DELL XPS 420 or 630?

[s2k]

Anyone have the Dell XPS 420 or 630 systems? looking at possibly one of these are trying to decide between one or the other. Not looking to custom build a PC as I don't have the time so going Dell prebuilt this time.

Here are the two I'm looking at below. The 630 has a better power supply and is more upgradable but also seems to have a few known glitches. The 420 is older but more proven but less upgrading available and has limited power supply.

Primary use is for a software development PC, little to no gaming use. Will most likely be replacing OS with Visat x64.

Any general thoughts on either?

XPS 630 TOTAL:$1,258.00

Processor Intel® Core™2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.40GHz,1066FSB)
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1
Chassis Colour Black Bezel Chassis
Memory 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs
Keyboard Dell USB Keyboard
MONITORS No Monitor
Video Card nVidia® GeForce® 8800 GT 512MB
LABELS Windows Vista™ Premium
HARD DRIVES 500GB - Seagate 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
FLOPPY DRIVE AND MEDIA READER Dell 19 in 1 Media Reader with Bluetooth
Mouse Dell Optical USB Mouse
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
OPTICAL DRIVES Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
Sound Cards Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Speakers No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) Microsoft Works 9. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
Security Software McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days
Digitial Music No Digital Music Software Requested
Digital Imaging Adobe PhotoShop Elements
Hardware Services 1 Yr Limited Warranty with 1 Yr NBD Onsite Service and 1 Yr Tech Support
Online Data Storage DataSafe Online Backup 3GB
Internet Access Services No ISP requested



XPS 420 TOTAL:$1,249.00



XPS 420 Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Processor Q9450 (12MB Cache,2.66GHz,1333FSB)
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1
Memory 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs
Keyboard Dell USB Keyboard
Monitors No Monitor
Video Cards ATI Radeon HD3870 512MB GDDR4
Labels Windows Vista™ Premium
Hard Drive 500GB - Seagate 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache
Floppy Drive Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader included in Dell Bluetooth Package
Mouse Dell Optical USB Mouse
Modem 56K PCI Data Fax Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
Optical Drive Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
Sound Cards Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Speakers No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) Microsoft Works 9. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
Security Software McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days
Digitial Music No Digital Music Software Requested
Hardware Support Services 1 Year Next Business Day Onsite/In Home Service and Tech Support
Online Data Storage DataSafe Online Backup 3GB
Environmental Options Adobe Elements Studio for XPS™ 420
Internet Access Services Please contact me with more details
Labels Windows Vista™ Premium
Bluetooth Options Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader

[Silver Bullet]

I'd say go with the XPS 420 if only because it has the Q9450 which is a pretty significant upgrade over the Q6600. I doubt you'll ever notice the ram speed difference.

[s2k]

I'd say go with the XPS 420 if only because it has the Q9450 which is a pretty significant upgrade over the Q6600. I doubt you'll ever notice the ram speed difference.

That was my thinking as well. The issue with the 420 is that is has a smaller PS, only 375W compared to the 750W in the 630.

[LegiT]

That was my thinking as well. The issue with the 420 is that is has a smaller PS, only 375W compared to the 750W in the 630.

Well, you could upgrade to a 500w later on if you want (PC P&C Silencer Dell 500) for about ~$90. I thought Dell included a 420w PSU for more "higher end" 420s but I could be wrong.
But what upgrades are you thinking of that might utilise the 750w in the 630? I mean, other than additional hard drives, it's doubtful you'll add anything more other a CPU swap or potentially a couple of more RAM sticks which I'm pretty sure the 500w PC P&C is more than capable of handling(of which you might need to purchase).

But ya, I myself would go with the second build(420).

[s2k]

Well, you could upgrade to a 500w later on if you want (PC P&C Silencer Dell 500) for about ~$90. I thought Dell included a 420w PSU for more "higher end" 420s but I could be wrong.
But what upgrades are you thinking of that might utilise the 750w in the 630? I mean, other than additional hard drives, it's doubtful you'll add anything more other a CPU swap or potentially a couple of more RAM sticks which I'm pretty sure the 500w PC P&C is more than capable of handling(of which you might need to purchase).

But ya, I myself would go with the second build(420).

Thanks. It seems unclear if they provide the 375W or 420W with the 420. Only upgrades would really be additional HDs. Perhaps the stock PS would be fine.

[rascal]

Just curious, what are the known glitches with the 630?

[s2k]

Just curious, what are the known glitches with the 630?

The LightFX apparently doesn't work properly, fan issues where it goes to full speed, HHD light flashes all the time, some issues with ESA. Also it doesn't support PCI X16 properly I guess which is more misleading advertising than an issue per se.

http://www.my630i.com/ has the info.

No real show stoppers just a lot of little issues apparently.