Dell Inspiron 580 vs Vostro 430 vs Optiplex 980

Thanks fireberd, I have read that section.

But my questions still remain.

I am looking for a personal comparison of these 3 models...

Usually, I get a few models and try to choose the "best one" for me by eliminating the others.

So, which one should I eliminate, and......... the questions? :)

Thanks.

You would need someone from Dell, that knows, to tell you want the real difference in the product lines are. 

I'd like to hear what other people can say.

I want to hear independent opinion.

Thanks.

up

There is a "What Do I Buy" section, more appropriate for most of your questions.  Click Me. Keep in mind we are users helping users with problems on here, not Dell Employees.  There are some Dell forum moderators around but bascially that's all.

We have a corporate account with Dell and i use / buy most models either for the office or for home and friends, in general use this table as a rule of thumb:

Optiplex - for business - better more robust but usually has a basic "onboard" video, sound card, can be upgraded to better PCI / PCIe ones though

Vostro - Cheaper for home - Not as robust as Optiplex but usually has higher spec parts with LESS "onboard"

Inspiron - Better Quality for home - Usually has High spec quality stuff in it

Studio - Better Quality for Home - Similar to Inspiron, perhaps slightly nicer design

As a matter of interest ( I only Buy Dell) i have the following:

Work - 120 Optiplex Pc's, 10 Poweredge servers, 140 TFT Screens etc

Home - 2 Dell Vostro 430 MT, 1 studio 1700 Laptop, 1 10" Netbook, 1 dell X50 and an Apple ipad

My suggestion would be get the Vostro 430 to the spec you want

Hope this helps 

Trevor

Dell Inspiron 580 Desktop Computer (Intel Pentium Dual Core G6950 ...

The 580 is your basic Found at Best Buy or Microcenter Computer.

On Any of these Models I ALWAYS recommend the Mini Tower.

Never Get the SFF or USFF.      Vostro and the 580 seem Identical to me.

Mini Towers can use bigger standard power supplies.

The Major Difference in the 980 is the Case is A LOT bigger and for better power supply and

video card this would make sense.  Personally I would Recommend the Optiplex but you will pay more for

it as they are the Sherman Tank of Computers and last quite a long time.

Video Card   
Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD

Intel® H57 Express

Modem    No Modem Option
Optical Drive    16X DVD+/-RW Drive

Sound Card    Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

300 Watt Power Supply

Vostro 430 Mini Tower Details | Dell

Up to 4GB2 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333Mhz - 2 DIMMS

Chipset

Intel® H57 Express

Video Card
NVIDIA GT220 GeForce®
NVIDIA GTS240 GeForce®
NVIDIA G310 GeForce®
10/100/1000 Ethernet
Dell 1525 Wireless WLAN 11n PCIe Card - Optional

OptiPlex 980 Desktop Details | Dell

Optiplex 980 at Dell™

Intel®  Q57 Express Chipset

Intel®  CoreTM  i7 Processor 870 /2.93GHz, 8M, VT-x, VT-d, TXT (vProTM )
Intel®  CoreTM  i7 Processor 860 /2.80GHz, 8M, VT-x, VT-d, TXT (vProTM )
 
Intel®  CoreTM  i5 Processor 750/ 2.66GHz, Turbo Boost, 8M, VT-x
Intel®  CoreTM  i5 Processor 670/ 3.46GHz, HT, Turbo Boost, 4M, VT-x, VT-d, TXT (vProTM )
Intel®  CoreTM  i5 Processor 660/ 3.33GHz, HT, Turbo Boost, 4M, VT-x, VT-d, TXT (vProTM )
Intel®  CoreTM  i5 Processor 650/ 3.20GHz, HT, Turbo Boost, 4M, VT-x, VT-d, TXT (vProTM )
 
Intel®  CoreTM  i3 Processor 540/ 3.06GHz, HT, 4M
Intel®  CoreTM  i3 Processor 530/ 2.93GHz, HT, 4M
 
Intel®  Pentium Processor G6950/ 2.80GHz, 3M
 
*Processors qualified on the OptiPlex 980 are listed above.

Integrated Intel®  Graphics Media Accelerator HD

256MB ATI®  RADEON®  HD 3450 (dual DVI or dual VGA options)*
512MB NVIDIA NVS420 (SFF only, quad DP or quad DVI options)*
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300 (dual DVI or dual VGA options), 512MB ATI RADEON HD 4550* (DP/ DVI)
1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT330* (MT only, DP/DVI)

I just ran across your post and since I'm comparing the Vostro and Optiplex too, wondered what you unded up choosing.

I decided to build my PC from components that suite me the best.

I didn't like the idea of buying the PC which is assembled from low cost unknown components.

Here is my PC config & price...