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Product summary
The Dell XPS 420 Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, 640GB HDD, 4GB) is a Core 2 quad-based, budget desktop PC.Compared to other budget PCs on the market, it is expensive at around $885.This system comes with 4 GB RAM, and a 640GB hard drive.
Specifications: Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4 GHz); RAM installed: 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM; Hard drive: 640 GB Standard; See full specs
Price range: $884.00
CNET product brief
Description: The Dell XPS 420 Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, 640GB HDD, 4GB) is a Core 2 quad-based, budget desktop PC.Compared to other budget PCs on the market, it is expensive at around $885.This system comes with 4 GB RAM, and a 640GB hard drive.
Pros: Has an ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphics chip, which is considerably better performing than some similarly priced PCs.Also, this PC has a DVD? RW disc drive.Also, the 640GB drive installed on this machine is rather large enough to store thousands of applications and files.Furthermore, this machine's Core 2 quad based CPU is beefy enough to handle demanding applications, such as graphics and multimedia.
Cons: None noted, given available product data.
Suitability: A budget PC, suited for basic computing tasks, such as word processing, e-mail, and web browsing.The ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphics installed on this computer is moderately fast when it comes to handling 3-D graphics.You can archive your digital videos using this model's DVD recorder.This computer also has a CD writer, allowing you to compile your own audio CDs or video CDs.
Value: Despite its expensive price, this PC has good features for the money.However, this desktop manages to combine class-leading processing power with ample storage.If you were to judge strictly by CPU speed, however, the price of a basic PCs with comparable speed is about 20% lower.
Suggestions: (1) Using this PC's Firewire (1394) port, you can connect to many digital camcorders and other equipment and rapidly upload data to the computer's hard drive.(2) If you plan to be playing the latest 3-D games, you may want to invest in a more powerful video card from NVidia or ATI, which are popular with the gaming community (requires an open AGP or PCIe slot).
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Desktops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of desktop.
Home office desktop computer
Graphics are less of a concern for most businesses, unless you run a design shop. At minimum, you'll want a desktop computer with enough power (read: dual-core CPU) for multitasking your daily office chores. The money you save on the graphics you can put toward a larger flat-panel display and a better warranty. Vista complicates matters a little. Microsoft recommends at least 512MB of system memory and a DirectX 9-capable graphics card, and it ups the specs to 1GB of RAM and at least 128MB of independent video memory for Vista Home Premium with Aero. Of course, an iMac will get the job done, too, though at a higher price than your typical business PC.
Read more in the Desktop Buying Guide
Power user desktop computer
It's easy for the price to get out of hand with a power PC. If you shop around, you should be able to find a more than adequate gaming or digital design desktop computer for between $2,500 and $3,500. Look for an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM. You'll also need a large, fast hard drive--perhaps two or more if you plan to transfer and edit movie files--and of course, a DVD burner or, if you have an HD display, a Blu-ray or HD DVD drive. If your goal is digital design, Apple's Mac Pro continues to shine in this arena. We still won't recommend an Apple desktop computer for gaming, though, so if that's your aim, it's Windows for you.
Read more in the Desktop Buying Guide
Desktops computer processors
The central processor (CPU) is the heart of any computer system and an excellent litmus test as to whether a desktop computer or notebook fits your needs. The trouble is, processor names like Athlon and Celeron are as cryptic as system names like Latitude and Pavilion. Here's a quick guide to see which chip is a fit:
| Manufacturer | Processor name | Processing power | Designed use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMD | Phenom | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| Intel | Core 2 Quad | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| AMD | Athlon | High | Mainstream |
| Intel | Core 2 Duo | High | Mainstream |
| AMD | Sempron | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Celeron | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Pentium Dual Core | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Atom | Low | Small form factor desktop |
| Via | C7-M | Low | Small form factor desktop |
| Intel | Pentium | Low | Budget |
| AMD | Opteron | Very high | Server |
| Intel | Xeon | Very high | Server |
See more Desktops processor products
Desktop computer memory size
One GB of memory is the recommended minimum to run Windows Vista and additional memory will make multitasking and graphics run smoother. Business workstations are apt to have a lot more memory to run industrial strength software. Choosing a lower memory configuration may save you money; however, most of the highest-rated desktop computers on CNET have 2GB.
See more Desktop computer memory size products
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