Originally posted by c_n00b
i guess i'm getting a new computer for christmas
http://support.dell.com/support/order/details.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&order_number=100317926
hopefully it will be able to handle it :-)
Speaking as someone thats actually
worked on Dells in the past, I can honestly say that the newer models are pieces of utter garbage. I could go into a long-winded rant on how horrible Dell has gotten over the years, but by the time I typed it all up the board would log me out automatically.
Suffice it to say, they use cheap retention methods instead of doing things like they should have from the beginning. For instance, the only thing holding down all the peripherials in the PCI and AGP slots is a little plastic lever. There are NO screws at all. If that plastic lever were to dry-rot and break...good luck keeping those cards in those slots securely. The heatsink retention method is severely lacking to say the least. One good thump on the case and the damn thing falls off! They don't even use a damn fan on the thing! The only thing keeping your processor from overheating is a cheapass plastic shroud covering it, which leads to a very slow outlet fan (the only fan in the case, not counting the one in the power supply). They're even so cheap that they slap in PC2100 DDR (266MHz effective) instead of atleast PC3200 (which would match the processor's FSB if its an older P4,) which only cost them what...a couple dollars more? Way to go Dell...
This may not mean anything to you, but using slower RAM hinders your performance greatly. Its like sticking a 3 cylinder engine into a full-size pickup. Sure, it'll
work, but it'll take you forever to get anywhere. Lastly, their wiring methods are completely sub-standard. The power and ribbon cables are strewn all about the case, which not only hampers what little airflow you might have, but it looks like ****!
If you think Dell is bad after reading this, HP and Compaq are even worse offenders! Atleast I have some room to work with in a Dell. HP and Compaq cram everything together so damn tightly that I have to remove 80% of what's in there just to get at the RAM! The airflow is so
minimal that if its running in a dusty environment, be ready for overheating issues.
Alienware...you get charged three to four times what it would cost to build the damn thing yourself! Alienware is so overpriced, its rediculous. Its like buying a Toyota at the price you'd normally pay for a Mercedez. The only thing they're good for is picking out parts for yourself, and then shopping around for the best price.
