This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

maddogtrader.com
March 2007
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
        1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31


Categories

Archives

Recent Entries

Syndicate this site (XML)
Powered by
Movable Type 3.34

How to Configure a PC from Dell for Trading

My personal box-maker favorite for configuring and ordering a PC for trading (or any other use for that matter) is Dell. It's my favorite for several reasons: 1) Dell always offers a flexible motherboard with a lot of PCI slots available (good for adding extra graphics cards/displays and other options); 2) Dell makes the configuring and ordering process easier than every other box maker; 3) their primary options tend to be from the leading manufacturers for that segment (i.e., graphics cards, drives, etc.); and 4) their systems are great values!

When ordering a system from Dell (or any other manufacturer for that matter) you need to keep a few things in mind regarding options:

  • Unless you're configuring your system with an AGP-slot or PCI-slot multi-port graphics adapter you're confident is sufficient for your needs now and in the future, you want to maximize PCI slot availability (for additional single- or multi-port graphics adapters) by offloading as many options as possible to non-PCI slot connection options. For example, you can now utilize the two standard USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports for connecting some Ethernet devices (like cable/DSL modems) or backup analog 56K modems. Many systems now come with a built-in Ethernet port for your cable/DSL modem or network router. It doesn't take long to fill up the available PCI slots if you're not careful, limiting your future expansion options. We'll talk about this more to follow in the appropriate config option sections.
  • Technically speaking, Dell (like most box makers) doesn't support multiple display configurations unless you choose a multiport adapter that they offer. What I mean is, they won't install a second or additional graphics adapter in your system if you want to start off with multiple graphics adapters and monitors. They will sell you additional adapters and monitors, but you'll have to install the additional adapters yourself. It's not that they don't want you to get the system you desire, they just don't want to take on the massive support issues trying to deal with all the different manufacturers, boards, chips and resulting combinations.
  • Beyond the basic setup, you may want to obtain certain options from other sources. For example, Dell usually has a great price for the primary monitor in the system. However, you may want to look around for a better deal on secondary monitors and graphics adapters.

To make things easy, I'm going to concentrate on helping you choose the options for Dell's most common system, the top-of-the-line Dimension series. We'll consider whatever options are currently being offered on the Dell site. Keep track of the choices as we go, and you'll be able to easily make your selections when you go to the Dell site to configure your system. OK, let's go!

(I am currently in the process of revising the content for this section on configuring Dell systems and expect the new information to be complete shortly. Thanks for your patience!)

red bullet

Home | About | Multiple Displays | CyberTrader | Build a PC | Configure a Dell | Books | Other Stuff | Links | Contact