Dell Dimension XPS: Gaming with all the Trimmings
by Wesley Fink on November 13, 2003 10:35 PM EST- Posted in
- Systems
Dell Dimension XPS: The Test
The full suite of benchmarks was run with the Dell Dimension XPS gaming system. Dell shipped the XPS with an ATI Radeon 9800 XT video card, which was used for all benchmarks with the Dell system. Please keep in mind that all of our comparison benchmarks were run with the ATI Radeon 9800 PRO, which is slightly slower. The 9800 PRO and XT use essentially the same GPU, but the XT is clocked a bit faster than the 9800 PRO. For a better idea of how the two cards compare, please refer to our benchmarks in AnandTech's ATI 9800 XT review.Memory timings are not adjustable on the Dimension XPS, so benchmarks on the Dell were run with the memory and setup as provided by Dell. We confirmed with CPU-Z that Dell runs the installed DDR400 memory at 3-3-3-8 timings. This compares to the 2-2-2-6 timings that we normally use with Mushkin PC3500 Level 2 or OCZ 3500 Platinum Ltd in our system reviews at DDR400.
Dell provided a complete installation on the test XPS and we made no attempt to reinstall. To provide the best test results under these circumstances, all co-resident applications and special services loading at startup were turned off so they would not load at boot. Benchmarks were installed and run from the nearly empty 500GB SATA RAID array. AnandTech benchmarks are normally run with sound disabled to remove the influence of varying overhead depending on the sound chip used on the board or video card. We, therefore, disabled all on-board sound on the Dell Dimension XPS to provide the most comparable benchmarks.
Dell provided the test XPS with an installation of XP Home, rather than the XP Professional, which is our normal standard. Since Dell considers the XPS to be a high-end machine targeted at the serious gamer, we compared the performance of the XPS to other machines and boards that we have tested and might be considered by a serious gamer. We included results from the Asus P4C800-E, a top 875P motherboard, and Athlon64 FX, Athlon 64, and Athlon XP 3200+ systems.
| Performance Test Configuration | |
| Processor(s): | Intel Pentium 4 at 3.2GHz (800FSB) AMD Athlon64 3200+ (2.0GHz) AMD Athlon64 FX51 (2.2GHz) AMD Athlon XP 3200+ (2.2GHz, 400MHz FSB) |
| RAM: | 2 x 512MB Mushkin PC3500 Level II 2 x 512MB Mushkin ECC Registered PC3200 2 x 256MB Corsair PC3200 TwinX LL (v1.1) |
| Hard Drive(s): | 2X250GB SATA drives in RAID 0 Array Maxtor 120GB 7200 RPM (8MB Buffer) Western Digital 120GB 7200 RPM (8MB Buffer) |
| Video AGP & IDE Bus Master Drivers: | Intel SATA RAID Drivers VIA 4in1 Hyperion 4.49 (August 20, 2003) NVIDIA nForce version 2.45 (7/29/2003) NVIDIA nForce version 2.03 (1/30/03) |
| Video Card(s): | AT Radeon 9800 XT 256MB (AGP 8X) ATI Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB (AGP 8X) |
| Video Drivers: | ATI Catalyst 3.7 |
| Operating System(s): | Windows XP Home (Dell Dimension XPS) Windows XP Professional SP1 |
| Motherboards: | Dell Dimension XPS Gaming System Asus P4C800-E (Intel 875P) 3.2Ghz P4 Abit KV8-MAX3 Gigabyte K8NNXP-940 Athlon64 FX51 Chaintech ZNF3-150 (nForce3) Athlon64 3200+ MSI K8T Neo (VIA K8T800) Athlon64 3200+ DFI NFII Ultra (nForce2 U400) Barton 3200+ |
Recent performance tests on Athlon64, nForce2 Ultra 400 and Intel 875/865 boards used 2 x 512MB Mushkin PC3500 Level II Double-bank memory. The Athlon64 FX requires Registered or Registered ECC memory, so tests with the Gigabyte K8NNXP-940 were performed with Mushkin High Performance Registered ECC DDR400 memory. Previous tests of motherboards used 2 x 256MB Corsair 3200LL Ver. 1.1. Mushkin PC3500 L2 was employed to preserve the 2-2-2-6 timings that were used in tests with Corsair 3200LL Ver. 1.1. Both Mushkin and Corsair use the same Winbond BH5 memory chips in these modules.
All performance tests were run with the ATI 9800 PRO 128MB video card with AGP Aperture set to 128MB with Fast Write enabled. Resolution in all benchmarks is 1024x768x32.
For the fairest comparisons, benchmarks were recompiled for the Asus P4C800-E using a 3.2GHz Pentium4 processor.
Additions to Performance Tests
We have standardized on ZD Labs Internet Content Creation Winstone 2003 and ZD Labs Business Winstone 2002 for system benchmarking.Game Benchmarks
We have added Gun Metal DirectX Benchmark 2 from Yeti Labs, the new X2 Benchmark, which includes Transform and Lighting effects, and Aquamark 3 to our standard game benchmarks. We will be adding other benchmarks in the near future.
The XPS achieved a new high in Content Creation, which has always been one of the better benchmarks for Intel Pentium 4 based machines. With the combination of the 3.2GHz P4, ATI Radon 9800 XT, and the SATA RAID, we see scores approaching 60 for the first time. The Asus P4C800-E should be in the same area, since it was also tested with a 3.2 and 9800 PRO, and the video card does not have a great influence on Multimedia Winstone 2003. The fact that there is still a wide difference between the Asus and Dell in this benchmark tends to indicate that the hard drive has a large influence on the final result, with the huge 500GB SATA RAID pushing the Dell score to new highs. Pentium 4 systems rarely perform as well in General Usage, and the Dell performs here about the same as the Asus P4C800-E system. The newest Athlon64 FX systems dominate this benchmark as we would expect.
You will see in our whole benchmark suite that benchmarks for the Dell XPS are literally all over the place. In some tests, the Dell performs exceptionally well compared to competitive systems and processors, while in other benchmarks, the Dell is inexplicably much poorer than we would expect. We shared our benchmarks with Dell's testing lab before publishing, and in their own test environment, their results were roughly on par with those we found.
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Possessed Freak - Saturday, November 15, 2003 - link
Again, I stated that if you can not alter the system as sent for the review, change the ones that are in the benchmarks. Using simple trouble shooting techniques, you need to remove variables one at a time until you can find out just why the dell machine is all over the benchmark chart. The easiest way to do this is to add similar pieces of equipment to the other machines so they are on even footing. ONLY then can you possibly see any shortcomings the dell has or better, doesn't have.I understand the idea of testing the XPS as a complete system, then make the benchmark machines complete systems. You don't see car and driver comparing the new Jetta to a home built liquid cooled rocket assisted go cart, why do it here?
TrogdorJW - Friday, November 14, 2003 - link
Okay, addendum... similarly configured systems from Alienware and VoodooPC cost more than the Dell, especially if you want 2 GB of RAM. And you really can't beat the price for that 20 inch LCD. (You also really don't need it, do you? Heheh)I *WILL* say that Alienware's PC configuration tool kicks ass over all of the others. It's a marvelous design, updates everything without reloading a new page, gives you more options, and in general, just looks more classy than the other places. But their "base" systems are still pretty expensive. And of course I should point out that you can go with AMD with non-Dell companies, which will almost certainly give more bang for the buck.
Anyway, I suppose Wesley is right in saying that it's hard to match the options on this Dell system for the price. But come on... we're AnandTech readers, and I would be really surprised if anyone who reads this review actually buys the system. Then again, what do I know? People have done stranger things, in my opinion.
TrogdorJW - Friday, November 14, 2003 - link
Let me just post once again in *support* of Wesley's testing. I think using the system as configured is perfectly legit. But then, I think the *other* systems should have been modified to match it. My biggest gripe is that the end conclusion is that people that don't ever want to open up their computer but want a high performing system will love this XPC. True, they might. They're also stupid. Because, like I said earlier, you could go out and get a pre-built system with MUCH better support (Dell's tech support is getting worse every time I deal with them), MUCH better performance, and MUCH better upgrade options, all for a similar price, if not less.Who on earth would say that they want a high-end gaming machine, and then, after EVERY computer savvy person they know suggests checking out Alienware, Falcon, Voodoo, etc., the decide to go with Dell? They would have to be stupid.
If I am looking for a good sports car, and I have little to no knowledge of such things, what should I do? That's right: find someone who does have experience in this area, and ask them. Ask several. Then make a decision based on that input.
This Dell system isn't being targetted at the starndard "I want a decent computer and I don't know much" crowd. It's the "eXtreme PC" (at least, I imagine that's what XPC stands for). To quote their web pages, it's the "Ultimate technology and display for intense gaming and graphics; perfect for demanding multimedia."
Seriously, let's continue with their info:
---SNIP---
Key Features
The ultimate technology and design in a PC. Perfect for demanding multi-media such as intense gaming, video editing and large graphic files.
The Dimension XPS is built for Power Users (such as the extreme gamer) looking for advanced computing capabilities in a conventional desktop. It offers the highest expandability of the Dimension systems to tackle graphic-intensive files and video-editing applications. Built with XPS Technology that includes a new chassis design, specialized thermals to keep the system cool and quiet, power for the long haul and the most engrossing realism in video and sound.
---/SNIP---
It STARTS at $1649, and that gets you the following (after a $150 mail-in rebate):
------------------
P4 3.0 GHz
WinXP Home
2 GB RAM (free upgrade from 512 MB. Nice, that... too bad it's slow RAM)
GeForce FX 5200 128 MB
SoundBlaster Audigy 2
80 GB Ultra ATA/100 7200 RPM drive
16X DVD
48X CD-RW (free upgrade)
Floppy
Integrated Gbit Ethernet (You missed this, Wesley! It's NOT 10/100)
17" .25dp monitor
Keyboard and mouse
------------------
I'm guessing the "cheap" version comes with their 1 year limited warranty plus At-Home service. It comes "free" with Wordperfect Office and MS Money. It also comes with a TON of other garbage software to clutter the hard drive. UGH! Several of these programs are trial versions that will bombard you with ads after they expire as well. How nice. It might actually cost you money to tell them not to install all this crap software. (Scratch that... you *CAN* select to have none of the extra software installed, so it's a small victory.)
So, the beggining gamer system is CRAP, and when you spend the big bucks and upgrade it, it's STILL going to be CRAP. It dupes the people that don't know computers with the low end system that will not live up to expectations, or it overcharges you for a high-end system with certain parts that STILL underperform.
$3000 gets you a hell of a lot of computer, from any major shop. And the enthusiast PC companies don't have phone tech support provided direct from India. (Personally, I like to be able to understand the tech support people, should problems arise.)
firtol88 - Friday, November 14, 2003 - link
I think people expect better from Anandtech as mentioned this is on par with what you see at Tom's.Why bother with numbers if they are useless...
Why would you compare systems with different video cards, disk subsystems, and OSs it leaves too many variables for the data to be of any value.
Had this review been performed as most have (historicaly), with as few variables as possible, it would surely be viewed in a different light.
mbs6 - Friday, November 14, 2003 - link
Over the years I've tried to not be an anti-Dell zealot, but Dell really pushes me in that direction. I don't routinely work with Dell computers, but every time I do I'm not impressed. I recently visited a client of ours and used their Dell P4 2.4Ghz computer and I was honestly shocked at how SLOW it was. My own machine at the office is an Athlon 2000+ and it is noticeably faster and snappier! After quite a few years of data-gathering, I think I have finally come to the following conclusions.Dell computers are overpriced and of questionable quality. Furthermore, Dell is little more than the retail division of Intel and this hurts consumers because it marginalizes AMD's processors. Without AMD, Dell might be stuck offering a P4 3.2GHz system for the next decade! I've gotten to the point now where rather than tell a non-technical friend to buy a Dell, I'll build the system for them and have them reimburse me. $3 Grrr for that thing?
Pumpkinierre - Friday, November 14, 2003 - link
#16 sorry error should be queries posed in #4Pumpkinierre - Friday, November 14, 2003 - link
I agree with #14 and #15 which makes it all the more difficult to understand why Wesley answers stupidities regarding 'system vs component testing (#11)' and not testing procedure and operational running queries that I posed in #5. I asked the 1st question because only the DELL XPS had XP home ed. while the others had XPpro installed and the 2nd question because of the unusual nature of the CPU cooling system. Yes and No would have sufficed Wesley!Freed0mTickler - Friday, November 14, 2003 - link
Where did the myth that gamers are rich come from. Dells rig, the P4EE, Athlon FX ?I say these machines mock us gamers. Fact is that the nforce rig, sub $1000, embarasses the rigs 3x's its price.
Im glad anadtech did this review to expose what we all know, Dell tweaks for stability at cost of speed, and always uses slow RAM. Id like to see Dells XPS and alienware / falcon northwest comparisons based on price.
I think the future of gaming rigs will be price/performance - not some extravagant over priced underperforming PC like the XPS w/ 'bragging rights'. We only brag when we build a serious rig at low cost that performs like a demon.
bigtoe33 - Friday, November 14, 2003 - link
Im sorry but all the people who are being very negative about this review you really do need to get a life!!Anandtech is here to promote/report about new products to the public.To do this it has to survive.To survive the site has to advertise,this is why you will see reviews of pre built systems as well as top of the line components.
If your NOT into prebuilt systems then don't read the review.If you did read it please respect that this review is not aimed at you and to bitch about it is just plain stupid.
Not everyone likes to build and tweak, and this system may just fill those peoples needs.
Im a tweaker, i build and test many rigs every week.I wouldn't be seen dead with this gaming rig.That doesn't mean i think Anandtech has sold out to Dell though or anyone else, as quite frankly they haven't!!
Wesley's review was honest and we should all respect that.
Wesley Fink - Friday, November 14, 2003 - link
#10 and #12 - From Final Thoughts in the review:"The last group is the Enthusiast, Hobbyist, or Overclocker who, frankly, wouldn't be caught dead buying this gaming rig. With no tweaking options at all, the XPS would be a complete disappointment to this group, and would be considered a waste of good components."
Would you please explain HOW this has compromised AnandTech's integrity and is pandering to Dell?