FADE FROM BLACK - EricBroach.com
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1. and intended for enterprise networks Traditionally direct marketing vendors have not had a reputation for high quality in this market but Dell has made a strong effort to improve the serviceability and manageability of its machines to compete with showroom manufacturers like Compaq 7 Each line has several series of systems designed for three different levels of use in a business We ll compare three Dell OptiPlex series to their counterparts in the Compaq Deskpro family Final Draft Visuals 8 Medium two shot of Gs amp 2000 CG Dell OptiPLex Gs amp Compaq Deskpro 2000 over appropriate model as mentioned 9 CU Compaq Deskpro 2000 CG 133 MHz Pentium to 200 MHz Pentium Pro 10a CU OptiPlex Gs CG 133 to 200 Mhz Pentium CG MMX available 10 ECU Deskpro 6000 s processor with MMX label 11 CU Compag Deskpro 2000 at drive bay CG 1 2 to 2 5 GB IDE Hard Drives 11a CU OptiPlex Gs CG 1 to 3 GB IDE Hard Drives 12 MS Deskpro 2000 amp OptiPlex Gs CG SMART Architecture 13 CU RAM Module CG EDO RAM Expandable to 128MB Compag Vs Dell Audio 8 We ll start by taking a look at the Dell OptiPlex Gs and Compaq Deskpro 2000 which are the entry level systems in their respective lines They are meant to be the workhorse of the network on the majority of corporate users desks They are inexpensive enough to be deployed in large numbers but still have features which make2. Chassis and like the Gs comes in either the low profile or midsize desktop form factor Both varieties of the GXi have the same problems with card and drive cages heat flow and access to the system board as the OptiFrame Chassis on the Gs It 10 Final Draft Visuals 75 Cont above shot 76 CU tech removing OptiPlex GXi power cable then drive connector in order to remove floppy 77 Tech removes OptiPlex GXi HD IDE connector before removing CD ROM cable 77a CU Deskpro drive cabling 78 CU pan of OptiPlex GXi system board obscured by drive bays and cables 78a MS Tech replacing Deskpro 4000 system board 79 CU OptiPlex GXi system board replacement and tech starts to replace cables in exact sequence 80 MCU OptiPlex GXi control panel cable stressed as the system board is removed 81 ECU OptiPlex GXi DRAM DIMM scratches 82 ECU Case locking hook 83 ECU OptiPlex GXi plastic cover flange Compag Vs Dell Audio also has the same issues with the non replaceable lever and power supply hinges 75 The Deskpro 4000 s power supply is surge tolerant and can handle voltage spikes 76 The OptiPlex s floppy drive connector must be removed first before removing the power connector But the proper and safe way is to remove the power connector before the floppy connector is removed The procedure used on the Dell also adds service time 77 The OptiPlex GXi s IDE hard drive connector must be re
3. MS Tech removes a drive in Compaq unit 48 MS OptiPlex drive bay area 49 CU of IDE drives connected by the same cable 50 CU Drive cable connected to IDE port on integrated controller 51 Tech installs CD ROM cables before installing the drive itself 51a ECU ribbon cable being pinched during drive installation 52 CU OptiPlex power supply Compag Vs Dell Audio conformity to PCI 2 0 specifications and a concurrent PCI bus which allows two PCI slots to work at the same time Intel s own tests have concluded that the 430HX chipset is 10 to 15 percent faster than the 430FX 45 On the Deskpro all cables and capacitors are free of the heat sink 46 And the system board slides out easily without complicated removal of cables 47 On the Deskpro removing and replacing a drive is made easier with a rail free universal drive bay Now when replacing drives it is not necessary to purchase brackets or new screws This saves time and money when adding or replacing new drives 48 The OptiPlex Gs drive bays are limited in several ways There is no accomodation for a second hard drive in the low desktop form factor 49 And in other form factors master and slave drive pairs cannot be independently programmed with separate EIDE transfer rates This means that both drives on the same cable have to run per the slower drive s requirements reducing performance of the faster drive 50 Also hard drives o
4. Pro and Compaq Deskpro 6000 CG Dell OptiPLex GX Pro amp Compaq Deskpro 6000 over appropriate model as mentioned 86 Cont shot zoom out to shot to make room for CG added next to appropriate unit 166 MHz Pentium to 200 MHz Pentium Pro with MMX Single or Dual 180 or 200 MHz Pentium Pro with MMX 87 Cont Shot CG over appropriate unit 1 08 to 4 2 GB SMART Ultra Wide SCSI Hard Dives 2 or 3 GB SMART EIDE Hard Drives 2 or 4 GB Ultra Wide SCSI Hard Drives SMARTSCSI not available Compaq Vs Dell Audio 84 It all boils down to several reasons why the Compaq Deskpro 4000 has the edge on the Dell OptiPlex GXi It starts with the durable highly serviceable hardware design found in all the Deskpro models It continues with some important hardware features the Dell doesn t have like a surge tolerant power supply and available Pentium Pro processors And the advantages reach the pinnacle with Enhanced Intelligent Manageability right out of the box to protect your company s investment and make your team run smoothly 85 Lastly at the top of the two product lines are the Dell OptiPlex GX Pro and the Compaq Deskpro 6000 These machines are meant to be feature rich for power users seeking best in class performance 86 Processors range from 166 Megahertz Pentium to 200 Megahertz Pentium Pro with MMX in the Deskpro 6000 The OptiPlex GX Pro is available with either single or dual 180 or 200 M
5. even better performance the Deskpro s graphics controllers use drivers optimized specifically for the Deskpro preloaded within Windows NT 92 All Deskpro 6000 models come with a choice of either an 8X SCSI CD ROM drive or a 6X EIDE rewritable PD CD drive plus integrated Enhanced Business Audio OptiPlex Final Draft Visuals 92a CU GX Pro CD ROM Drive CG 8x EIDE or SCSI CD ROM Drive with integrated Vibra 16 sound system 93 CU Deskpro 6000 I O Panel CG 10BaseT Upgradeable to 100BaseT X CU OptiPlex GX Pro I O Panel CG 100Base TX 94 CU USB Ports on GX Pro ARROWS to Ports CU I O panel of 2000 CIRCLE area of upgrade 95 MS Tech removes GX Pro s cover slow zoom into open chassis 96 CU Deskpro 6000 power supply 97 MS GX Pro power supply showing nearby cables and components 98 CU power connectors near DIMM modules in GX Pro Show proximite of cables to DIMM modules 99 Beauty shot of GX Pro next to Deskpro 6000 99a Fade out the light on the GX Pro so that it is darkened and the 6000 remains illuminated CG builds with narration Poweful practical single processor designs SMART SCSI drives Rewritable PD CD drive Durable and serviceable Enhanced Intelligent Manageability Compag Vs Dell Audio GX Pro models come with either an EIDE or SCSI 8X CD ROM drive and an integrated Vibra 16 sound system 93 The Deskpro includes an integrated 10baseT network controller upgrade
6. them integrate well with the company s computing strategy 9 Processors range from 133 Megahertz Pentium to 200 Megahertz Pentium Pro in the Compag and 133 to 200 Megahertz Pentium processors in the Dell Dell also offers the 166 and 200 Megahertz processors with Intel s new MMX multimedia enhanced processor architecture 10 Compaq has added MMX processors to the Deskpro 6000 series since the MMX processor is designed for heavy multimedia users who are most likely to purchase systems in the Deskpro 6000 class There is a very limited customer benefit in equipping an entry level PC with a processor that provides marginal performance advantages with standard office productivity packages 11 Deskpro 2000 systems have Enhanced IDE hard drives that range from 1 2 to 2 5 Gigabytes Enhanced IDE hard drives offered on the OptiPlex Gs range from 1 Gigabyte to 3 Gigabytes 12 The EIDE hard drives on the Deskpro and OptiPlex include the SMART architecture SMART drives constantly monitor their own activity and can alert the user or network administrator of an imminent failure up to 72 hours before it occurs The SMART standard is based on a technology originally developed by Compaq 13 Both the Compaq and the Dell feature EDO RAM expandable to 128 Megabytes through 4 SIMM sockets Final Draft Visuals 14 WS of OptiPlex GS amp Deskpro 2000 CG over Gs 256 KB Cache CG over 2000 256 KB Cache 15 Cont Shot CG
7. 4 CU vent holes ARROWS to show obstructed flow pattern 35 CU Card slots 35a ADD LINE to indicate a full length card that would not fit 36 CU Card cage Tech pulls lever and removes cage Follow to table and cont CU Compag Vs Dell Audio serviceability features already in place with Compaq and other manufacturers 29 First of all it makes the unit more recyclable bringing its environmental friendliness to about the same the level of Compaq s machines Dell s OptiFrame chassis includes 30 A push button access cover 31 A lever assisted card cage 32 Tool less drive removal 33 And convenient pull tabs on the ribbon cables inside the unit 34 But opening the case reveals other items that need improvement The first thing that is noticeable is the air flow in the chassis There is a low air flow in the interior of the system aggravated by obstructed vent holes 35 This particular OptiPlex Gs unit is the version with the low desktop form factor or the GsL This is the most inexpensive form factor of the Gs but it has some disadvantages The case has fewer expansion slots than the other OptiPlex models and fewer slots than all the Compaq Deskpro models as well Also there is no room for full length cards in the slots limiting the user s choice of expansion cards 36 Part of the OptiFrame chassis is a card cage design which can be removed by pulling a thin plastic lever But if the lever
8. 4V controller with 2 Megabytes of video memory The two chips are comparable but Compaq s optimized drivers preloaded within Windows 95 or NT bring out extra performance in the Cirrus Logic chip 62 The Deskpro s 180 and 200 Megahertz Pentium Pro desktop models and its 166 and 200 Megahertz Minitower models come with an 8X Enhanced IDE CD ROM drive OptiPlex GXi models also come with an 8X EIDE CD ROM drive 63 The Deskpro 4000 includes an integrated 10baseT network controller upgradeable to 100BaseTX The OptiPlex GXi includes an integrated 10 and 100BaseT X network controller 64 OptiPlex GXi models also include two Universal Serial Bus or USB ports 65 The Deskpro 4000 and 6000 also include Enhanced Intelligent Manageability which takes the management features in the Deskpro 2000 even farther 66 As part of Enhanced Intelligent Manageability you can use the Insight Final Draft Visuals Edition 67 SCREEN SHOT Remote Asset Control 68 SCREEN SHOT Expansion card and system board information in Insight Manager 69 CU thermal sensor 69a SCREEN SHOT Thermal warning in Insight Manager 70 CU Smart Cover Sensor 70a SCREEN SHOT Open cover warning in Insight Manager 71 SCREEN SHOT Drive failure warning in Insight Manager 72 SCREEN SHOT Security Management 72a SCREEN SHOT Software Support Management 73 SCREEN SHOT or software packaging for Intel LANDesk 74 Tech
9. IDE hard drives that range from 1 08 Gigabytes to 2 5 Gigabytes OptiPlex GXi models have SMART EIDE hard drives ranging Final Draft Visuals 59 Continue Shot CG Expandable to 256 MB EDO RAM 128 MB Non parity EDO RAM or 512 MB Parity EDO ECC RAM 60 Continue Shot CG 256 or 512KB Cache 256 KB Cache 61 Cont Shot CG Cirrus Logic 5446 with 2MB S3 Trio 64v with 2MB Optimized drivers 62 CU Deskpro 4000 CD ROM Drive CG 8x EIDE CD ROM Drive 61a CU OptiPlex CD ROM Drive CG 8x EIDE CD ROM Drive 63 CU back of Deskpro 4000 Ethernet port CG 10BaseT Upgradeable to 100BaseT X CU back of OptiPlex GXi Ethernet port CG 10 and 100BaseT X 64 CU USB ports on GXi ARROWS to Ports CU Deskpro 2000 I O ports CIRCLE area of upgrade 65 SCREEN SHOT Enhanced Intelligent Manageability 66 SCREEN SHOT Insight Manager Personal Compaq Vs Dell Audio from 1 Gigabyte to 3 Gigabytes in size 59 The Deskpro s memory can be expanded to 256 Megabytes of EDO RAM The OptiPlex GXi can either be expanded to 128 Megabytes using non parity EDO RAM or expanded to 512 Megabytes using parity EDO ECC RAM 60 OptiPlex GXi models have 256 or 512 Kilobyte pipeline burst caches All Deskpro 4000 models have 256 Kilobyte pipeline burst caches 61 The Deskpro 4000 comes with an integrated Cirrus Logic 5446 chip with 2 Megabytes of video memory The OptiPlex GXi comes standard with an S3 Trio 6
10. Visuals 1 FADE IN Medium Two Shot Scott Sage and Vince Scrimenti stand in front of a professional looking background 2 Cont Shot 3 Cont Shot 4 Cont Shot 5 Cont Shot DIZ to Title Compaq Deskpro and Dell OptiPlex A Comparison 6 Fade up to MS OptiPlex Gs and Deskpro 2000 sit on table in tech set 7 Pull out to WS w room for CG Compaq Deskpro 2000 Dell OptiPLex Gs Compaq Deskpro 4000 Dell OptiPlex GXi Compaq Deskpro 6000 Dell Optiplex GXPro Compag Vs Dell Audio 1 SCOTT SAGE Hi I m Scott Sage Marketing Competitive Analyst for the Compaq Desktop PC Division 2 VINCE SCRIMENTI And I m Vince Scrimenti Technical Competitive Analyst for the Compaq Desktop PC Division 3 SCOTT We re here to compare Compaq s Deskpro family of commercial desktop PCs with Dell s OptiPlex line of commercial desktop PCs We ll show the differences between the products and we ll make you familiar with what both manufacturers have to offer 4 VINCE We ll compare features then take a look inside the case and see how they measure up from the inside 5 SCOTT When it s over we hope you ll understand why all business PCs are not the same and why choosing the right one is important Thanks for your time 6 NARRATOR Dell s OptiPlex line and Compaq s Deskpro family of personal computers have a similar purpose and positioning in the marketplace Both lines are designed for the needs of businesses
11. able to 100BaseTX The OptiPlex comes standard with an integrated 100BaseTX controller 94 OptiPlex GX Pro models also include two hot pluggable USB ports 95 Looking at the GX Pro s hardware its OptiFrame Chassis is virtually identical to that on the GXi so it is subject to many of the same serviceability problems from access to components to design of the drive and card cages to durability of the locking hooks cover flanges and levers 96 The Deskpro 6000 s power supply is surge tolerant just like the one in the 4000 97 In the Optiplex GX Pro heat problems may be aggravated by cable placement and component stacking 98 And the awkward location of the power connector puts undue force on the DIMM modules Over time this could cause power connectors to scar 99 So in a nutshell how does the Compaq Deskpro 6000 compare to the Dell OptiPlex GX Pro The top of the line Deskpro provides more flexible storage options like SMART SCSI drives and a rewritable PD CD drive And on top of that it has the durability serviceability and built in manageability that make the other Deskpro series the leaders in their classes too Final Draft Visuals ENDING MUSIC UP DIZ to Audio 100 Beauty shot of all three Deskpro machines 100 And that after all is the point of the Compaq Deskpro family of commercial desktop computers The Deskpros are different because Compaq s approach to business computing is diff
12. both units 64 bit Video Controller CG ovr GS S3 Trio 64 CG over 2000 Cirrus Logic 5436 Cirrus Logic 5446 Matrox MGA Millennium 16 CU Deskpro 2000 CD ROM Drive 16a CU OptiPlex Gs CD ROM Drive 17 MS Compaq 10BaseT card next to Deskpro 18 SCREEN SHOT OptiPlex DMI browser 19 SCREEN SHOT Intelligent Manageability software 20 SCREEN SHOT Asset Control 21 SCREEN SHOT Network Setup Utilities Compag Vs Dell Audio 14 All OptiPlex Gs models and Deskpro 2000 models have 256 Kilobyte pipeline burst secondary caches 15 Both machines have integrated 64 bit video controllers but the Dell uses an S3 Trio 64V controller while Compaq s models range from a Cirrus Logic 5436 or 5446 chip to a Matrox MGA Millennium card 16 The Deskpro s Pentium Pro desktop models and all its minitower models come with an 8X CD ROM drive as do all OptiPlex Gs models 17 Because both the OptiPlex Gs and the Deskpro 2000 are entry level machines neither includes a network controller But either can come with an optional network interface card 18 All Deskpro and OptiPlex units have network management browsers which conform to the industry standard Desktop Management Interface or DMI But Compaq s support for this standard goes much farther 19 As a partner in the industry task force that developed the DMI standard Compaq has implemented DMI in its own comprehensive management package called Inte
13. breaks it is not available as a replacement part It also doesn t lock without the lever and is insecurely held within the unit by the system cover The entire card cage can t be replaced either And since the design of the cage is proprietary off the shelf third party parts can t be used to replace it Final Draft Visuals 37 MS tech removes the Deskpro cover 38 CU snap out riser Tech removes riser 39 CU system board Tech removes two ribbon cables 40 MCU tech replaces board and re inserts cables 41 CU voltage regulator capacitors next to heat sink Demonstrate close proximity of capacitors to heat sink 42 ECU SRAM Chip to show scratches 43 CG Distribution channel executives said they are finding an alarmingly high Dead On Arrival rate on Dell machines compared with other major vendors DOA rates on Dell systems for example are upward of three times the out of box failure rates on systems from IBM Compaq and Hewlett Packard The Truth About Dell amp Gateway Despite the rhetoric channel pulls along direct PC marketers Computer Reseller News Issue 708 November 4 1996 i 44 ECU 430FX 44a ECU 430HX Compaq Vs Dell Audio 37 Removing the Deskpro 2000 cover is easy Just loosen two thumbscrews and push the cover open 38 And rather than using a card cage the Deskpro has a snap out riser Just remove the riser and you have full access to the expansio
14. can be a sign of lower quality 53 All the Deskpros power supplies run at their tested rating And their hinges are replaceable unlike the power supply hinges on the OptiPlex 54 One more fact makes the potential for failure inside the OptiPlex much worse Dell has not yet made available replacements for certain parts that could wear out during normal use such as the card cage lever and power supply hinges 55 So to recap how does the Compaq Deskpro 2000 stack up against the Dell OptiPlex Gs It has several advantages that start from the inside out The Deskpro s more durable design easier access to components and availability of replacement parts all translate into a machine that better holds its value over a long lifetime of use And that hardware is backed up by software that s optimized to work well with the system and has flexible options for support Add to that an advantage in manageability which comes standard out of the box and you can see how the Deskpro stands out in front of its competition 56 The Dell OptiPlex GXi and Compaq Deskpro 4000 are the mid level systems in their lines They provide more power and flexibility for CPU intensive applications 57 Processors range from 133 Megahertz Pentium to 200 Megahertz Pentium Pro in the Compaq and 133 to 200 Megahertz Pentium processors in the Dell Dell also offers the 166 and 200 Megahertz processors with MMX 58 Deskpro 4000 systems have SMART Enhanced
15. egahertz Pentium Pro processors Compaq firmly believes that end users seeking dual processing capability and who are most likely to use it will generally be seeking a workstation class product General and advanced office productivity software packages do not take full advantage of dual processing capability rendering the feature unjustifiable from a price performance standpoint 87 Deskpro 6000 systems have SMART Ultra Wide SCSI hard drives that range from 1 08 Gigabytes to 4 2 Gigabytes OptiPlex GX Pro models either have SMART EIDE hard drives 2 or 3 Gigabytes in size or 2 or 4 Gigabyte Ultra Wide SCSI drives SCSI drives and graphics options can also be added to the OptiPlex GXi to make it a competitor to the Deskpro 6000 But it is important to note that the SMART feature is not available with Dell s SCSI drives Final Draft Visuals 88 SCREEN SHOT Enhanced Intelligent Manageability 89 CU EDO RAM Modules next to 6000 CG Expandable to 256 MB EDO RAM via SIMM Modules 89a CU EDO ECC RAM next to GX Pro CG Expandable to 512 MB EDO ECC RAM via DIMM modules 90 MS of OptiPlex CG 256 or 512 KB Cache 90a MS of Deskpro CG 512 KB Cache 91 MS of GX pro and 6000 w room for CG CG over appropriate model Matrox MGA Millennium card with 2 MB Dual Ported Windows RAM Integrated S3 Trio 64V upgraded to Matrox or Number 9 card with 4 MB 91b CG 8 to 14 faster 91c CG Optimized Windows NT D
16. erent Value doesn t just mean how much a machine costs when you buy it it also means how affordable it will be to use it maintain it and expand it over a long lifetime Direct marketing vendors like Dell have worked to better compete with Compaq in the market but their systems won t be as good a value as Compaq s until they share this insightful philosophy FADE TO BLACK MUSIC OUT FADE UP END TITLES Deskpro is a registered trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation Product names mentioned herein or products shown in this video may be trademarks and or registered trademarks of their respective companies No part of this video may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Compaq Computer Corporation Information contained in this video is subject to change without notice Compaq Computer Corporation shall not be held liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein nor for incidental or consequential damages resulting from the furnishing performance or use of this video 1997 Compaq Computer Corporation Compaq Vs Dell 15 Final Draft
17. lligent Manageability 20 On the Deskpro 2000 Intelligent Manageability includes the SMART drives mentioned earlier and Asset Control Asset Control allows you to track serial numbers manufacturers and firmware revision levels of all major components in the system 21 And when you combine Intelligent Manageability with Compaq s network setup utilities network utilities and drivers preloaded on the Deskpro it adds up to a machine that s ready to be fully networked right out of the box Final Draft Visuals 22 Compaq Web site screen 22a MCU of Compaq Software Support CD s 23 SCREEN SHOT Info Messenger 23a CG www compaq com 24 SCREEN SHOTor packaging Intel LANdesk 25 GRAPHIC logos of strategic alliance partners in Management Solutions program 26 SCREEN SHOT standard windows 95 or NT startup screen 26a SCREEN SHOT The Compaq custom version of the OS 27 GRAPHIC type on software package explaining License Exchange Program 28 Slow zoom into OptiPlex GS Compag Vs Dell Audio 22 Compaq and Dell customers can receive software updates on the manufacturers World Wide Web sites But Deskpro users can also subscribe to the Software Support CD program where monthly CD ROMs are mailed to administrators with the latest software updates which can be installed on all Deskpros in the enterprise via the network 23 Compaq also provides Info Messenger which gives you proactive e
18. mail alerts about new technical information and software from Compag tailored to your environment and your preferences Visit www compaq com on the World Wide Web for more information 24 The OptiPlex machines can implement features like Asset Control but only by purchasing a third party product such as Intel LANdesk 25 If third party products are needed on the Deskpro users also benefit from Compaq s Desktop Management Solutions Partners program Compaq s strategic alliances with many different vendors of PC LAN management products mean broad compatibility and compliance with industry standards 26 The OptiPlex comes with the normal OEM version of Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT The system software that comes with the Deskpro includes drivers that are uniquely optimized for the Deskpro s hardware resulting in optimum performance 27 And Compaq s Software License Exchange Program means that users can exchange the operating system pre loaded on their Deskpro for a different Microsoft operating system product 28 Now let s take a close look at the hardware All OptiPlex machines benefit from a brand new chassis design created to make servicing the machines easier and to compete with similar Final Draft Visuals 29 Cont shot tech enters and prepares to remove cover 30 CU tech pushes cover release button and pulls cover off 31 CU lever of card cage 32 CU drive removal 33 CU pull tabs 3
19. moved before the CD ROM cable can be removed The Deskpro allows access to any cable at any time 78 System board removal on the OptiPlex is hampered by the hard drive bays and cables slowing down service time System board removal and replacement on the Dell takes about ten minutes On the Compaq it takes about five minutes at the most 79 And when re installing the system board on the Dell cables must be hooked up in an exact sequence If you don t follow the sequence you must unplug all of them and start over adding service cost 80 The control panel connector is fed through a cut out in the chassis and cannot be re directed It is very difficult to remove the system board without exposing the cable to trauma 81 On this particular unit the DRAM DIMMs are scratched badly This again may point to issues regarding Dell s system integration facilities 82 The locking hook on the case is prone to bend in replacement of the case cover and may eventually wear or snap off 83 And plastic cover flanges may snap off during normal use Final Draft Visuals snapped off 84 Beauty shot of GXi next to Deskpro 4000 84a Fade out the light on the GXi so that it is darkened and the 4000 remains illuminated CG builds with narration Durable serviceable design Surge tolerant power supply SMART SCSI drives Pentium Pro processors available Enhanced Intelligent Manageability 85 DIZ to MS of OptiPlex GX
20. n slots 39 Removing the system board on the OptiPlex Gs is not easy These power connectors at both ends of the ribbon cables have to be disconnected first 40 And when replacing the board you have to insert cables in a precise order 41 A close look at the system board reveals other design problems These two voltage regulator capacitors can contact the heat sink which sits above the processor This could put the processor which is costly to replace at risk 42 The SRAM chip on this particular unit is scratched badly This is most likely an isolated incident However it may point to issues within Dell s system integration facilities 43 In fact similar concerns have been voiced in the computer trade press about Dell s quality standards A recent article in Computer Reseller News magazine said quote Distribution channel executives said they are finding an alarmingly high Dead On Arrival rate on Dell machines compared with other major vendors DOA rates on Dell systems for example are upward of three times the out of box failure rates on systems from IBM Compaq and Hewlett Packard 44 Dell also uses the Intel 430FX or Triton PCI controller chipset while the Deskpro uses the Intel 430HX chipset The 430HX chipset provides more advanced features such as Final Draft Visuals CG 10 to 15 Faster than the 430FX 45 ECU showing open heat sink area 46 MS Tech removes Compaq system board 47
21. n the same IDE port have to run in different PIO modes The Deskpro doesn t have this limitation 51 Installing replacement CD ROM drives in the OptiPlex Gs is difficult as well You have to insert all cables into the system board and drive before you can place the drive into the bay This makes it possible to pin the fragile ribbon cables under the CD ROM drive while you re installing it 52 Now let s look at the power supply Compaq testing indicates that the power supplies on all Dell OptiPlex models do not consistently Final Draft Visuals 53 CU Compaq power supply 53a ECU Compaq power supply hinges 54 MS open OptiPlex chassis 55 Beauty shot of GXs next to Deskpro 2000 55a Fade out the light on the GXs so that it is darkened and the 2000 remains illuminated CG builds with narration More durable design Easier access to components Availability of replacement parts Software optimized for system Flexible support options Intelligent Manageability 56 DIZ to MS GXi amp 4000 CG Dell OptiPLex GXi amp Compaq Deskpro 4000 over appropriate model as mentioned 57 Cont shot pull out for CG room Add CG over appropriate model 133 MHz Pentium to 200 MHz Pentium Pro 133 to 200 MHz Pentium MMX available 58 Cont Shot CG 1 08 to 2 5 GB IDE Hard Drives 1 0 to 3 0 GB IDE Hard Drives Compaq Vs Dell Audio generate as much power as their ratings indicate which
22. pulls off OptiPlex GXi chassis cover camera zoom in slowly Compag Vs Dell Audio Manager Personal Edition to monitor four key areas of a Deskpro system or all the systems on the network 67 It gives you Inventory Management through local and remote Asset Control Not only can you keep track of information about components in your own system but in other systems across the network as well 68 It also provides Fault Management It gives you a picture of all the expansion cards and system boards installed on the system 69 It alerts you to possible overheating of a system with thermal sensors installed inside the cases of all Deskpro 4000s and 6000s 70 All Deskpro 4000s and 6000s also include a Smart Cover Sensor which can sense whether the case has been opened and report it to Insight Manager Insight Manager then alerts the network administrator that the machine is being tampered with 71 The Deskpro 4000 also has SMART EIDE hard drives as mentioned earlier 72 You also get Security Management with features that track who has access to the systems and Software Support Management which allows you to update software over the network 73 Like the OptiPlex Gs the GXi only includes a standard DMI browser To use features comparable to Enhanced Intelligent Manageability it would need a third party software package such as Intel LANDesk 74 Moving on to hardware the Dell OptiPlex GXi has an OptiFrame
23. rivers 92 CU Deskpro 6000 CD ROM Drive CG 8x SCSI CD ROM Drive or 6x EIDE PD CD Drive with integrated Enhanced Business Audio Compag Vs Dell Audio 88 The Deskpro 6000 includes Enhanced Intelligent Manageability with remote Access Control thermal sensors Smart Cover Sensors and all the other manageability features the Deskpro 4000 has The OptiPlex GX Pro still just includes a basic DMI browser but it also also has Dell s Thermal Shutdown Utility This utility protects the system by detecting temperature variations and automatically putting the system through a soft power down if necessary 89 The Deskpro 6000 uses EDO RAM expandable to 256 Megabytes via SIMM modules The OptiPlex GX Pro uses EDO ECC RAM expandable to 512 Megabytes with DIMM modules 90 OptiPlex GX Pro models have 256 or 512 Kilobyte caches while all Deskpro 6000 models have 512 Kilobyte caches 91 The Deskpro 6000 comes standard with a Matrox MGA Millennium graphics card with 2 Megabytes of dual ported Windows RAM The OptiPlex GX Pro comes standard with an S3 Trio 64V controller It can be upgraded with either the Matrox card or a Number Nine PCI graphics card with 4 Megabytes of memory at an extra cost The performance of the Deskpro 6000 Model 6200 2150 CDS Matrox MGA Millennium graphics solution is between 8 and 14 percent faster in the mainstream Winbench 96 benchmark than the Number Nine Imagine 128 solution from Dell And for
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