In raw CPU power, the Core i7-13700K still sits behind Intel’s most recent flagship, but it offers better single and multi-core performance than last-gen’s Core i9-12900K. You can see that in action in my results below. The Core i7-13700K is a 16-core processor from Intel’s most recent generation, and when paired with the latest DDR5 memory, can tear through the most demanding tasks you can throw at a PC. CPU power Jacob Roach / Digital Trendsĭespite its unassuming look, the XPS Desktop 8960 is one of the most powerful desktops you can buy right now. As it stands now, the machine can only mature to the point of the motherboard, meaning it has a limited shelf life. I appreciate that Dell has made an effort to allow you to upgrade the XPS Desktop, but it still feels like more could be done. That makes managing your cables tough if you add another drive into the machine. It features a toolless entry, where pulling a lever will snap off the side panel, but you can’t remove the other side panel. The case isn’t particularly friendly to upgrades, either. On the other hand, the GPU has a massive bracket around it, preventing simple upgrades, and there are only two RAM slots (both of which are filled in every configuration). There’s a spare M.2 SSD slot if you opt not to fill it when configuring the machine, for example, and the two drive sleds on top of the case have SATA cables already routed to them. On one hand, Dell offers some convenient upgrade spots inside the machine that even novice builders can use. You can’t swap out the motherboard or power supply, but thankfully, Dell now offers a 1,000-watt power supply option if you want to upgrade some components in the future. The XPS Desktop has never been friendly to major upgrades, and the 8960 revision carries the same proprietary components as previous models. Upgradability Jacob Roach / Digital Trends There’s no longer a disc drive, so if you’ve been hanging onto CDs and DVDs, you’ll need an external reader to use them with the updated machine. A dust filter would help a lot, especially considering the focused air path Dell has carved out.Īlthough the case is the same as the previous version of the XPS Desktop, Dell made one important change. Instead, you have the dated raw aluminum look inside that’s waiting to be caked in a layer of dust and painstakingly cleaned out with compressed air. Although Dell manages heat and noise well, there aren’t any dust filters in the machine. Due to only having a couple of fans, the machine will ramp up very loud for brief sprints while under stress, rather than the consistent hum of a PC with more fans. Then, the liquid cooler deals with managing the heat of the processor while exhausting the leftover air out the back.ĭell manages the heat, but the XPS Desktop 8960 can still get loud. ![]() The intake is channeled into the graphics card through a bracket, cooling it first and exhausting the heat inside the case. Dell manages how the air flows throughout the case, though. You get two 120mm fans total, split across a 120mm intake in the front and 120mm exhaust in the rear. I say “smart” because the XPS Desktop 8960 doesn’t have a lot of fans. It’s the ultimate sleeper PC, ditching RGB lighting and a massive case in favor of a subdued design and smart airflow. This is true even more so this generation, when you can cram in the flagship options from Nvidia and Intel. It’s sleek and understated, coming in either Platinum or Graphite, and it looks unassuming considering the hardware you can pack inside. The Dell XPS Desktop 8960 is an internal upgrade, so it carries the same case as the previous generation. The ultimate sleeper PC Jacob Roach / Digital Trends Based on the configurations we have now, it’s not hard to assume they’ll be much more expensive. I’m just worried about where the cheaper configurations of the 8960 will end up when they’re inevitably released. Dell continues to offer the previous version with Intel 12th-gen processors and Nvidia RTX 30-series GPUs, and both models carry the same chassis otherwise. But it’s still a far cry from the class the Dell XPS Desktop used to fall in. That’s not a terrible price compared to high-end gaming desktops like the Alienware Aurora R15 that pack similar specs. That will run you over $5,000.ĭell is offering the configuration I reviewed for $2,850. ![]() You can pack in up to a Core i9-13900K, RTX 4090, 6TB of SSD storage, and 64GB of DDR5 memory. Even the cheapest iteration of the newest model is $300 more than the most expensive configuration of the previous generation. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a boost in specs comes with a boost in price, but it’s the scale of the price increase that’s shocking. 5x USB 3.2 Type-A, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD card reader,Ģ.5Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
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