[Pc_Support] Re: Dell E521 dual-core Athlon x2 for $399 ... (CORRECTIONS/UPDATES)

[Bryan J. Smith]

On 9/14/06, Bryan J. Smith <thebs413 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dell's started offering their dual-core Athlon x2 PCs, and they start at $399.
> Chipset is a nVidia 6150LE (C51/NV44) in a standard MicroATX enclosure.
http://dealnews.com/deals/New-Dell-Dimension-E521-Athlon-64-X2-Desktop-for-399-shipped/132476.html
> I wouldn't add the optional components, they are seriously marked up.
> But a good base system if you want Windows included.

To start, the link at Anand's DailyTech ...
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4146

First off, I had a brain-fart.  These are BTX-based form-factors, not ATX.

The E521 is clearly a MicroBTX -- basically the same as MicroATX
size-wise.  It has 4 full slots.  BTX flips the slot orientation
(better cooling in a tower).  The cooling intake fan is mid-mounted by
design (in all BTX).

The C521 is has 3 low-profile slots in a slim-design.  For the life of
me, I don't know what BTX variant this is.  MicroBTX has 4 slots,
picoBTX has 1 slot and the newer nanoBTX has 2 slots.  It's clearly
not the same MicroBTX mainboard, because the video slot has moved (at
least in the AnandTech shots).  There seems to be only 3 slots, it's a
different board.  I'll call it "Dell-LP3BTX" for now.

Secondly, AnandTech is reporting the list should be $329 with no
monitor ($359 for the C521).  Have no idea what configuration
difference that is from the DealNews.COM coupon, but DealNews.COM has
been letting me down at times as of late.

[ E.g., Thursday's "especial" on a 3 input audio/video selector from
Buy.COM for $39 _incorrectly_ stated it did HDTV (it only did SVideo
plus optical ToshLink).  It was actually another model for $54 at
Buy.COM that was the HDTV (composite) model -- and I also found it
cheaper at Provantage for $42 (+$6 shipping).  I sent them this
correction over 12 hours ago, but they haven't updated it. ]