Dell Dimension 8300

WHAT'S HOT: This Dimension 8300 is one of the first in this line we've seen from Dell to pair Intel's high-end 3.2-GHz Pentium 4 CPU with a gigabyte of DDR400 SDRAM. Our review unit earned a PC WorldBench 4 score of 127--a negligible one point faster than its 8300 sibling with a 3.06-GHz Pentium 4 that we tested recently.

The 8300 also has a first-rate list of other components. First up is the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics board with 128MB of memory. Aimed at hard-core gamers, it achieved high frame rates and produced great-looking images when tested at 32-bit color and 1280-by-1024 resolution, the native resolution of the 18-inch Dell 1800FP LCD monitor. You can get high frame rates at higher resolutions if you add a CRT monitor (connected to the 9800 Pro's second, VGA output).

We've seen the 1800FP monitor with other high-end Dimensions, and it doesn't disappoint, delivering vibrant colors and crisp text. The Altec Lansing ADA995 5.1 THX-certified speaker system and Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card sent out thrilling sound quality. In a DVD movie, we heard satisfying bass roars and rumbles and clean, crisp trebles.

Video editing isn't overlooked, either: the system has a sound card-mounted FireWire 400 port in back, a 200GB hard drive that should provide ample storage for large video files, and a DVD+R/RW drive you can use to burn the finished product.

Eight USB 2.0 ports (six on the back of the case, and two on the front behind a flip cover) provide plenty of ways to hook up both USB devices that you want to leave connected (such as scanners) and those you want to plug and unplug often, such as digital cameras.

WHAT'S NOT: All these high-end goodies come at a price many may find hard to swallow: $3807. But apart from that, we found little in this system to quibble about.

WHAT ELSE: Like other high-end Dell systems, the 8300 has a case that swings open like a book after you depress latches at the top and bottom of the case. Because the drive bays are installed in the swing-out section of the case, you have very easy access to the drive cages. And you can add and remove cards and drives without tools. Dell conveniently attaches rails for two of the three free internal drive bays to the inside of the case. The system has one memory socket and two PCI slots available.

The software that came with our review unit included Microsoft's Office XP Small Business Edition and Sonic MyDVD Plus (for burning video out to DVD) in addition to preloaded image editing applications like Paint Shop Pro and Dell's Image Expert 2000 for managing photos. Dell's documentation is thorough and well illustrated with sections for upgrading components and troubleshooting common problems.

UPSHOT: This new Dimension 8300 is a tricked-out workhorse that will satisfy well-heeled power users looking for a versatile machine.

SUMMARY

Dell Dimension 8300 $