[White]

Hi. I'm thinknig of getting a Dell computer and I was wondering, will I be able to upgrade the hardware by myself i.e. buy new parts or buy a second graphics card for SLI? I'm thinking of getting an XPS 420 if that helps at all.
I'm asking this because I have heard that Dell systems do not allow overclocking...

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Dave Hybrid]

It depends on the machine mobo spec, you might be able to add a second GFX card, is it spec-ed as SLi.

You can add RAM and hard/CD drives but anything else is a no no IMO. Their mobos/cases/PSUs are in house designs.

The BIOS will probably be locked so I highly doubt you'll be able to overclock it.

[thingie2]

Yea, like Dave said very unlikely, however we could help you put a similar system together for probably around the same price (possibly even cheaper) which would be possible to overclock and upgrade if you would like.

[Dave Hybrid]

Yeah, a self build isn't as hard as it looks and will be cheaper, more customisable and more upgradeable in the future.

[philthomas]

Definitely stay away from Dell, if your intention is to upgrade .... in fact, stay away from Dell full stop

[alex]

Hi White.

I purchased a 420 or the missus a few months ago and whilst the cost versus spec is rather good against other vendors you can do so much better building yourself, and for less money.

Dell also are rather limited in the spec's they offer, you can only change the cpu for another two models for instance and they're currently not offering Nvidia's best (in my opinion, based on bang for buck) card, the 8800GT, at the moment because they're claiming they're in short supply. They are however offering an ATI 3870....which is lousy and is trounced by a typical 9600GT.

Nope, you definately can't oc a dell pc as it stands as they lock out the options in the bios.

If you're after a gaming machine, and don't want to build yourself, stay away from Dell.

If you're after an encoding machine, and don't want to build yourself, check Dell out but also shop around.

If you're after a bog-standard Internet/office pc, and don't want to build yourself, check Dell out but also shop around.

See where I'm going?

Dell's XPS 630 is a better option, but again, you're stuck with the 3870 and very few options for the cpu.

The service is also, and I speak from experience (there's a thread on here somewhere), lousy.

[White]

Thanks a lot guys, I think I wanna build my own PC now. I will require some help, though so I'll make a new thread here when I have chosen my parts. I know where everything goes in the mobo, but I'm very sketchy on where all the wires go, and if I will have to buy some wireing seperately. Finally, where is the best place to buy computer components? Note- i'm in England so American sites are no good.

Thanks again, guys. :)

[Mike0001]

Originally Posted by White Thanks a lot guys, I think I wanna build my own PC now. I will require some help, though so I'll make a new thread here when I have chosen my parts. I know where everything goes in the mobo, but I'm very sketchy on where all the wires go, and if I will have to buy some wireing seperately. Finally, where is the best place to buy computer components? Note- i'm in England so American sites are no good. Thanks again, guys. :)

Lots of us have already built them so you will not be short of help.

Maplin sometimes have deals such as a mobo/processor/ram, but that is restrictive, although simplifies your choices! Amazon also supply components.

There are many suppliers, I suggest you go to your newsagent and flick through a few PC mags.

[philthomas]

Ebuyer is good

[alex]

www.vadim.co.uk

www.scan.co.uk

www.ebuyer.com

www.savastore.com

www.komplett.co.uk

www.cclonline.com

www.dabs.com

www.quietpc.com

I've used them all and they're all pretty good on pricing, delivery and service. Scan and Vadim are particulary good on returns it should be noted.

[Mike0001]

Is there any way you can better Dell's prices after you have added Vista Home Premium to the cost? I think not!

[thingie2]

unless you want to do anything with it afterwards. For example, if the decrease in cost worth it if you end up getting a virus etc and need to re-format?