Standard memory in the 710 H2C is 2GB, though it supports a maximum of 4GB. This is split across two 1GB DDR2 667MHz modules running in a dual-channel arrangement for quicker-than-normal memory access. But it's not all peaches and cream -- the Dell motherboard in the 710 H2C doesn't support 800MHz memory. Anyone spending upwards of £4,000 on a gaming PC would, rightfully, be a tad miffed -- it could be a problem for any future upgrade, although not for current performance.
All should be forgiven, however, when you take a look at the graphics solution inside the 710 H2C. It uses two Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX graphics cards running in a tandem SLI (serial link interface) configuration. Each has 760MB of RAM (for a total video memory of 1.5GB) and each has enough power to make F.E.A.R. run like Pong. Installing two is just taking the mickey.
As if that wasn't enough, the PC has an Ageia PhysX card. This sits in a port adjacent to the graphics cards and provides additional 3D physics processing in compatible games. It helps calculate how objects in a 3D space should react -- a task normally handled by the processor and graphics card. Whether it's worth having depends on the type of games you play -- there are relatively few titles that are PhysX-compatible.
Storage in the 710 H2C isn't particularly generous, but it's well thought-out. You can get up to 1TB of disk storage, but the default configuration is rather basic. Everything's installed on a pair of 160GB drives in a RAID 0 stripe -- an arrangement where data is interleaved across two disks for faster file access. The drives spin at a very quick 10,000rpm (standard hard drives run at around 7,200rpm) so you won't be surprised to learn the 710 H2C is no slouch in disk-intensive tasks.
Our review sample of the 710 H2C uses Windows XP. This is largely because at the time of its construction there were no SLI Nvidia Drivers for Windows Vista. They are available now, but Dell doesn't yet offer Vista pre-installed.
Performance
"OMG WTF!" is pretty much all the sense we could muster when analysing the 710's H2C performance capabilities. Its 10,000rpm RAID 0 hard drives helped it boot up in under 30 seconds, and it scored a dizzying 9,251 in PCMark 2005 -- the highest we've seen.
Likewise, the 710 H2C screamed its way through our gaming tests. It scored a monstrous 15,299 in 3DMark 2006, and ran F.E.A.R. at 140 frames per second -- again, the highest we've seen.
Conclusion
The 710 H2C is a stunning-looking and blisteringly quick computer. Its default storage is rather limited, and its memory bandwidth prevents it from fulfilling its potential, but it still makes the vast majority of computers look like pocket calculators. Buy one if you have the cash.
Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Nick Hide
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the-nth-warrior 21 March 2009
Good: The processor and cooling system.
Bad: The price, and everything else.
Comment: Check out what you can buy on Cyberpower systems for the same price. You will never look at Dell or Alienware again.
Binky 16 January 2008
Good: Huge beast of a PC, loads of raw power and looks it
Bad: No games can use it! PC applications cant quad core
Comment: What a beast, unpacking this is Geek heaven, there is something about a gloss black behemoth that just is Geek sex. Sadly though the first thing you want to do is use it and feel the power, but finding anything that stretches this beast is impossible, so living with it us ultimately futile and disapointing, perhaps the best analogy is being given a Porsche and having no driving license... having 200fps in your game makes you king, but you cant frag with fps.. what I need is skill.. damn you Dell...lol
Ryan L 1 May 2007
Good: Design & simplistic size is enough to make you wet your pants & hand over your wallet
Bad: Hugely expensive, temperamental to crashing constantly, built like a Dell (i.e. badly)
Comment: Let me get one thing straight early on, I like this computer (or should I say nuclear powered, kick boxing Black Mamba); in fact I so badly wanted to come and describe it as phenominal. But it just isnt.....I feel disappointed.
The H2C looks incredible, night or day. Its larger then most cars, has a specification that at least on paper causes its competitors to simply curl up in a corner and weep uncontrollably; and consumes more electricity than most major South American cities. Dell have definitely pushed out all the stops with this creation, allowing frame rates, rendering times & multiprocessing to break new records. The XPS range can finally enter into the Direct X 10, Quad-Core, MacPro world all us gamers demand.
BUT (and its a big one) H2C still fails to meet expectations let alone surpass them with a system of this price! Firstly, its built like a Dell..i.e. badly; with poor quality wiring, disk drives made from the cheapest of Chinese plastics and general fittings not up to par. Secondly, is the systems instability. I have had it for over 3 months now and I have lost count of the number of restarts, shutdowns, CTRL+ALT+DELETES I have done. Games shutdown unexpectally & BLUE SCREENS with graphics driver errors are a common sight.
But probably the biggest upset has been its performance. Yes with the Half Life's, Battlefield's and even Oblivion's of the gaming world, it has no problems. FSX is a different story with jittery frame rates at max resolution, slow responses. Playing Test Drive Unlimited is near impossible with STOP START part of the experience.
I am going on a bit but unlike other 'review' sites, I am tell the perspective of a real world user. Dont get me wrong, the H2C is a hysterically fast computer be it for video editing, current gen gaming & multiple program use. However I always thought it would be faster, free of problems......my mistake.
With Vista arriving asap and the impending launch of Direct X10 games, I hope this £6000 machine will start to impress...justify its price......even though simular power is available for 1/2 if u DIY!
Conclusion: A beautiful, fast, some may say dangerous machine only reserved for a select few. Yet with its dependance on the awful XP OS & slightly nubb real world gaming performance.....thinking twice about becoming an XPSer has become a real possibility.
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