Now my question is weather to just buy a new MOBO/RAM/CPU or mix and match with the XPS system.
Right now these are the things I have....
2 x PNY 8800GTS 512MB
2 X 150GB WD Raptors
1 X 1TB WD External Drive
1 X Fatal1ty X-Fi XtremeGamer
1 X Logitech MX5000 (Keyboard/Mouse)
1 X Dell 2405
1 X Case
My first question is.....
1) I don't want the Vista on the XPS which comes with it. Now, I know dell is tricky with their window installations and you cant put your own on there, but if I get rid of their 500gb hard drive that comes with it (sell it) and use two 150gb raptors sitting at home would that work? Can I use XP with the mobo/Ram etc that is inside the dell.
2) The mobo that comes inside this, if I sell the 8800gt that comes inside of it, can I fit two 8800 GTS?
3) I have an Aduio X-fi Gaming card would this work for it to?
The reason why I ask all this, I was going to wait for the penryn but I cant wait anymore. I have two 8800gts a few hard drives and audio card. I was thinking of just buying my own Combo CPU/Ram/mobo but this deal might be worth it.
Does it make scene to "lease this machine for about 3 months," and when the penryn comes out I would get the components that I need? Or do I buy something now?
You're better off buying the mobo/CPO/RAM and put it together yourself Dell modifies the mobo and restricts what you can do in the BIOS and it will cheaper. Price out a Gigabyte P35 DS3l or ASUS P5K E with or without WIFI. Price the Q6600 and whatever else you're getting with it on newegg
I have an XPS system too. Unless you want to throw away a thousand dollars and not be able to upgrade anything other than add RAM or an extra hard drive, you're practically screwed. Dell's systems have a restricted BIOS and you cannot overclock anything.
ANOTHER THING... I know the XPS 400 and 410 line use BTX form factor. So even the case is worthless as far as trying to upgrade your motherboard for any new socket processors in the future, at least in my case. Maybe the case you have is ATX form factor. My XPS 400 is a great looking case but its BTX. They cannot be upgraded with an ATX board.
