Dell XPS from Best Buy, Good Deal?

I am looking into getting a new machine and find that it's probably cheaper just to buy one then build. Does this Dell XPS 8000 for $1119 from Best Buy look like a good deal? I spec'd out the same machine on Dell's website and it came out to $1338.

http://www.bestbuy.com …18120178969&sku​Id=9532749

Product Features

• Intel® Core™ i7-860 processor
  Features 4 processing cores, 8MB cache and 2.8GHz processor speed per core.
  
• Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
  Increases processor speed at peak times for power when you need it most.
  
• 8GB DDR3 memory
  For multitasking power, expandable to 16GB.
  
• Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
  Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible media.
  
• 1TB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 rpm)
  Offers fast read/write times and plenty of storage.
  
• NVIDIA GeForce GTS240 graphics
  With 1024MB dedicated video memory for enhanced graphics performance. Integrated 7.1-channel audio support.
  
• See the benefits of an NVIDIA graphics processor in your desktop.
  
• Built-in digital media reader
  Supports Secure Digital, miniSD, microSD, Secure Digital High Capacity, MultiMediaCard, Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC), MultiMediaCard Plus, RD MultiMediaCard Plus and MultiMediaCard Micro formats.
  
• Also supports Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick Micro, CompactFlash I/II, SmartMedia, xD-Picture Card and Microdrive formats.
  
• IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface and 8 high-speed USB 2.0 ports
  Both front and rear accessible for fast digital data transfer and easy peripheral connectivity. eSATA interface for additional connection options.
  
• Dell 1505 WLAN PCI-E card with 11n mini card and external antenna
  Lets you connect to the Web wirelessly.
  
• Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN
  With RJ-45 connector for easy connection to the Internet.
  
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system preinstalled
  Provides a stable platform from which to launch games, programs and other applications.

1) unless you are going to be gaming, gts240 isn't worth the extra money.
2) unless you cannot have a ethernet connection, wireless n card isn't worth the extra money
3) unless you aren't willing to install another hdd, 1tb upgrade isn't worth the extra money
4) upgrading to 8gb usually is worth the extra cost
5) unless the price isn't lower, it may be better just to get the base model from dell (with i7 and 8gb ram), then add extras yourself.

basroil wrote in post #9191589
1) unless you are going to be gaming, gts240 isn't worth the extra money.
2) unless you cannot have a ethernet connection, wireless n card isn't worth the extra money
3) unless you aren't willing to install another hdd, 1tb upgrade isn't worth the extra money
4) upgrading to 8gb usually is worth the extra cost
5) unless the price isn't lower, it may be better just to get the base model from dell (with i7 and 8gb ram), then add extras yourself.

I was thinking of this PC because it seemed to be a few $ more for a lot more stuff. Are they worth $131?

The same PC Base $988 (with 8gb upgrade):
i7 860 2.8ghz
8gb ram ($190 upgrade from 3gb - $798 base price with 3gb)
500gb HDD
video choices:
ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB [Included in Price]
1024MB nVidia GeForce GT220 [add $50]
nVidia GeForce GTS240 1024MB GDDR3 [add $130]

1) No gaming just photo and HD video editing. (PS CS4, LR, Corel Video Studio X2) I'm not sure how much video I need, but I do enjoy dual monitors.

2) I agree, I was not going to use the wireless.
3) again I agree I have 2 - 1TB drives that will go on my new machine. 1 internal/ 1 external

jay415 wrote in post #9191744
I was thinking of this PC because it seemed to be a few $ more for a lot more stuff. Are they worth $131?

The same PC Base $988 (with 8gb upgrade):
i7 860 2.8ghz
8gb ram ($190 upgrade from 3gb - $798 base price with 3gb)
500gb HDD
video choices:
ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB [Included in Price]
1024MB nVidia GeForce GT220 [add $50]
nVidia GeForce GTS240 1024MB GDDR3 [add $130]

1) No gaming just photo and HD video editing. (PS CS4, LR, Corel Video Studio X2) I'm not sure how much video I need, but I do enjoy dual monitors.

2) I agree, I was not going to use the wireless.
3) again I agree I have 2 - 1TB drives that will go on my new machine. 1 internal/ 1 external

4350 is more than enough for a photo/video station. 4350 supports DXVA decoding (if the program accepts DXVA feeds), and will work fine in CS4 with OGL acceleration. If you really need more than that, you can get a 4770 card for <$100, and that should be on par with the gts 240. 4350 works fine for dual monitor, i have a 3450 (predecessor to the 4350), and that thing works just fine with a 1650x1050 and 1280x1024 dual monitor setup.

basroil wrote in post #9191839
4350 is more than enough for a photo/video station. 4350 supports DXVA decoding (if the program accepts DXVA feeds), and will work fine in CS4 with OGL acceleration. If you really need more than that, you can get a 4770 card for <$100, and that should be on par with the gts 240

Cool thanks for the quick responses

jay415 wrote in post #9191864
Cool thanks for the quick responses

And while the gts240 isn't out for retail yet,the gts250 is, and it's actually cheaper

basroil wrote in post #9191961
And while the gts240 isn't out for retail yet,the gts250 is, and it's actually cheaper

I just checked it out, as long as the 4350 will work without lag issues with HD video, I don't need the other minor extras. Is 8gb ram overkill? Should I consider a lesser upgrade being that I could always add it later? What do you think on the base price from dell? Should I attempt to build myself? Sorry for all the question, but you seem very knowledgeable. I know what I am doing, but I have been out of the loop for so long I don't know what to look for when it comes to certain things. 1 for instance is I almost never new what to look for in a MB besides the correct chip socket. The last machine I built was 4 years ago. Still chugging along strong, and fast for many things but not everything (I can't even attempt to edit my home HD videos, way too choppy)

I'm coming from:
P4 3.0ghz
2gb ramGeForce 6600 256MB 128-bit DDR

So I am sure I will see huge improvements

and BTW I did the Benchmark Photoshop test
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=170063
and got 2 min 38 sec, I was very surprised considering the age of the machine and seeing some of the other earlier results.

jay415 wrote in post #9192058
I just checked it out, as long as the 4350 will work without lag issues with HD video, I don't need the other minor extras. Is 8gb ram overkill? Should I consider a lesser upgrade being that I could always add it later? What do you think on the base price from dell? Should I attempt to build myself? Sorry for all the question, but you seem very knowledgeable. I know what I am doing, but I have been out of the loop for so long I don't know what to look for when it comes to certain things. 1 for instance is I almost never new what to look for in a MB besides the correct chip socket. The last machine I built was 4 years ago. Still chugging along strong, and fast for many things but not everything (I can't even attempt to edit my home HD videos, way too choppy)

I'm coming from:
P4 3.0ghz
2gb ramGeForce 6600 256MB 128-bit DDR

So I am sure I will see huge improvements

p4 to i7 will give you at least 20x better processing over a p4 ht, probably closer to 10x for a decent pentium D

Basically, get the minimum you need, then if you need more you can get it later. Though i7 and 8gb should be bought now rather than later.

basroil wrote in post #9192156
p4 to i7 will give you at least 20x better processing over a p4 ht, probably closer to 10x for a decent pentium D

Basically, get the minimum you need, then if you need more you can get it later. Though i7 and 8gb should be bought now rather than later.

Great thanks again for your help.