Dell's XPS 730 H2C gets benchmarked, overclocked and rated

A general review is fine and dandy when you're lookin' at Hello Kitty laptops, but this is Dell's XPS 730 H2C we're talking about. A rig this big demands to be benchmarked, and the mad scientists over at Hot Hardware did that and a whole lot more after it arrived in their lab. Here's the highlights: reviewers were able to hit 4.25GHz (though not for long), the unit itself walked all over its rivals and it was deemed "an absolute monster in any productivity and multimedia task." Sadly, gaming performance was seen as "less decisive but still extremely impressive," but it nevertheless managed to "blaze" through every title tossed at it. Grab your cup of joe and head on down, as you'll be reading for quite some time before seeing that coveted Editor's Choice award there at the end.

[daniel @ May 28th 2008 8:36AM]

Maybe gaming on the machine was bad because from the picture it looks like its missing the video cards!!!

[Christy McGrory @ May 28th 2008 8:38AM]

Jesus, 4.25GHz. But then again what would you use it for?

[crispy @ May 28th 2008 8:41AM]

Crysis

[maty @ May 28th 2008 8:42AM]

Some of us are graphic designers, we need beasts to render =].

[Juaquin @ May 28th 2008 12:25PM]

A billion things. Rendering, gaming, Folding@Home, unraring huge 8GB files, encoding video, etc. Never ask why "x" speed is needed - remember when they wondered why you would ever need more than 80mhz?

[lance @ May 28th 2008 9:02AM]

excuse me, i must go and wipe the drool off my chin. sorry to embarrass you!

[Kizorblade @ May 28th 2008 9:06AM]

Maybe, just maybe, Engadget will be giving these away in a competition?

Please?

[Jherez @ May 28th 2008 9:15AM]

Was that really necessary "lol"? ....I mean...really. Do you feel good now? Do us a favor and go back to watching that SpeedRacer movie okay.

[The Other White Meat @ May 28th 2008 10:24AM]

Wow bud, you need to go back to the trailer park. I think your sister needs you.

[Kizorblade @ May 28th 2008 2:52PM]

Ahh the ignorance of racism is fresh in the air today...

[ugg.tryptophan @ May 29th 2008 9:45AM]

its not rascist if its against white people (sarcasm)

[SketchPad @ May 28th 2008 12:57PM]

Gah, Cough Cough, 6600... Dollars....Cough...for a 2 GB, 3,2 Ghz Quad computer with...Cough Radeon cards...

Do you have ANY idea what kind of computer I can get for that kind of dosh? It would EVEN this machine with the earth on the ground and there would only be a slight red trace left.

Rich dumb kids toy...

[I_Have_A_Big_Dick @ May 28th 2008 9:17AM]

Congrats, you discovered you can build PCs a lot cheaper if you build it yourself. Want a medal for being late or attempting to be smart? Take your pick.

[jakel1 @ May 28th 2008 9:42AM]

would you say no if it was offered for free, or is your ego so big that you couldnt have it because you would be considered a show off "rich kid"?

[Mobius_1 @ May 28th 2008 11:37AM]

Ok SketchPad, but what if I am productive enough to mean that the opportunity cost of my time spent working on the PC makes the custom computer more expensive than buying from Dell?

[carl @ May 28th 2008 1:48PM]

Mobius_1: Then you wouldn't be reading and posting on engadget...

[Abuzar @ May 28th 2008 3:14PM]

Jake, I would take it for free, sell it and then build a faster computer and buy a 30 inch LCD screen with the money. I probably would have some left over for crack too, so I can play games while I'm high.

[digitallysick @ May 28th 2008 9:21AM]

I will admit i really like that processor cooling setup, anyone know what they use?

[Brian @ May 28th 2008 10:24AM]

2nd page of the review goes over the watercooling setup in great detail. It's a closed loop system built by CoolIT and Delphi that has cooling plates for both CPU and northbridge, along with a small built-in reservoir, dynamically powered pump (throttles speed when system is not under heavy load) and a peltier (TEC) to help keep things cool. Uses a single 120mm sized radiator.

Pretty slick setup, similar to what Asetek has been trying to streamline in the HP Blackbird systems. (closed loop, 7 year maintenance-free lifecycle water cooling)

[lanejasper69 @ May 28th 2008 10:35AM]

And They STILL don't have a tool-less case. note the PCI slots screws for one. I want EVERYTHING for that kind of moolah.

Faslane

[Beastage @ May 28th 2008 10:47AM]

You are forgetting something important, those who buy Dell XPS like that dont open their cases... ever... plus it voids the warranty.

[lanejasper69 @ May 28th 2008 10:37AM]

Okay, MAYBE they are hand turnable screws I can't tell, second guessing myself, either way this is a lot of moolah!!!! I'd want more in a machine for that dough.

Faslane

[Tony C @ May 28th 2008 11:59AM]

No, you're right... This chassis is full of screws, especially over the all-important card slots.

http://www.hothardware.com/articleimages/item1160/big_xps_730_interior3.jpg

[Tony C @ May 28th 2008 12:02PM]

HAHAHA!!

And because it isn't a tool-free chassis, it comes with a screwdriver set! =D

http://www.hothardware.com/articleimages/item1144/big_dell_xps_730_preview_11.jpg
http://www.hothardware.com/articleimages/item1144/big_dell_xps_730_preview_10.jpg

[Chris @ May 28th 2008 3:45PM]

Am I the only one that noticed the picture abovel doesn't have a graphics card!