Typing this reply on a Dell Dimension 8200 (Socket 478 with RDRAM).

Installed a better video card in it yesterday. I actually really like these Rambus P4 systems. In fact, this Dimension 8200 is now my main Windows XP desktop system.

This 8200 runs better than my Socket 423 Dimension 8100 does. The 8100 is very slow with XP, while this 8200 runs XP very well. They are both Willamette P4s though. The 8200 will be getting a 3GHz Northwood soon though, if I can figure out what I did with that damn thing. I may just have to breakdown and buy another one.

A Socket 478 with RDRAM is actually my favorite type of P4 system. Call me crazy or whatever, I don't care. I'm also one of those "crazy" people that collects IBM PS/2 Microchannel systems. In fact, one of my main DOS machines is an IBM PS/2 Model 80. I always seem to have a soft spot for the unloved/hated computers.

And yes, I am aware that both of these companies shot themselves in the foot by trying to create a monopoly. But I still like these systems!

Right, I was reading about the history of Rambus. They got greedy. They thought they were going to lock down memory the way Intel and Microsoft had locked down microprocessors and operating systems. They began charging monopoly prices... before they actually had their monopoly.