Dell Computers Dell Dimension 8100
The Dell Dimension 8100 is a beautiful looking machine. It's mainly black in colour, except for the mouse, which is white. Dell decided to submit a 1.5GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with only 128MB of RDRAM. We had to pull out some RAM from another machine so we could test the Dell with 256MB. What stands out from this machine (besides its black colouring) is the big 19in Dell UltraScan P991monitor. The Dell monitor was easily the best in this roundup. It was sharp, bright and bursting with colour. It also uses a Trinitron tube.
The system case is very well designed. In order to remove the case you have to remove the front panel first, which reveals a button that pops the side of the case out. There is a locking device on the back of the case, which prevents unauthorised access. There was an unusual bar securing the AGP card. It runs from one side of the case to the other and has to be removed before you can remove the AGP card. This is a good idea and offers good support and protection for your AGP card. We also noticed an intrusion button inside the case. This will let you know if someone has tampered or opened up the machine.
The power supply can be pulled upwards to reveal all the memory banks. This also gives you the room to pull out any of the 5.25in drives. Dell's motherboard features a voltage regulator module (VRM), which senses all the CPU voltage requirements and ensures that the correct voltage is maintained. Using a module will save you from having to buy a new motherboard to accommodate your new processor.
The Dell also features a big green plastic cover to protect the CPU and the exhaust fan. The CPU does not have its own fan--just a large heatsink. The cover and fan keep the CPU from getting too hot. The Dell features a 12x NEC DVD-ROM drive and a Sony CD-RW CRX160E, which is capable of burning standard CDs at 12x. In the CD-R/DVD Playback test we experienced some hiccups at the start and at the end of the burn process but nothing too serious. The Dell also came with an nVidia Geforce 2 Ultra based graphics card. It produced some pretty high scores in Quake 3 but the Dell's slower CPU let the overall machine down a little in Content Creation Winstone and Business Winstone.
The sound system was made up of a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz TB400-2541 sound card and a set of Altec Lansing ADA885 speakers. These were six-channel, Dolby Digital THX-certified, and combine for 120 watts of pure RMS. The speakers were easily the best we heard in this roundup. The ADA885 was made up of four 3in full-range drivers, the two front drivers also had 1in tweeters, each were rated at 10 watts RMS at 0.1% THD for a total of 60 watts. The subwoofer on the other hand was 8in and was rated at 60 watts RMS at 0.1% THD. These specifications are quite awesome to say the least but the actual sound was even more impressive. The Dell also included a couple of other extras like an integrated 3Com 3C920 Fast Ethernet Controller, four USB connectors and a Conexant HCF V.90 56K PCI modem.
Dell Dimension 8100
Company: Dell Australia
Ph: 1800 812 393
Price: AU$4,999
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