[GrannyGamer]

I know you all probably get tired of this type of question, but I'm really in a quandary.

I'm customizing a new computer and I have it down to two from Dell (I realize they're not the most popular around here, but I've bought from them for years and have had nothing but good experiences.... plus, for a newbie, it's just easier).

I am NOT particularly what you'd call a "power" user -- mostly Internet, some graphics (web work), text editing, and game playing (no "Doom" or anything of the other big stuff... just shockwave/flash games and the like). But I don't want the computer to be obsolete in a couple of years.

The two systems I'm comparing are almost identical but they're about $200 difference in price. The money is NOT the top consideration, but neither do I want to spend money for nothing.

Here are the differences in the two:

Inspiron 546 -- $663
(Bigger chassis)

Processors AMD Athlon LE-1660 (2.8GHz, 800MHz, 512KB)
Memory 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4 DIMMs
Video Cards Integrated ATI Radeon HD3200 Graphics

OR....

Inspiron 537s -- $803
(slimline chassis)
Processors Intel® Core 2 Duo E7400 (3MB L2, 2.8GHz, 1066FSB)
Memory 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 2 DIMMs
Video Cards ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB

They both have:
Operating System... Microsoft Windows® XP Professional SP3
Keyboard .... Dell Consumer Entry USB Keyboard and Mouse
Hard Drives... 320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Media Card Reader .... Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
Network Card .... Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Modem .... 56K PCI Data Fax Modem
Optical Drives .... 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Sound Card.... Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio
Speakers .... No Speaker Option
Microsoft Works and Office .... No Productivity Software Requested
Security Software.... No Security

I would really appreciate having your opinion as to which system is best. Thanks!

GrannyGamer

[BG-0]

The 537s is pretty much as much better as it is more expensive. A 537-non-slim would be an optimal choice. 2x2 GB of RAM instead of 4x1 GB is always good, an add-on graphics card also takes off that load from the RAM, and the CPU is quite much faster.

Just went to the Dell site, and I would really recommend getting the 546 with either Athlon x2 7550 or 7750. 4 GB of RAM is okay, but you could well get by with 3, as you're going to use XP anyways, 0.25GB(ish) is not worth 35 $. After buying, add a 4350 yourself: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...igabyte%204350 Do you really need a 56k modem? You're most probably operating on an ADSL connection and don't need it for internet at least... Maybe some fax stuff, I wouldn't know.

704 $ (-35$ with 3 GB RAM, -60$ without the 4350 pre-installed, and it's 35 from newegg with free shipping and 25 after MIR):

SYSTEM COLOR Piano Black edit
PROCESSOR AMD Athlon X2 7750z (2.7GHz, 1066MHz, 3MB) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Microsoft Windows® XP Professional SP3 (Vista 32-bit Business Downgrade to XP (English)) edit
OFFICE SOFTWARE No Productivity Software Requested edit
Dell Recommends
Office Home & Student.

Lets you create great-looking documents, spreadsheets and presentations quickly.
Upgrade to Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 [add $149 $99 or $3/month1]


WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis edit
MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4 DIMMs edit
HARD DRIVE 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™ edit
MONITOR 17" Dell E1709W Widescreen Monitor edit
OPTICAL DRIVE 16X DVD+/-RW Drive edit
VIDEO CARD ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB edit
SOUND Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio edit
SPEAKERS No Speaker Option edit
KEYBOARD & MOUSE Dell Consumer Entry USB Keyboard and Mouse edit
FLOPPY & MEDIA READER Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader edit
MODEM 56K PCI Data Fax Modem edit
My Accessories
SECURITY SOFTWARE No Security edit
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year edit
My Software & Accessories
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
Inspiron 546 MT Inspiron 546 Minitower w/ Black Bezel
Mouse Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Adobe Software Adobe® Reader 9.0

[BG-0]

Here's a link for the config I swiftly made for ease of use. Change the RAM to 3 GB if you fee like it, remove the 4350 and maybe add warranty if you want to.
http://ecomm.dell.com/dellstore/bask...ri@hotmail.com

[GrannyGamer]

Wow, BG-0, that is very helpful. I think I will use your config, with just a bit of tweaking for the warranty. I didn't know about the benefits of 2.2 memory or the separate card, so that's a big help, as is the discounted price!

I can't seem to remove the monitor from your config, though. I suppose that's part of the package deal, right? I guess I can sell it or pass it on to someone.

By the way -- one more question if you don't mind. I found a promo code for $125 off any Inspiron with a quad processor (which normally costs $120 more). If this code is still valid, would that be a good way to go? I honestly don't know what a quad is, but since it's the highest upgrade for the processor, I'm assuming it's better than the one I'm getting. The code may not even work and I won't know until I get to the checkout process.

Anyway, BG-0, thank you so much for your help with this. With the tweaking you did on the setup, I think I'm going to have a great computer (well, it's GOT to be better than the 7-year old one I'm using now, with its 256MG of memory at 266 MHz!

[BG-0]

Problem is the quads for the Inspiron 546 are old Phenoms, that are very poor. They're pretty much letting them slip out free. Still, you get the price lower... It's not really worse than the 7750. Up to you.

Sorry for the delay, was in a concert for a day.

[GrannyGamer]

Originally Posted by BG-0

Problem is the quads for the Inspiron 546 are old Phenoms, that are very poor. They're pretty much letting them slip out free. Still, you get the price lower... It's not really worse than the 7750. Up to you.

Turns out that promo code isn't good for that model, so it's a moot point!

Sorry for the delay, was in a concert for a day.

How dare you! You're supposed to stay at your keyboard at all times in case I have another question.

Again ... thank you so very much for your help. Things sure have changed since my first Kaypro computer 25 or so years ago! Back then, things were so much simpler. Crappy, but simple.