Print
Discuss
Send to friend
The Dell Dimension 5150c Media Center Media is going to make Intel very happy. Not only does it use the new Intel Viiv platform (read about the Viiv launch here), but look inside the tiny case and you’ll find that it sports the picoBTX form factor.
The miniature tower case measures 310mm high by 363mm deep and is only 91mm wide. Thanks to the BTX layout, there’s a single fan at the front of the case to keep the temperature under control while making very little noise.
Although the Dimension 5150c qualifies for the Viiv sticker, the hardware is fairly conventional, with a combination of an Intel 945G chipset and a dual core Pentium D processor that runs at 2.8GHz.
There’s 1GB of dual channel DDR2 memory with two slots free for an upgrade.
Even though the motherboard has integrated Intel graphics, Dell installed a Radeon X600 128MB SE graphics card. However, this card is totally inadequate for playing 3D games at any sort of detail level and throttles the performance of the PC.
A lack of space inside the case combined with marginal airflow means an
upgrade is impractical.
The back of the case is home to a collection of ports including digital audio,
four USB2 and one Firewire.
On the front, a stylish spring-loaded flap reveals a multi-format card reader, DVD writer, two more USB, another Firewire plus standard audio jacks.
You are unlikely to notice much of this detail as your attention will be held by the 24in Dell 2405FPW monitor with its clear, bright picture and 1,920 x 1,200 resolution.
You can read a review of the 20in version of this monitor here. Despite being a Viiv system and running Media Center, a TV tuner doesn't come as standard.
Dell will supply an Avermedia USB TV tuner as an option that costs a further £69.
Although the Dimension 5150c isn't a bad system, especially since you get a large monitor, Dell could have made so much more of it.
Sysmark 2004 SE: 205
3Dmark05: 1,266
All Desktops
del.icio.us
Digg this
reddit!
