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More…If you want everyday value performance that's a cut above the norm, take a look at the Inspiron 518. Sporting a 2.4-GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU, 3GB of PC6400 DDR2 memory, and a 320GB Western Digital Caviar SE16 hard drive (7200 rpm, 16MB cache), the unit romped to a very nice WorldBench 6 score of 108. Among value desktops at the time of testing, that number was second only to the 117 posted by the Micro Express MicroFlex 82B. But while the Inspiron 518's ATI Radeon HD3450 turned in gaming frame rates that should satisfy a casual user, it was no match for the MicroFlex 82B's nVidia 8800GT graphics, which quadrupled the Inspiron's frame rates.
Dell Inspiron 518
- Spec Navigator
- Processor
- Memory
- Storage
- Multimedia
- Software
- Optical Drives
- Expansion Slots
- Display
- Modem / Networking
- Case
- Other Features
- Interface Connection
Multimedia
| Audio Adapter Model | Integrated Realtek High Definition Audio |
| Audio Channels | 5.1 surround |
| Graphics Board RAM Type | DDR2 |
| Video chipset | ATI Radeon HD 3450 |
| Installed video memory | 256 MB |
| Video bus | PCI Express |
Software
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32 bit) |
| Included Software |
|
Expansion Slots
| Open PCI Express X16 Slots | 0 |
| Number of PCI slots | 1 |
| Open PCI Express X1 Slots | 2 |
| PCI Express Slots | 3 |
| Slots | 3 |
- Lab Tested
- How We Test Desktops »
Pros
Strong performance
Good documentation and support
Cons
Needs better cable tie-offs
Mediocre gaming scores
Bottom Line
If excellent everyday performance on a budget is your desire, this PC is a good choice.
Dell Inspiron 518 Value Desktop PC
Inspiron 518 Review, by Jon L. Jacobi October 28, 2008
Performance aside, this Inspiron looks nicer than the MicroFlex, with clever design flourishes such as a recessed storage tray area on the top of the system. That tray adds two easily accessible USB ports to the two on the face of the unit. The Dell's interior was reasonably tidy, though we'd have liked the cables secured and tied off a bit better. There's room inside for one optical drive and one additional hard drive, which should accommodate the upgrade needs of most users. The bundled 20-inch SP2009W wide-screen LCD monitor is a pleasure to use and includes a built-in Webcam.
The Windows Vista Home Premium desktop was less cluttered on the Inspiron 518 than on many value PCs we've seen--especially from Dell. But it's by no means clutter-free, with Google Desktop, an eBay icon, a Zingspot gadget, and McAfee running in the system tray. Dell bundles Microsoft Works 9, Cyberlink PowerDVD for movie playback, and Roxio Easy Media Creator for other media and optical tasks.
All in all, the Inspiron 518 is a strong system with a nice mix of performance, bundled software, and smart design.
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
-
83
-
68
-
81
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance Comparison with Similar Desktops
83
69
75
75
Performance
| Adobe Photoshop CS2 | 371 |
| Autodesk 3ds max 8.0 SP-3 DirectX | 355 |
| Autodesk 3ds max 8.0 SP-3 Rendering | 383 |
| Doom 3 with AA, 1024 by 768, 32-Bit | 20.8 |
| Doom 3 with AA, 1280 by 1024, 32-Bit | 17.1 |
| Doom 3, 1024 by 768, 32-Bit | 46.13 |
| Doom 3, 1280 by 1024, 32-Bit | 38.2 |
| Enemy Territory Quake Wars High 1024x768 | 12.9 |
| Enemy Territory Quake Wars High 1680x1050 | 6 |
| Enemy Territory Quake Wars High 1920x1200 | 5.3 |
| Enemy Territory Quake Wars Normal 1024x768 | 13.6 |
| Enemy Territory Quake Wars Normal 1680x1050 | 6.3 |
| Enemy Territory Quake Wars Normal 1920x1200 | 5.6 |
| Far Cry with AA, 1024 by 768, 32-Bit | 34.15 |
| Far Cry with AA, 1280 by 1024, 32-Bit | 22.1 |
| Far Cry, 1024 by 768, 32-Bit | 67.39 |
| Far Cry, 1280 by 1024, 32-Bit | 43.36 |
| Firefox 2 | 243 |
| Microsoft Office 2003 with SP-1 | 343 |
| Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 9.0 | 232 |
| Nero 7 Ultra Edition | 383 |
| Overall Graphics Score | Poor |
| Roxio VideoWave Movie Creator 1.5 | 222 |
| Unreal Tournament 3 Highest 1024x768 | 21.53 |
| Unreal Tournament 3 Highest 1680x1050 | 9.95 |
| Unreal Tournament 3 Highest 1920x1200 | 8.05 |
| Unreal Tournament 3 Highest 2560x1600 | 4.42 |
| Unreal Tournament 3 Medium 1024x768 | 24.76 |
| Unreal Tournament 3 Medium 1680x1050 | 11.17 |
| Unreal Tournament 3 Medium 2560x1600 | 5.03 |
| Unreal Tournament 3 Medium1920x1200 | 8.85 |
| Winzip Computing WinZip 10.0 | 215 |
| WorldBench 6 Score | 108 |
| WorldBench 6 Word Score | Superior |
WorldBench 6 Tests
| Multitasking | 277 |
User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Dell Inspiron 518
1 Review Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 1 review
-
Reviewed by: roscoe55p
Duration of ownership: 3 Months
Strengths: speed and power
Weaknesses: display adapter
Overall: This is a very good home system. It comes with the ATI 3450 HD display driver which is very weak and outdated before you get it out of the box. You can download the updated 3400 HD series device driver very easily. I am very happy with this system and it allows me to do everything I want to without any hassles. I love my new Dell 518.
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