Buying a new Dell desktop - need input

[MediaPA]

Ok, here's the system that I speced out. It's going to be just under $2,200. I'm interested in finding out if there is anything that I can do to make it last me longer. I want to try and get 4 years out of this computer. I like the occassional computer game, so hopefully this will be current enough for gaming for a few years. Any advice or is this overkill for a personal use system? Does the price seem good?

Also does anyone know the difference between the 8400 and XPS? With the same hardware, the XPS was $500 more.

Dimension 8400
Pentium® 4 Processor 550 with HT Technology (3.40GHz, 800 FSB)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz (2x1GB)
20.1 in 2001FP Dell Ultrasharp™ Digital Flat Panel
256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon™ X800 XT
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
16x DVD
16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write
Sound Blaster Audigy™2 ZS (D) Card w/Dolby 5.1
Dell 5650 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System with Subwoofer

Microsoft Office Basic - Includes Outlook, Word, Excel
McAfee SecurityCenter with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15-months
1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr Technical Support
CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service to 1Yr Lim Warranty

[David Steele]

Looks ok. I would junk the 5.1 surround in favor of a good pair for music and less junk piled about the room. If you want sound effects for video games then 5.1 makes sense.

D.

[ThePinkBunny]

I'm looking on getting a system similar to this in the next month or so, but I want to be able to hook up at least three monitors, so if anybody can tell me what I should go for videocardwise, please let me know.

Thanks,
D

[usmfan]

My only recommendation would be to individually price some of your components and compare that to the upgrade cost you're paying. Specifically, I'm thinking of what the cost of RAM, your DL DVDR drive and speakers might be. If you check out Fatwallet and Anandtech, you can find deals on these types of upgrade components all the time. You might even consider upgrading the HD yourself but I usually find that the difference between Dell's price and buying separate is not worth the hassle or reinstallation of the OS and software.

[MtSmalls]

Also, checkout the Dell refurbished section at night, there are a lot of steals there (you might have to be patient)

[Mackas]

[ QUOTE ]
Also, checkout the Dell refurbished section at night, there are a lot of steals there (you might have to be patient)

[/ QUOTE ]

... and Ebay, Not sure if its the same in the States but at the minute there are a lot of 8400s going cheap (boxed and new) on Ebay in the UK.

I picked up one at more or less the same specs as you quote last week though had to buy the monitor (again a 2001FP) separately directly from Dell, as the desktop was refurbished. Overall came in at about 2/3 price would have cost direct from Dell complete with warranty and one year collect and return from Dell.

Obviously take a bit of care to sus out your seller if going via ebay.

Good Luck

[TobDog]

If you dont want the 2001fp. just sell it on ebay(or give it to me if you like [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]) You can sell them for at least 550 on there just make sure you prequote the shipping, I sold a golf bag there and didnt check the shipping, charged the guy $12 and the freight because it was odd sized was $25.