How to: New Dell I8600 general tests & enhancing performance by Benchmark Tests

[netlaser9]

Hey guys,

Just ordered a new Dell I8600 couple of days back, not too high-end specs but just to fit my budget .... I was wondering if a few tips from you experts could help achieve the best performance possible. Hope your answers for these questions would help not only me but future Dell owners too. I'm not sure if all of these have been answered here before .... sorry if they are.

1. What are the first things to check once I/anyone gets a new Laptop?

2. The one I'm getting comes w/ a WinXP Home and I have WinXP Pro. I heard of wiping off (clean install) and installing Win XP Pro with only the necessary S/W and avoid any other extra Dell S/W is the best thing to do.
Do you do this once you get the new laptop or after conducting the regular tests & Benchmark Tests with the original configuration & OS? I know it doesn't sound logical 'cos anyways I will not be using it w/ WinXP Home .... but was wondering what are the general tests for checking the laptop
before even thinking of wiping the HD?

3. I'm new to the Benchmark Testing part and would like to know what are the best and useful (free ones because I found all the Futuremark BMT and etc to be expensive) tests to do?

4. I heard of these tests:
a. MonitorsDirect .... is it the best solution for checking the dead pixels and screen problems? What other problems do we need to check for other than dead pixels?

b. FanGUI: http://www.diefer.de/i8kfan/ is this a safe
& popular utility?

c. 3DMark2001/3DMark2003: ..... are both necessary? Which one is the best? I'm not into gaming much and don't have games either. Do I need some games to use these tests? I understand they test the 3D settings but is it only useful for
games?

d. PCMark04: What is this for?

e. Aquamark3: ?

f. Super-pi Test: ?

5. What is the use of overclocking, aside from
improving benchmark scores by a small margin? Does
overclocking really improve a system's performance? If so how to do this?

6. I just bought 256MB RAM .... adding another 512MB soon .... what are the specs to look for before buying compatible memory w/ the one Dell sends? 512MB — CT325812 DDR PC2700 Non-parity is the compatible one I got while lookin in Crucial.com. How would I know the make? What is the best place to look for memory upgrades?


************************************************** *****
DELL I8600
PM1.4GHZ
WXGA
256 RAM (will add another 512MB from Crucial)
60GB Ultra ATA HD
32MB Nvidia GeForce FX GO5200 Video Card
24X Combo - DVD/CD-RW, WinXP Home
Intel Pro 2100 MiniPCI Wireless Card
************************************************** *****

Forgive any naïveté I've shown here .... I just wanna learn more !
I really like this forum just for the heck of info U guys share !
Thanks in advance,
K.

[ECA]

OK, first see if you LIKE your system, if you DO, leave it.
Others can tell you HOw to DELETE and re-setup.
Myself, I would do it, for a few reasons.
KILL all that STUFF thats already installed and aint worth the money. Kill trialware.

A few problems do araise.
Spacific software and drivers that RUN on your laptop.
1. Extra keys can be lost. unless there is a keyboard prog for this.
2. BIOs control from software. Lots of laptops have there SPECIAL drivers, FIND them FIRST. you may loose a few abilities IF you dont.
3. DELL didnt MAKE that laptop, find the original maker. you should be able to get everything you need from them. Once you install another OS, have you voided your warrenty? IT wont be a DELL, and I dont think they will help if you have problems...ASK THEM FIRST, if you want it.

[netlaser9]

Thanks a bunch "ECA" .... good to hear from you soon.
I was wondering if you guys know how to tell what the make of the LCD screen is? Where can I find this on any Dell laptop .... like my friend has a Dell600M.
What is this illumination problem on the 8600 screen? How much is it acceptable and what is the best make known so far for the 8600 which doesn't have a lot of problems (My guess is Samsung ? .... am I right?). But can we ask Dell for a specific make ?

Thanks again,
K.

[ECA]

you could ask them. The CS people probably wont know, contact the tech support.
But it should also be internaly stamped, under the plastic frame.