Biggest Diff between the XPS Gen II and i9300!

Am I right in saying that it's the GeForce 6800 ULTRA?

other differences include:
GB Ethernet
option for the m-770 processor (big whupty-do).
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Mabye some other small differences(HD option differences, case) but everything else can be added to the i9300 for MUCH less $$$. The recent $750 off coupon did not even apply to the XPS! Maybe I am wrong somewhere in my thinking, if so, I expect the ever-so-eager flammers to jump me. Anyone else have anythoughts, because I would have paid alot more to get that 6800 Go ULTRA but not over $500 more(because it only comes with the XPS Gen II)

Anychance of me getting that ULTRA card? Which Rep do i have to hold hostage? :hardfind:

-------------------------------------------------------
proud owner of a shiny new: i9300 Pent. m-760 2GHz, 1GB of Trancend(oh yeah...), UXGA (hmmmm well, its better than the XGA+, but the SXGA+??? I doubt it), 60GB 7200 rpm, and nothing else really matters does it!?

 

Yes, you are correct in assuming that the Go6800 Ultra is the key difference between the I9300 and the XPS2. However, the XPS2 also defaults to the 2.0GHz processor, the WUXGA screen, and 512MB of dual-channel RAM. Whether or not these are good things is debatable. If you want to try putting a GFG6800 Ultra in the I9300, the first place to check is Dell's spare parts...though I just checked, and they don't seem to list them online. I'd try calling them and telling them yours is broken and you want to buy a new GFG6800 Ultra for your XPS2.

As to whether or not installing the GFG6800 Ultra in a 9300 would set your house on fire or otherwise damage your computer, I'm not sure. The card in the I9300 is slotted, so it can be replaced, and the XPS2 shares a similar size and form factor with the I9300...I'd be primarily concerned whether or not the I9300's power supply can handle it, especially since you've maxed out just about every other component on your system.

 

While on the rare occasion when Dell do issue coupons compatible with xps2 -- on most occasions it really isn't that great of a deal. XPS2 with coupons can sometimes be had for about $2800 fully configured, that is a VERY nice price imho. Nothing in the price range can touch it. But most of the times you have to pay north of $3200 for it, which is sorta silly.

I've heard that the ultra in the xps2 is BIOS LOCKED so you can not oc it AT ALL. Considering how much headroom there is with the Go6800 non-ultra, as everyone has reported HUGE overclocks. It's unfortunate for Dell to lock the xps2 as such. Maybe eventually they will update the bios to unlock it, but right now I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Of course even locked it still wipe the floor with anything below it. But do keep in mind that the Clevo 900T used by Sager/Alienware/VoodooPC, can also take the Ultra part, and that chasis doesn't have a bios that locks it!

cheers,

scheiss

 

Ughh I just spent almost an hour writing a reply with some really nice info... I love getting a request to RElogin when i hit the submit button. Isn't that awesome! I logged in again and BOOM! Erased and gone to the forum gods...

Anyway, what i MEANT to say was that I will look into the Powersupply issue on the 9300 to see if the safety margin is feasible (especially since i and many others chose to deck out the 9300's options). Who knows, my Lappy may just explode when the ULTRA comes within 10 feet of it. When i figure it out i will post a new thread about it.

Wow the XPS2 Bios is locked.. huh. That sucks.