Hardware Benchmarks (E1705)

Quick Background:
I ordered my original E1705 at the end of February. I began experiencing the weird 'electrical hum/buzzing sound" and after two tech visits Dell agreed to ship me a new E1705. I insisted that they build it as I didnt buy a refurb and it wasnt my fault this one was having problems.

The replacment arrived the other day and I finally was able to sit down and mess with it tonight.

Observations:

GPU:
nVidia Card internal Dell PN has changed since I originally ordered in February. Original system had a GF 7800 in it. Lots of heat without ANY OC'ocing. I wonder why the numbers have changed... Hmmmm...

Original GF 7800:
UF804 CARD (CIRCUIT), GRAPHICS, 256MB, I9400, G70

Replacement GF 7800:
GK185 CARD (CIRCUIT), GRAPHICS, 256MB, G70, I9400, II

Everest reports the GPU temp on the replacement machine as a bit lower than the first E1705. Perhaps they altered the design of the card or thermal goop. In either case, there is STILL quite a bit of warmth coming from the right section of the keyboard. Very annoying when typing.

Memory Observations:
Received with original E1705

Micron, Model 8HTF6464HDY667B3
PC-2 5300U 5.0-5-5-15

Read: 4380 mb/s
Write: 1416 mb/s


Received with replacement E1705

Samsung , Model M4 70T6554C23-CE6
PC-2 5300U 5.0-5-5-13

Read: 4407 mb/s
Write: 1429 mb/s

I think I'm going to keep the Samsung Memory.


Optical Drive Observations (tested drive using Encarta 2006 DVD):
Received with original E1705

Sony DW-Q58A
Drive Index: 7 mb/s
Drive Speed: 49x
Buffered Read: 26mb/s
Seq. Read: 8mb/s
Random Read: 4 mb/s
Avg. Access Time: 431 ms


Received with replacement E1705

Samsung TSSTCorp TS-L532B
Drive Index: 7 mb/s
Drive Speed: 42x
Buffered Read: 9mb/s
Seq. Read: 7mb/s
Random Read: 6 mb/s
Avg. Access Time: 150 ms!


As you can see there is a BIG difference in the Optical drives.

Any thoughts on the optical drive?? I'm guessing that the Samsung is faster due to the reduced buffer, seq and random read rate. Is that correct? Does that make the Samsung optical the better choice?

The Sony Optical seems to be a bit more sturdy. The Samsung feels cheap. But, performance is key I guess.

 

Wow. 35 views and not one reply/opinion.

Can I get some feedback on the optical drive? I need to send my old system back soon and need to decide to keep the Sony drive or the Samsung.

Thx in advance...

 

not bad..but if the heat is bothering u that bad, don't settle for a half-assed solution. return it, save your money for a little while, and get somethign you're completely satisfied with, like the M1710 .