Dell XPS 8300 with Intel Core i7 Sandy Bridge
By kksonakiya
Intel Sand Bridge Processor - Isn't that what you always wanted?!
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Intel Core i7-2720QM Processor (6M Cache, 2.2GHz up to 3.30 GHz)
Current Bid: $127.50
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Intel Core i7 Processor i7-3770K 3.5GHz 5.0GT/s - BX80637I73770K LGA1155 CPU
Current Bid: $364.99
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Intel Core i7 2700K - 3.5 GHz Quad-Core (BX80623I72700K) Processor
Current Bid: $243.50
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Dell XPS 8300
Buy A Gaming Rig In Budget!
 | Amazon Price: $749.00 List Price: $799.99 |
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Intel Sandy Bridge processor was released on 9th January 2011 and we have our first Sandy Bridge processor based desktop system from Dell in the form of XPS 8300. So, let's have a look at it.
Processor:
- Intel® CoreTM i5 2600 (3.4GHz/8MB cache)
- Intel® CoreTM i5 2500 (3.3GHz/6MB cache)
- Intel® CoreTM i5 2400 (3.1GHz/6MB cache)
- Intel® CoreTM i5 2300 (2.8GHz/6MB cache)
Right now, Dell XPS 8300 will offer you only core i5, but Core i7 is on the way and will be released pretty soon.
Latest Core i5 processors from Intel are capable of delivering approximately twice the performance they used to deliver.
Turbo Boost has been upgraded to version 2.0 and is fast and reliable than before (it better be).
Second generation Core i3, i5 and i7 processors are capable of delivering graphical support too. It’s something that was used to be delivered by onboard graphics card from motherboard.
Though we might not be able to play several high-end games, we will be able to play many mainstream games and may be some high-end ones too with low-settings.
Ironically, Intel put Batman : Arkham Asylum in the list of mainstream games when they were benchmarking latest core i5 processor. Other games include Sim City 3, Call of Duty Modern Warfare, etc.
Though we can’t be sure that these games can be called as mainstream games, but if they performed that well in their benchmarking, then 2nd generation core i processors certainly have an edge over previous ones.
Particularly Core i5 2nd generation series lack Hyper-Threading Technology (Core i3 lacking Turbo Boost, Virtualization and Trusted Execution Technology) and it’s very important for people who work with multiple high-performance applications and use their computer to calculate vast ammount of data.
For them, they’ll
have to wait for 2nd Generation Core i7 processor. They can order a
boxed version, but it’d nice to wait for a complete package.
RAM: Up to 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333 MHz
Nothing very impressive here.
Hard-drive: Up to 2TB SATA drive at 7200 RPM
An addition of SSD would have been nice, considering many green storage are in the market.
Optical Drive: DVD-RW, Blu-ray Disc + burner
It might include some customization, so you can hope for a little increase in the total price.
Video Card
- 1GB ATI HD5450 RadeonTM
- 1 GB ATI HD5670 RadeonTM
- 1 GB ATI HD5770 RadeonTM
So... we have 3 options and anyone would prefer the last one, but it will lead to a hefty price increase. Also, if anything is true about ‘Sandy Bridge might allow multi-gpu configuration, then we can opt for the first one, which is quite cheap and connect our own previously owned (if any) graphics card and enjoy a nice performance boost.
However, this would raise compatibility issues that we want to avoid and that’s what I am hoping from Intel Sandy Bridge processors, that finally we’ll be able to leverage our previous cards without having to worry about compatibility and graphics issue.
In many cases, many of us have a high-end graphics card that we would like to connect in these new desktops. So... it better be ready to let us do that thing.
Sound Card
- Integrated
7.1 with THX® TruStudio PC™sound (standard)
Up to Creative PCI Express Sound Blaster® X-Fi™
Hm... another customization here friends. But the standard thing is also very nice. 7.1 channel surround sound is just great. However, if you own a great surround sound system with receiver and all, you might want to upgrade your system with the later one, i.e. Creative PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi.
Communication
Integrated Internet and optional Wi-fi and there might be some room for a bluetooth upgrade.
Ports
Internal
PCIe x16 (1), PCIe x1 (3), SATA 2 (2), SATA 3 (2) , Mini-PCIe (1), Internal USB
2.0 (6)
Rear (Audio connectors)
HDMI/VGA, USB 2.0 (4), E-SATA (1) , Rear Audio: Standard 7.1 audio jacks
Digital SPDIF (Optical)
- Front
19:1 Card Reader, USB 2.0 (2)
Top
USB 2.0 (2) Microphone/Headphone
That’s about it. I am looking for some benchmarks and will tell you more on this later. Have fun with Intel Sandy Bridge friends.
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Comments
Thank you
Dell XPS 8300 is priced at an eye-poppingly low $1399
http://www.technews5.com/2011/04/dell-xps-8300-rev
XPS 8300 packs a brand-new 3.4GHz Intel Core i7-2600 CPU within its all-white casing. The chip is but a stone's throw away from being Intel's top-of-the-line part, as its bigger brother -- the i7-2600K -- adds an unlocked CPU multiplier to the equation (overclockers, rejoice). For all intents and purposes, the XPS 8300's processor shares the crown of best on the market right now.
Integrated 7.1 with THX TruStudio PC sound (standard)
Up to Creative PCI Express Sound Blaster® X-Fi. My Eyes just pop out while im reading this one. Imfo Info. thanks
What's all this Tariq anyway? Are you trying to convince us that Dell is amazing?!!
During the heyday of the technology boom throughout the 1990’s many companies experienced enormous success for a few years, however without creating a solid internal framework many of these companies did not survive. An exception to that business trend is Dell, which was able to address its problems associated with rapid growth, and build itself into a lasting profitable company. Dell was able to create this lasting profitability with three essential ingredients: 1. “Virtual Integration” 2. Real value customer service features 3. Tailoring Manufacturing to customer needs.
In 1993 Dell reached a point where it had grown too large, without making the necessary internal improvements to stay profitable. Dell reached a “Eureka” moment in 1993 when its cash flow sank to $20 million, net income was negative $40 million, and its market share had shrunk considerably. By bringing in several seasoned managers to focus on specific aspects of the business Michael Dell hoped that Dell could become a synchronized, efficient, and profitable business again. These improvements lead to Michael Dells breakthrough concept of “virtual integration,” which goes a step further than traditional integration by connecting the right parts together in the business.
From this concept three key integrations formed: 1. A symbiotic relationship between Dell and its suppliers; 2. Customers linked directly to manufacturer; and 3. End user were linked to proper customer service assistance. Each one of these measures enabled costs cuts; quicker deliver time, and a more reliable finished product. For instance, with this new symbiotic relationship with its suppliers allowed Dell to trim the number of suppliers it used from 204 to 47 in their Austin facility between 1995 and 1998. These integrations caused the number of days a PC sat in inventory from 32 days to 7 days. By customizing orders the customer received a product tailored to their desires while Dell saved money and time on manufacturing.
USB 3.0 is optional. We'll have to configure the default system in order to install it.
According to the XPS 8300 setup manual a USB 3.0 connector would go in the FlexBay located on the front of the system.
I'll do that thanks Rajan.
i got plenty of hubs talking about pc configs, have a look, do a side by side, see the prices and you will realize that these are nothing compared to those.
That's just too much to track man. Wouldn't it be fine to just contact a particular company, say Alienware, and have them fix any or all parts all together. See, if that separate parts warranty would be so compelling then companies wouldn't be improving and enhancing their warranties and services like that.
Anyway, I am still wondering about your recommendations over XPS 8300. Could you take some time and post them here? It would be nice.
how is warranty an advantage with branded PCs? They generally come with one or two year warranty,but your hardware carries a lot more. 3 years on processor, 3 for RAM, 3 or 2 for graphics card, 3 for mobo,10 for hdd, 5 for PSU. Just keep the bill safe,keep a scan on your pc,thats it?
You've got a point there Rajan and yeah, if we purchase XPS 8300 with the lowest configurations, it would be just another low-end pc with a nice processor (and only if one opts for Core i7), but you should consider that not every one can purchase Alienware and assembled systems are not as good as what real companies can provide you, the problem is 'warranty' nothing else. Because I too have an assembled gaming system and it works really great without any problem and it's been 1 and a half year, however, when i first built it, i didn't know that it would not die on me ever, so when i was building it, one thing kept bugging me all the time, 'what if something should go wrong? what abt the parts and like that...?'
So, you have to agree as well, that xps 8300 is nice for at least mainstream gamers and not hardcore because being a hardcore gamer would mean that you would not even look at xps or any other system except latest Alienware Aurora R.3, equipped with latest Core i7 and great hardware with awesome options to choose from.
You could have mentioned some mainstream gaming systems here too Rajan, except xps 8300.
I am sure,given the money, you will NOT buy a dell...so if you have an "ultra high end" graphics card, you will not be buying a dell,your destination would be newegg instead ;). Also,the only real compatibility issue you might face will be with the PSU,which you might need to change.
This (a dell) is for those kids who got no idea about hardware,but just need a PC on which they can game. VFM is not really a big deal for them.
I see you have explained various features well,nice write up buddy...good job.. :)
Thanks for such kind words friend. I am following you as well.
You're WAY over my level of knowledge about such things; I only know that I need a newer and faster computer.
However, I DO want to be able to understand and know about computers as you do, and so, you've got a new follower!
Yeah, but that's customizable. The lowest configuration will have 6 GB RAM and Core i5 rather than Core i7. It's still going to be pretty fast.
However, don't opt for Core i3 because it still doesn't have Turbo boost, it only supports Intel Speed Step technology.
Wow, two tbytes. . . .and 16 gig ram. . . .wow!
Update: I've had a chat session with one of Dell's agent from USA and she has denied the possibility of USB 3.0. Also, the connectivity option clearly indicates USB 2.0. At least that's what we are going to have in USA's XPS 8300 model.
Update ii : Had a chat session with Dell.ca (canada) and the result is XPS 8300 does not present USB 3.0. So, you guys shouldn't get too excited.
i am sure that they are not lying about usb 3.0, but what's the point of giving it right now. We still don't have that many devices supporting USB 3.0. At least first quarter of 2011 isn't suitable for USB 3.0.
Did you ask him about multi-gpu support?
I was told by Dell Canada (online chat support) that the Dell XPS 8300 came with USB 3.0. But nowhere to be seen in config details on website. Only mentioned as optional in general information.
kksonakiya 5 months ago
Yeah it does Jack. :)