Update or buy Dell Precision 490

[joaquinmgadea]

Hello.

I have a question about Dell computers. I would be very grateful if you could help me.

I currently have a Dell Precision 490. I bought it in 2007. I would like to upgrade it because it works quite well for the use I give it, and I would just need more memory to be able to virtualize, and add a second processor. Or add two quad-core processors. I currently have a dual-core xeon 5140. The latter (processor) is more of a whim.

Processors and memory are at a very affordable price on ebay, for example. But if I wanted to buy the same thing from Dell it would cost me very expensive. For example, a processor from Dell can be above 1000 euros, and 8 megs from Dell cost about 370 euros. However, looking on ebay, I see expansion kits for two quad-core processors (that is, 8 cores) with heatsink included for about 170 euros. The memory is also very cheap, and they sell 16 or 32 gigs for a price that I see very good.

There are also complete computers that are very cheap. Most of the ads say that they do not include hard drive, nor operating system, and come with little memory and basic graphics card.

Please, could someone explain to me why they are so cheap? Are these models that are seen new units that could not sell at the time the partners? Are computers that companies sell to buy others more modern?

It cost me quite a lot (from my point of view) in 2007. The same as buying now a workstation with a lot of memory, a good screen, a good graphics card, etc. That is, about 3000 euros, more or less.

Thank you.

Regards.

[whoololon]

Man, you might have taken a while to get your hands on that machine.;D
If you go for an X5355, I've seen them refurbished for around 70€, and new for more or less double that on amazon.
The thing about cheap and expensive with machines, it depends on what you're looking for and above all, what you're willing to spend.
First, don't compare a workstation with a pre-assembled PC "out of the box" where everything (or most) is integrated and the emphasis is on being cheap (which is what I assume you're talking about).
I at least advise against buying that type of… computers.:ugly:

[joaquinmgadea]

@whoololon:

Man, you must have taken a while to get your hands on that machine.;D
If you go for some X5355, I've seen them refurbished for about 70€, and new for more or less double on amazon.
The thing about cheap and expensive with respect to machines, well, it depends on what you're looking for and above all, on what you're willing to spend.
First, don't compare a workstation with a pre-assembled PC "standard" where everything (or most) is integrated and the priority is to be cheap (which is what I assume you're talking about).
At least I advise against buying that type of… computers.:ugly:

Thanks for your response, whoololon.

My doubt in general is if in this offer, for example:

DELL Precision 490/690 Matched Pair Quad Core 2.66GHz X5355 XEON CPU Upgrade kit | eBay

the processors have not been'stolen', for example, by some employee of a large company, removing the second processor from a PC, or something like that (it doesn't have to be a spectacular robbery, just that time passes, the guy removes the second processor and nobody notices).

So much time has passed and things have improved so much that those prices as refurbished or second-hand seem correct to me.

I say this because if I want to upgrade through dell, it costs me more than a thousand euros each (if there are any). Which seems like a scam after 7 years, but okay.

It's great for me. I spend a hundred and a half euros and I already have my eight cores, although old.

Regards. And thanks.