Entered CNET Catalog: 07/15/2004
SKU: CNETDELLDIMENSIONXPS
Manufacturer: Dell, Inc.
Manufacturer description
XPS Gen 3 includes a re-engineered chassis with PCIe graphics, DDR2 memory, additional vents and a back lit shield. XPS Gen 3 offers the highest Intel Processors available. It has added front, top and rear vents for improved chassis airflow. Two low-profile fans quietly cool the power supply while three additional fans cool the rest of the system. Each fan is independently monitored and thermally controlled. Light up the chassis with your choice of 7 different back light colors which are easily changed through the bios: Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Amber, Topaz, Amethyst and Diamond. The XPS is packed with 460W power supply that is located in a separate compartment along the bottom chassis to minimize the heat transferred to other critical componentsProduct summary
The good: 20.1-inch flat-panel display; dual-layer DVD burner; revamped interior access to the case; great front-panel glow.
The bad: Marginal speakers for such a high-priced entertainment PC.
The bottom line: The Dell Dimension XPS can do almost anything you want it to, but if you're looking for a showpiece quality computer, we've seen more-polished PCs from other vendors.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 User Rating: 
8/10
Great Computer!
Pros: Color changing case lights, fast, and reliable
Cons: Expensive, no longer comes with printed manual
User Rating: 
9/10
Great PC - Powerful - Great Tech Support -
Pros: Very Powerful for 3d rendering and Gaming - TECH SUPPORT IN US!
Cons: The case could be designed better. We have 4 and all 4 cd/dvd/disk drive covers broke in less then a week.
Very powerful with many potential extra hookups. Great for gaming, 3d rendering, audio producing
User Rating: 
2/10
HORRIBLE Case Design, Wrong Software Sent with System
Pros: Excellent Performance (Once Properly Configured).
Cons: HORRIBLE Case, very unstable, does not stay together (we are on the third case in 2 months).Horrible, we had problems re-configuring system after disk failure. The case weighs A TON. Very Dissapointed
I have never had problems that we have experienced with this box. My customer (who I bought this for as a favor) has had nothing but nightmares. First problem was that the Case literally fell apart. Dell's outsourced partner came and replaced it in short order. The new case did the exact same thing. Then the disk drives failed, then the motherboard, and the list goes on. After spending about 5 hours of my own time, I finally took the system back to our in house engineers. They completely reset the RAID, then loaded the OS, then the Dell Desktop Mgr, then the Intel Chipset (if you don't do it in that EXACT order, the system will not configure properly). It turned out that dell didn't even send us the correct drivers for the video card which was not the one that we ordered.
I am a huge supporter of DELL and a Stockholder. I think their machines, support and service is far and above any of the competition. HOWEVER, THE XPS 4 GEN SYSTEM is an abosolute MESS. Just the fact of the ULTRA CHEAP Case is completely unforgivable. And if you are not a HARDWARE EXPERT (which I am), don't even get close to this box.
I highly suggest the 8400 fully loaded. MUCH BETTER !
Dell, I HOPE YOU READ THIS. Get your act together on this box. You really missed QA on this one !
User Rating: 9/10
Dell does it again.
Pros: Good product, good qualtiy
Cons: Paying for the XPS name.
I only have one qualm with Dell's practices, and that is their ordering system, which does not allow you to refuse certain software packages. When I get a new computer I don't want one clogged with software that there was no "none" option for.
Of course, the above is solved with a little computer know-how and a simple reformat, but it shouldn't have to come to that.
And, the XPS is a little to expensive for my taste, and this is generally because of the name it bears rather than the innards of the beast.
Overall, though, this machine'll run fast for YEARS. Maybe the XPS isn't right for you, but there's a Dimension out there with your name on it. Buy it. NOW.
User Rating: 
5/10
No more Dell's for me
Pros: I wish I had one
Cons: Noisy and bad tech support
User Rating: 9/10
It's perfect.
Pros: It always works quickly with any program even High res, detailed games.
Cons: There is nothing wrong with it.
User Rating: 
1/10
Don't choose Dell
Pros: None at all
Cons: All- Their Credit Card Charges 184.96% interest!!!
User Rating: 8/10
pricy but good
Pros: gaming extreme
Cons: price... could build same pc for 1/2
User Rating: 9/10
Impressive but pricey
Pros: Very fast, exceptional monitor (2001 FP), nice looking box, dedicated XPS tech support for much quicker access and expertise
Cons: cover over the drive bays feel very cheap, box could be more radical ie glass side panel, nicely configured the price goes into the stratosphere
User Rating: 1/10
Good specs but horrible design and worst quality
Pros: Looked good on paper... glowing light yay! It's all abou the light.
Cons: Bulky, heavy, noisy, asnine DVD bay door
User Rating: 9/10
Love it! Great machine!
Pros: Excellent graphics, very responsive and fast!
Cons: Poor design on closure covering DVD drives.
User Rating: 
6/10
Buy only if you are a Multimedia fanatic!
Pros: Reviews say it all fast, features and design, but still Apple G5 better processing of course. Great buy if you have the money!!!
Cons: CUSTOMER SERVICE TERRIBLE!!! Assume to much, most of their technicians have horrible communication skills results in fustration and slow step-by-step process, Very expensive, too expensive for the common user. If you are a user that does the basic on a co
User Rating: 
7/10
1st Dell Purchase - Good Overall
Pros: Fast, good value (with my companies employers Dell discount and coupon), customer service good when DVD RW drive crashed (replaced very promptly)
Cons: Can get a bit noisy when performance stretched. Front bay door very flimsy. DVD RW drivew crashed
User Rating: 9/10
I would have given a 9 rating...
Pros: Nice case. Cooling fans galore! Separate power supply compartment. Dell name and XPS specific support staff. Quietest Dell I've ever owned, especially with the number of fans it has!!
Cons: 54 pounds! The plastic case peice along the bottom on the front, where you would be tempted to get a hand hold, is the weakest point of the case. Otherwise case is GREAT!!
User Rating: 8/10
Just as the CNET Review said...
Pros: ...plus extra fast delivery, simple to set up and a nice fast machine.
Cons: Huge box and the door to the drives is cheap looking!
User Rating: 7/10
Still waiting for my G5 to finish processing....:-)
Pros: Fast, fast, fast. Quiet, and so far the hardware (knock on wood)has been great! Easy to access for upgrading and internals are color coded. I compared this unit to many other graphic industry machines including a G5. I found that even after my customizi
Cons: Big, and the plastic casing isn't strong.It could use a better way to be carried/moved. (Wheels??? ) You have to custom outfit it to get this reliabilty/speed factor. Dell doesn't advertise a computer that is totally rigged. I have the XPS gen2 P4 2.8
User Rating: 
10/10
Now I've got the perfect PC!
Pros: Very fast, very cheap (if the proper coupons are applied), very reliable, well built, clear set of instructions to set up, great quality all throughout!
Cons: I've ordered from Dell for 10 years now. This was the first time that my order was lost. But the process of getting a new system was hell. I had to wait an entire month after the estimated ship date to get my system. On the plus side, now that it is here,
User Rating: 10/10
hotter than my girlfriend!
Pros: It' FAST! And super upgradeable. Graphics are awesome, sound kicks @$$ (if you get good speakers) and you get it costumise from when you buy it. I agree Dell XPS > Alienware > Voodoo
Cons: Now my girlfriend gets mad at me for not spending time with her.
User Rating: 10/10
This thing is sick!
Pros: Beautiful case, great speed, high-performance graphics.... I only wish that this review would have used the nVidia geforce 6800 Ultra card instead of a radeon. I'm considering getting one of the babies.
Cons: It's really expensive, considering that one I would get is 3000 bucks where I live. IF Dell brings down the price a bit, then I'll be on it like flies on patao salad.
User Rating: 5/10
Open box, and realize that door's going to break
Pros: It is what is - the beginnings of a great gaming machine, it's up to you to supply the rest.
Cons: It's a bad sign when you get Dell's flagship model out of the box, open the drive door, and realize the door is poorly designed and likely to break. Given that this is the second thing you use outside of the power button, it only makes me wonder what else
User Rating: 8/10
Pretty Great Deal with the right coupon
Pros: Price, Warranty, Support, Performance
Cons: No Overclocking, Limited Video Card choices, No SLI, Still better to build yourself if you know what your doing!
User Rating: 
3/10
Horrible Tech support, Don't expect them to honor your warranty
Pros: Easy to set up and use.
Cons: Tech support is outsourced to india. The technicians have little or no experience. They can rarely pull up your information due to "system upgrades". I have experience with a variety of companies. Dell tech support used to be #1. It is now by far the
User Rating: 8/10
Great Resouloution!!
Pros: Great Graphics even the case looks cool. The Best Computer I've gotten so far.
Cons: Way too big! Loud! Hot!
User Rating: 7/10
An all-around solid PC
Pros: The maxed-out version of the system performs very well in all the newest 3D software. Good specs.
Cons: The interior is not quite as organized as say... an Alienware, though this doesn't present any kind of problem.
User Rating: 2/10
paying for service not product
Pros: easy to upgrade. the case itself is easier to open than other dell computers.
Cons: Look i work for dell and i dont recomend this piece of $## its all margin. If you are buying a dell get a 4700 and upgrade it. it will be cheaper and better than this thing.
User Rating: 7/10
Its the best
Pros: It has a lot of entertainment, its good if ur bored and do not hav anything to do.
Cons: It is kind of high in value, yea and Dell service does suck.
User Rating: 8/10
Awesome with 40% Off Coupon
Pros: Awesome deal. I checked out www.gottadeal.com to look for the latest coupons and got a 40% off coupon the following config for only $2800 (before the $150 rebate) Dimension XPS P4560 3.6Ghz, 2GB RAM (2x1GB), 20.1 2001FP, 2 x 400GB drives, Klipsch Promedi
Cons: Cramped interior
User Rating: 9/10
Good Value... Great Box
Pros: Fast! Great configuration and easy setup. Note To Some: Speakers that ship with systems usually do suck... always plan to upgrade at least that item! I purchased the Klipsch Pro Media 5.1 system. Those do not suck!
Cons: None! Had the system for 2 months... no worries. Am a bit upset that Dell installed Maxtor hard drives. I've had problems with them in the past... perhaps they have improved.
User Rating: 5/10
Tech support can cause heart failure
Pros: The recent xps generation 3 of 11/17/04 configurations is much cheaper than competition. They offer windows xp media center edition as an option. Double layer dvd burning. Top of the line radeon x00xt option. Beautiful flat panel displays. Ther is an opti
Cons: You can have the best features possible in a system but if the company can't back it up it is useless. My video card went bad on four diffrent occassions. all tech support is now in India. The techs don't fix problems they worsen them. There were lines al
User Rating: 10/10
Faster than a speeding bullet.
Pros: This computer is built for the future i configured my system on dell.com Pentium4HT 3.6ghz 1gig memory running at 533mhz. SuperFast (RaidHardDrives) And with my Geforce6800GTO I was Able to run BATTLEFIELD Vietnam at max Screen Resolution. Dual Layer
Cons: NONE AT ALL
User Rating: 8/10
Pure Power
Pros: This computer is blazing fast. I will use it for video editing.
Cons: My first order arrived thrashed. I think that UPS dropped it. When UPS arrives go to the truck do not let them bring it to your house.
User Rating: 8/10
This thing is fast ****
Pros: The speed is great for games , games , and games
Cons: cd combodrive setup selection on line was not explained completely.
User Rating: 8/10
Research what you are going to buy
Pros: Dell is a great product. I have been a happy customer of thiers since 99. All of you who are unhappy with what you have, from experance as a tech, you need to research what you buy. buy only what you need and can afford. Have had my system for a month
Cons:
User Rating: 10/10
Money's Worth And Den Sum....
Pros: You get what you pay for don't listen to those ppl who hate DELL i had my system for 1 year now and still going strong and playing the newest games without any problems DELL > Alienware this is coming from experience :)
Cons: fans can get loud sometimes
User Rating: 10/10
This baby rocks, if you use it the right way
Pros: the good thing is that if you spend the money and get it customized, its a great system. speakers suck. i upgraded to the Logitech Z680. never sounded better. amazing graphics
Cons: can be a bit pricy. if you've got a fat wallet this is for you. fast, great memory, good harddrive, great graphics. HORRIBLE speakers unless u get something else
User Rating: 10/10
A Very Good PC!
Pros: This is a very solid machine. I bought it two months ago and I haven't had a problem at all. It is fast and reliable.
Cons: None at this point.
User Rating: 9/10
Fast and powerful
Pros: It blows all other computers I've used out of the water for speed and useability. The graphics are stunning and most importantly, I don't have to WAIT for anything!
Cons: I sent back the first one I ordered because I had to keep shutting it off manually. I've had the second one for five months, and have had to shut it off manually once.
User Rating: 3/10
The worst in America
Pros: Good specs.
Cons: This computer has specs that read well. But, when you know you can't depend on the quality of the parts, workmanship and tech support, then it's not such a great deal. Silk shirts that fall apart are more worthless than good cotton ones.
User Rating: 
4/10
Its a dell...
Pros: fast
Cons: WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. you can build your own, better computer for a fraction of the price. There are also many other cheaper venders that have better quality and better tech support.
User Rating: 9/10
Nice system but a bit loud.
Pros: I have had mine for a few months and it is very nice and fast and easy to upgrade the memory etc.
Cons: The system is a bit loud. I got the Logitech Z-680 speakers for it and they are amazing.
User Rating: 8/10
One of the better computer's I've seen
Pros: Fast Somewhat Sleek
Cons: Flimsy Design cover easily breaks off Found some better at that price
User Rating: 9/10
7.9 for Speakers!
Pros: Just because of speakers c/net gives a 7.9... I orderd the Logitech Z2200 that should do the trick! This thing kicks #**!
Cons: If your not use to a gameing computer just know it's going to be alittle loud and hot. That because it's FAST!
User Rating: 10/10
Kicks Ace
Pros: The Dell Xps Gen 3 is a very fast & Powerful cpu, I had it for a month now & no problems gaming or work related whatsoever, It's a monster!
Cons: None Yet
User Rating: 6/10
Umm its a dell dude
Pros: It has all the things you would expect except the speakers really suck ( I like the sleek new design though(blue being my fav color)way to pricey though
Cons: umm dell service sucks bigtime. Ive had bad luck with hardrives.. had 3 replaced over the years and you can see the service getting worse and worse.. First time everything installed and replaced fine but 1/2 the gigabytes... 2nd time replace harddrive and
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