As you can see from my current computer specs, that the time is coming fairly soon to get a new computer. I am looking at a Dell Dimension 2400, the reason why I chose Dell is because I currently have a Dell Optiplex GS, and it has served me well. The computer that I am looking at has these specs: Pentium 4 Processor 2.53Ghz with 533MHz front side bus 40 GB Hard Drive 256MB share DDR SDRAM at 333MHz I am not sure of the size of the video card but it is a Intel ® 3D Extreme Graphics Card. What does the term “front side bus” mean? How would this computer compare to one that is a 1000 dollars more (speedwise, not features like 256MB video card, DVD-RW etc.)? Thank-You

I hate to break the news but the PC you bought then is NOT they PC you will be getting. Built and supported in India and Pakistan they are built to last. Last just until the warranty gives out that is. Speaking of Warranty I hope you know how to speak Indian and like 2 hour hold times because that is where every phone number EXCEPT the order department goes. And that is exactly how long it takes to get to tech India. Building and supporting overseas is one thing and the retail reject components they supply is yet another. Any standard 3 yr component like an Intel board or Western Digital Drive automaticlly turns in ONE year when installed in a Dell. Oh and DON'T count on seeing that rebate they promise anytime soon because you won't. In fact Dell recently set up a special rebate complaint forum just to handle all the non producing rebates they are currently juggling. BTW, if you think any of this is BS, I suggest you read the forums yourself- http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board?board.id=cc_general http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board?board.id=cc_credit_return I STRONGLY suggest you buy from a local builder, whomever or wherever that may be. It's time we tell these American job killers where we stand as consumers. Jimi_l Microsoft OEM system builder #412085 Intel reseller # 10304445 Maxtor VIP Channel Partner # 138988 Western Digital Select Partner www.jlproduction.com jim@jlproduction.com

I live in Canada, and I wonder if the service is any better here than in the US? That Dell Optiplex is from June of 1997, has the quality got that bad since then? Thank-You

Intel ® 3D Extreme Graphics is graphics on the motherboard which means its okay if you do not play games, but is inadequate if you do any gaming. Better to get a video card. The above post outlines several reasons why you may end up regretting your Dell. Another point is that if you add anything to the machine later, a pci card or vid card or hard drive or whatever, the power supply may not be able to handle it and your whole machine goes belly-up due to a blown psu. Dell machines have no fat in them. You'de be amazed how easy it is to build your own PC. That is a medium fast machine but the onboard graphics will be slow compared to virtually any video card, and the 256mb is not as good as 512mb. The fsb is the speed at which data is fed into the cpu. An 800mhz fsb 2.4g P4 is easily faster than a 533mhz 2.53g p4.

From what I understand it's as bad or worse in Canada and Europe. Simply for the fact that they refer you to US support and US refers you to overseas. A never ending circle jerk more or less. Please please look around the Dell forums I posted a while before you buy there. Jimi_l

Dudes, its not just dell. The quality of many large pc mfrs has gone downhill. Go into a Bestbuy and just look at: keyboard- usually the cheapest you can buy. They have the feel of a sub $10 keyboard. case- any extra drive bays? does it have custom plastic molding that will not allow another brand cd drive? cheap feeling plastic instead of metal? included software - do they come with an actual windows cd and software or just a set of recovery discs that unclock a restore partition on the harddrive (which eats up your drive space from the beginning). You would find a lot more cost-cutting on the inside, if you knew what you were looking for. Check out:JNCS or Alienware (base model for $1700) to get an idea what a good system looks like. Check the included components - they are not customized and can be changed / upgraded in the future.

Compared to what I have right now a 233mhz, with 96mb of RAM, will there be a huge difference? And You say that the onboard Video Card will slow it dow, what if I just got one for the PCI slot, like a 128mb card, would that be good for gaming? Remember the most advanced type of computer gaming I get into is Sim City 3000, Sim City 4 and The Sims, al which run super slow on my current computer, expect for Sim City 3000.