Dell XPS 410 configuration

[bobogs]

I'm spec'ing out a Dell XPS 410, and I'd like to hear some opinions from the peanut gallery.

Asid from the cpu (still haven't decided on the model # of Core2Duo, but it will be a Core2Duo), and the video-ready only (I recently bought an Ultrasharp 1907FP for my current pc), I'm not sure whether to go with:

ATI 1300 Pro OR GeForce 7300 LE Turbocache (both are 256mb). I don't really do any pc gaming, but I do want good performance when editing.

The smallest hd offered is a 250gb SATA 3 drive. I figure I'll choose this drive to save some money, then buy a smallish, fast drive (40gb raptor?) for my OS drive, and shift the 250gigger to D: as my media drive.

Single CD/DVD burner. I have a Sony 16x burner in my current pc that i'll move over.

Any thoughts?

BTW, the price for my current config is $875. Not bad for a core2duo rig, eh? I was thinking about building my next pc, but the whole cpu/heatsink/thermal paste thing scares the heck out of me (I was never very good with model airplane glue either).


Thanks!
Gary

[redwudz]

A few thoughts: In general, your video card should have no effect whatsoever on editing. It's for watching. If it's a capture video card, then it becomes important for that use.

Good move with the hard drive. Keeping video off your boot drive is a good idea. But a Raptor is probably a waste of money. The OS doesn't go that fast. And your controller may not either. An 80G SATA is plenty.

Most factory CPU coolers come with a thermal pad, so you don't have to mess with the 'gunk in a tube'.
If they offer a factory cooler with the CPU, it usually gives a longer warranty. Sometimes a very good deal.

If you use a program like Shrink, a second DVD drive may be a good option. Burners are not much more than ROMS these days, so a second burner for reading, and one for writing, may speed things up.

[bobogs]

Thanks for the reply!

Re: the single DVD burner, I meant that I'll order the Dell with a single dvd burner, then move my Sony burner over alongside it.

Here's another question(s)...Given the properietary nature of the Dell case, system design and certain components, what can I expect from the XPS 410 psu? I'm not familiar with the various psu specs out there, but I have this incredibly annoying slow, multiple spin-up problem with the optical drives on my current Dimension 4500, and I could swear it's just a matter of the crappy psu not being able to power it up quickly. Is the XPS 410 psu a good one, and if not, is it easily replaced with a betterbrand/model? I know the 410 uses the BTX case design, so maybe they skimp on the psu to keep the noise down?

Thanks!
Gary