When I ordered the computer, I ordered with minimum HDD, memory, and video card because I knew I would upgrade later. I played around with the computer for a few days just to get an idea of its speed and capability. When I added more RAM and a faster HDD, it made all the difference in the world. The computer is muck quicker now, subjectively speaking. Before the upgrades, I found it somewhat disappointing (256 MB RAM, 4200rpm HDD). I would recommend that the 7200 rpm hard drive be chosen during its configuration, and additional RAM bought from a reputable online vendor (DELL memory is expensive!) I'd also recommend the UXGA screen. As for the hyperthreading option...I don't really know; I've not had a chance to compare.
Inspiron 5150 BIOS A23 3.06GHz Mobile P4 Travelstar 7K60 1GB PC2700 DDR RAM DVD/CDRW 64MB nVidia GeForce FX 5200 Go UXGA Display WinXP Home
I've had the i5150 since august and have no problems and think its a great desk top replacement (IT WEIGHS A TON). I would recommend that you get a fast harddrive, stay away from the 4200rpm drives. I have the dell ultasharp wuxga display its great for movies but does cause some eye strain for me, others have not had that problem though. Overall I'm very happy with it. Joe
My I5150 works like a charm, has no problems and benchmarks higher than I8600's. UXGA is the only way to go. I use MS Word (with 100 page booklets) MS Access, Dreamweaver and Photoshop. PCMark2002 as follows:
CPU 7480, Memory 6326, HDD 474 (one of these days I'll get a 7200 rpm)
As far as I know, you can disable HT on any machine with a HT processor via the BIOS. Thus, you'd just have one screaming fast 3.2 GHz processor running.
THanks for yalls responses (even though I did find other comments after saying that I didnt see any... oops still nice to have an up to date conversation about it though.
This is the system I was considering is as follows:
Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor,3.20GHz with HT,15in UXGA
512MB,333MHz,1DIMM (plan to get 512 more from crucial)
64MB DDR NVIDIA® GeForce™ FX Go5200 AGP 4x Graphics
But there is one thing I was curiouse about... I dont realy pretend to know much about computers (at least as far as hardware goes) and I've heard in the forums about how Hyper Threading may not be good for 3D rendering and stuff.. is this true? if so should I consider the 3.06 Ghz Processor instead of the 3.2 HT one?
The 3d programs I will be using will be AutoCAD 2002 or greater (only a limited amount of 3d stuff with this) and viz4 or greater (virtually IDENTICAL program to 3d studio max, wich is a 3d animation program)
So, how do you think this machine would measure up?
I think AutoCAD is one of the few programs specifically written with hyper-threading in mind, so perhaps you will get increased performance. As for the other programs I don't know.
I think the biggest con is the lead time to get a 3.20. I've waited more than 11 days for the puppy to show up. Hopefully, it would show up next week. If you could wait more than 15 - 20 days, it would not be a con to you. 20 days in IT industry is a lot waiting time!!!
eh waiting time is not all that much of an issue for me... I plan on ordering it the beginning of the last week of this month... I figure, If I can get it before Christmas I'll be happy
Catarrhine
78 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 03:00
Try going here: http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_Inspiron_5150/4852-3121_7-30418693.html?tag=box
There are about 100 comments, pros and cons.
When I ordered the computer, I ordered with minimum HDD, memory, and video card because I knew I would upgrade later. I played around with the computer for a few days just to get an idea of its speed and capability. When I added more RAM and a faster HDD, it made all the difference in the world. The computer is muck quicker now, subjectively speaking. Before the upgrades, I found it somewhat disappointing (256 MB RAM, 4200rpm HDD). I would recommend that the 7200 rpm hard drive be chosen during its configuration, and additional RAM bought from a reputable online vendor (DELL memory is expensive!) I'd also recommend the UXGA screen. As for the hyperthreading option...I don't really know; I've not had a chance to compare.
Inspiron 5150
BIOS A23
3.06GHz Mobile P4
Travelstar 7K60
1GB PC2700 DDR RAM
DVD/CDRW
64MB nVidia GeForce FX 5200 Go
UXGA Display
WinXP Home
omniswitch250
187 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 04:00
I've had the i5150 since august and have no problems and think its a great desk top replacement (IT WEIGHS A TON). I would recommend that you get a fast harddrive, stay away from the 4200rpm drives. I have the dell ultasharp wuxga display its great for movies but does cause some eye strain for me, others have not had that problem though. Overall I'm very happy with it. Joe
i5150 3.06ghz non h/t
512 ram (2 sticks)
40gig harddrive(slooow 4200rpm)
radeon 9000 64mb
dvd/cdrw combodrive
Bios A24/ XP HE
billybobsand
67 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 04:00
My I5150 works like a charm, has no problems and benchmarks higher than I8600's. UXGA is the only way to go. I use MS Word (with 100 page booklets) MS Access, Dreamweaver and Photoshop. PCMark2002 as follows:
CPU 7480, Memory 6326, HDD 474 (one of these days I'll get a 7200 rpm)
Billybob
CSmith06
2 Intern
•
956 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 11:00
jpm121
2 Intern
•
133 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 12:00
As far as I know, you can disable HT on any machine with a HT processor via the BIOS. Thus, you'd just have one screaming fast 3.2 GHz processor running.
GrumpyChick
108 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 12:00
Thanks, though I dont know how to disable it in the BIOS (seeing as Ive never done anything in the BIOS... told ya I was ignorant)
Typically though, when I know something can be done I'll have no trouble figureing it out.
GrumpyChick
108 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 12:00
THanks for yalls responses (even though I did find other comments after saying that I didnt see any... oops
still nice to have an up to date conversation about it though.
This is the system I was considering is as follows:
Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor,3.20GHz with HT,15in UXGA
512MB,333MHz,1DIMM (plan to get 512 more from crucial)
64MB DDR NVIDIA® GeForce™ FX Go5200 AGP 4x Graphics
Dell TrueMobile™ 1400 Dual-Band WLAN (802.11a/b/g,54Mbps)Mini-PCI card
But there is one thing I was curiouse about... I dont realy pretend to know much about computers (at least as far as hardware goes) and I've heard in the forums about how Hyper Threading may not be good for 3D rendering and stuff.. is this true? if so should I consider the 3.06 Ghz Processor instead of the 3.2 HT one?
The 3d programs I will be using will be AutoCAD 2002 or greater (only a limited amount of 3d stuff with this) and viz4 or greater (virtually IDENTICAL program to 3d studio max, wich is a 3d animation program)
So, how do you think this machine would measure up?
dtkirk
74 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 13:00
I think AutoCAD is one of the few programs specifically written with hyper-threading in mind, so perhaps you will get increased performance. As for the other programs I don't know.
Definently get a fast hard drive.
Cheers
dtkirk
GrumpyChick
108 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 14:00
Cool!! I never knew that. Thanks
And that Viz 4 program is also an Autodesk program so maybe it took HT into consideration as well???? So maybe I'm better off than I thought?
Message Edited by GrumpyChick on 11-11-2003 10:30 AM
ksiow02
158 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 20:00
GrumpyChick
108 Posts
0
November 11th, 2003 23:00