New desktop...cannot wait...

After a disappointing run-in (impulse buy) with an HP G72 laptop, I returned it and did some looking around. I was mostly disappointed in it due to the integrated GPU, but the build was also lacking and most importantly, even CS5 slowed down a bit with files from my 40D. I was afraid what would happen when I upgraded to a 7D later on this year.

In my search, I learned I get a 30% discount on Dell's through my company and I decided a desktop would suit me better. I put one together and Im pretty happy with it...cant wait for it to be delivered now...

The only thing I would have done differently would be to get a different monitor, but this particular deal wouldnt allow me to choose "no monitor". You win some, you lose some. All said and done, Im out 1200.00...I think I got a pretty good deal.

Anything I should change before it ships?

1 224-7465 Studio XPS 8100
1 317-2917 Studio XPS 8100, Intel Core i5-750 processor(8MB Cache, 2.66GHz)
1 317-2890 8GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz-4x2GB
1 330-1258 Dell Wireless Desktop Keyboardand Mouse
1 468-8358 Dell ST Series ST2310 23"W Full HD Monitor, 23.0 VIS, VGA Cable supplied only
1 468-8309 $50 Dell Promo Gift Card - Arrives in 6-8 wks, carries a 90 Day Exp. Dell.com/giftcard
1 320-9990 ATI Radeon HD 5770 1024MB GDDR5
1 342-0171 1TB Serial ATA 2 Hard Drive 7200 RPM
1 421-1603 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

MNUplander wrote in post #10964871
After a disappointing run-in (impulse buy) with an HP G72 laptop, I returned it and did some looking around. I was mostly disappointed in it due to the integrated GPU, but the build was also lacking and most importantly, even CS5 slowed down a bit with files from my 40D. I was afraid what would happen when I upgraded to a 7D later on this year.

In my search, I learned I get a 30% discount on Dell's through my company and I decided a desktop would suit me better. I put one together and Im pretty happy with it...cant wait for it to be delivered now...

The only thing I would have done differently would be to get a different monitor, but this particular deal wouldnt allow me to choose "no monitor". You win some, you lose some. All said and done, Im out 1200.00...I think I got a pretty good deal.

Anything I should change before it ships?

1 224-7465 Studio XPS 8100
1 317-2917 Studio XPS 8100, Intel Core i5-750 processor(8MB Cache, 2.66GHz)
1 317-2890 8GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz-4x2GB
1 330-1258 Dell Wireless Desktop Keyboardand Mouse
1 468-8358 Dell ST Series ST2310 23"W Full HD Monitor, 23.0 VIS, VGA Cable supplied only
1 468-8309 $50 Dell Promo Gift Card - Arrives in 6-8 wks, carries a 90 Day Exp. Dell.com/giftcard
1 320-9990 ATI Radeon HD 5770 1024MB GDDR5
1 342-0171 1TB Serial ATA 2 Hard Drive 7200 RPM
1 421-1603 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

To be honest that seems like a terrible deal considering your 30% off discount!!!

I just configured this for $1218 without any discount! Better CPU, lesser video card (5770 is overkill for photo editing), standard keyboard and mouse instead of wireless.

PROCESSORSIntel® Core™ i7-860 processor(8MB Cache, 2.80GHz)
OPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
MEMORY8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4 DIMMs
MONITOR$50 Promo GiftCard + 23.0" Dell ST2310 Full HD Monitor with VGA cable
VIDEO CARDATI Radeon HD 5450 1GB DDR3
HARD DRIVE1TB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
OPTICAL DRIVE16X DVD+/-RW Drive
SPEAKERSNo speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
KEYBOARDDell Studio Consumer Multimedia Keyboard
MOUSEDell Studio Optical Mouse

I think you're going to like it. Honestly, I bought mine in July for considerably less (Dell has a little-publicized scratch/dent and refurb unit program with incredible prices), but I wouldn't worry if you like the machine. If you have the ability to change your order, go to the dell.com website and type "outlet store" into the search box. There's all sorts of good stuff at great prices with full warranty.

ahhh .... here's a link http://outlet.us.dell.​com …cs=22&fid=1051&​l=en&s=dfh

Availability is constantly changing so you have to check often


Since these are scratch/dent or refurbs, you don't have to wait for them to build it either.

I have the 8100 with the i7 860, 8MB RAM and HD 5450 card. It has 2 DVD RW drives and built in card-reader and 1TB HD and cost me about $700 (without monitor). It is screaming fast with CS5, LR3, as well as Genuine Fractals 6.0 (which can be a speed-hog). It handles the files from my 7D without blinking.

Hmm...Looks like the only change you made was the processor vs GPU swap. I went and played around and it looks like swapping the GPU for the processor is not quite an even trade - that GPU is a little bigger upgrade, but I picked that one on purpose because I also do a fair amount of gaming.

So, WTH - it says I saved close to $600 with the Employer Discount, I was feeling pretty good about it. What do they do - jack up the Employer Discount prices and then give you a discount to only slightly below regular price? Probably should have checked that on my own, I just didnt expect such a well known company to do something so shady.

All-in-all, its still not a bad machine and a decent price - its just not as good of a deal as they imply...basically the employee discount is worth very little. I built the exact same unit on their regular page and I saved a whopping $45. Thanks Dell.

In2Photos wrote in post #10965109
To be honest that seems like a terrible deal considering your 30% off discount!!!

I just configured this for $1218 without any discount! Better CPU, lesser video card (5770 is overkill for photo editing), standard keyboard and mouse instead of wireless.

PROCESSORSIntel® Core™ i7-860 processor(8MB Cache, 2.80GHz)
OPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
MEMORY8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz - 4 DIMMs
MONITOR$50 Promo GiftCard + 23.0" Dell ST2310 Full HD Monitor with VGA cable
VIDEO CARDATI Radeon HD 5450 1GB DDR3
HARD DRIVE1TB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
OPTICAL DRIVE16X DVD+/-RW Drive
SPEAKERSNo speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
KEYBOARDDell Studio Consumer Multimedia Keyboard
MOUSEDell Studio Optical Mouse

I got almost the exact same system currently and I love it. If thats your price AFTER the 30% discount your getting ripped off.

I got mine without the video card or monitor(had one already) and then just installed the 5770 on my own as it was cheaper. The i860 processor is even better but I think you will be happy with either system be it for gaming or photoshop use.

I went from a Gateway Laptop that would take 8-10 seconds with LR3 to render a raw file in develop to less than 1 second to render the same file on my new dell.

I've bought a lot from Dell over the years and have also used the employee purchase plan. You always have to check the options. Sometimes the EPP is best, sometimes other options are best. Occasionally the free shipping or free add-ons with the regular purchase outweigh the EPP. Prices also change rapidly. Whatever -- you're getting a good machine and you're going to enjoy it. Don't look back.

MNUplander wrote in post #10965536
Hmm...Looks like the only change you made was the processor vs GPU swap. I went and played around and it looks like swapping the GPU for the processor is not quite an even trade - that GPU is a little bigger upgrade, but I picked that one on purpose because I also do a fair amount of gaming.

So, WTH - it says I saved close to $600 with the Employer Discount, I was feeling pretty good about it. What do they do - jack up the Employer Discount prices and then give you a discount to only slightly below regular price? Probably should have checked that on my own, I just didnt expect such a well known company to do something so shady.

All-in-all, its still not a bad machine and a decent price - its just not as good of a deal as they imply...basically the employee discount is worth very little. I built the exact same unit on their regular page and I saved a whopping $45. Thanks Dell.

The unit you purchased is still a fine machine. And if you game then yes the 5770 is a better option over the 5450.

With Dell you really have to weigh your options and check around before buying. These same units we configured have gone for $900-$1000 in the past, and that wasn't long ago. I hate the games you have to play with them, but what can you do unless you build one on your own.

I also suggest calling any computer manufacturer before buying. You'll never get a worse deal and if you say "Hey, I configured this machine, can I get m 30% employee discount on that?", they might be able to help out. I got a 30% student discount from Lenovo when I bought my laptop, they said nothing about it on the webpage.