3670 V 3671

You can compare those two chipsets here and here.

It puzzles me that both links say the B365 chipset does not support USB 3.1, only 3.0, but Dell's specs for the 3670 and 3671 say that USB 3.1 is supported on both..?? 

The B360 chipset appears to support 802.11 AC WiFi but the B365 does not. So if you need a WiFi connection at home and you buy the Inspiron 3671, you'll need to buy/install an internal WiFi card or buy a USB WiFi dongle, either of which will cost extra. Note: in order to use 802.11 AC, your router also has to support AC. If the router is only 802.11 N, the 802.11 AC in the 3670 will still work, but only at the speed of "N" WiFi and only on 2.4 GHz, not on 5 GHz.

• Are either/both new or used PCs? That's important to ask. If used, what warranty, if any?
• Does the 3670 with an SSD have Win 10 installed on the SSD or on the HDD? You want it on the SSD for better performance, and only save your data files on the HDD.
• 8 GB of RAM is on the low side for Win 10 in either PC.

Thank you for your response and the links which I'd somehow not found before.

I'd not noticed the USB discrepancy.

WiFi isn't an issue as I've a wired network in my office space at home.

Both units are new. The 3671 is direct from Dell and the 3670 a nationwide chain of stores. According to Dell the SSD will be the boot drive with Windows installed. It seems the 3670 is discounted as it isn't a current model.

Thanks for the comment on memory size.

So, it looks like no real difference between the two for me so depends on whether the SSD is important and the trade off, if any, between buying direct or through a store.

Thanks

An SSD will certainly boot faster and have better response when running software. Just confirm that the OS actually is on the SSD. There have been "oopsies" where it was installed on the HDD instead of on the SSD. 

And if you go with the one with the SSD, you'll want to tell Win 10 to move default folders for docs, pix, video, etc to the HDD so you don't use up all the space on the SSD, leaving an empty HDD. And when you install  apps, make sure they're set up to store their data files on the HDD too.

If you order from Dell, see if you can up the RAM to 16 GB (2x 8 GB), assuming that upgrade is offered and it's within budget. That way you'll have two identical RAM modules which allows the RAM to run as "dual-channel" which is faster and more efficient than having only a single 8 GB module, which can only run in "single-channel" mode.

Either direct from Dell or from the big box store, the PC should come with a 1-year warranty. But, if it's from the big box, you have to register the Service Tag in your name, yourself. When you order directly from Dell, the tag will automatically be registered to you, but not when it's from the big box.

Before making any final decisions, you might want to search these forums for threads about each model to see what issues users may have encountered with either one. 

And if you eventually decide that you need WiFi, you can always plug in a USB WiFi dongle if it's not supported onboard by the chipset.

Good luck with your new toy, whichever one you get!

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a detailed reply. Really appreciated.

No 16GB option on the website, maybe worth a call to see if they’d do it if I go for the 3671. I’m in the UK, seems other countries have different options available.

Have done a search on the forum for both models, not seen anything alarming unless I’ve missed something ? but I’ll double check tomorrow. Was a little surprised by a post when said one of them didn’t support more than one monitor without additional card, again I’ll double check that although not a requirement at the moment it might be useful.

Looking forward to owning my first Dell, have used them for years at work with no issues.

Thanks

Paul

You're welcome.

Certainly check to see what add-in video card is installed in each of them. You won't want to use the onboard Intel HD Graphics which may only support one monitor. Most modern add-in video cards support more than one monitor.

Dell sold the 3670 with these optional video cards:

1. NVIDIA GeForce GT 710 2 GB
2. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1030 2 GB
3. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 2 GB
4. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI 4 GB
5. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB

And the 3671 with these optional video cards:

1. NVIDIA GeForce GT730 2 GB GDDR5
2. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1030 2 GB GDDR5
3. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4 GB GDDR5

Don't know your intended use but if you're a gamer, you'll want a decent video card, one with the most RAM on it. So compare the card in the PC at the big box with what Dell will let you pick...

Compare power supply sizes specs too. You'll want a larger power supply, because it won't have to work as hard (= less heat) and may be able to support a better video card if you decide to upgrade in the future.

All this said, it makes me wonder if the 3670 is cheap because it never got sold and that suggests it may not have great specs...

Thanks again,

Looks like I'm going to have to rethink this as the 3670 isn't available anymore from the store I was looking at. They've shifted quite a few since last week.

The 3670 didn't have additional graphics card.

So, onto the 3671 which is my only option in the Inspiron range. Very limited configuration options in the UK on that compared to other countries. Only 8GB, no 16GB option, if I want additional graphics card it's only the nvidia 1650 4GB DDR4 version and it has to have the 1TB drive with 256GB m.2 PCIe NVMe drive. All comes in at 300GBP more than the 3670. Somehow they manage to power that with a 290W power supply.

Other option would be the base 3671, so 1TB drive and onboard graphics which is only slightly more than the 3670 was and add a graphics card later when I can afford to add it. This assumes I can find a graphics card which can be powered from the 290W power supply as all the nvidia range seem recommend 300watt power supply.

Some careful thought required.

Guess Dell is only offering limited configurations in UK these days...

Whatever you decide, get at least an i5 CPU. You do not want an i3 which is slow, has a low cap on supported RAM, etc.

If you go with a system without an add-in video card, make sure at least one of the onboard video ports matches one that your monitor supports, so you won't have to mess with adapters...

Don't know about in UK, but in US, Dell sometimes offers discount coupons on their Sales site. So poke around and see if you can find any.  And join Dell Rewards (free) before you place your order (wait for their acknowledgement email before placing the order.)  That will earn you free points which you can spend on accessories or other goodies after you get the PC. (In US, Rewards points expire after 90 days so  be sure to check out expiration in UK.) 

Have you looked at one of the XPS Tower models? Don't know how the prices compare with an Inspiron, but you might more options...

Good luck with your decision!

> Guess Dell is only offering limited configurations in UK these days...

Yes, seems they're basically box shifting pre-configured models for the consumer market.

Great tip on discount codes. Found that as my employer is a Dell customer I'm eligible for discount

XPS looks very promising if going for additional graphics card as the XPS would be within a few pounds of the Inspiron but with more space in the case and bigger power supply - 460W instead of 290W.

Approx 720GBP for the following

i5 9400, Windows 10 Home (64Bit), NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5
8GB 1x8GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory
256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD (Boot), 1TB 7200RPM 3.5" SATA HDD (Storage)
Z370 chipset (B365 on Inspiron), 460W PSU (290w on Inspiron), 1Year on site service (non on Inspiron)

Of course the discount makes the base Inspiron also more attractive at 495GBP

i5 9400, Windows 10 Home (64Bit), embedded graphics
8GB 1x8GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory
1TB 7200RPM 3.5" SATA HDD
B635 chipset, 290W PSU

Who would've thought choosing a PC would be so difficult

Thanks again for your very helpful comments and suggestions.

Paul

A PC is something you'll probably use everyday for a long time so it's worth the effort to find one that meets your  needs and budget, and makes you happy...

You're better off getting a model with add-in graphics card now rather than only having onboard Intel HD Graphics. The bigger PSU is a plus too, especially if you eventually want to upgrade the video card or add a second HDD, etc. IMHO, a 290W PSU is just too wimpy...

Onsite service would save you from having to ship it somewhere for service.

Having a company discount is great!  Make sure you know how to use it before you place the order...

Post back and let us know what you bought and how it works out for you...

Happy shopping!

GT1060 uses the OPTIONAL 365W power supply.

Stock power is 290W which DOES NOT SUPPORT 75W and up video cards.

Hi,

Sorry took me a couple of days to post, been a bit busy.

I chose the XPS model, spec earlier in this thread, for a couple of reasons. Bigger power supply and more room in the case for 3.5inch drives which I already have. Also, with discount it came in cheaper than the Inspiron.

i ordered it Monday night and it arrived Wednesday. Currently painting the office area at home and waiting for a new desk to arrive tomorrow so the PC is still in its box.

Thanks for the responses and advice on my question. Very much appreciated. I’m sure I’ll be on the XPS section of the forum soon

Thanks

Paul

Oops, I somehow managed to reply in the middle of the thread

Chose the XPS, see couple of posts above..

Paul

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@ppa1962 wrote:

Oops, I somehow managed to reply in the middle of the thread

Chose the XPS, see couple of posts above..

Paul

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Nope... that post is in the right place...

Glad you reached a decision. And that sure was fast delivery too! 

Who needs to paint the office and get a new desk when there's a big, shiny new toy just waiting to be unpacked and played with? 

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the new PC....