Yes, I can! Same price!
And without the monitor I can take the 1.5TB HD and still come out under $899

I am upgrading myself to the better video card + 1.5 TB HD instead of the 1 TB.

Would the AMD Phenom II X6 1055T be a better choice too for $50 more?

The 7100 has a 450 power supply

The 8100 has a 350 power supply

How does my system sound now please?

P.S. I have satellite internet

I'm surprised they only put a 350 Watt power supply in the 8100. That's definitely a reason to go with the 7100.

It's up to you if you want to go with the Phenom II X6. Either processor will be more than enough for adventure games for the next few years.

Thank you both very much!

I hadn't been aware that I could change as much as I did -

The only question now is the setup with the monitor also comes with 2 years warranty and the one without the monitor only has 1 year.

I was thinking that with such a large HD there could be problems down the road? I have never had any problems with any of my Dells past the first few months.

You have both helped me so much

P.S. I ran both 7100 systems (with & without the monitor) using the same features:
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T + ATI Radeon HD 5670 1Gb
1.5 Tb HD
8gb DDR3
2 yr basic warranty

Are you ready?
With Monitor $1049
Without Monitor $1068

I got the same numbers when I ran them through.
Very strange.
If you want to upgrade to a larger monitor, you can get $160 off one of the larger ones if you start with the computer with the monitor.

I took your advice and for $39 took the first monitor upgrade to 21.5" which will add about 2" to width and 1" to height of my current 19". Thanks!

Thank you again for all your help - I really needed your guidance and I do appreciate it more than you could ever know. I found a good deal and you made it even better for just a couple more dollars!

Thanks to InlandAZ for explaining to me what you were showing me with the video cards.

I could possibly get 6 years out of this system too - who could ask for more?

Linda

It looks like a good system.
I think you'll enjoy the extra monitor space.

Early Christmas present to me from me

**edit:

Is there any way for me to transfer all my games to my new computer?

I have a lot of BigFishGames and wondered if these too could be transferred from the old XP to the new Win 7? BFG puts stuff into the registry - but it sure would be quicker.

Thanks!
Linda
P.S. Today the deal I found is gone! The same computer with monitor would cost me $179 more than when I purchased on Sunday! Wow!!