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From: me on 7 Dec 2009 13:35
I have the choice of buying either the Optiplex 760 or
780 through my university bookstore

I'm not clear on what the diff is between the two....
if any.

I am engineering student and need decent computer

Any advice on the diff?
From: William R. Walsh on 7 Dec 2009 14:00
Hi!

> Any advice on the diff?

The main difference I see is that the 760 is based on the Intel Q43
chipset while the 780 is based on the Q45.

Out of everything that Dell sells today for desktop computing, I do
prefer the OptiPlex since its build quality is still good--and it is
still largely a Dell designed system. Since you mentioned being an
engineering student, maybe you'd also want to look at the Precision
workstations if they are available for you to purchase?

You may also want to see what you can do by dealing directly with
Dell. It could lead to a better deal, or a system better tuned to your
needs.

William
From: me on 7 Dec 2009 20:03
"William R. Walsh" <wm_walsh(a)hotmail.com> wrote:

>Since you mentioned being an
>engineering student, maybe you'd also want to look at the Precision
>workstations if they are available for you to purchase?

I know this sounds crazy but just don't like the face
plate of the Precision line at all

I cane get an Optiplex 760 for $625 with following
specs from school:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
4gb 800mhz DDR2 memory
320gb hard drive
16x DVD burner
DVI port
blah blah

They also said they can get the 780 fro me with same
specs and price

Surely these machines are good enough for CAD, no?

I'm just unsure whether to go for the 760 or 780?

From: William R. Walsh on 8 Dec 2009 09:55
Hi!

> I know this sounds crazy but just don't like the face
> plate of the Precision line at all

I don't think it sounds crazy at all. The Precision series of today
have an...ornate...look to them.

(It didn't used to be that way: http://greyghost.mooo.com/precision220/
)

> I cane get an Optiplex 760 for $625 with following
> specs from school:
>
> Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
> 4gb 800mhz DDR2 memory
> 320gb hard drive
> 16x DVD burner
> DVI port
> blah blah

I don't think it's a bad deal, but you might be able to do a little
bit better on your own. The blah blah is a difficult option to come
by. (Yes, I had to say it.)

> They also said they can get the 780 fro me with same
> specs and price

When I got home, I looked it up. The main difference between Q45 and
Q43 is the suite of management features supported. The Q45 chipset
includes Intel Active Management and support for a TPM (Trusted
Platform Module). You probably don't need any of that.

Otherwise, both chipsets are identical, with Intel stating that the
Q43 is a better choice for reduced power usage.

> Surely these machines are good enough for CAD, no?

I'd have to think so. Do you plan to use the integrated Intel
graphics? For 2D CAD, I'm sure they would be fine. If you're going to
be doing anything involving 3D work or rendering, you will probably be
a lot happier with a dedicated video card. You can buy one yourself
and add it later if needed, and they're not terribly expensive.

I think the 760 would be fine unless you have a need for the
management and TPM features offered by the Q45 chipset.

William
From: me on 8 Dec 2009 13:07
"William R. Walsh" <wm_walsh(a)hotmail.com> wrote:

>> I know this sounds crazy but just don't like the face
>> plate of the Precision line at all
>
>I don't think it sounds crazy at all. The Precision series of today
>have an...ornate...look to them.

Agree....I want a desktop that is designed to HELP me
get things done..... and fancy face plates with hard to
access USB ports don't get it!

>> Surely these machines are good enough for CAD, no?
>
>I'd have to think so. Do you plan to use the integrated Intel
>graphics?

Yes integrated graphics for 2D CAD for now.... and like
you suggest I can get a better video card for solids
modeling.... if needed.

>I think the 760 would be fine unless you have a need for the
>management and TPM features offered by the Q45 chipset.

Thanks for advice William! I will probably go for the
760 as energy use is a concern.
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