Dell XPS H233 manual Introduction, System Features

Chapter 1

Introduction

The Dell Dimension™ XPS H233 computer system is a high-speed personal computer designed around an Intel® microprocessor with MMX™ technology. This system combines high-performance Peripheral Component Inter- connect (PCI) design with Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) design, allowing a wide range of initial configura- tions and upgrade possibilities.

This chapter describes the major hardware and software features of your computer, provides information about accessing the online documentation, and tells you how to obtain help if you need it.

System Features

Your Dell® computer offers the following features:

•An Intel microprocessor that runs at an internal speed of 233 megahertz (MHz) and an external speed of 66 MHz.

The Intel microprocessor in your computer includes MMX technology designed to handle complex mul- timedia and communications software. This microprocessor incorporates new instructions and data types as well as a technique called Single Instruction, Multiple Data (SIMD) that allows the microprocessor to process multiple data elements in parallel, thereby improving overall system performance.

•A secondary cache of 512 kilobytes (KB) of static random-access memory (SRAM) is included within the single-edge contact (SEC) cartridge, which also contains the microprocessor. Math coprocessor func- tionality is internal to the microprocessor.

•A high-speed, high-resolution PCI video card that takes advantage of the computer’s local bus. (Documentation from the video card manufacturer is included with your system.)

•Memory that can be increased up to 128 megabytes (MB) by installing two or four 16- or 32-MB extended-data out (EDO) single in-line memory modules (SIMMs) in the four SIMM sockets on the system board. EDO memory devices offer improved performance over fast-page-mode devices because they extend the time that data is held after a read cycle ends. This extension allows the next read cycle to begin while the data is still being latched from the previous read cycle.

The system provides error correction code (ECC) capability whenever parity SIMMs are used. The system’s ECC capability corrects all single-bit mem- ory errors and detects all multibit memory errors. If you mix parity and nonparity SIMMs, the system does not provide ECC capability.

•Full Plug and Play capability, which can greatly sim- plify the installation of expansion cards. Plug and Play support included in the system basic input/ output system (BIOS) allows you to install Plug and Play expansion cards without setting jumpers or switches or performing other configuration tasks. Also, because the system BIOS is stored in flash memory, it can be updated to support future enhancements to the Plug and Play standard.

The system board includes the following built-in features:

•Three 32-bit PCI expansion slots, through which you can connect high-speed PCI peripherals to the PCI bus—greatly increasing their input/output (I/O) speeds over the speeds attainable using the ISA bus.

Introduction 1-1