Hi everyone - I'm new here and was referred from another forum. Would appreciate thoughts and guidance.

I ordered a Dell Precision 380, and because of a miscommunication, the sales rep ordered a different processor. The system was supposed to come standard with the Pentium D 820, 2.80GHz/800MHz/2x1MB L2 cache, Dual-core processor, but she ordered the Pentium 4 Processor 630 3.00GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz. There is no price difference.

She was trying to rushing my order, as I'm unexpectedly without a desktop. To do this, she "upgraded" to a system with the 3.00GHz P4 that was available to ship immediately. But she failed to tell me that it was a different processor and I didn't find out until it had already shipped. Once it arrives, I can return it at no cost and they'll ship the correct computer, but I'm trying to figure out if I was really ordering the right processor for me, and if it's worth the hassle/wait of returning and reordering.

I do graphic design and use PDFs and applications like Photoshop, Quark, etc. to open and manipulate large files simultaneously. I have limited knowledge about processors, but keep reading that the Pentium D is better able to handle multitasking, which is why I initially chose it. The system has 2GB, 667MHz, DDR2 ECC SDRAM Memory and ATI FireGL V3100, 128MB single DVI/VGA,GraphicsCard, if that makes any difference.

In my use for graphic design, would I would truly notice a difference between the two processors?

Can anyone help? Thanks!

The Pentium D 820 is dual core while the 630 is a prescott core that is a single core with hyperthreading. If it were me, I would tell them to ship with the pentium D. Having the dual core is way better. But that's my humble opinion.

If the 3 Ghz is a single core, ship that puppy back and get your 2.8. For what you want to do, accept no less than a dual core. And talk then into doubling your ram for all the hassle, they'll go for it. Just get a little angry. =D

The system that shipped has the P4 630 3.00GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz processor, but the other specifications I listed above are the same. So, if I want the dual-core, I'll have to return it and have a new system reshipped.

You brought up a software issue that I didn't even consider - DUH. I recently upgraded to Photoshop CS2 and Adobe Acrobat 7.0. The Photoshop box states "Intel Xeon, Xeon Dual, Intel Centrino, or Pentium III or 4 processor," and the Acrobat box states, "Intel Pentium processor." I'm still using an old version of Quark, and am unsure whether I'll stick with that in the future or switch to a different program.

Does this mean I woudn't benefit from a dual-core processor at all, or just not as much as with future upgrades?

You bought a Dell, they messed up and you got screwed.

Classic...

Not much can be done, deal with them, if they can't resolve the matter to your satisfaction, you'll know why hardware enthusiasts have such a low opinion of Dell and the likes.

I have that processor (the 630) in one of my computers, other than that, I have AMD's. Anyway, you need to raise hell with them, that Dual Core is what you ordered, and that is what your supposed to get. Don't accept what they give you, persue what you ordered.

I agree with that. My attitude about Dell flip-flops from time to time. I see a bargain and think they ain't so bad. Then they pull this kind of crap and I remember the bad experiences I've had. If you ever have to deal with their tech support, you'll be sorry.

But I still lust that 24" monitor of theirs...

Dell....tsssk.

Tell them you want the Pentium D. Its Faster than That 630 even without multi-threaded software(WinXP will get 2 Cores & 4 Threads@2.8GHz(820) vs. 1 Core & two threads@3.0GHz(630), do the math.

Do not pay for their mistake. Get very angry, but within the law.
Threaten to sue, e-mail friends, pickett, anything you know they won't like.

You should not pay for her mistake. You should have bought a FALCON NORTHWEST AMD ALTHON64 X2-ANY SPEED...COMPUTER. But the horse has gone through the gate so that's my advice, and i know i'm right.

How did you work out 4 threads on an 820? Only the extreme edition Pentium D's have hyperthreading enabled, all the lower versions are dual core, dual thread as far as I'm aware.

Ixion is right about the 820 not being hyperthreading enabled. So you'll have 2 threads going with either processor. (both the 630 & 820 will show 2 cpu charts in task manager in case you check) However, I think of hyperthreading as kind of a "poor man's" dual core so you should definetly get what you paid for. I've heard that since the Intel dual-cores communicate thru a shared FSB that the 630 might outperform the 820 on some games and such, but for the programs your using (photoshop etc.) the 820 is the way to go. A friend had the same thing happen with Dell when ordering a laptop. He bitched and they sent him the right one and doubled his RAM as some have suggested. Do it.

Thanks everyone!

This isn't just a case of getting what I paid for, but also, did I order the right processor to start with? From what you've all said, it sounds like I should definitely hold out for the dual-core that I originally ordered.

When I realized the error from the email confirmation, I called and emailed the sales rep in the small business department. She didn't respond, so I kept calling and eventually got her. She sounded surprised, and then tried to convince me that the P4 is just as fast and would be fine. I told her it's not a matter of speed, but which processor is best for my use of the system. She finally relented and told me to let her know when it arrives so it can be shipped back. If I'm here, I'm assuming I can just refuse the delivery. Worst case, it's on our business AMEX, and they're good about refuting charges.

But I'd sure like to hold our for more memory

Hey you're right, good looking out. Got distracted by some customers in the shop, talking pooo.....Actually wanted to just answer the question about software benefits, but someone already posted on that.
But my advice on Negotiating tactics still stand up to the test.

Get VERY angry, but within the law. If they say you have to spend a cent more to correct their snafu RRRRRR......GET CRAZY.

Please let us know how it goes.

When more software gets written FOR mlti-cores your 820 will still be able to keep up, UNLIKE THE 630.

that is complete bu11sh!t, get furious with them and then make them upgrade it to a 3.0GHz dual for causing so many problems for you. thats what i would do, thats is why i dont like buying from the large retailers because they will end up doing things like this to you and get you really pissed off. and in fact all of the dell monitors are shit, their response times are like 25ms and they are way overpriced, i found out how slow the were when i hooked up both a crt and the dell flatscreen to my computer i was like "wow what a piece of SH!T!!!!" and i didnt even buy the monitor. i have more recently decided that all name brand stuff is overpriced and crappy so i will never buy it again, accept shoes, i need good shoes.

Amen to that lmfao.
Bitch at Dell, definately. You shouldn't pay for other people's mistakes.