How is this configured Dimension E521?

That's a nice system already. I tried Vista Ultimate on my laptop, Pentium 4, 2.8 HT and recently bought a desktop E521 with AMD X2 5600+. One thing I notice that Vista itself will take 240 - 460MB RAM when it runs. So it'll be fine if you don't open many applications at a time. But for multi tasks, I would suggest adding more RAM.

I agree that another G of memory would be nice.  You can actually get it cheaper than Dell from Crucial memory and installation is very simple.  The 7300 LE will run Aero just fine.

It will run fine, but if you are a multitasking as lamhuynh, add one mor Gig

Yes, I would definitely add 1 more gig of ram.

Nice system.

ksodich, I have the same system but had 2GB. You should for sure get another 1GB. I got another GB myself to have 3GB. If your not a gamer you'll be pleased. If you are or ever plan on it you might want to upgrade to a video card with 256MB dedicated ram. For ram this is what I got. They will scan your system and what you get will work or your money back. Good luck

 

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=5DC52B1FA5CA7304

 

 

Friends,

 

It is generally known that AMD processors are far better in terms of graphics handling than Intel. Prior to the dual core technology, I had seen AMD Athlon working extremely good compared to the equivalent Intel.

 

Can anybody throw light on the comparison of AMD dual core in terms of all parameters v/s the Intel.

 

For the same reason, I have opted for 1 GB RAM and ofcourse a dedicated graphics 256 MB card i.e. Nvidia 7300 LE

I saw some comparison here on AMD website

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_9485_13041%5E13042,00.html

 

and

 

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_9485_13041%5E13077%5E14820,00.html

 

Of course, it's written by AMD guys, so you can see that their chips are more powerful. I don't know what Intel can say about it.

ksodich,

The Nvidia 7300LE video card is only 128MB dedicated video memory. The other 128MB (if not more) comes from your system memory. I had that card when I first got my system.

 

Also, if your going to stick with that card your going to be lite on system ram. Just a thought.