" I recently ordered a standard Dell Dimension 8300 desktop and have since
received notification from the company that they are required to change the
current desktop order due to a supply issue being faced. In their words,
"the replacement processor will have the same clock speed but with less
cache." To compensate the inconvenience caused, I was offered a free
upgrade to 128MB memory key. As I have limited knowledge of computer
hardware, can anyone explain to me in lay term what this means? Will I be
disadvantaged? This was all the information they gave me and I wonder if I
am missing something ... what questions should I ask them? "
According to the specs at
http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/products/model_dimen_dimen_8300.htm , you
should be getting an 800Mhz FSB Intel Pentium 4 with a clock speed of
between 3.0Ghz and 3.2Ghz and an L2 (Level 2) cache of 512K. I can't see
how they are giving you a processor with a similar clock speed and a 256K L2
cache, because I'm sure that none exist.
It could be that your original order was for a processor with a 1024K (1MB)
L2 cache, and they are offering you one with a 512K L2 cache instead. Maybe
they have already changed it on the Dell website for future orders.
If you can look up your order and state the full details of the system you
are supposed to be getting, and the exact details of what they are offering
you, then it might be easier to understand.
Anyway, it seems that they are offering you a 128MB USB memory key as an
upgrade from a 64MB USB memory key. On the customization section for
on-line orders of the Dell Dimension 8300, a 64MB USB memory key will cost
you an extra $9, and the 128MB version will cost you $29. So basically they
are giving you $20 for a processor which suffers having half the cache. If
you were to use your system for anything intensive, such as video editing,
encoding etc, then you will suffer a small drop in performance. You may
have use for an extra 64MB on your USB key, but I would be pissed at Dell if
they offered me that deal.
If I was in your shoes, I would call them one last time, asking if they
would stick to the original spec of the order. If they refused, tell them
to halt your order until they receive your letter of official complaint.
Tell them that you would suffer a loss of performance in the
processor-intensive tasks which this PC has been purchased for, and that the
*X* cache was a considerable factor in your choice of system. If they can't
supply you with your original order, then they should upgrade your processor
to one with a faster clock speed, or to an Extreme Edition of your original
clock speed. If that can not be done, then they should increase their offer
in other ways.
You'll never get an Extreme Edition processor out of them, but you are
legally entitled to withdraw from your contract if they can not supply your
order. Dell are scared, and their offer is pathetic.
