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Dell goes SLI with their latest XPS system

by: John -
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The XPS line from Dell ain't cheap and today they announced a new configuration to their lineup. The XPS 600 system is Dell's first SLI system featuring two GeForce 7800 GTX cards and up to a whopping 8 GB of 667MHz DDR2 memory. Of course, since it's Dell you only have Intel as the CPU of choice.
New Dell Dual-Graphics Desktop Doubles Gamers' Derring-Do; Next-Generation XPS System Delivers Dual Graphics Technology to Scale Performance for Power Users

QuakeCon 2005

ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 8, 2005--Enthusiasts and gamers can double their fun with advanced dual-graphics technology in Dell's (NASDAQ:DELL) new XPS 600 system.

The Dell(TM) XPS 600 desktop delivers high levels of performance for a richer entertainment experience with dual graphics based on new NVIDIA(R) technology combined with Intel(R) dual-core (two-in-one) processors.

The XPS 600 provides two PCI-Express x16 slots optimized for customers who want to use dual graphics cards in a single system. Dual graphics cards and dual-core processors can significantly improve performance for gaming and multimedia applications. Dell's innovative use of dual x16 PCIe graphics with NVIDIA scalable link interface (SLI) X16 technology can increase video bandwidth by up to 100 percent compared to competitive dual x8 PCIe-based systems. As a result, XPS 600 users can play 3-D games and DVDs at the highest resolution settings for realistic entertainment, and can easily run future applications and devices requiring high video bandwidth. The desktop also lets enthusiasts who opt for a 64-bit operating system better manage digital content or data by increasing system memory and running next-generation applications.

"Dell worked aggressively with NVIDIA and leading game developers to bring dual-graphics innovation quickly to customers," said John Medica, senior vice president of Dell product group. "The innovation behind the XPS 600 gives gamers and enthusiasts bleeding edge performance and entertainment value, along with the support services to keep their systems staying up all night right along with them."

"The Dell XPS 600 is the world's first OEM Intel-based desktop to deliver NVIDIA nForce(TM)4 SLI X16 technology," Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO of NVIDIA said. "Dell and NVIDIA are enabling customers to play all of today's popular games or movies at the most intense and vivid settings -- the way they're meant to be played -- while offering the system performance necessary to run future games and multimedia applications."

Blasting the Boundaries of 32-bit Computing

The first Dell Dimension(TM) consumer desktop to offer dual graphics, the XPS 600 can deliver up to 150 percent faster graphics performance compared to the previous Dell XPS(a). Dell engineered the XPS 600 to enable enthusiasts to take full advantage of their two x16 PCIe graphics cards and dual-core processors, which can improve multitasking, for enjoying multimedia. In contrast, previously customers could install x16 cards in existing dual-core/dual-graphics system designs but could only run them at the x8 graphics bandwidth.

Customers can also order the new desktop with Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional x64 Edition factory installed. The Windows x64 operating system is designed to deliver 64-bit technology while supporting most 32-bit applications, which can improve performance for video editing and gaming. Gamers and enthusiasts can use up to 8GB(b) of system memory to manage their growing library of games, music, photos, videos and information.

Customers can test their gaming skills on the Dell XPS 600 at id Software's QuakeCon 2005 gaming event to be held outside Dallas, Texas from August 11th through August 14th.

Additional XPS 600 specifications:

-- Dual NVIDIA GeForce(TM) 7800 GTX 256MB x16 PCIe graphics cards

-- NVIDIA nForce4 SLI X16 Intel Edition media and communications processor

-- Up to 8GB(b) 667MHz DDR2 memory

-- Intel Extreme Edition, Pentium(R) 4 6xx single-core, and 8xx dual-core processors

-- Windows XP Home, Professional, Professional x64 Edition or Media Center Edition 2005

-- Designated XPS support and Dell Support 3.0 proactive alert application

Pricing and Availability

The XPS 600 starts at $3,099 with a Pentium 4 640 (single core) processor, 512MB DDR2 667MHz memory, 160GB hard drive, dual 16X DVD-ROM and 48X CD-RW drives, Windows XP Home, and dual NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX 256MB x16 PCIe graphics cards. The new system will be available in the coming weeks in the Americas and EMEA. For more product information, visit www.dell.com/xps. For product photography, visit www.dell.com/photos.