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This the best machine that Dell built..... Super fast for everthing, from simple browsing to stream video, to VPN IPTV from all the world, I own one XPS420 QUAD since 2007 ... Simple the best ....
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 16, 2012
Pros: 1)Looks cool 2)Even in 2012 the specs are pretty capable. 3)No integrated graphic chip. It has a dedicated graphic card (ati Radeon HD 2400 pro). Descent card for non gaming use. 4)Has PCI-E as well as PCI 5)Comes with a wireless card in a PCI slot 6)The siding is easily taken off to work on the computer.
Cons: 1)This computer comes with a faulty low quality PSU (power supply unit). The PSU causes the CPU fan to go haywire when you turn it off. I'd have to unplug the computer in order to stop this. It also doesn't have sufficient watt rating (375W) for the computer. People have fried their motherboards because of these bad PSUs. It needs at least a 500W power supply to function properly. However, keep in mind the stock PSU is slightly different in size than a standard PSU. For this reason after market PSUs will need a little bit of muscle to make fit.
2)The setup of the interior of this computer makes it incredibly hard to upgrade. There is just too much crap under the hood. You have to unhook/remove numerous intertwined wires and hard to remove PC components. The CPU fan has to be the most difficult thing to replace and the case fan is pretty much unchangeable because of the difficulty. It is just WAY to complicated inside the computer. Dell could have designed the interior much better and less packed. Be prepared to sweat and swear a lot when upgrading the computer, lol.
3)Don't even think about gaming until you change the graphic card for something better. The card is just to low end and out dated. Again the PSU isn't good enough to support a modern GPU (Graphic Processing Unit). Make sure the PSU is upgraded before upgrading the GPU. The stock GPU also lacks hdmi support.
4)Comes with Windows Vista 32-bit.
Overview: This is a descent computer to buy if you're on a budget and just need a computer, but requires some parts to be replaced to make it truly a good machine. In 2012, the specs are better than brand new computers at the same (amazon) price. The stock PSU will end up killing the machine, so be careful. Upgrading the computer will make you want to pull out your hair.
I've owned this computer since 2008. It is true even with other computers they get bogged down by software installs, updates that can get corrupted, and other malware and virus infections. Re-install of OS every couple of years brings ANY computer to the day you bought it new. Happy with my XPS 420 with my processor of Q9450 and 4Gs of Ram. My disk is a RAID 1 and works really well. I am a system admin and spec'd this machine out myself and have had NO, ZERO, Problems. I take it one step more than others but that's because of my profession. Every year I open up the hood and clean out all the dust from the motherboard, processor, PS, video adapter and in between the panels. Since I imaged my PC with a new licensed copy of Windows 7 it takes like a charm, no hunting down the latest drivers other than the video card. Easy to image every year. This was the best purchase I made since I gave up on building personal computers as it got boring for me. The key to a long life and fully functioning computer is to NOT buy cheap, go with the best processor, and good video card, and max the ram. Been searching to buy a used XPS 420 and can't find one with the same processor. I seen people buy new computers every two years because they claim it is slow. Just reinstall the OS, that's all. Stop letting the geek squad rip you.
Dell was once the "Top Dog" of PC's and the XPS 420 (in my humble opinion) was introduced in their prime of PC supremacy. A sort of "Crown Jewel" for the time way back in late 2007, and early 2008. Dell unfortunately, has joined the mainstream mass produced PC brands of "mediocrity". Yeah, IBM, Gateway, HP.......put'em all in a blender on the "PUREE" setting and you get the same thing. Even some 8 years later, with a little (and I mean a LITTLE) tweaking the XPS 420 still keeps a pretty good pace with the the latest Processors, whatever it may be. So, one XPS 420 just wasn't enough, I had to have 3. With a "Windows Experience Index" of 6.5 (Some Intel Core i5's can't even get a 5.1!!) why would I get rid of one?
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 24, 2016
My Dell XPS420 Is best computer I have ever owned. I'm running an SSD, upgraded memory and video card. Running Windows 10 and see no difference between 420 and ASUS with an i5 processor. It has given me 9 years of maintenance free ownership and I use it daily.
I had this Dell xps 420 for 8 yrs.never had a problem,was tempted to get a xps 8900,but after reading all the reviews the 8900 ,not good.So I'm sticking to my faithful 420,I agree the 420 is one the best computer Dell came out with!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 28, 2014
This is not a review but simply a 'ditto" to the others. This has been my best computer purchase since I started buying them. I bought my 420 years ago (7?) - and it still runs well. I suppose I should replace it with a new model but my fear is that Dell simply doesn't make them with the same degree of competence anymore. Please advise.
I have had my system for 3 years and have had NO hardward issues with it. I have added a bigger/ better video card and switched to a SSD in it. I used to have a backup system just liek this one just in case this on died but I sold it 3 months ago since this one just keeps running. I use it 13 hours a day and it just hums along, handling anything I throw at it. I runs very quiet as well.
