Dell XPS 8960 Desktop: i7-13700, 16GB DDR5, 512GB NVMe SSD, RTX 4090 24GB

ShoonMcgregor

Apr 11, 2024 12:31 PM

89 Comments

Joined Sep 2009

ShoonMcgregorApr 11, 2024 12:31 PM

89 Comments

Review of the machine

https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/dell-xps-8960

https://www.tweaktown.com/reviews...index.html

Last edited by ShoonMcgregor April 11, 2024 at 05:34 AM.

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Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 11, 2024 12:43 PM

11.1K Comments

Joined Feb 2013

Hat-Trick

Pro

Apr 11, 2024 12:43 PM

11.1K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Hat-Trick

People on SlickDeals constantly/relentlessly bash Alienware because of cooling issues (with earlier models, which are twice the size of this). How does a 4090 + a liquid cooled CPU work on a tiny case with a single exhaust fan?

In any case, some might have a 10% off AMEX benefit on their card for another almost $250 statement credit (I did).

Last edited by Hat-Trick April 11, 2024 at 05:49 AM.

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BrainDoc

Apr 11, 2024 2:35 PM

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BrainDocApr 11, 2024 2:35 PM

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If the GPU is worth the $1600 MSRP (it's not, unless you are making money with the GPU, but that's where the market is currently), that puts the rest of the computer at $700. That is assuming you can buy a 4090 for MSRP, which isn't possible very often. You're looking at maybe $1800 minimum.

With current prices, you can build a comparable machine for about $2600 (plus money for Windows 11, a keyboard, and mouse). Dell's offering saves you about $300 over this:

Intel Core i7-13700 2.1 GHz 16-Core Processor
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 72.8 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
ASRock B760M-H/M.2 Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
Crucial CT2K8G48C40U5 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR5-4800 CL40 Memory
TEAMGROUP MP33 512 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
MSI GAMING TRIO GeForce RTX 4090 24 GB Video Card
Thermaltake Versa H18 MicroATX Mini Tower Case
Deepcool PX1000G 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply

Total for that build with current prices is $2636.75.

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xtp

Apr 11, 2024 2:44 PM

9.7K Comments

Joined Aug 2013

xtpApr 11, 2024 2:44 PM

9.7K Comments

Quote from BrainDoc

:

Total for that build with current prices is $2636.75.

The problem is the Dell uses shitty parts, and it's ugly. shake head

Motherboards are the first to go, and dell's are absolutely bottom barrel for Power delivery VRM designs. Once it blows, you have to get another one that fits, and that one is just as bad quality if not worse than the first (if buying used).

Last edited by xtp April 11, 2024 at 07:48 AM.

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RancidRat

Apr 11, 2024 2:50 PM

188 Comments

Joined Sep 2020

RancidRatApr 11, 2024 2:50 PM

188 Comments

Quote from xtp

:

The problem is the Dell uses shitty parts, and it's ugly.

Motherboards are the first to go, and dell's are absolutely bottom barrel for Power delivery VRM designs. Once it blows, you have to get another one that fits, and that one is just as bad quality if not worse than the first (if used).

And with Dell, everything that can be proprietary, often is. Upgrading some parts can be a severe pain or impossible.

9

5

oxyi

Apr 11, 2024 3:28 PM

753 Comments

Joined Feb 2006

oxyiApr 11, 2024 3:28 PM

753 Comments

Quote from xtp

:

The problem is the Dell uses shitty parts, and it's ugly.

Motherboards are the first to go, and dell's are absolutely bottom barrel for Power delivery VRM designs. Once it blows, you have to get another one that fits, and that one is just as bad quality if not worse than the first (if buying used).

For the less tech-savy or too lazy to build. It's a better deal to buy from Dell...

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MagentaKite1511

Apr 11, 2024 3:50 PM

50 Comments

Joined Aug 2022

MagentaKite1511Apr 11, 2024 3:50 PM

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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank MagentaKite1511

Quote from oxyi

:

For the less tech-savy or too lazy to build. It's a better deal to buy from Dell...

I used to be a builder, now I'd go pre-made. Time > Money

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stacks3000

Apr 11, 2024 4:15 PM

812 Comments

Joined Nov 2014

stacks3000Apr 11, 2024 4:15 PM

812 Comments

Essentially this is worth it just for the gpu. Im not a big fan of dell.

3

1

BrainDoc

Apr 11, 2024 5:00 PM

3.1K Comments

Joined Nov 2005

BrainDocApr 11, 2024 5:00 PM

3.1K Comments

Quote from xtp

:

The problem is the Dell uses shitty parts, and it's ugly.

Motherboards are the first to go, and dell's are absolutely bottom barrel for Power delivery VRM designs. Once it blows, you have to get another one that fits, and that one is just as bad quality if not worse than the first (if buying used).

I like the look of the Dell computer (other than the back, but who cares?). It looks a lot like my workstation/gaming PC I built.

Is Dell's motherboard lower quality than the low end board I included in the build? ASRock can make some good products, but I specifically went about as inexpensive and low end as possible.

As for the PSU, this should be it: https://www.dell.com/community/en...a8de1efdb9

That's for the 8950 (versus this 8960), but the PSU should be the same. If that's a terrible PSU for you, then don't buy the computer. You're welcome to build your own. I do, but that doesn't make this Dell a bad computer or a bad value. If you're worried, you can always put some of the cost savings towards an extended warranty if that helps you feel better.

8

CoolMoney1870

Apr 11, 2024 5:34 PM

208 Comments

Joined Sep 2022

CoolMoney1870Apr 11, 2024 5:34 PM

208 Comments

Quote from RancidRat

:

And with Dell, everything that can be proprietary, often is. Upgrading some parts can be a severe pain or impossible.

Most large PC manufacturers (Apple, Lenovo, Asus, Dell, Acer, HP, ect...) use some proprietary sized parts. Usually it's the custom motherboard to fit in the custom case, and often the power supply. But other parts that go into standardized slots are swappable to other PCs like; (CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, ect..)

Last edited by CoolMoney1870 April 11, 2024 at 10:37 AM.

4

teoshop

Apr 11, 2024 5:34 PM

64 Comments

Joined Aug 2017

teoshopApr 11, 2024 5:34 PM

64 Comments

Quote from xtp

:

The problem is the Dell uses shitty parts, and it's ugly. shake head

Motherboards are the first to go, and dell's are absolutely bottom barrel for Power delivery VRM designs. Once it blows, you have to get another one that fits, and that one is just as bad quality if not worse than the first (if buying used).

I have had my dell xps desktop running 24 hours a day for 6 years. Not a single issue.

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1

teoshop

Apr 11, 2024 5:38 PM

64 Comments

Joined Aug 2017

teoshopApr 11, 2024 5:38 PM

64 Comments

Quote from teoshop

:

I have had my dell xps desktop running 24 hours a day for 6 years. Not a single issue.

I also have an R15 Alienware that uses AI to encode video. Maxes out the GPU. This one is liquid cooled and I do not notice it getting super hot. It is in a small room. It is also used for gaming and virtual machines. It has not given me an issue either. The thing I like is that is I only have to troubleshoot with one vendor. I paid a couple hundred for the max warranty. Which was a waste as it has never died.

3

Dell XPS 8960 Desktop: i7-13700, 16GB DDR5, 512GB NVMe SSD, RTX 4090 24GB

$2,295

$3,100

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