So I've ordered a new Dell...

LimpingFish · Sun 06/01/2008 00:56:44

My current PC just can't cut it anymore, so I've bought a Dell XPS 420. Quad core cpu, 8800GT gfx card, etc.

All fine and dandy. Today I recieved my order confirmation, and in the breakdown of what I've bought it says:

XPS 420 Viiv Q6600 Quad Core Processor 2.40GHz, 1066Mhz FSB, 8MB cache.

I didn't choose a Viiv-certified CPU. I didn't get the option to. Only one CPU was selectable for the configuration of the PC I wished to purchase, and that was...

Intel Core Duo Q6600 Quad Core Processor 2.40GHz, 1066Mhz FSB, 8MB cache.

Other PC configurations had the option of choosing between Viiv and non-Viiv, but like I said, I didn't get that option. I presumed I was getting a non-Viiv CPU.

Hell, I didn't even know what Viiv was, although I had heard some unsettling things about DRM and such being involved.

From what I can gleam from googling the subject, it seems there is no difference between a Viiv certified CPU and a non-Viiv certified CPU, besides the branding. Which leaves me a bit confused.

Does anybody here own, or have experience with, an Intel Viiv certified PC? What exactly differentiates it from an Intel non Viiv certified PC? Is it simply that Viiv PC's conform to a certain hardware layout?

Any help is appreciated.

Layabout · Sun 06/01/2008 01:40:13

From my understanding Viiv is intels 'standard' of home entertainment media centre packagy type doodaa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Viiv

so im sort of right.

OneDollar · Sun 06/01/2008 18:20:30

I don't really know what it is or what it's advantages/disadvantages are. My computer reckons its a "Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.40GHz (2 CPUs)", but I have a Viiv sticker on the outside. In short I don't think Dell has changed your order and as far as I'm aware (which isn't very far) you're not losing any functionality. I've not had any problems (with the processor) anyway

LimpingFish · Mon 07/01/2008 21:01:06

Thanks for the help.

Yeah, apparently the only difference with a Viiv-certified CPU, is that it requires Vista or XP Media Centre Edition to be installed (along with a certain configuration of hardware), so that the PC meets the criteria to be Viiv certified. Windows XP Home or Pro won't run on it.

The DRM stuff only seems to be related to Viiv-enabled media software, used for streaming licensed content and such.

As far as I know, Intel has decided that the Viiv brand is a bit of a damp squib, and won't be developing it beyond it's current version.

OneDollar · Tue 08/01/2008 00:24:14

Blagh, that Wikipedia article and its links just confuse (and slightly concern) me. My computer hardware knowledge only goes so far. Would this mean that I couldn't dual boot with a Linux operating system? Would I potentially have issues if I wanted to change/add to the hardware (like have to look for specific hard drives or sound cards)?

I had trouble enough wading through the specs of the graphics cards on offer when I bought my Dell...

deadsuperhero · Thu 10/01/2008 22:14:33

Dell DOES happen to sell Ubuntu laptops, with which one could install Windows on...

LimpingFish · Thu 10/01/2008 22:45:00

Quote from: OneDollar on Tue 08/01/2008 00:24:14
Blagh, that Wikipedia article and its links just confuse (and slightly concern) me. My computer hardware knowledge only goes so far. Would this mean that I couldn't dual boot with a Linux operating system? Would I potentially have issues if I wanted to change/add to the hardware (like have to look for specific hard drives or sound cards)?

I had trouble enough wading through the specs of the graphics cards on offer when I bought my Dell...

Like you, investigating the ins and outs of Viiv only confused me, but apparently:

Installing Linux, Windows XP (Home or Pro), or any other non-Viiv certified OS (which is pretty much anything other than Vista or XP Media Centre Edition) is not possible with a Viiv CPU.

As to individual hardware changes, as long as the specs of the hardware are the same or above what Viiv recommends (apart from the fact that your motherboard and network adapter have to be Intel-made) there shouldn't be any manufaturer-specific problems.

I think.

No wonder Intel doesn't like to talk about it. $:-\$

OneDollar · Fri 11/01/2008 00:17:56

Ah well, that doesn't sound too bad then. I was probably never going to get around to installing Linux anyway.

SSH · Sun 13/01/2008 13:52:03

I just ordered a Dell lapto and they just told me that instead of being delivered by 16 Jan it will be here by 28 Feb... WTF?

LimpingFish · Mon 14/01/2008 00:31:31

Quote from: SSH on Sun 13/01/2008 13:52:03
I just ordered a Dell lapto and they just told me that instead of being delivered by 16 Jan it will be here by 28 Feb... WTF?

I've just been pushed back from the 15th to the 25th of January.

deadsuperhero · Mon 14/01/2008 01:35:50

Quote from: OneDollar on Fri 11/01/2008 00:17:56
Ah well, that doesn't sound too bad then. I was probably never going to get around to installing Linux anyway.

Look here!
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

SSH · Thu 17/01/2008 09:42:53

Woo, apparently mine is arriving tomorrow! So not only are the estimates wrong, but their re-estimates are even more out!

LimpingFish · Fri 18/01/2008 23:33:22

Mine arrived yesterday! Hooray!

...

Vista is horrible! :'(