Dell Introduces the Studio XPS 7100: AMD Vision with Six-Core CPUs

BY: ch sabir hussain gujjar, DesktopReview.com Editor
PUBLISHED: 5/12/2010

AMD introduced their new branding concept,"AMD Vision", last year. The idea behind Vision is to simplify the computer buying experience for consumers. Dell is jumping on board with Vision, bringing AMD CPUs to its enthusiast-class desktops for the first time.

The new Studio XPS 7100 features AMD's latest six-core processors. Aside from the now Dell-owned Alienware brand, AMD CPUs have been used by Dell in computers designed for gamers and other enthusiasts. Since they were already shaking things up by adopting a new platform, Dell took the opportunity to tweak the design of the Studio XPS lineup, both internally and externally.

We've reviewed two of Dell's Studio XPS XXXX desktops, and each time have complimented the PC maker on the line's innovative and attractive design. The Studio XPS 7100 takes things a step further by replacing the striking white and brightly-colored panels with a grey and silver motif, Dell refers to the theme as "Carbide Silver".

In addition to the new six-core CPUs, Dell pushed the power supplies in the Studio XPS 7100 from 350 up to 460 watts. In Dell's own terms, a significant percentage of traffic on their forums comes from users looking to upgrade their graphics cards, and they all complain that Dell isn't supplying powerful enough power supplies in order to facilitate the upgrades. Dell claims that their 350W PSUs were more than sufficient for most graphics cards, but decided to throw up their hands and accede to the will of the people.

Other options for the new Studio XPS 7100 include high-end discrete graphics like ATI's Radeon HD 5870, up to 16GB of DDR3 SDRAM and up to 4TB of hard drive storage. The case offers eSATA, optical S/PDIF and HDMI connections in order to keep everything digital as well as native SATA3 (6Gbps) support.

Dell will be putting the new 7100 up for sale today at Dell.com; prices start as low as $699.