Ordering XPS 730, could use a little advice

Hi.

The gtx280 wont change anything in photoshop. Unless your an avid gamer the gtx280 probaly isnt worth the extra money. The 9800X2 is more than adequate for casual gamers.

For photoshop work you'd be better off putting the extra money into 4 gigs of the faster ram, and a second fast non-raid disk for photoshops paging file.

I have the GTX-260 supperclocked edition & it is great, the GTX-280 is the top. What I am seeing with my set-up, the XPS 730 Q9550 AirCooled Edition my video card runs 10 deg. C cooler than my last card the 8800gts supperclocked edition. My average temp running the fan at 40% is 59 Deg. C when I bump it up to 70% it runs at 51 Deg. C My core clock is running at 666Mhz I recomend going with the GTX-280 single card.

 

:smileyvery-happy:

 

I had another thought, I only get into games once in a while, & the monitor I use is Samsung T240 24" LCD HD & using the GTX-260 superclocked edition I find the colors & any video I play the best so... maybe look at this link for this card...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008833

if you put it in your cart there is a special discount instant $30 off... no tax Life time Wart. if you reg. within one month... EVGA good company...

 

Get the GTX 280 (or 260) instead of the 9800 GTX video card (no avoid SLI).

 

Wait to order the XPS 730 until Dell finally has the newest Intel Q9650 processor http://processorfinder.intel.com/details.aspx?sSpec=SLB8W

 

and the newer WD VelociRaptor hardrive  http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=459&language=en available for this configuration.

I was think QX.  Oops.

 

I still believe that waiting until the next best thing is installed is a losing proposition.  The wait is never ends. :) 

The WD VelociRaptor hardrive has been out since earlier this year and is available on the XPS 630, so I would expect it to be available on the XPS 730 and time now.  This drive is much faster and quieter than the old WD 150GB Raptor.

 

The Intel Q9650 (NOT QX9650 extreme) has been out around 2 months and is about $ 550 (Retail).

Actually, the QX9650 is $1k. The Q9650 (locked multiplier) seems to start around $520 (source: here).

Edit: Doh, PDSchweitzer beat me to it.

If he waits until the newest and greatest is out - he will always be waiting. There is always new stuff around the corner that is better.

 

Besides while the Q9650 is a nice chip - its $1k!

I have been waiting since the XPS 720 came out, I know there will always be something better coming along but my Dell 8200 is starting to get cranky, I haven’t read about to many problems with the 730 so I am going to buy now, I just need to make a decision on which video card to buy, that’s where I was hoping you guys could help, anyone know of the two cards I mentioned if one would run hotter then the other? If I unstand the 9800 GX2 is SLI and the GTX 280 is not and you are recomending the GTX 280 because of that.

If ordering the XPS 730 right away, don't forget to use coupon code:  T$3W8HVF$B7FB4  to save 21% off the XPS 730 (good thru 8/20/2008)

I have heard this and maybe others can confirm...

 

The 9800 GX2 blows its' hot air inside the computer case and the GTX 280 blows its' hot air directly outside the computer case.

If true, that would be a positive for the GTX 280.

I do not have either card so I cannot confirm this.  Maybe someone can.