Photograph: Marc SimonDell packs its Dimension XPS Gen 5 PC with high-end hardware, starting with Intel's new 3.2-GHz dual-core Pentium Extreme Edition 840 processor and Dell's lovely 20.1-inch wide-screen UltraSharp 2005FPW digital flat panel. However, this loaded system costs a hefty $3999.
The dual-core processor essentially equips the system with two CPUs, giving it extra oomph for multitasking. Our tests bear that out: Though our shipping unit scored 94 on WorldBench 5 (only a point or two higher than systems with the same-speed, non-dual-core CPU), it performed well on the multitasking test, shaving off 1 minute, 51 seconds from the 11 minutes, 52 seconds the same Dell system took with dual-core disabled. It also demonstrated decent gains with multithreaded software (designed to recognize multiple processors) such as Roxio VideoWave and Windows Media Encoder.
Though this Dimension failed to set speed records, gamers shouldn't be disappointed with its performance, thanks to its powerful ATI Radeon X850 XT Platinum Edition PCI Express graphics card with 256MB of RAM, a TV tuner, and DVI-out. DVD playback also looked good, though we had to play with video and DVD settings to get the best picture possible.
Built as an entertainment center, the XPS Gen 5 runs Windows XP Media Center Edition and comes with a terrific six-piece Logitech Z-5500 speaker set (driven by Creative's Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS); a DVD±RW drive that can record to dual-layer discs; a multiformat flash card reader; and two remote controls (for the system and the speakers). Two 250GB Serial ATA hard drives in a RAID 0 configuration and 1GB of dual-channel 667-GHz DDR2 memory complete the package.
Multimedia mavens and other power users will appreciate the Dimension XPS Gen 5, but the price puts it a bit out of reach for most buyers.
State-of-the-art components justify the price, but it's still too expensive for most folks.
Price when reviewed: $3999
Current prices (if available)
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