![]() If you don't expect to be gaming much, you can save more than $100 by selecting either the older GeForce4 MX or the new budget GeForce FX 5200 graphics card. The 9800 Pro is a leading 3D graphics card for computer gaming. ![]() Because the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro includes 128MB of onboard RAM, the main system memory is free to focus on overall system performance. Our evaluation system included 512MB of PC3200 (400MHz) DDR SDRAM, which is adequate for most computing needs. The Dimension 4600's motherboard uses the Intel 865PE chipset, supporting Pentium 4 processors with an 800MHz frontside bus. A couple of 256MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM modules occupy two of the four available DIMM slots, but cabling obstructs the remaining slots. The hard drive occupies one internal drive bay, leaving only one other free. Internal expansion is more of a challenge. Nor is there an integrated video port, but a PCI modem card provides a dial-up connection. There are no FireWire ports, but you could add a FireWire card to an available PCI slot. Our evaluation unit's graphics card offers both VGA and DVI ports for analog or digital displays. You also get a generous six USB 2.0 ports, a 10/100 Ethernet port, and another set of audio connections. The rear port is packed with legacies, such as a PS/2 keyboard and mouse, plus serial and parallel ports. The front panel gives you the standard pair of USB 2.0 ports plus a speaker output, but the ports are easier to access now than they were with previous Dimension models because they are no longer angled down toward the floor. The Dimension 4600's connectivity is more mainstream than progressive. With dual optical drives, a floppy drive, and a hard drive, the 4600 leaves you only one internal 3.5-inch bay to expand. You'll find two open PCI slots below the powerful Radeon 9800 Pro graphics card. The Dimension 4600's case opens via a button-released, removable side panel instead of the hinged clamshell of other models, but it's just as easy to use. Unlike its slim sibling, the Dimension 4600C, however, the Dimension 4600 uses a standard minitower case that can accommodate a graphics card. The front-mounted USB ports are no longer angled towards the floor as they were in past Dimension cases, making it easier to connect your camera or an MP3 player.ĭell continues to use the aesthetically pleasing, two-tone Midnight Gray color scheme on the Dimension 4600. Dell's flexible online configurator makes choosing easy. Unless you're a gamer, we'd suggest downgrading the graphics card and getting a DVD-RW drive our test system included CD-RW and DVD-ROM drives. Our $1,665 test model included a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 processor, 512MB of speedy 400MHz DDR memory, an 80GB hard drive, and a high-end ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics card. With systems starting at $699, it offers more speed and features than its budget Dimension 2400 cousins, while its top-end model, which costs more than $2,000, nips at the heels of the performance-oriented Dimension 8300 line. The Dimension 4600 is a capable, midrange desktop line that can be configured to please almost anyone-families, students, budding gamers, or the SOHO crowd.
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