Filter
Top Products
Introduction 1-1
Chapter 1
Introduction
T
he 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.
S
ystem 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.