Desktops General - Read Only

[s.myrr]

The "Has anyone taken delivery" thread is getting out of control - and far more people there are not owners... SO how about this new and improved XPS 435 Owner's Thread!?  Instead of posting 15 updates a day about delayed orders, newest deals, etc, how about we start a thread dedicated to the owners of this machine, and also a place where future owners can ask technical or performance questions about the machine.  There are a good amount of owners here, so let's build a community!

Any takers?

[Robert Willis]

I have one on order with a 1TB 7200 RPM drive. Does anyone know who the manufacture is on the drives that Dell is using? I will be adding an additional 1.5TB drive once it arrives for less that half the cost that Dell wants for one.

[s.myrr]

I was wondering the same thing - if one wants to go RAID (for cheaper than Dell charges) this would be good info to know!

[i-vol]

It appears as if they are using a variety of drives from Seagate to Samsung.  I've seen more Seagate mentioned, however.  I have a feeling the 1TB is a Samsung based on the SilentSeek reference.  I think the choice depends on your size drive, ultimately. 

I have the 435MT with 1.28TB via two 640GB Samsung HD642JJ 3.0Gbps 16Mb Buffer SATA Drives via RAID 0.   They are actually the quietest drives I've owned and seem quite fast via RAID 0.   I've had not a single issue and besides the occasional hibernation,  they've been on 24/7 since I got this machine.  This is my work machine and they get a lot of use.  It's the first Samsung drive I've owned and I have to admit to be impressed.  If you hit the 435MT and 435T drivers page, you see them mention the Seagate drives, also notecd in several of the reviews.  I've had a number of Dell machines over the years and know they also go with WD at times.

- kh

[s.myrr]

I ended up purchasing a Velociraptor to serve as my system drive... I have a Terabyte HD in an older PC... Will I be okay with If I add these and make 3 total HDs with the stock PSU?

[i-vol]

I ended up purchasing a Velociraptor to serve as my system drive... I have a Terabyte HD in an older PC... Will I be okay with If I add these and make 3 total HDs with the stock PSU?

OF course. Both the 435MT and 435T are fine for upgrades like multiple  drives unless you move several steps up in video card.  Even then, the 435T PSU would be fine for most.  The concerns regarding the power supply are really not needed as either of them are entirely adequate for what Dell offers as upgrades.   If moving to a top end video card or a 2x card, then you might have to consider the upgrade.  I would go with a modular supply to keep case clutter down as you only use the cables you need.  Corsair HX PSUs are a great option for T or MT.  IF any 435MT owners are considering one, the Corsair HX520W makes an excellent choice.  The lure of the MT was the top end CPU and memory and earlier release coupled with the amazingly low price if gotten via the outlet or on sale with coupons.  If the 350w supply in the MT can handle three drives and a USB drive along with the 4850 GPU, than the 475w T option is surely fine.  Dell is conservative with their PSUs ratings. 

kh

[s.myrr]

Thanks for the reply!  Yeah I sprung for the 4870 video card - but I think I see what you are saying.  Why would they offer all those upgrades if the PSU couldn't hang with it?  I appreciate the advice!

[sawaddi]

I ordered my 435T on 2/28 and received it on 3/14.  Mine has the 4670, 3GB RAM, 500GB Seagate hard drive.  I've added two more hard drives and another 3GB of RAM. 

I am extremely pleased with the system.  The only issues I've experienced are a disappearing media card reader, a misaligned front bezel which caused my SD cards to fall behind the bezel, and an optical drive that requires a hard button push to open.  Minor quibbles.

I am running Windows 7 x64 on it and it runs great. 

Everything works.  A great system!

[i-vol]

I've added another 3GB of RAM.....I am running Windows 7 x64 on it and it runs great.

May I ask what kind of RAM you purchased (specs, too)?

Alas, when you run the Windows Performance Index test in Windows 7, do you run into any strange errors with this ram?

Thanks.

- kh

[sawaddi]

[quote user="sawaddi"]I've added another 3GB of RAM.....I am running Windows 7 x64 on it and it runs great.

May I ask what kind of RAM you purchased (specs, too)?

Alas, when you run the Windows Performance Index test in Windows 7, do you run into any strange errors with this ram?

Thanks.

- kh

[/quote]

No errors at all.  I purchased the memory from Dell for $16 each at the time,

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?k=A2507440&_nks=true&c=us&category_id=4325&cs=04&l=...